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Breaking the Faith TV Show

Tamrajh

By Tamrajh,
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Tamrajh

Tamrajh

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Posted

I looked for a thread discussing the TV show and did not find one so forgive me if I've missed it.

Is anyone watching it?

What do you think of it?

How do you feel while watching it?

With the changes in law regarding marriage, do you think polygamy is on the horizon again?

If so, after seeing the show does it scare you?

My answers:

Yes, obviously I watch it.

It's interesting to see the cross over from FLDS to LDS but I've heard everyone is a plant except one girl.

I feel dirty and anxious. It feels like I'm supporting something that's wrong or watching it.

I've thought about polygamy a lot and have always said I wouldn't have a problem sharing my husband but I certainly wouldn't want to have to live in an environment like I've heard is the way FLDS live.

Yes, it does.

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Quin

Quin

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I looked for a thread discussing the TV show and did not find one so forgive me if I've missed it.

My answers:

Yes, obviously I watch it.

It's interesting to see the cross over from FLDS to LDS but I've heard everyone is a plant except one girl.

I feel dirty and anxious. It feels like I'm supporting something that's wrong or watching it.

I've thought about polygamy a lot and have always said I wouldn't have a problem sharing my husband but I certainly wouldn't want to have to live in an environment like I've heard is the way FLDS live.

Yes, it does.

Answering backwards...

If so, after seeing the show does it scare you?

5) No. Polygamy doesn't scare me at all. I've been in close proximity to polygamy off and on my whole life in various parts of the world (including polyandry, twice). Polygamy works about as well as any other form of marriage... Meaning some are amaaaaazing, some are horrifyingly abusive, and most are somewhere in between.

What scares me: Loss of freedom. Which is one of the three defining factors in American cults (charismatic leader, religion, total control). One finds a whole smorgasbord of cults across America (and other places, but Im most familiar with "ours"), with an equally diverse ideological line. Even more if one adds in the non-religious groups (some militias, hate groups, etc.).

When there is no freedom of movement in ANY group... It makes me exceptionally nervous.

Heck. Even the military has time limits/tours & leave. And the military is the most restrictive group (outside of prisons) I can think of. In every other avenue of life in this country... We can stay/go as we please.

With the changes in law regarding marriage, do you think polygamy is on the horizon again?

4) I hope so. Regardless of what ANY religion teaches (including my own), I want there to be one law applicable to everyone. If 2 or 20 legal adults want to enter into a legally binding contract... I believe they should have the right to do so. If they want to be wed in the eyes of their god... That's up to their religion. But as far as LEGALLY speaking: I believe all adults should have the same rights. Our religions may dictate what constitutes a holy marriage to those of us choosing to follow those religions. But I do no believe that anyone else's religion should dictate how I love my life. I am a staunch and firm believe of separation of church and state.

* everything harmful about cults (child abuse, neglect, endangerment, assaults, restriction of movement/unlawful detainment, rape, fraud, etc. are ALREADY illegal... And are applied to every other non-polygamous cult. It's not like polygamy laws are the thing which protects people from abuses).

How do you feel while watching it?

3) Concerned. I worry whether this kind of publicity is going to help, or seriously hurt the people in these communities who want to leave but can't, and the efforts of those who are trying to help them.

I'm also super vexed at the lady who is counseling the girls on transitioning. Every time they mention something good about their lives... She smacks them down with things that are wrong. Lady. Your uber defensiveness is going to make them defend the very thing they're trying to leave! Aaaaaargh. I just want to shake her... Or send her to foster parent, batter spouse, or trauma survivor training. It reeeeeally scares me to think how many she's pushed back to the life they're trying to leave by denying them the rights to their own memories, cognitive dissonance, and inciting them to argue FOR what they don't want until,they actually want it.

Do you watch it/ what do you think?

1&2) I hate reality TV, but also loooooooove looking at other cultures. So it's wacky thing for me that I do in small doses. It makes me nervous (see above) & also because I worry about reactive legislation / people's responses. Especially as this compound / Warren Jeff's is only one branch of FLDS... Not only will a lot of people paint ALL FLDS with the same brush, but many will also paint all LDS. I'm a little sick and tired of people saying Im in a cult, when Im in a religion I can leave at any time, and am not only granted autonomy within that religion but encouraged in my autonomy. I do hope, though, that it brings more funding/support for those trying to help the boys on the street, and the girls trapped. So it's a mixed bag on several fronts.

Q

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dahlia

dahlia

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I haven't seen it, but I've seen the commercials and read through the posts on a TV show message board. I have heard some terrible things about Jeffs' community. No way would I want to be involved in anything like that.

That said, I have no problem with polygamy, though I think it takes people who really understand what they're doing to be in a polygamous relationship. There is too much room for jealousy (and a discordant home) or mistreatment of other wives' children otherwise.

If any of you saw 'Big Love,' the protagonist was one of the 'lost boys' from a fundamentalist community. He wanted to live 'The Principle,' believing you could have polygamy without the abuse that goes on in communities like Jeffs'. Interestingly, the head of the compound (Harry Dean Stanton was fantastic in this role) came out in favor of gay marriage, saying that if gay marriage is approved, legal polygamy can't be far behind. I don't think he was wrong.

I wasn't LDS when the show was on. It was the first time I'd seen anything about Mormons (and Mormon-like non-Mormons). I have to admit that I was OK with 'The Principle' and polygamy as shown on the show (there were several 'good' polygamous families). Considering the economy, I can see having several wives, someone works, someone stays with the kids, etc. As long as you don't turn to the government for financial assistance. If you can't afford more than 1 wife, don't get one.

None of the Mormons I know now have seen Big Love, which was a huge HBO show. Are LDS so concerned about linking polygamy with the LDS that they are afraid to watch anything about it?

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Dravin

Dravin

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Posted (edited)

Are LDS so concerned about linking polygamy with the LDS that they are afraid to watch anything about it?

I doubt that's a concern. Most are more likely not interested in the show because they aren't interested in its content, both the main premise and things such as sexuality, rather than being afraid that watching the show is going to form some sort of link between LDS and polygamy.

Edited by Dravin
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dahlia

dahlia

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I don't think it was more sexual than most TV shows. Most of the issues had to do with the father starting a church, getting elected, the kids dealing with living out in the world and hiding their polygamous family relationships, a side story about the goings on at the polygamous compound, and the 1st wife wanting to hold the priesthood. It was more soap opera than anything else.

The one thing I didn't like, looking back on it after converting, is that the father wanted to make money by having a casino with Native Americans. If LDS (or its offshoots) don't think they should gamble, I don't think they should be engaged in livelihoods such as casino owner to encourage people to engage in activities which they think are improper. There's a big difference between being a waitress and serving a diner coffee and being the head of a casino. My 2 cents.

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Just_A_Guy

Just_A_Guy

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I doubt that's a concern. Most are more likely not interested in the show because they aren't interested in its content, both the main premise and things such as sexuality, rather than being afraid that watching the show is going to form some sort of link between LDS and polygamy.

Well, and there was that episode where they re-enacted the temple veil ceremony . . .

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dahlia

dahlia

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Well, and there was that episode where they re-enacted the temple veil ceremony . . .

I'm sure it freaks out the born Mormons, but that scene is on YouTube and I've watched it a few times, especially prior to my endowment, to get an idea of what was going on and to help me try and memorize the words.

Like most people, I had no idea what went on in a Mormon temple, so I found it fascinating. After it played on TV the first time, I looked up info about it and learned it had some of the older ritual in it. When it came time for my endowment, I knew my experience wouldn't be exactly the same as in the show, but having the video was useful.

It doesn't take away from the specialness of going to the temple for me. I understand the 'sacred, not secret' thing, but I wish the Church would be a bit more open about what is going to go on. For converts, you've made people wait a year, they probably aren't going to run and blab to the newspaper. I think you could give people more info in temple prep class and still maintain the sacredness of the ritual.

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Dravin

Dravin

Posted
Posted (edited)

I don't think it was more sexual than most TV shows.

Keep in mind a lot of members don't find most TV shows appropriate. I know there are many a network television show (so not even a premium cable channel) that I consider inappropriate for one reason or another and I'm not exactly strict (compared to other members) in my viewing habits. If you know for a fact that ancillary aspects of the show aren't the reason the Mormons you know aren't watching the show then I'd probably put it in the, "Not interested in the subject matter and premise."

Well, and there was that episode where they re-enacted the temple veil ceremony . . .

That was the/a big finale though, or is my memory failing me? If it was the finale that would explain why members jumped ship, or won't watch it now, but it doesn't really explain why none of them (which is probably not true, I'm sure some LDS somewhere watched it) picked it up in the first place. Honestly, the fact that it was on HBO, a premium channel, that isn't exactly known for producing squeaky clean shows probably didn't help with members picking it up in the first place.

Edited by Dravin
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bytebear

bytebear

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I've seen the show. From what I understand, they really are FLDS, but the reality is taken from past experiences, and isn't real, but reenactments based on their past experience.

I am glad they are distinguishing between Mormon and FLDS, and that is very good. They are interacting with LDS youth and make it clear that the Mormons are not FLDS (and are in fact the worldly "Gentiles").

It's kind of funny because those Mormon girls wear provocative clothes and dance and listen to music and ride bicycles. Those heathens.

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Guest

Guest

Posted
Posted (edited)
None of the Mormons I know now have seen Big Love, which was a huge HBO show. Are LDS so concerned about linking polygamy with the LDS that they are afraid to watch anything about it?

No. They just don't like having to sit through a show and WHAM, you're seeing someone's big naked breasts bouncing up and down right infront of you.

Edited by anatess
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Guest

Guest

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Isn't Big Love a completely different programme to what's being discussed here?

Yes it is. Breaking the Faith is completely different from Big Love.

I was responding specifically to this post by dahlia:

None of the Mormons I know now have seen Big Love, which was a huge HBO show. Are LDS so concerned about linking polygamy with the LDS that they are afraid to watch anything about it?

Hence, the Big Love tangent.

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Latter Days Guy

Latter Days Guy

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It's not just one episode. Big Love is kinda like Game of Thrones in that sense...

Having seen both I must say that Big Love is very tame in comparison to Game of Thrones! The first season of Big love having a few naughty bits with not much in the other seasons, where as Game of Thrones seems to have some nude scenes in practically every episode!

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Latter Days Guy

Latter Days Guy

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Despite its nudity, Big Love was utterly boring

Couldn't get into Gane of Thrones either, nudity can't carry a show for me, not before and not now lol

head explosions on the other hand...

Funny it must be a cultural thing as I find violence as pretty off putting but have no problem with nudity.

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Lakumi

Lakumi

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Funny it must be a cultural thing as I find violence as pretty off putting but have no problem with nudity.

yeah here in Canada we are taught violence is pretty fine but nudity is bad

I have no issue with nudity or violence, but if I were to choose a movie-one or the other, nudity over violence

I have seen violent movies I have been put off of, but not ones with nudity

(saying that, the violence I normally watch is in anime so... its a lot less realistic)

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Maureen

Maureen

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yeah here in Canada we are taught violence is pretty fine but nudity is bad...

I disagree. IMO, Canadian television seems to have no problems airing shows or movies with nudity, especially after informing viewers before hand about content.

...the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council permits nudity to be broadcast during the day as long as it is considered non-sexual....

Censorship in Canada - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

M.

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Lakumi

Lakumi

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Posted
I disagree. IMO, Canadian television seems to have no problems airing shows or movies with nudity, especially after informing viewers before hand about content.

...the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council permits nudity to be broadcast during the day as long as it is considered non-sexual....

Censorship in Canada - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

M.

I more meant movies not tv, though to be fair those movies are American, (I don't watch much tv)

but the more I think about it, yeah you're right, point goes to you

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