Glee's Grilled Cheesus episode

I usually don't post my reactions to portrayals of religion on TV. If I did, my objections would be highly repetitive: 1) the proportion of hypocrites is much greater on TV, 2) people can in fact be devotees and yet be knowledgeable and sane, 3) in my opinion "serious" discussion of religious topics tends to be largely trite and simplistic, 4) viewers should keep in mind that, as with any topic, anything that's merely photogenic is always overrepresented.

But "Grilled Cheesus" merits some special mention, both because the episode's single-minded focus is religion and because the show reaches so many people. My intent isn't to scold the TV show for attempting to address such a drastically important facet of human existence. And a scolding would of course be ineffective and unrealistic. Glee has made it repeatedly plain that, like any work of media, it has its own voice and style and ideology, so nobody should bother to expect it to be any more congenial to traditional Christian beliefs than it has in the past.

• Some of the song choices are curious: "Only the Good Die Young", "Bridge over Troubled Water", "Losing My Religion", "One of Us" (I've previously explained my annoyance with people who apply that song to Christ). Rather than songs that mention religion, why not "authentic" and unambiguous religious songs? There's no shortage! If the goal is inoffensiveness to the the American public, dare I suggest a common Christmas carol? Something in Latin? The song whose usage is so reflexive and pervasive in non-Christian contexts that it borders on kitsch, "Amazing Grace"? (What other tune would be played centuries in the future after an alien, Mr. Spock, dies?)
• A few of the episode's characters argue a distinction between religion and "spirituality" on the assumption that the latter should be treated differently, e.g. in a public school classroom. Naturally, I disagree. For many, the precepts of their religion are their personal spirituality. Their beliefs are as valid and worthy of expression as the beliefs of someone who professes to be "unorganized". It's quite naive to claim that we can talk comprehensively about human souls, supernatural forces/gods, or various customs and experiences without delving into the details of widespread religions.
• The inclusion of atheism was unsurprising given its increasing fashion and publicity in mainstream media, but the extensive coverage of it nevertheless seemed excessive for a belief system that's an undeniable minority. I was also irked by the manner in which the atheist perspective was presented by intellectual points and gibes while everyone else's perspective was comparatively unintellectual and toothless. As if the atheist reaches conclusions and others must compensate with grandiose leaps of blind faith (really, no one offers a credible counterargument to being called a "mental patient" for believing?).
• Someone commented to the effect that the notion of the unsaved going to Hell is not very Christian. This isn't the first time I've heard something similar. Know what else is not very Christian? The notion that rebellious and intentional sins have no consequences on one's relationship with a perfectly holy God.
• An appearance of a gospel choir was inevitable. Perhaps no other manifestation of Christianity has the same likable combination of excitement, showiness, and fluffiness.
• Not much more need be said about the grilled "cheesus" itself. It's a risible specimen of religion and a plot contrivance. Nothing else. Based on how it was treated in the episode, I don't think it was meant as a satire.