My brother-in-law sent me an email today asking me to sign a petition. The petition was put together by some group that was eventually going to be forwarded to Oprah Winfrey for the topic of show she had recently about "open" marriages. This is basically where the couple is candid with one another about affairs and feel this is good for their marriage. The episode, apparently, was advancing this idea as an acceptable alternative to "traditional" marriage. In addition, much attention was given to how healthy pornography is for a relationship. I think my reply to my brother-in-law is worth posting here as a forum for discussion as we head into this weekend of conference talks:
Oprah has been anti-marriage for years. I've seen her gloat with female celebrities over their singleness and desire to not be married. I've heard her say that marriage is antiquated and that it has outlived its usefulness. This is one of the main reasons I quit watching her a long time ago. She is not a political party; she is a woman with strong opinions and uses her talk show, in part, to promote a pro gay rights and anti marriage agenda. A petition is not going to change what she does or who she is. If the networks agreed to drop her syndicated show because of her various discussions then she might at least tone down her topics, but the networks will only drop her if people quit watching. But people DON'T quit watching. Instead, we circulate petitions asking her to change her opinions so that we don't feel guilty tuning in.
The sad part is, she does some incredible humanitarian things. If other extremely (or even moderately) wealthy people would start doing things on their own like she is, the government wouldn't "need" to ask so much from people. (I've heard lots of ultra-conservatives say that if they weren't taxed so heavily they could give more away. I think it is a load of garbage. If the government takes less of your money people just buy more stuff, and I'm not talking about food and clothing or basic shelter. With more money you just eat out more, buy designer labels and enormous homes. Our society is a perfect example of this.) I think her work in Africa is brilliant. She continues to do just enough of this stuff that sweet women everywhere keep watching her while her anti-social agenda is advanced.
In the Book of Mormon, there is a part that talks about how people reject true prophets only to raise up those as prophets who tell them what they want to hear. I've thought this description has fit Oprah perfectly for a long time. People are willing to listen to anything she says and call her one of the most "progressive" thinkers of our time. The truth is, three shows out of five preach contrary to all gospel teachings. (And 99% of all statistics are made up on the spot.)
This weekend we can turn on television in the day time and find a real message of hope and understanding for our marriages. We can listen to what the Lord has said will work to keep our relationships secure and balanced. We can have courage to shun things that will infest our homes like a cancer. And it won't be because a group of concerned citizens sent a petition to the leadership of the church.
It will be because a prophet of the Lord has been called and set apart to receive revelation not just for our church, but for the world. Only listening to his voice can we find the solace we seek.
Happy viewing.
11 comments:
Yeah! I feel the same way. Everyone always talked about how "wonderful" she was and then she had this "partner" , for decades, that she refused to marry. My mom gets her mag and I was thumbing and she had this heartfelt piece about the death of her dog. I know that people without children feel very close to their pets, but, come on, she compared it to the death of a human family member. I even had a RS teacher that rewrote all of her topics (she was a 4th Sunday teacher) to coincide with Oprah shows and she showed clips during her lessons. I don't want to Oprah bash, I just want people to see her for what she is.
And I'm tired of people I know sending me email petitions as if they are useable in any sort of way.
it is interesting to think about what and who people "worship" nowadays. very interesting. just makes you wonder where the world is going and what it will be like in 20 years. but, on another note, conference should be great this weekend!
My jaw is still dropping from the RS teacher that Karin spoke about. That is just nuts.
I can't believe the RS pres didn't do anything about that after the first time. Pretty shocking.
On a side note, Karin is also in L**** and would probably be a fun fellow bookclubber. Karatemommy can give you details. Her blog from today is one of the best posts I've read for weeks.
Nanny,
Hey it is Eric and occasionally I read your "other blog" because I really enjoy your writing. I really enjoyed what you have said about he oprah thing but I had to interject just this once. Shaylee watches Oprah most days and happen to save this episode on our DVR to show me. I am afraid though you were missed informed about the episode. The show was not at all pro-open marriage. It was simply on how different couples live different lives and have bizarre behavior in that marriage (as destructive as it may seem to us). The pornography thing was not pro porn in fact, Oprah has always been skeptical about porn, and if you saw the episode you would have noticed that in her tone. I completely agree with you on the fact that about 3-4 times a year I get an email about a petition for one of her shows, rather than people just turning it off, and once again just like previous emails, the show has been misinterpreted. I do think it is sad the most powerful woman on the planet is anti-marriage as marriage has bee such a joy in our lives, I don't however believe her purpose in any of these shows is to tear apart existing marriages. Too many times I have received these emails as you did from other members of the church who have interpreted falsely the purpose of a secular TV program.
Thanks so much for the comment. I doubt my brother in law actually saw the episode. I know Shay watches every day and I wasn't trying to dis' anybody that watches. I guess it was just more of a cautionary note than anything. Thanks for clarifying. As with most things, there are two sides to the story.
I have much more of a problem with Speaker Of The House, Nancy Pelosi appearing on skanky show like The View and not walking out when Whoopi and Barbara ran their filthy mouths and talked about 'doing' her and her husband both. Ultimately, Oprah is not a political leader. But Nancy Pelosi is. She also didn't have a problem with a San Francisco G*Y Pride festival using promotional posters depicting a craven version of 'The Last Supper' as men in bondage gear with various "toys" strewn across the table. She said "I don't think this threatens the Christian faith at all."
I don't watch The View. Never have. Here's the clip though from the Pelosi show.
Indecent Proposal!
My mom called me to say how offended she was with Oprah's show last week. So offended, she just had to watch it all the way through to the end!
I'm not really a Republican or a Democrat, but I do NOT like Nancy Pelosi. She was a stay at home mom and has like five kids. I don't know how she can think how she does. I agree that it may not "threaten" the Christian Faith, in that it can undermine it. Truth is truth. But there is a such thing as RESPECT. This pitiful attempt at humor/art/freedom of expression is just Satan's way of using the agency we chose against us.
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Sock it to her.
You're very good at articulating what I am thinking.
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