ABC’s Sitcom 'Black-Ish' Tackles Belief In God, Promotes Theological Respectability

Black-Ish
A recent episode, called "God," on ABC's sitcom "Black-Ish," dove into the struggles that come when one's belief in God wanes.  Black-Ish

A recent episode of ABC's "Black-Ish" series, which was simply entitled "God," focused viewers on the confusion of the featured TV family's oldest daughter who refused to pray at the start of a family meal  because she has growing doubt concerning the reality of God. For Zoey (played by Yara Shahidi), the suffering that overwhelms human experience challenges belief. "Can there really be a God in light of so much misery in the world?" she pondered.

Theologians call this question about the meaning of suffering "theodicy," stated Anthony Pinn on Religion Dispatches. For Zoey, the answer had shifted away from the certain belief in the God of her father Andre ("Dre," played by Anthony Anderson).

Zoey's uncle Johan has just arrived from two years in Paris, and is still in love with all things French. He endorses his niece's theological doubt, because he is an atheist who argues reason and science rule out biblical fantasies, points out Pinn.

Dre is furious and demands that Zoey acknowledge her faith in God as part of her connection to family and community. The episode ends with dad and kids at the doctor's office with the mother, who is pregnant with the newest member of the clan. When the baby's heartbeat is finally heard, after some worry, viewers hear Zoe say softly, "thank God."

The family embraces, leaving the feeling that Zoey has reaffirmed her belief and all is well - except for the matter of Johan. The episode cuts to the house, with the "godless, European wannabe uncle on the couch with a glass of wine," states Pinn. "The show might try to challenge the culture of respectability in some ways but, on the issue of God, it embraces a theology nestled within a vision of theological respectability:  'Good, upstanding, community-minded people believe!'"

Within the context of 30 minutes on the show, questioning the existence of God, or denying it altogether, is presented as a problem to solve, Pinn said.  

Pinn asserts that assuming all African Americans believe because they are African Americans runs counter to the trend highlighted by pollsters. The "Nones," or unaffiliated, represent a growing percentage of the U.S. population, and African Americans represent an important demographic within this growth. He said the number of African Americans falling into this category almost doubled over the past 30 years.

"Belief in God doesn't bind African Americans to one other, and it is unfortunate to assume-even with a laugh-that belief in God is some sort of litmus test," Pinn said.

"What holds African Americans together isn't a particular response to the challenges and mysteries of life. No, what binds African Americans together is a complex history, many spaces within a rich geography of life in which to be African American is to be the 'other' whose full humanity isn't a given but a struggle."

    Most Popular
  • Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Faith-based films often receive mixed reactions, and The Last Supper is no exception. The movie attempts to bring a fresh perspective to one of the most iconic moments in Christian history, but does it succeed? Some reviews from critics and audiences provide insight into its strengths and shortcomings.

  • ‘The Chosen’ Season 5: The darkest season yet—What to know before watching

    The wait is over—The Chosen is back with its fifth season, and this time, things are getting intense. The new episodes dive straight into the final days of Jesus’ life, covering some of the most emotional and dramatic moments in the Bible. If you’ve been following the series, you already know that The Chosen isn’t just about retelling familiar stories—it’s about bringing them to life in a way that feels real.

  • Massacres in Syria: Over 1,000 dead, including Christians and Alawites

    Syria’s coastal regions have been devastated by a series of massacres, with reports indicating that over 1,000 people—many from Christian and Alawite communities—have been killed in brutal attacks. Entire families have been wiped out, and survivors are fleeing in search of safety as sectarian violence escalates.

  • Kim Sae-ron and Wheesung: The tragic irony of Korean society and the principles of happiness

    Not long ago, the media was in an uproar over actress Kim Sae-ron’s passing. Just months before, the same people who had relentlessly criticized her for her DUI incident were now expressing sympathy, saying, "The world was too harsh on her." The irony is impossible to ignore.

  • Newsboys move forward as a quartet after Michael Tait’s departure

    After more than a decade as the lead singer of the Newsboys, Michael Tait has officially parted ways with the band, marking a significant shift in the Christian rock group’s lineup. The remaining members—Jeff Frankenstein, Jody Davis, Duncan Phillips, and Adam Agee—have assured fans that they will continue forward, embracing a new season of music and ministry.