CBS merely brushed off the controversy that upset many members of the Mormon Church when interviewing HBO’s “Big Love” star Bill Paxton on March 16, 2009.
The TV series about a Mormon polygamist has not surprisingly gotten plenty of attention in its three years on air. This time, however, “Big Love” is causing trouble because the March 15 episode showed a highly sacred Mormon temple ceremony. CBS’s The Early Show host Chris Wragge mentioned the controversy during an interview with gave to Paxton:
WRAGGE: Yeah, I want to talk a little bit about last night's episode. There was some controversy there. The show depicted, uh, I guess one of the secret elements of the Mormon Church, an endowment ceremony which is not something that's been widely publicized. A lot of people don't know about it … Bill, I know you weren't in the scene. HBO had issued a preemptive apology. Obviously the episode still aired, but it caused a little controversy. As an actor, with something like this when you're on such sensitive territory, how, I mean, you really have to stay right on script here. There's not a lot of variation you can take or any creative liberties, but how tough was a scene like that?
PAXTON: Well, you know, the show is not written arbitrarily. The creators, again, and the writers, they go to extreme lengths to really, you know, try to, you know, create accuracy. And uh this is, this is a series about family and faith. There's very few shows that – you know, most networks don't want to deal with anything that has to do with beliefs because they don't want to offend anybody.
Paxton went on to defend HBO, saying that it would not be wise to censor a show that depicts family and faith. While he hoped no one would take offense, because the controversy began before the episode aired, “it seemed like we were kind of judged before we had our day in court.”
That was enough for Wragge, who moved on to other topics. CBS might have included a statement or response from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. They haven’t been reticent about the controversy, saying in a statement, “Certainly Church members are offended when their most sacred practices are misrepresented or presented without context or understanding.” However the church declined to take action against HBO. “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as an institution does not call for boycotts. Such a step would simply generate the kind of controversy that the media loves and in the end would increase audiences for the series.”
The show’s creators and executive producers Olsen and Scheffer issued this statement prior to the March 15 episode. “In approaching the dramatization of the endowment ceremony, we knew we had a responsibility to be completely accurate and to show the ceremony in the proper context and with respect. In order to assure the accuracy of the ceremony, it was thoroughly vetted by an adviser who is familiar with temple practices and rituals. This consultant was actually on the set throughout the filming of the scenes to make sure every detail was correct.”
The series has been the subject of controversy since is March 2006 debut. Jaimee Rose of The Arizona Republic writes that “Big Love” has always made Mormons squirm as it shares with Americans a piece of church history that members would rather not discuss. Also, the show often confuses the public into thinking mainstream Mormons are polygamists, which they are not. But this is the first time the show's revealing ways have taken on sacred tenets of the mainstream Mormon faith, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.”
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Also, the show often
March 16, 2009 - 13:46 ET byAlso, the show often confuses the public into thinking mainstream Mormons are polygamists, which they are not. But this is the first time the show's revealing ways have taken on sacred tenets of the mainstream Mormon faith, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.”
Both of the above mentioned comments are UNTRUE. The show goes to great pains to show Bill and his "family" living OUTSIDE of the "Mainstream" false doctrine that is Mormonism. Bills wife played by Jeanne Tripplehorn has a rich mother who WON'T EVEN STEP FOOT into her house because of her polygamy. The show makes it clear that the Mother and those on the Mothers side, consider Paxton and family to be heretics. Further, Tripplehorn's character has a sister who is also rich and who also refuses to associate with her sister whom she regards as some backwoods hick practicing an outlawed brand of Mormonism!
The intricacies of the Mormon religion are no more delved into than the (false) Christian baptisms which are ROUTINELY showed on T.V. At least they depict the Mormon tradition such as it is, accurately. All Christians get is the false baptisms of the Catholic church held up as the model of Christianity.
This is also not the "first time" that the show has delved into the "sacred tenets" of Mormonism. They have shown SEVERAL Mormon weddings including one between Bill, his three wives and a new "prospect". They've delved into the rites of passage into Manhood by showing rites between Bill and his hormonally engulfed teen aged son.
This show does not "mock" Mormonism. QUITE the contrary! The show is produced by TOM HANKS who 's goal is to, pardon the pun, BACKDOOR you into accepting Gay Marriage. They don't do it the typical liberal way at all here. Nooo they're way too smart for that. Instead they show a SENSITIVE portrayal of polygamy with characters that are EXTREMELY well developed and story line's that make you care about them. The goal being, "Hey, sometimes a "family" is more than what you were taught by YOUR puritannical religion", get it? It's quite subversive in that manner but there is NOTHING for Mormons to get their special underpants in a bunch over! LOL.
I disagree with you.
March 16, 2009 - 14:04 ET by jcbeck1000The problem with their use of sacred religious practices in a television show is that it tends to trivialize them (I did not watch the episode so I do not know how they presented it, but when someone shows something sacred and out of its proper context, a sacred rite is trivialized and the only proper context for these ceremonies is in dedicated temples of the Church). I do not care about the research they did to make it "authentic." It is offensive because it takes something that is extremely sacred and makes it a primetime drama.
the false baptisms of the
March 16, 2009 - 14:17 ET by motherbeltthe false baptisms of the Catholic church
And Acts, this not the first time (nor do I suspect it will be the last) that you have inserted your anti-Catholic vitriol gratuitously into a thread.
You are entitled to your opinion, but please enlighten me as to where you obtained your credentials as the sole interpreter of the true meaning of the Bible.
You make a mockery of your screen name. You seem to think that you are uniquely qualified to decide what is from the Holy Spirit and what isn't, and that everyone else is wrong.
You know what? I believe that the Catholic Church has the right interpretation, but I would not be so hateful as to call your beliefs deception, or of the devil, or any of the other hateful things that you choose to insult others with.
Why don't you go and find yourself a blog devoted to arguments about religion and give us all a break! And get the log out of your own eye, while you are at it.
I didn't think it was physically possible, but this both sucks and blows. -Bart Simpson
What does this mean?
March 16, 2009 - 14:24 ET by moderncommentaries83Most Christian denominations - Protestant and Catholic - both use the Trinitarian form of baptism, usually conferred on infants, but also on converts who were not baptized or baptized in the non-Trinitarian form, which is the "I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." Just as it was recorded in the Scriptures and commanded by Christ. See Matthew 28:18-20:
A priest acts as a direct descendant of those first disicples (the first priests) and follow Jesus' words exactly when baptizing. Any baptism not done according to Jesus' words is not valid. Therefore, Catholic baptism is perfectly valid, thank you very much.
Indeed, if that were the only thing Hollywood misrepresented about Christianity, then we'd be in good shape. 99% of Christian doctrine is portrayed incorrectly - whether intentionally or otherwise.
The message is clear: adhere to a religious standard outside what is PC-approved, and you're fair game.
Many Muslims practice polygamy - would there ever be a television show about it that didn't incite riots or condemnation?
I think not.
So while I don't agree with Mormon theology, in the wake of the Prop 8 fall out (Tom Hanks himself said that anyone who voted for Prop 8 was "unpatriotic" or "unAmerican") and the treatment conservative Christians receive in Hollywood and the MSM, I believe shows like "Big Love" are meant to mock and ridicule persons of faith.
Aut viam inveniam aut faciam
"special underpants"????
March 16, 2009 - 14:22 ET by just passing by"special underpants"? that's all you got? Really?
After all your psycho banter and artsy fartsy analysis of "character development" you end it with talking about my underpants?
There certainly must be a better way to show your hatred, disrespect and bigotry than refering to my underpants.
Hate me. Just don't hate my underpants!
Ahh, the other side of the coin...
March 16, 2009 - 14:48 ET by Doc_NavyUsually it's the Liberals who show their @$$ on this site, but now we have the conservative Christian Fundamentalists opening their mouths and removing all doubt.
I don't have a dog in this fight religiously so I was going to let this one go, but Acts has hit upon two of my sore nerves.
1. loudmouth, opinionated soapbox standers with little to no accurate facts.
2. Epithet using, Tolerance hypocrites (Or as Mrs Malkin calls them, "Tolerance Bullies")
Acts, let me school you, brother. "Mormons" do not practice polygamy. Period. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints considers it an excommunicable sin. In fact, let me quote you a well known LDS Author and what he has to say about the "Big Love" deal.
From what I've read of your posts, I can tell a few things about you:
A. You are a Fundamentalist.
B. You really don't know ANYTHING about Mormons.
C. You probably don't know much about YOUR OWN religion.
D. You are intellectually lazy, preferring to have your religious information spoonfed to you rather than research it yourself.
E. If this is how you treat your fellow man, I doubt you are "Saved".
F. The "Underpants" remark gave away both your lack of creative thought, and your bigotry.
Doc
2008: The year that the great LIE died.
How we know that they know that they are Lying.
Friedrich Nietzsche summed up how I feel about the MSM in this quote:
"I'm not upset that you lied to me, I'm upset that from now on I can't believe you."
Next to atheistic liberals,
March 16, 2009 - 14:57 ET by moderncommentaries83Next to atheistic liberals, conservative fundamentalist Christians are the most bigoted toward Catholics and other denominations...
Aut viam inveniam aut faciam
No, it's modern day
March 16, 2009 - 15:03 ET by Clear thinkerNo, it's modern day Libertarians that are the biggoted ones... Dump The GOP
Making Fun of AGW http://giovanniworld.wordpress.com/
Clear Thinker...
March 16, 2009 - 15:14 ET by Doc_NavyThis guy, Acts reminds me of those folks who were trying to smear Isreal for defending itself, and then using the USS Liberty incident as circumstantial proof of Isreal's "Hidden, Secret-Squirrel animosity towards America".
A little bit of knowledge, a whole lotta stupid.
Doc
2008: The year that the great LIE died.
How we know that they know that they are Lying.
Friedrich Nietzsche summed up how I feel about the MSM in this quote:
"I'm not upset that you lied to me, I'm upset that from now on I can't believe you."
You SICKEN ME!!!
March 16, 2009 - 17:57 ET by Radar_OneACTS I AM SO SICK OF YOU COMING ON HERE AND TRYING TO SPOUT OFF AS IF YOU KNOW EVERYTHING ABOUT EVERYTHING.
1. YOU DON'T KNOW RUSH LIMBAUGH SO SHUT UP.
2. YOU HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE OF THE LAWS OF THIS WONDERFUL LAND, SO AGAIN...SHUT UP!!!
3. THEY ARE NOT "SPECIAL UNDERPANTS" THEY ARE CALLED TEMPLE GARMENTS THEY ARE JUST A MODEST CLOTH T-SHIRT AND BOXERS, AS WHEN A MORMON IS TEMPLE WORTHY, THEY ARE GIVEN THEM...MORMONS DO NOT HAVE TO WEAR THEM BUT MOST CHOOSE TO OUT OF HUMBLENESS AND FAITH.
4. FINALLY, PLEASE SHUT YOUR MOUTH GO TO HUFF POST OR KOS...JUST GET FAR FAR AWAY FROM NB...PLEASE YOU ONLY SERVE TO RAISE MY BLOOD PRESSURE AND THATS NOT GOOD FOR ME!
Barack Obama= Half Honkey...ALL Donkey
war?
March 16, 2009 - 14:03 ET by katainkentcan't really have a war when the other side takes their toys and goes home. I didn't know this show existed until just now.
Backlash to Prop 8?
March 16, 2009 - 14:36 ET by deerjerkydaveThe Mormon church has been bashed quite a bit lately over its support of traditional marriage and Proposition 8 in California. I can't help but wonder if the media and entertainment industry are in full revenge mode on Mormons and other Christians. The best thing to do is ignore this television program. Nobody watches it anyway. Most probably haven't even heard of it.
I frequently watch Law and Order and the murderers are commonly religious Christians. We live in crazy times when Mormons and Christians are the "problem" with society.
djdave... We now have to
March 16, 2009 - 15:04 ET by Clear thinkerdjdave...
We now have to watch out for Libertarians... Dump The GOP
Making Fun of AGW http://giovanniworld.wordpress.com/
Mormons = Christians
March 16, 2009 - 15:14 ET by just passing byAs a Mormon, I like the idea of being the "problem" in society.
Working hard in our lives to be honest, faithful, ethical, sober, charitible, etc.
A "problem" we should all strive to be a part of.
"Lead, follow or get out of the way!"
JPB, I could not agree
March 16, 2009 - 15:29 ET by Doc_NavyJPB,
I could not agree with you more. All of the "Mormons" that I know -and I know a LOT of them- are good, solid CHRISTIAN people. They Love God and Jesus. They love their families. They love their neighbors. They love their Country. They are independant. They look after for their own. They have a decent work ethic, and for the most part, they live their religion.
All that is a LOT more than most of the self-professed "Christians" that I've run into. Example:
I live in Northwestern Florida. When hurricane Ivan hit this place, you know who was out there helping people out BEFORE the Red Cross, BEFORE FEMA, BEFORE the Salvation Army, BEFORE anyone else???
The Mormons.
Pretty much the same with Katrina, and Gustav too.
Doc
2008: The year that the great LIE died.
How we know that they know that they are Lying.
Friedrich Nietzsche summed up how I feel about the MSM in this quote:
"I'm not upset that you lied to me, I'm upset that from now on I can't believe you."
Agreed Doc
March 16, 2009 - 22:01 ET by BlondeWith everything you've said.
I truly wish all bashing of religion would be an automatic ban on privleges here.
ACTS is one of the most egregious....but there are others. I hate it all....it's even worse than stupid FabioTech weighing in on all matters Sarah Palin.
I've yet to see one comment on this thread about the actual topic...it's been all "STFU you ignorant idiots (who are not of my faith)". We have better things to do with our time.
Disgusting that a news item should engender such hate.
I hope he fails, too.
Crazy times? Not at all...
March 16, 2009 - 16:17 ET by SlyrrThis was all prophecied. Jesus himself said 'you will be hated and despised of men for my name's sake. And the time cometh that whosoever killeth you will say he doeth God service.'
This kind of hatred against religion is not unexpected for those who have studied the scriptures. It's been warned that these are the times when men will 'call good evil and call evil good'. And that the righteous will be persecuted 'because of their righteousness' while 'the guilty and the wicked go free because of their money'. And again that the hearts of men 'will be stirred up to anger against that which is good'.
It may seem crazy. But given who the looney left have given themselves over to, it's perfectly understandable. And hold fast to your faith people, because it's gonna get worse.
In Missouri 1838, then Gov. Lilburn W. Boggs issued an executive order saying that it was all right for residents of the state to KILL members of the LDS church. '...the Mormons must be treated as enemies and must be exterminated or driven for the state if necessary...'
Given the Stalinist, dictatorial and blood-thirsty nature of the looney leftist and their communist president, look for stuff like this to eventually resurface. It may be re-packaged so as not to be as obvious, but it will come back - because the people who had that murder in their hearts against a religious faith has NOT gone away....
I choose not to watch at
March 16, 2009 - 14:44 ET by oldArmyI choose not to watch at all....not really a fan of HBO programming. Cancelled it along time ago.
Not sure if "Big War" is the correct title here....
Does this show really have that much of a following?
Not exactly the Soprano's.
When chickens come home to roost ...
March 16, 2009 - 14:46 ET by metaphorsbwithuInstead of having to hear about another laid egg pushing a Hollywood agenda, I'd love to see a series developed on a church similar to the "retired" Rev. Jeremiah Wright's.
Think of the possibilities! Think of the ratings! Think of the drama! the comedy! Think of the outrage! Think of the over-acting!
metaphorsbwithu
I am a member of the
March 16, 2009 - 15:09 ET by buddycI am a member of the CJCLDS. I terminated by HBO subscription and explained to Time Warner why. I also terminated my Showtime Subscription. I did so because I reached a point where I could no longer tolerate paying to be brainwashed and insulted.
That said, nothing in the temple marriage portion of the ceremony is unique or different in any significant way from most religious ceremonies. Perhaps some would find it a little strange. However, it is sacred and special to members of the Church. It is thought to be private. It is offensive to see it used and displayed on public television.
The position of the leadership of the CJCLDS was abosolutely perfect. It refused to call for or support any kind of boycott and I recall seeing something that don't want members to send nasty or hateful letters/emails to Time Warner. The Church even said that free speech is important and they didn't want to say anything that might cause that right to be harmed.
That said, it is my humble opinion that this is nothing more than retribution for Proposition 8 losing in California and for generally being a group that is pro life and conservative. Mormons are not as numerous as Catholics nor as politically correct was Black Christian Churches and Muslims.
All people of conscience should be offended not from what was shown but they should be concerned about the motives and that a Christian church is being singled out for attack for supporting beliefs, the sanctity of marriage between a man and woman and the sanctity of life, that most all Christians share.
The motives and power of the writers/producers/directors of Time Warner in general and Big Love in particular should be of concern.
Not Offended
March 16, 2009 - 15:07 ET by mbs6As a lifelong member of the church, I'm not really bothered by HBO or
any others who seek to portray us how they wish. It may be wrong and
insensitive, but I have a thicker skin than that. I think people are
personally offended too easily and I refuse to be an offended victim. Someone else wants to attack the church? Allow me to yawn as you get in line.
I tend to agree with
March 16, 2009 - 15:21 ET by moderncommentaries83I tend to agree with you.
However - what gets me is not their outright twisting and lies about my Catholic faith. I expect that. Christ told us to expect that. They are wrong, and their misconceptions can easily be debunked by anyone who can read the Bible and the Catechism.
That's not the point.
The point is the glaring hypocrisy. Would they ever really produce a meaty, accurate show about Islam? There are polygamists in Islam and - unlike the CJCLDS - it's not an excommunicable practice. Islam is abusive toward women and girls. Why are there no shows about this?
Why are there no shows that really portray atheists or secular humanists in a negative light? Surely it's not because these groups are above reproach or otherwise perfect.
As someone else said - why are there no shows about churches like the one Obama attended for 20 years? One that is inherently racist and bigoted?
You want to mock me? Fine. I'm 100% comfortable with my faith and believe it to be correct -- it is unshakable. Your childish mockery won't undermine it. That doesn't mean it's not frustrating or hurtful to see the very sincerely held beliefs I have represented incorrectly or negatively because the script writers, producers, and actors don't like it. We are entitled to have feelings, you know.
But don't pretend that other groups are somehow off limits. That it somehow would hurt a Muslim more to have a show a la "Big Love" or that it would be more "offensive" to an atheist to portray them negatively as consistently as Christians and Mormons are portrayed.
Aut viam inveniam aut faciam
Well Said
March 16, 2009 - 16:30 ET by mbs6What you've written is true, no doubt.
I'm not a Mormon. But I'm
March 16, 2009 - 15:27 ET by CaligulaI'm not a Mormon. But I'm sure that they have ceremonies that they would prefer to stay private. That would be their right. And I would bet that a good bit of what was shown was fairly accurate.
I have seen several shows about Free and Accepted Masons, including depictions of ceremonies that are "secret". If one is a Mason, as am I, then one could judge the validity of it. People have seen these shows and asked me if what they saw was true. I simply smile and neither confirm nor deny it. Keeps the mystery going. Was I offended? No... because no one really knows unless they really know.
The point is...
March 16, 2009 - 15:47 ET by sugarandsassThat "Big Love" is NOT portraying an accurate depiction of Mormons. The Temple is a sacred place. Only members in good standing with the church are allowed to enter and perform the sacred ordinances there. This means that A. they were baptised; B. they go to church every (or almost) Sunday; C. they pay their tithing; and D; they follow the principles of the religion. You must go to your bishop and be interviewed in order to obtain permission to go. If I understand correctly (and I do not watch this show) then one of the polygamist wives goes to the temple? This would not be possible. First, even if she was Mormon at one time, she would have been excommunicated for living a polygamist lifestyle. She would not have been given permission to enter the temple as she is not LDS, and certainly not one in good standing.
Are CBS and Time Warner's Deals Just Coincidence Here
March 16, 2009 - 19:24 ET by Dr BCBS and Time Warner Cable said they reached an agreement that extends
the cable operator's retransmission of signals from CBS’s television
stations and its carriage of Showtime Networks’ programming through
2013.
http://www.tvweek.co...
Big Love - Common Courtesy Needed
March 16, 2009 - 23:18 ET by jefflebowskiCommon courtesy dictates showing respect for something others hold sacred. I draw the line at chopping off heads. HBO is a putrid network of liberalism without the guts to show Muslims and all of their secrets.
As for many like the first commenter, they know everything about being an Evangelical...they know nothing about being a Christian. Remember, Evangelicals and the Pastor of Love Huckabee knocked Romney out because of his faith. Now we are stuck with you know who.
Angry White Dude
www.angrywhitedude.c...