Was pbs being anti?

Question

I am an investigator in the church and I am VERY surprised that the church actually approved of the pbs show Mormons, and told church members it'd be okay to watch. I know pbs is just trying to show both sides but I'm really surprised that the Church went for that. Take it from someone who has read alot of anti and got in trouble for asking the wrong questions, that show was anti. What was the church thinking when they anounced it in church? i'm not saying it's a bad thing, I'm just surprised because I think the church thinks things like that being said about them are bad and they try to keep members away from it. But they invited them to watch it instead. Was this the first time that the show premered or something and the church just didn't know? The conclussion is on tonight. I'm going to watch. It'd probally be my last chance to look at the other side with out getting into trouble with the Bishop.

Answer 1

The church did not approve it. I do not think they have even seen it. This is what I found from the Church. I saw parts of it and indeed some of the attitudes were from people that were more historians than believers in God.

“The biggest issue we have with news media is that they so often fall back on stereotypes to describe us, or their coverage is superficial,” said Bruce Olsen, managing director of Church public affairs. “Whatever one says about these programs, four hours of television is not superficial.”

"Because Church leaders and members have not seen the documentaries, official comment will be deferred until midweek. However, Church spokespersons have emphasized that the filmmaker’s style is to take difficult questions and then seek a variety of articulate individuals with divergent views to address them. They are expecting a probing style and a wide range of reaction even among Latter-day Saints."

Answer 2

I am not a Mormon, but I thought that the Mormon Church was coming clean on PBS. Why would the truth put you in a bad light? I found it to be very pro-Mormon my self.

I had already read up on the doctrines but there were some things like the Massacre that surprised me. I still don't see much of God in the presentation but more elevation of the founders. I am waiting until the second part for form a final opinion.

There are some good things about the people of the Church but so far I can't buy the visitations or the writings of Joseph who obviously had a vivid imagination and dealt with people who just wanted to find a place to be and have peace.

I think the dance information was a nice touch to the religion. But so far, it appears to be about a man who said he had a vision(s) who said that Father God and Jesus together told him to do all these things to get into heaven. That this is the true Church. The only history is that Joseph and Brigham wrote things down and passed it on to a generation of people for 980 years.

Answer 3

Okay so I did not watch the show on PBS- I intend to watch it online when I get home from work, and to watch the end of it tonight.

I have been reading information on the Frontline website about the show- I read the FAQ section. What I read there seemed to be completely unbiased and mostly factual. It really was informative. If the show was the same tone as the little bit I read on their site, then I would see nothing wrong with it. I still have to watch it to see.

As for the Church giving it's approval of the show, it is my understanding that they did not say either way. I was not at church the week the letter from the first presidency was read about the program, but it is my understanding that the letter stated that the church had NO involvement of the program and did not endorse it. They did not say either way- as to whether or not it should be viewed, just that they were not involved in the production nor did they endorse it. As with most things this was given to the members to decided whether or not to watch it. One thing you need to remember is the statement Joseph Smith made when asked about his followers adherance to church policies- "I teach them correct principles and they govern themselves." This is one of those cases. They did not say gather the family around and watch it, nor did they say don't watch it. They simply said use your best judgement, just as they do with most other things.

Answer 4

Yes. I am not a Moromon but I felt bad for their members for how their church and faith was vilified by the socialists at Frontline / PBS. I was expecting an anti-Mormon presentation as PBS hates and looks down on people of faith and hates followers of Christ but this was over the top.

I think Jack Chick was happy as well as atheists / anti religious types and those with an axe to grind against the church who were given more airtime to discuss their hatred toward the church than the presentation of the church itself.

Answer 5

Are you a Mormon or a Catholic? It wouldn't surprise me if a Catholic church said an anti-Mormon show was okay to watch.

Answer 6

Why? Don't you think people need to know about the Mountain Meadows Massacre??