Chip and Joanna Gaines ‘Back to the Frontier’ controversy, explained

Chip and Joanna Gaines cut their teeth as home renovators, television decorators and personalities on HGTV Upper fixerA series so popular that it crystallized an sub-genre and paved the way for their own media business. In 2022, the ducts launched the Magnolia Network, the centerpiece of the Empire of books, magazines, products, restaurants, etc.

Success, however, is not immune to criticism, and the sheaths have resisted their fair share in the last decade. In 2017, for example, the couple was sentenced to a fine of $ 40,000 by the American environmental protection agency in the midst of allegations according to which they did not manage lead painting during the renovations.

Now, the ducts are involved in another kind of controversy, which addresses their Christian faith, cultural debates on the LGBTQ + representation and their last show, Back to the border.

Let us decompose the current controversy of the chip and Joanna Gaines.

What is Back to the border?

Executive produced by Chip and Joanna, Back to the border is another type of show for the Magnolia network. No one is marking walls or the installation of Shiplap – the series of eight episodes is rather described as a “social experience”.

“Three American families left the 21st century and try to survive as family properties of the 1880s – without running water or electricity,” reads a synopsis. “They are in historical challenges and acquire the skills that border families needed to survive a long winter.”

Speaking with people before his first, the sheaths said that it was “different from everything we have ever created”, adding “, but we have always been attracted by the consecutive way of life and I loved the idea of giving families a chance to go back to life as a heads of access to the 1880s – without all the distractions and technology of the 21st century.”

This means that there are no smartphones, laptops, makeup kits or packaged snacks. Instead, they will have to live in the field – and, you know, have fun without video games or social media.

Why is there a controversy around Back to the border?

After the first of July 10 of Back to the borderThe series was faced with a reaction on the inclusion by the program of a gay couple, Jason Hanna and Joe Riggs, and their 10 -year -old twin sons as one of the three participating families.

“I hope that is not true, but I have read today that Chip and Joanna Gaines present a gay couple in their new series. If it’s true, it is very disappointing,” wrote Franklin Graham, son of the Evangelist The late Billy Graham and CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelist Association, in a July position on social media. “While we must love people, we must love them enough to tell them the truth of the Word of God. His word is an absolute truth. God loves us, and his design for marriage is between a man and a woman. Promising something that God defines as sin is in itself sin.”

While some of the right have long criticized modern media for its inclusion and diversity practices, this particular body seems to have touched a rope sensitive to the Christian faith of Chip and Joanna.

The next morning, Chip shared what seemed to be a refutation to his detractors. “Talk, ask [questions]Listen … maybe even learn. Too much to ask modern Christian culture. Judge 1st, understand later / ever, “he wrote in an article on X.” It is a sad Sunday when the “non -believers” have never been confronted with hatred or vitriol until they are presented to a modern American Christian. “”

The chip station has ignited many eminent preservatives.

“I cannot let my children watch your show now, because I try to protect their eyes and hearts against the lies of the world – lies in which you participate now,” replied Joel Berry, editor of the chief of the Babylon beeVia X.

The conservative podcaster combines Beth Stuckey also weighed about the episode (via X), saying: “You have exchanged the god of writing against the God of self, because you think you are better and wiser than God.”

How did Chip and Joanna respond to the controversy?

To date, Joanna has not yet commented controversy. Chip, however, continued to defend the inclusion by Hanna and Riggs show.

In an answer on X to the sports commentator Jon Root, who asked why he “promoted homosexuality as a Christian”, chip cited 1 Peter 3:15. “” But in your heart, worship Christ as a Lord. Always be ready to give an answer to all those who ask you to give the reason for the hope you have. But do this with gentle and respect, “he wrote, adding:” I really felt hope, sweetness and respect here. “”

When another user called the situation a “public relations nightmare”, Chip replied: “Ha … you do not know us very well if you think that public relations and” carefully designed declarations “will have something to do with this.

He also denied an accusation of an X user who said that the Magnolia board of directors has put them on the same sex couple in the series.

Has the couple presented on Back to the border commented the backlash?

Yes. According to People, Hanna shared an Instagram story on Monday, July 14, with a bunk declaration on a republishing of a titled article: “Conservative Christians rage on reality TV for having left homosexuals.”

“The representation is deeply important-especially for those who still find the courage to live their truth,” he wrote. “When families like ours are visible, this opens doors so that others feel safe, loved and validated.

Later, Riggs shared its own Instagram story referring to Chip responses to criticism. “Thank you @chipgaines and @joannagaines for having managed with love, listening and learning”, ”

Wait, did that not happen before?

In 2016, just like Upper fixer became a cultural force, a Buzzfeed The article revealed that Chip and Joanna belonged to a church led by a pastor openly opposed to gay homosexuality and marriage in addition to supporting the controversial practice of conversion therapy.

The room continued to ask why Upper fixer had not presented same -sex couples, which led HGTV to publish a declaration. “We do not discriminate the members of the LGBT community in any of our programs,” he read. “HGTV is proud to have a crystalline and coherent record to include people from all walks of life in his series.”

Chip and Joanna chose not to comment on the play publicly, although Chip seemed to refer to the controversy in a January 2017 article on Joanna’s blog.

“In my lifetime, I do not remember that humanity was more divided,” he wrote (via Vanity). “Many people are sad and frightened and angry and there are bite of sounds which seem to us to be fed by judgment, fear and even hatred. Jo and I refuse to be bailed to use our influence in a way that will harm more to an already injured world, it is our house. A divided house cannot bear.”

He continued: “Joanna and I have personal convictions. One of them is as follows: we care about you for the simple fact that you are a person, our neighbor on the planet Earth. This is not the color of your skin, the amount of money you have at the bank, your political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender, nationality or faith. It is not fascinating, but it cannot add reality that we already draw for you. Each other, don’t ask us to play this way.

Chip seemed to refer to the 2016 Kerfuffle in the middle of the current controversy. “On our way to the church … You all enjoy this beautiful Sunday!” He wrote in an article of July 13 which quoted one from 2016 in reading: “in time of difficulty. You will find the [G]Ains family in church. “”

Where can I look Back to the border?

Back to the border is broadcast on the Magnolia network. The first two episodes are currently available to broadcast on HBO Max.

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