For members of The
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Time Warner's Home Box Office
network will cross a very bright ethical line when it airs an episode of "Big
Love" Sunday that producers ironically said Tuesday depicts LDS temple
ceremonies with "dignity and reverence." HBO apologized if the episode
offends but is not likely to pull from its lineup.Here's the first ethical
problem — honesty. Under the guise of portraying a polygamist family drama,
series producers employed an ex-Mormon to help them construct sets and costumes
to re-create temple rites. The disingenuous statements continue. "Big Love" producers had
promised that they would draw clear lines between the practices of polygamist
groups and the LDS Church. Here's the statement HBO released Tuesday:"We
know that the writers/producers of the series have gone to great lengths to be
respectful and accurate in portraying the endowment ceremony. That ceremony is
very much an important part of this year's storyline. Obviously, it was not
our intention to do anything disrespectful to the church but to those who may
be offended, we offer our sincere apology. It should also be noted that
throughout the series' three-year run, the writer/producers have made abundantly
clear the distinction between the LDS church and those extreme fringe groups who
practice polygamy. "If it was so, why does the media around the world still
so easily confuse the two? They obviously don't get it. In this case on two
fronts — an excommunication proceeding and temple ceremonies — they are using
LDS Church practices as the portrayal of what polygamist groups do. Producers
may understand the difference between the two groups but don't seem to care if
viewers are confused and, in fact, their statements sound like they are
unapologetic for their choices. Is the consultant privy to what fundamentalist
groups do in their church and temple?Even then, why should those groups be
subject to the same kind of media abuse?In a prepared statement
released Tuesday to the media, "Big Love" producers Mark V. Olsen and Will
Scheffer said, "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. We therefore took great pains to depict
the ceremony with the dignity and reverence it is due. This approach is entirely
evident in the scene portrayed in this episode and certainly reflected in Jeanne
Tripplehorn's beautiful and moving performance as she faces losing the church
she loved so much. 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."What the producers don't
get is the "context." Temple blessings are understood by those who are worthy
and spiritually prepared. The spirit of God inside the temple helps people make
and keep sacred covenants with God. What Olsen and Scheffer have created amounts
to religious pornography. It takes something that is sacred and meant for
personal reflection and commitment and throws it before the masses.
Unfortunately, other religious groups have not been spared entertainment
industry abuse. See the LDS Church statement here.
I also appreciated the words by a Salt Lake rabbi on KSL-TV."The whole
idea of having holy, sacred garments is that they act as a reminder to the
person or persons wearing them. That what's going on, what is happening while
those garments are being worn is a sacred moment," said Rabbi Benny Zippel, of
the Chabad Lubavitch of Utah. Here's what TV Guide magazine wrote about
the episode:" 'It's almost a 'don't ask, don't tell' policy,' says executive
producer Mark Olsen. Their under-the-radar status will change this week when
Barb (Jeanne Tripplehorn) faces the consequences of breaking the rules and is
called to an excommunication hearing. 'We researched it out the wazoo,' says
Olsen, who along with executive producer Will Scheffer hired an ex-Mormon
consultant to help the set and wardrobe designers re-create even the tiniest
details. 'We go into the endowment room and the celestial room (areas of the
temple), and we present what happens in those ceremonies. That's never been
shown on television before,' says Olsen. Adds Scheffer, 'But it's not for shock
value. It's really a very important part of the story.' "The second
ethical problem is "Big Love" producers' sense of arrogance and lack of
sensitivity. I am reminded of the controversy surrounding the publication of
Danish cartoons depicting Mohammed in newspapers around the world. In the
United States, some wrapped themselves in the flag of the First Amendment and
Free Speech asserting their right to publish what Muslims considered offensive.
Yet calmer voices said that attention should be paid to how Muslims perceived
such publication and respect that right. Many publications refused to run the
cartoons on ethical grounds. All humans deserve respect. The airing of this
episode is a total disregard to what members of a religious group holds dear and
sacred. According to Elder Dallin H. Oaks, with rights to publish, air and speak freely also comes responsibility.
The "Big Love" producers are abandoning such responsibility to shock value. They
will likely get what they want, big ratings driven by controversy.Don't
get me wrong. I don't believe there should be any effort by government to censor
HBO, but I do believe those who care about respect for religious ideals should
enter the marketplace of ideas and make calm and reasoned arguments about why
this show is offensive. The public should demand HBO observe higher ethical
standards. HBO ought to make the ethical decision to pull the show based on its
offense to members of the nation's fourth largest religious denomination. That
message has already gone viral. There are groups on Facebook, tweets on Twitter
and e-mail blasts asking Latter-day Saints and others to ask HBO to examine its
ethical principles. I join those raising a call for HBO to exercise some
responsibility with its First Amendment rights.