HBO and Big Love

Having been a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for more than 58 years, I am disturbed on many points with the upcoming episode of Big Love on HBO. The following is information from the Deseret News on the matter.

"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. 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,' (not in my 58 years have I ever known a polygamous family in the church and certainly never heard of a 'don't ask,m 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. (If not then why was it put in)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. . . . 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." Article by Joel Campbell, dated March 10, 2009.