Is Bake Off becoming too rude for Christians?

Watching a baking show is nice, festive family viewing right? On Christmas day I tuned in to watch the Bake Off Christmas special with my 12-year-old daughter. While most of it was good, wholesome stuff, I cringed in horror when one baked item was described as looking like a vagina, and presenter Alison Hammond encouraged a participant to reveal who he wanted to snog.

Let’s face it, Bake Off has always had a history of sexual innuendo. There have been jokes about soggy bottoms and tight buns, even when the show was on the more conservative BBC.

I cringed in horror when one baked item was described as looking like a vagina

However, last year, after an epicly rude episode aired on 26 October, viewers took to social media to complain. Though it seems there are also many fans that love the humour.

When the sexual innuendo was more subtle, it was easier to just let it go and focus on the bakes. When a participant talked about the ‘beaver’ she had made, while Paul smirked and stifled a laugh, a younger viewer wouldn’t see the joke, and I didn’t think too much about it.

However, with the more deliberate sexual humour, is it now becoming too rude for Christians?

The apostle Paul said, “Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving” (Ephesians 5:4). It’s not appropriate for Christians to make these kinds of jokes, and so we need to ask ourselves if it’s appropriate to be watching them, or laughing along.

I may sound like a prudish Christian, but as someone who has worked as a sex coach, and parent educator, I can see the damage that worldly attitudes to sexuality are doing to the younger generation.

Humour is a gift from God, and it is natural to joke about the things we find embarrassing or uncomfortable. Sex can be an awkward topic, so a few jokes can help us be more relaxed and open about it. Where is the line where it becomes filthy and crude?

I’m not sure, but when it starts to glorify sin, or worldly attitudes to sexuality then it’s a definite no.

I cringed as my daughter heard the joke about the vagina, as our sexual organs are part of God’s gift, his beautiful design. When we joke about them in this way, or have a flippant attitude to sexual acts like ‘snogging’ then it most definitely isn’t giving glory to God and his design for sex and marriage.

I may sound like a prudish Christian, but as someone who has worked as a sex coach, and parent educator, I can see the damage that worldly attitudes to sexuality are doing to the younger generation.

The other aspect of this form of humour, is that as humans we can do so much better. God created our sense of humour, we are made in his image, and in the Psalms there are references to God sitting in the heavens laughing at the wicked. We can be intelligent, and quick-witted, reaching others with a well timed joke. Comedian Victor Borge said that ‘laughter is the shortest distance between two people.’ It is a wonderful way to connect and overcome our separateness.

A few years ago, I went to watch a comedian Chris McGlade, who was touring with a show called Forgiveness, which is the story of how his father was murdered, and he forgave the killer instantly. McGlade weaves his story with intelligence, wit, and love. He uses humour to show the best of humanity, that we are made in the image of God, and we can love, laugh and forgive. It makes me think of these lines in Philippians 4:8,’Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.’

There is so much more to this wonderful gift of humour than what we see on Bake Off.

Would I ban the show or stop watching? My daughter loves it, and has been inspired by it. However, unless she suggests watching it, then I’m not going to. All that sweetness has turned bitter for me now. I’ll stick to what is pure and lovely.