Jake Queries the Crap out of March

[Jake Patterson]

As a Mormon myself, I find the actions of HBO a little reprehensible.
As a person of religion at all, I hate to see someone's religious
rites get publicized. But especially rites that they specifically ask
to be kept sacred. There is nothing sacred about television.

I've seen one episode of Big Love and my reaction was, "yeah I
wouldn't let these freaks in my door, either!" Neither the characters
(not Mormon) nor their neighbors (supposed to be Mormon) are portrayed
in a good light. I understand that the crime syndicate aspect of
polygamy is interesting, but blurring the line between us and them
makes us look really bad, and Big Love blurs with astounding
precision.
HBO has an upcoming episode where a full temple endowment will be
shown. This rite is sacred enough that it isn't discussed outside the
temple even between fellow Mormons. Now it will be televised. In
response to protests about lack of sensitivity, they have claimed that
they are not trying to be insensitive, but this scene is vitally
important to the storyline. Two gaping holes in their explanation.
First, they have consulted ex-Mormons to make sure that the dress, the
words, the setting, everything is as perfectly authentic as possible.
If it's all fiction, why do that? Second, the polygamists don't have
temples in which they practice these types of rites. Only Mormons do
that. So much for authenticity.

Now I'm not one of these people burning efigies of HBOs produces if
this airs, but I do find the general lack of respect for the sacred
disturbing, and this in particular hits home.

[Adam Webster]

Jake, while I think this is nothing more than a publicity stunt for HBO,
I tend to give their writers and the general public a little more
credit. The screen shots in TV Guide do seem very accurate (other than
a color switch here or there, and the TV Guide article on the issue
seems to highlight the difference between this group and Mormons. This
is a family that is somehow living within but against the rules of the
LDS Church. It appears to me that one of them may be "outed" following
a temple ceremony as the article mentions the character's "walk of
shame." Why this has to be the place is a matter of "stirring the pot"
for HBO. Still, standing back from my religion, I don't see it any
differently than portrayals of other religions' most sacred things. The
Catholics and Jews have been subjected to such exposure for years. Is
it right? I don't think so. Is it disrespectful? Yep. I wouldn't expect
less from HBO, but I think this will all blow over.

[Adam Webster]

Jewish rites? How many circumcision jokes are there? South Park has an
entire episode dedicated to circumcision jokes.

houseo...@gmail.com wrote:
> I'm sure it will blow over, but I like current events.
>
> I wasn't aware that Jewish rites got tv-trashed. What shows am I
> missing? (jk)
>
> I guess as I'm thinking about this, I know the direction that any
> discussion on it would go, and that would be toward censorship and
> ethics. People have the right, according to our government, to
> broadcast unethical things as long as it's not illegal. Some people
> might favor legislation forbidding this kind of thing, other people
> would oppose it. I would oppose it. I think HBO has a right to
> broadcast what they want without government interference even if I
> dislike it.
>
> But my thought in situations like this always is how there ought to be
> a non-governmental body to regulate things. I love the concept of old-
> school professional guilds. But if we had such bodies how would they
> govern? Where would their authority come from?

[Brett Kraus]

Though recognizing that this is a sensitive subject, I am outraged
that HBO is doing this, but I come from the religion I feel is being
maltreated. How do those not belonging to our religion look at the
matter, and the reactions they've seen as a result?

We feel that these religious ceremonies are sacred and special, in
such a way that we do not allow those not adequately prepared to
participate or view. This is in part because people often mock what
they do not understand, and this is something so sacred to us that the
mockery is offensive. Given, this is not the only reason, but just one
of the reasons.

That being said I hope to hear the honest take of our members from
other religions about the controversy. What is your take on the
dispute?

[houseo...@gmail.com]

oops i was supposed to post that as jake. i'll pay better attention
from now on.

On Mar 12, 11:02 pm, Adam Webster <gqwonder...@gmail.com> wrote:

> > disturbing, and this in particular hits home.- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -