Comments | thetruechurch: PBS special: The Mormons, and thoughts on Anti-Mormon label

lavendermuse in thetruechurch

PBS special: The Mormons, and thoughts on Anti-Mormon label

Apr 30, 2007 11:10

I heard about this on NPR and thought I would share:

AMERICAN EXPERIENCE and FRONTLINE, two of PBS' most acclaimed series, join forces to present THE MORMONS, a new documentary series about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In two, two-hour episodes, filmmaker Helen Whitney ("John Paul II: The Millennial Pope" and "Faith and Doubt at ( Read more... )

Comments 11

tiwonge April 30 2007, 20:47:33 UTC

Streamed online? Neat!

Yeah, I saw that in mormon, too. I can understand the warning, just in case a viewer might think that anything in the program can be construed as official teaching. But to term it "anti" might be a bit much.

The stifling of honest criticism (if one can even call it criticism) bugs me, I guess jadeejf April 30 2007, 21:12:22 UTC

I don't know if the warnings are entirely necessary... do you really think someone that is ... naive ... enough to think that the program is construed as an "official" teaching will actually be watching PBS anyway?

Re: The stifling of honest criticism (if one can even call it criticism) bugs me, I guess tiwonge April 30 2007, 22:03:09 UTC

I've learned not to assume that people can't be that naive or ignorant. :)

One thing about the LDS that frustrates me is the lack of professional theologians and official, systematic teachings. I can't seem to find a whole lot of "official" statements on beliefs or teachings. So much is open to individual interpretation. (What is a hot drink, for example? Does that mean no decaf coffee? Sodas? Hot chocolate? Chocolate candy? You can probably find people who would argue any of them, and there's no official position on it, I don't think.) Because of this, it wouldn't surprise me if some people, unless otherwise warned, might take something stated in the documentary as true, when it's not part of the church teaching.

Re: The stifling of honest criticism (if one can even call it criticism) bugs me, I guess jadeejf May 1 2007, 01:44:27 UTC

Mmmm, I suppose that's true. There isn't really a systematic theology for the LDS church... and their prophets can change a doctrinal position at any time... it'd be a good project for their church web site to take up!

najacheese April 30 2007, 21:33:27 UTC

I think "anti" has to do with more of the occasional tone of the documentary. Many of the people interviewed for this aren't historians but are actually people from groups whose purpose is to convince others that Mormons are brainwashed cultists and help "save" Mormons. I've read many articles on the documentary and often times the documentary makers don't make mention of what group the interviewed are with but instead let it be implied that they have basis in logic and fact, while every time an LDS historian speaks they are labeled as such on screen. So I would term the parts of the documentary which represent people as historical authorities when they are from groups that hate/want to "save" Mormons as "anti."

The person who made the film was positive about many people in the Church and aspects therein. But they also gave excessive attention on negative aspects of the Church that many historians in and out of the Church question as fiction. I think that's where the hysteria comes from ( ... )

tiwonge April 30 2007, 22:04:05 UTC

Have you seen it? Did it already air? Is it online yet? I'd love to see it, but I don't have a TV, so I have to wait until they put it online to stream.

I have to use my icon in response to yours. najacheese April 30 2007, 22:23:40 UTC

Nah, just have been doing research on my own about it. But I think it's worth mentioning I did see the Joseph Smith documentary, and while it wasn't all flattering I did find it respectful and true.

I don't mind opposing views as long as they're respectful and honest about what they're saying.

Re: I have to use my icon in response to yours. tiwonge April 30 2007, 22:28:53 UTC

You have quite a neat collection of icons! I was looking through them just a couple minutes ago.

I was wondering if you'd seen a sneak preview or something, or if I had missed the date. (THen I visited the web page, and it said that it was being aired today. The online video should be there later today, I guess.)

Which Joseph Smith documentary was that? Was that also PBS?

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