I just read the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saint's statement on the Big Love temple episode.* I thought it was well-written. Here's the link.
http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/commentary/the-publicity-dilemma
The Church's statement notes HBO assured the Church that it would not bring mainstream Mormonism into the series but would instead focus on the polygamy-practicing factions in Utah, Colorado and Texas. I wonder about the timing of HBO's violations of these assurances. Prop 8 is not that old, and a few months later sacred LDS ceremonies are broadcast to the world.
I had a conversation the other day with an attorney friend of mine--who is also a PR guy for the Church--about the Big Love series. I suggested to him that the series was created in part to desensitize society to the idea of plural marriage. Such desensitization could weaken the slippery slope argument often wielded against same-sex marriage (i.e. allowing same-sex marriage will lead to allowing plural marriage). He said that that is unquestionably the case. He knows the two writers of the of Big Love series, Mark Olsen (a lawyer and member of the NY bar) and Will Scheffer. Both writers are openly gay and are, in fact, gay partners. Perhaps the Big Love temple episode was merely retaliation for Prop 8. Surely, Tom Hanks, Big Love's best-known producer, is on board with that.
Don't be surprised if HBO's next series revolves around an incestuous family.
*Even though it appears that no one (including my wife) reads my blog, I will continue to blog away for the sake of posterity; my posterity at least.
Once every five years
4 years ago
1 comment:
I thought this was an excellent post. It presented an angle I hadn't thought of before (the desensitization to plural marriage in all its forms).
If you would like to share your ideas with other like-minded individuals, I suggest joining the Digital Network Army (digitalnetworkarmy.com). Under the "Join" link, there's another one to the "Kingfisher Column". That is like a newspaper. It has headlines on the left, a feature story in the middle, and blogs on the right. You would probably find yourself right at home.
Good luck and happy posting!
Post a Comment