Recently, an ad from KFC UK stirred up reactions across Christian social media. In the commercial, a man is shown being baptized—not in water, but in a lake of gravy. Cue the backlash. Words like “blasphemy” and “mockery” were quickly thrown around, while others laughed it off as just another attempt at edgy advertising. So how should Christians—and especially youth pastors—respond?
I’ll let you know what I thought at end but this moment offers a powerful opportunity to equip ourselves and our students with a skill that’s more essential than ever: media discernment. Before we react, we must learn to ask the right questions. But first, we need to define the terms.
What’s the Difference?
Mockery is the act of ridiculing someone or something, often with the intent to shame or diminish. It’s mean-spirited and designed to provoke.
Late night hosts taking pot shots at Christians, that’s mockery.
When I went to New Orleans to share Christ during Mardi Gra and there was a group called Cult of the Lizard, whose goal it was to mock the Christians sharing Christ as Mardi Gra, they would sing irreverent songs as their worship, etc. That’s mockery.
Blasphemy, in contrast, is direct disrespect or irreverence toward God or sacred things. It’s more than rudeness—it’s an offense against the divine.
- The movie The Last Temptation of Christ is considered blasphemous because Christ’s divinity and perfection is diminished.
- Will Ferrell’s character, in a drug induced haze, said, “I love you more than Jesus dying on the cross” is blasphemous because he takes the greatest act of of love in the history of man kind and brings it down to an improved punch line.
Satire uses humor, irony, or exaggeration to point out flaws, inconsistencies, or cultural trends. It can be respectful or irreverent, depending on its aim and tone.
- The movie Saved is satirical because, at the time, youth groups were kind of silly and focused on games and crazy stunts.
- Monty Python is predominantly, satirical. Yes, are there cringe worthy moments but I have seen fare greater cringe moment in Christian movies and tv show as well as in church.
- The Righteous Gemstones is satirical. I don’t watch it because it’s too on the nose for me. Danny McBride’s mother is a Christian and did puppet ministry.
When Christians see something strange or offensive in media, jumping straight to outrage can harm our witness. Discernment helps us understand what was meant, why it matters, and how to respond with wisdom.
Biblical Examples of Blasphemy and Mockery
Blasphemy in Scripture
- Mark 3:28–30 – Jesus warns that blaspheming the Holy Spirit is an eternal sin, underscoring the seriousness of attributing God’s work to evil.
- Leviticus 24:10–16 – Under Mosaic Law, blasphemy carried the highest penalty.
- Matthew 26:63–65 – Jesus is accused of blasphemy for claiming to be the Son of God—a reminder that even the truth can be misjudged as blasphemy.
Mockery in Scripture
- 2 Kings 2:23–24 – Elisha is mocked by boys who call him “baldy.” Their contempt wasn’t just for the prophet—it represented contempt for the God he served.
- Luke 23:35–36 – As Jesus is crucified, people jeer: “He saved others; let him save himself.” This is mockery at its most brutal.
- Galatians 6:7 – “God cannot be mocked.” A warning to those who live as if there are no spiritual consequences.
Discernment
I watched the commercials, Part 1 and 2. I saw no Christian iconography. This commercial has no religious overtones. It wasn’t shot in a church. I thought it was more like a horror movie than anything.
The goal of many brands is to build a cult-like following. The goal of many splinter faith groups is to build actual cults. I recommend the book Cultish by Amanda Montell for more background into what cult like behavior is about.
So, no, the KFC commercial, to me, is not blasphemous or mocking Christians. It’s satirical, at best, but with no religious overtones, it’s just another edgy commercial. It did make me want to get a spicy chicken sandwich from KFC, they are so good. And their bowls are the bomb!
God doesn’t call us to knee-jerk reactions; He calls us to wisdom.
“To answer before listening—that is folly and shame.” – Proverbs 18:13
“Test everything. Hold on to what is good.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:21
“Stop judging by mere appearances, but instead judge correctly.” – John 7:24
So before we tweet, post, or condemn, we can ask:
What was the creator’s intent?
Would a student see this as hostile or humorous?
Am I reacting from emotion or thoughtful conviction?
Sometimes, what feels offensive isn’t blasphemous—it might just be clumsy. And sometimes, we’re being invited to think more deeply about our faith.
What This Means for Youth Pastors
Our students are constantly exposed to content that blurs the line between disrespect and commentary. We can help them navigate that world by modeling calm, thoughtful responses. Instead of just saying, “That’s wrong,” we can teach them to ask, “What does this say about our culture, and how should we respond as believers?”
When we teach discernment, we’re not just raising consumers of media—we’re raising wise followers of Christ.
Final Thought:
Blasphemy aims upward—against God Himself. Mockery often targets God’s people. Satire? That depends on the heart behind it. Discernment means knowing the difference before reacting.
Stay thoughtful. Stay gracious. And help your students do the same.
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