The image from the episode that was published in TV Guide shows her in garb that is, as I understand it, characteristic (although not exact - I have read that the apron color is wrong) - of what a woman would wear at an "Endowment Ceremony," which leads me to believe there is some sort of flashback going on, perhaps to the high points of Barb's formation in the church.
What is it..and let's revisit the question of the appropriateness of dramatizing the ceremony, because I have a few more thoughts, inspired by your comments.
What is the Endowment ceremony?
That, for one, is no secret. There are numerous websites that contain descriptions, transcriptions and even audio of elements of the ceremony. This is a sympathetic site that draws a curtain on certain aspects and this site is a bit more revealing.
The ceremony has been changed and adapted over the past century and a half, most recently in 1990. Very precise blood oaths are no longer, taken, for example. But the essence remains the same: at the center of the ceremony is dramatized religious instruction of the LDS understanding of salvation history - at one time acted out in person, but now viewed on film.
When you read through it, a couple of things might strike you:
First, that it contains elements of Freemasonry, which is no secret, since Joseph Smith and many of the early Mormons were also Masons.
Secondly, that it is deeply gnostic.
For the purpose of the ceremony (it seems to me) is, of course, initiation into a deeper life as a Latter-Day Saint today, but it is also about the giving of signs and "tokens" that are needed in the afterlife in order to go through the veil and meet God and become a god.
When I figured that last part out, the LDS objections to the ceremony became more understandable to me, although of course, none of the objections have specifically articulated this point which boils down (it seems to me...again) to: Don't give away the Secret Entry Code to the Uninitiated.
Interesting.
I am still not bothered by a respectful depiction - although it is not my place, I suppose, to be bothered or not. Even taking into account what some are saying is the hostility of the creators and producer Tom Hanks to the LDS for its role in opposing gay marriage, given the truly respectful treatment of the beliefs of these characters throughout the program's history, I will hold my judgment until the program airs.
I mean, honestly. When you examine the intricacies of Mormon beliefs...there is ripe room for satire and mockery. But at no point in the series has any character said to another, "Er, you seriously believe that? Explain this to me, please."
Which, I have to say, is a flaw of contemporary religious discourse, period.
Mainstream Christians are accustomed to explaining their beliefs in the public square. We are constantly called on to defend and explain what seems absurd to the unbeliever. Some see that as evidence of "attacks" - I don't. There is nothing wrong with being called on to give an account of what one believes, either to the curious, the hostile or the inquirer. Christians engage in public debate and discussion of their beliefs all the time.
But those of other faiths are not...and I have really never understood why.
Certainly there might be a hesitancy to submit yourself to perceived attacks, but really, no matter what we believe, especially those whose beliefs may seem "exotic" in contrast to mainstream Christianity, should understand that not all questions are fueled by hostility. Some are truly just curious about the beliefs themselves and how one adheres to those beliefs in the context of the modern world.
Are there any forums - not internet, but those in which real people talk and interact in public - in which LDS members answer questions about their history, their cosmology, their understanding of eternal life?
Or in which Muslims answer searching and well-meaning questions about the origins of the Koran - similar to the way in which Christians are asked to justify their faith in Scripture - and the life of Mohammad and their history?
Or in which polytheistic Hindus can be asked serious and well-meaning questions about their sense of the reality of the gods and their mythology?
This is not an "equal time" kind of a post or a plea to lay off Christians. Anything but. If you believe something, if you stake your life on it, if you believe it is true - not just for you, but for all - then you should be happy to explore and explain it and even admit your own questions.
Okay then. Long-time readers will immediately recognize this post as "Wow, Amy starts on one thing and then just....wanders."
Oh, and I will say that the more you learn about LDS beliefs and worldview, the more the question "Are Mormons Christian" pops up and will just not go away. It cuts to the heart of what Christianity is - is it simply a belief in Jesus' divinity? If so, Mormons are Christian. But if it is more - seriously, if it is even a tiny bit more, creeping out through that initial fence round Jesus' divinity, the answer is "no."
Here is a discussion on that from a 2008 issue of First Things.
That, for one, is no secret. There are numerous websites that contain descriptions, transcriptions and even audio of elements of the ceremony. This is a sympathetic site that draws a curtain on certain aspects and this site is a bit more revealing.
The ceremony has been changed and adapted over the past century and a half, most recently in 1990. Very precise blood oaths are no longer, taken, for example. But the essence remains the same: at the center of the ceremony is dramatized religious instruction of the LDS understanding of salvation history - at one time acted out in person, but now viewed on film.
When you read through it, a couple of things might strike you:
First, that it contains elements of Freemasonry, which is no secret, since Joseph Smith and many of the early Mormons were also Masons.
Secondly, that it is deeply gnostic.
For the purpose of the ceremony (it seems to me) is, of course, initiation into a deeper life as a Latter-Day Saint today, but it is also about the giving of signs and "tokens" that are needed in the afterlife in order to go through the veil and meet God and become a god.
When I figured that last part out, the LDS objections to the ceremony became more understandable to me, although of course, none of the objections have specifically articulated this point which boils down (it seems to me...again) to: Don't give away the Secret Entry Code to the Uninitiated.
Interesting.
I am still not bothered by a respectful depiction - although it is not my place, I suppose, to be bothered or not. Even taking into account what some are saying is the hostility of the creators and producer Tom Hanks to the LDS for its role in opposing gay marriage, given the truly respectful treatment of the beliefs of these characters throughout the program's history, I will hold my judgment until the program airs.
I mean, honestly. When you examine the intricacies of Mormon beliefs...there is ripe room for satire and mockery. But at no point in the series has any character said to another, "Er, you seriously believe that? Explain this to me, please."
Which, I have to say, is a flaw of contemporary religious discourse, period.
Mainstream Christians are accustomed to explaining their beliefs in the public square. We are constantly called on to defend and explain what seems absurd to the unbeliever. Some see that as evidence of "attacks" - I don't. There is nothing wrong with being called on to give an account of what one believes, either to the curious, the hostile or the inquirer. Christians engage in public debate and discussion of their beliefs all the time.
But those of other faiths are not...and I have really never understood why.
Certainly there might be a hesitancy to submit yourself to perceived attacks, but really, no matter what we believe, especially those whose beliefs may seem "exotic" in contrast to mainstream Christianity, should understand that not all questions are fueled by hostility. Some are truly just curious about the beliefs themselves and how one adheres to those beliefs in the context of the modern world.
Are there any forums - not internet, but those in which real people talk and interact in public - in which LDS members answer questions about their history, their cosmology, their understanding of eternal life?
Or in which Muslims answer searching and well-meaning questions about the origins of the Koran - similar to the way in which Christians are asked to justify their faith in Scripture - and the life of Mohammad and their history?
Or in which polytheistic Hindus can be asked serious and well-meaning questions about their sense of the reality of the gods and their mythology?
This is not an "equal time" kind of a post or a plea to lay off Christians. Anything but. If you believe something, if you stake your life on it, if you believe it is true - not just for you, but for all - then you should be happy to explore and explain it and even admit your own questions.
Okay then. Long-time readers will immediately recognize this post as "Wow, Amy starts on one thing and then just....wanders."
Oh, and I will say that the more you learn about LDS beliefs and worldview, the more the question "Are Mormons Christian" pops up and will just not go away. It cuts to the heart of what Christianity is - is it simply a belief in Jesus' divinity? If so, Mormons are Christian. But if it is more - seriously, if it is even a tiny bit more, creeping out through that initial fence round Jesus' divinity, the answer is "no."
Here is a discussion on that from a 2008 issue of First Things.
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Sorry, Cicero.
First of all, the Catholic sacrament of Reconciliation is sacred and secret and could be very easily misunderstood by outsiders - and is, in fact. Portrayal of the sacrament dramatically could easily give viewers the wrong impression - that it is a vending machine for grace, and so on.
but so what?
So what?
That's the price.
Why do none of the LDS people posting here deal with the issues?
Drive a wedge between Mormons and evangelicals?
News flash: Most evangelicals don't believe Mormons are Christians Are you not aware of that?
When you read LDS accounts of its own rituals and history it is all warmed over gnostic/Mason stuff. They do not deny it either - they are proud of it - it is their history.
Mormons are not Christians. They are adherents of a fabricated cacophany that has nothing to do with
1) reality
2) Christianity, except the name "Jesus."
Stop crying persecution and wedges and defend the historicity of your religion and its beliefs.
"major American and British newspapers published editorials and opinion pieces arguing that being a Mormon should disqualify a person from running for President."
I actually have a great deal of respect for Mormons, who as a general rule live some of the most admirable lives in America today, despite the strangeness of many of their beliefs. They don't do themselves any favors by making factually dubious statements, however. It is true that there were underground "whispering campaigns" against Romney's religion, and even a notorious tirade on The McLaughlin Group by pundit Lawrence O'Donnell (who, I learn from Wikipedia, has made apperances as a lawyer on Big Love! That does make me more sympathetic to the Mormon side.) The claim that were openly anti-Mormon articles in major American newspapers (can't speak for British) is, however, simply false to the best of my knowledge. I would welcome counter-examples if they can be found.
"This simply doesn't occur outside the Temple.... Mormons would be just as aghast if a group of worthy endowed Mormons were to get together and watch or act out the Temple ceremony in one of their homes."
There is a distinguished history behind this attitude. Many of the Church Fathers, and some later groups within both the Catholic and Protestant traditions (such as the Puritans), believed that all drama was morally dubious because it involved acting things out falsely.
Maybe they had a point, but our society has clearly decided long time ago that dramatic presentation, even of holy events, is a legitimate practice. A key scene in The Godfather revolves around a baptism. Probably all seven sacraments have been depicted on camera at one time or another - some, especially confession and marriage, uncountable times. Sometimes these depictions are reverent, sometimes irreverent, sometimes neutral. When they are irreverent there are often objections from the Catholic League or similar groups, but I don't think anyone objects that the mere depiction of the sacrament by actors is intrinsically anti-Catholic. I don't think the Latter-Day Saints can or should expect different treatment.
Check out this website to see videos about the temple rituals:
http://how2becomeachristianinfoblog.com/2008/11/22/the-secret-mormon-temple-ritual-secret-or-sacred/
I went through the temple in 1975. Even if some of the rituals have been removed - they happened - and they were supposedly from the True Church at the time. How come they had to be removed it they were so sacred?
Check out my blog to see the Mormon cartoon that depicts the afterlife where Mormon men will have multiple wives with whom they have eternal sex so as to populate their own planets:
http://glasschimes.wordpress.com/2008/10/13/mitt-romney-just-keep-this-in-mind-for-the-future/
In response to your question on if there is a forum where Mormons opensly discuss and ask serious questions about their faith there is. Sunstone magazine and independent Mormon magazine sponsors a symposium every year in Salt Lake City in which these sort of issues are dicussed. There are also regional symposiums which do the same thing on a smaller scale. While these symposiums have been critized by some churh leaders they show that there is an element withing Mormonism which seeks to ask hard questions about the faith.
In response to your question about Mormons being Christian I think the statement of Philip Berrigan is quite relevant. He once said that I am a Catholic who is trying to be a Christian. I feel the same way about my Mormonism, I am Mormon who is trying to be a Christian and some days I do better than others.
Ok, first off, I have to say you were rather kind and quite grounded in your article. As a "practicing" or "believing" member of the LDS church you we more gentle than most. You also gave ample room for discussion and I thank you for that...
Now there are a few places you are wrong...or might I say mis-lead. I agree that some LDS people don't like to talk about things and I would venture to say that they don't know enough about them if that is the case. I don't know a Mormon who wouldn't revel the opportunity to chat about their beliefs, including the temple. This doesn't change the fact that most people don't want their innermost thoughts an devotions placed on television as translated by someone else.
Also, you write as though the show depicts exactly what we believe. Keep in mind that at no time was the official LDS church consulted and this in turn makes this nothing more than fiction. Sometimes they are quite accurate but just as often, if not more so they are off by a country mile or are referring to what an offshoot apostate sect has adapted and bastardized.
Lastly, your remark about Mormons not being Christian was quite uneducated. As one of the few Christian sects that is actually growing (and quite healthily at that), Christ is the center of what we believe. He made everything we believe possible and there is no other way. With that being said, I don't know how a deeper examination into why we follow Christ would lead someone to believe that we are not Christian. We are far from perfect but we know that the only example we can follow is His. If trying to be like Christ is not Christianity, then I don't know what is.
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