Secular Student Union University of Washington campus organization for non-theists.

HBO set to air Mormon Temple Ceremony

The following represents the views of a single SSU member, and does not necessarily represent the views of the SSU as a whole

UPDATE: LDS Church Responds to Big Love

Big Love to feature the Mormon Temple Ceremony, TV Guide

Well, this is certainly unprecedented.

The Mormon temples are considered the most sacred of spaces on Earth. Within the temples, several "saving ordinances" are performed, which are required to enter the highest levels of the Celestial Kingdom, including the Endowment and marriage sealings. It is a significant breach of Mormon law to discuss details of the temple ceremonies outside of the "Celestial Room" within the temple, and the church defends the secrecy of these details passionately, claiming that they need to be confined within the temple due to their highly sacred nature.

Big Love, the HBO series about a family within a polygamous sect (an offshoot from what is known as the Mormon church), is going to be airing an episode which will show the details of the ceremony, from the ritual attire to the rituals themselves. 

I've never watched Big Love, but I'll be tuning in to this one. Having gone through the Mormon Endowment ceremony, I'm curious to see how accurate the portrayal is. The advertisement (link above) shows the temple clothes of a woman, and it seems spot on... with the exception that the apron ought to be green, not blue. 

I have highly mixed feelings about this, however, which may be a remnant of the Mormonism I was raised with. It was this very ceremony that, due to it being almost entirely foreign in style from the rest of the church, shook my faith to the point that I was able to investigate the church rationally. It is now my opinion that the church has its members go through the ceremony either immediately before serving a mission or getting married as a retention technique.

So... how do I feel about this?

Legally:

I am definitely of the opinion that HBO and the team of Big Love are well within the law. It would be a horribly oppressive act and in complete violation of the First Amendment for the government to step in and censor the broadcast, as some LDS folks are currently advocating. The legality of the situation is hardly questionable - the right to offend is a fundamental piece of free speech.

Effects:

HBO may have awakened a slumbering giant here. In November, the US (and California in particular) witnessed the ability of the LDS Church to politically mobilize, to devastating results. Without question, this will instill vitriol within the Mormon community, the likes of which have never been seen. HBO is broadcasting one of the most sacred of Mormon rituals to a wide audience, and hardly in a sympathetic light at that. 

In a sentence, HBO just "pantsed" Mormonism, and like anyone who just got "pantsed," they're going to be embarrassed, hurt, and pissed.

If I were still Mormon, I would find myself entrenched in a new battle. Prop 8 envigorated and energized the youth of the church politically, and that was an indirect affront. This could give the same a banner to wave, a new and more righteous cause, and will further reinforce the persecution complex that has been fostered in the church since its inception. This will further "prove" that the powers of the world, driven by mammon (Babylon, Satan, take your pick), are out to destroy the church.

Morally:

The question of the morality of broadcasting the sacred ceremony of someone else's beliefs is a tricky one. Honestly, I have many conflicting opinions regarding it, and I'm not entirely certain where I stand. Immediately and nearly simultaneously, I can't help but think:

- Go for it! Perhaps if the absurdity of their faith is brought to light, it'll marginalize and retard the growth of the church.

- This is inappropriate - there's no reason to slaughter another man's sacred cow unless you'll die of starvation otherwise. 

I'll expand more on this as I chew on it, but I think I'm leaning toward the latter right now.

What are your thoughts?