In The News
Mormon Mitt not ‘Big’ on HBO polygamist series
I have no problem with news stories discussing the Mormon church and the connection between Mitt Romney and the church and Mitt Romney and polygamy, but this article, which reports on the confusion many Americans have regarding the church, clouds the issue further:
The author leads the reader to believe that the polygamists in the show are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, traditionally called Mormons. Is it any wonder why people are confused about the church's stance on polygamy when media outlets like the Boston Herald can't even get the issue straight? I didn't watch the show - that's not what I'm critiquing here anyway - but unless in the show the Prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints married a young teen (which I doubt, but maybe I'm wrong) this article is confusing, not informing, its readers. Thoughts?
I have no problem with news stories discussing the Mormon church and the connection between Mitt Romney and the church and Mitt Romney and polygamy, but this article, which reports on the confusion many Americans have regarding the church, clouds the issue further:
Romney is a Mormon but HBO obviously didn’t call him when it cast its new series -which debuted Sunday night - featuring a Viagra-popping suburban polygamist with three wives and an elder Mormon “prophet” who weds a young teen.
The author leads the reader to believe that the polygamists in the show are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, traditionally called Mormons. Is it any wonder why people are confused about the church's stance on polygamy when media outlets like the Boston Herald can't even get the issue straight? I didn't watch the show - that's not what I'm critiquing here anyway - but unless in the show the Prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints married a young teen (which I doubt, but maybe I'm wrong) this article is confusing, not informing, its readers. Thoughts?
posted by David at 11:53 AM
2 Comments:
The usage of the word "Mormon" here creates a ton of confusion. That single sentence is actually referring to 2 types of Mormons. While people who have any familiarity with the church can make that distinction easily, those who already have misunderstandings are simply reinforced in their confusion. They begin to see "real" Mormons like Romney and the polygamist churches who like to call themselves Mormons as a distinction without a difference. In fact, they are two completely separate churches, and "real" Mormons consider the others to be heretics.
As a "real" Mormon, I'm irritated by such sloppy reporting, but used to it, sadly.
You left out what I found to be the most interesting part of the article... the television shows Romney apparently watches when he finds time: Lost, 24 and My Name is Earl.
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