HBO, Big Love Temple Controversy
Yes, its been awhile since I last posted. I’ve been very busy and blogging just doesn’t come to the forefront of my thinking most days. However, I wanted to post my thoughts on something and thought it better to do it here then on a bunch of different forums.
For the majority of LDS members that I know, we, for the most part, ignore that Big Love is airing. I know some who love watching the show. I’ve yet to experience any weird reactions from people because of the show. However I was surprised to learn today that an episode of Big Love will be airing parts of one of our temple ceremonies. I have no idea what context they are creating that they felt this was a necessary part of the story, but I’m of two minds about the whole thing. A part of me is disappointed that something so sacred to me is about to be shown on TV. HOWEVER, the other part of me knows that what they are showing is going to be based on whatever the fundamentalist church uses of the ceremony…supposedly. The picture in TV Guide already tells me that something is different. I was amused when the article said that they got a former LDS member to oversee the accuracy of the scene. Now while they would not have been able to find a active member who would have helped the project, it seems a little odd to me to go get someone who left the church because they disagreed with it for some reason and then use their opinion to keep accuracy. um….
However, its not like you can’t find anything you want to know about the temple online. Enough people have left the church and posted their opinions, remembrances and whatever else they have about the temple and what goes on inside. I was unaware however, that the fundamentalist church even still used the endowment and sealing ceremonies. Of course, now that I think about it, it would follow that they are still using them, even if they no longer have the authority to do so. How accurate they still are I couldn’t vouch for.
As for how this would affect OUR church, it wouldn’t do much. This wouldn’t hurt the church in anyway. What does bother me is what context are they putting this information in. I know several people who were unsettled by their first time through the temple. While I was surprised with what I was learning, it also was like sitting in front of a big puzzle with someone taking the odd shaped that I hadn’t been able to place and showing me where they fit in the puzzle. I had a lot of “ah ha” moments my first time through. However, if you aren’t prepared, its going to seem a bit out of kilter. It is different then any other part of our “normal” services. And my worry is really how will what they show fit without sensationalizing it or making it seem weird. I already get enough weird questions as it is, and I really do enjoy discussing what the misconception may be and what the real issue actually is. But in this case, none of us can correct any misconceptions or explain what you might be looking at. I think overall that may be what is the most frustrating. The viewers are going to get a piece of something that is sacred and they are going to want to ask their temple going Mormon friend if there was any truth to what they saw and we can’t explain, verify, or deny anything that the viewer might see. Not because we don’t want to tell you, but because it is sacred and what you learn in the temple, while its very simple, is also very profound. Its a covenant you make with God and its between you and God. I know its not considered hip or normal these days to partake in such things, but its not unusual for those who are members of a detailed and involved theology.
May 31st, 2009 at 12:27 pm
Interestingly, Wiccan initiation rituals are also not supposed to be discussed with the non-initiated (of any faith, even other Wiccans) — NOT because they are scandalous or weird or creepy in any way, but simply because initiation is a profoundly-personal spiritual experience. We don’t “explain” initiation because you have to EXPERIENCE it to truly understand it. And that is the biggest reason why Wicca is considered a “mystery religion”: in the religious sense, a mystery is something that cannot be understood without experiencing it.
That said, there are tons of different Wiccan initiation rituals published in books and online, so they’re not secret anymore. But all they will tell you is the “recipe” — they won’t help you understand the flavors and experience and potential changes within yourself once you have undergone initiation, much like reading a bread recipe won’t help you understand the feel of kneading dough in your hands to exactly the right consistency, or the delight & pleasure of eating a slice of scrumptious homemade bread hot from the oven, or how accomplished you feel in eating or sharing something you made with your own time, effort, and skill. (It’s not a perfect analogy, but I hope you get the idea.)
May 31st, 2009 at 2:32 pm
Exactly. One can read about something, but if you are not prepared by knowledge and desire, its not going to mean much. I always feel a little sad when I’ve read stories from former members of my church for whom the temple experience was not good for them. Almost in every case they didn’t want to be there but thought they were supposed to be there because it was expected of them. They weren’t ready for the additional information nor the experience, therefore, it wasn’t something they were ready to take on.
The bible goes into how one must be able to handle the milk before you are ready for the meat. This is true in any theology. If you cannot agree with the basic information, the higher information that comes with the higher ordinances or rituals of any faith aren’t going to be something one will be open to as valid. It will seem strange, weird or silly.