Was 'Mary Mary' Pole Dancing Episode Too Hot?

The gospel duo's show also takes on unwanted pregnancy, celibacy and other sexy subjects

Gospel singers Tina and Erica Campbell have opened the floodgates after their latest episode of "Mary Mary," their reality show on WEtv. In it, the sisters have a sister getaway — time for bonding, an escape from the kids and...pole dancing lessons?

The whole show focused on something we don't often associated with Christian women and something we definitely don't associate with gospel singers: sex.

From the pole dancing workout, to Tina's possible unplanned pregnancy, to their sister GooGoo's attempts at celibacy, to Daddy Atkins' exclamation of being quite the ladies man before he got married, to their sister's engagement — the entire episode revolved around sex.

[SUBSCRIBE TO LOOP 21 RSS FEED]

We start with Erica trying to convince Tina to join her for a pole dancing workout during their getaway. Erica, probably very eager to get her groove back, was all gung-ho about trying it as a workout, whereas Tina proclaims she wasn't ready for people to see her swinging on a pole, workout or no workout.

"My salvation isn't going to ooze outta me for doing a pole workout," Erica insisted.

"People are already criticizing us and our approach to gospel music," Tina responded. "Gospel singers, a pole — they don't go together."

Now, personally, I think as long as you're not taking your clothes off while you do it, there is nothing sexual about it. I actually watched part of the 2011 Pole Dancing Competitions (bet you didn't know there was such a thing) and was in awe. These women have incredible upper body strength, lower body strength and all kinds of body strength to be able to whip their bodies up and down and all around those poles. Yes, they didn't wear much clothing — in the same way gymnasts don't.

"Y'all ain't gotta worry about the bloggers and the online fans ripping y'all to shreds," Tina says of her other sisters. Translation: I'm not about to get judged for this and have it impact our careers.

In all the episodes that have aired thus far, there has been an interesting conundrum presenting itself in Mary Mary's life at every turn. They're gospel singers whose music is played in the club. They face criticism from every direction — for being too Christian, for not being Christian enough, for dressing like "church ladies," for showing too much cleavage. So this — the pole-dancing workout — is only the latest development in what they can and cannot get away with.