I was about to knee-jerk respond to an email about HBO airing an episode mocking sacred things about my church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Luckily, I got a second email which I have pasted below. This seems more sensible than the previous call to arms. Im going with this:
Many of you will see or hear about the impending broadcast of LDS Temple ceremonies and exploitation of our sacred temple clothes by HBO "Big Love" this week. TV Guide will deliver an ad showing one of the "Big Love" polygamist wives dressed in full temple clothes. It is already circulating on the internet. As has been their practice, the creators of "Big Love" hijack our customs and sacred symbols and misrepresent them in settings of their own making. Please be aware that the executives of HBO made a commitment to the LDS Church at the outset of "Big Love" that they would never desecrate our sacred rites or clothing in promotion or in their drama.
Our Church leaders are fully informed and are considering whether to dignify the show with a response.
The head writer of "Big Love" this season, is Dustin Black, the recent Oscar-winner for "Milk." Raised a Mormon, he is clearly versed in our culture.
Brothers and Sisters, "Big Love" is not a ratings winner and we don't wish to build their ratings for them. TV Guide does not experience the readership it once had. Some of your friends and neighbors will see the images in print and see our temple ceremonies acted out in the drama. Perhaps the greatest position of strength for us, is to stand by our beliefs and teach the gospel. No, HBO does not represent accurately the sacred dress or beliefs or ceremonies of the LDS Church. Yes, like the Catholics, the Jews, the Muslims, the Buddhists and many other faiths, we do have some sacred ceremonial clothing for our Temples.
Our Temples are places where we unite our families forever. They are places where we go to learn the highest principles of character, honor, and devotion to God. That's what we can share with our neighbors and friends, and that kind of answer will no doubt....satisfy their questions.
Unless otherwise directed, at this sensitive time, I suggest that Public Affairs leaders NOT urge response to the TV Guide ad, or to the HBO program.....and avoid increasing the show's ratings or attention.
According to industry sources, "Big Love" will end this season.
Sincerely, Sonja Eddings Brown
Media Specialist
Southern California Public Affairs Council
3 comments:
Thanks Crystal. I hadn't seen that response. I just got all the other stuff. Glad I didn't fly off the handle. That just makes us Mormons seem kookier. :)
Thanks for passing this along, I was not aware of it and quite unfamiliar with the show. I agree with the email, sometimes the best response is to not respond at all.
Also... thanks for posting the "Twilight" comic! You are not missing much by refusing to read the novels, they aren't classics by any stretch. They are entertaining and diversionary, like most 'beach-reads'. But I am as surprised and almost disgusted by how many conversations with women shift to the book, and how many women are claiming better relationships with their husbands because of the books. I mean intimate relationships. That is a bit disturbing on several levels.
I just found this, and thought you might be interested:
http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/commentary/the-publicity-dilemma
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