Tuesday, October 25, 2016
Blog #16
Complete the reading assignments for today. Now, here’s something to think about. We often consider the impact of the “Work and the Glory” series on LDS audiences. We even occasionally joke about Church talks and testimonies that make references to the fictional Steed family in the series. Obviously, there is a parallel here regarding the impact of the “Left Behind” series on evangelical cultural life. When we consider that some estimates suggest that evangelicals make up 27 percent of the US population, should we be surprised by the impact it has, and particularly how that impact might spill over into real life and real belief. While the Steeds helped LDS better relate to Church history, is it possible that the “Left Behind” series almost becomes “scriptural” for the evangelical community. More broadly, what are the implications of this for other “products” produced for the religious marketplace? Respond to this question and share your thoughts about what you have learned from your readings.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I think each religion has a certain level of accompanying mythology that goes with it; elements of non-canonical worship that become infused with the more truthful and established facets of worship. I've never actually read "The Work and the Glory" (or Left Behind) but I am familiar with the premise, as well as the central ideas within a number of similar works. I think these works are important in helping people to conceptualize their faith. I for one was always fascinated by the stories I was taught in Sunday school and I often liked to imagine living in the times described by our scriptures. There's a creative and imaginative need to try and realize the scriptures into a more narrative and novel work. Novels in themselves are a revolutionary idea that have historically been linked to increases in empathy and engagement in human rights issues. There are examples like Uncle Tom's Cabin, and The Jungle, which were novels that precipitated social change. Additionally, the advent of the novel is very closely related to the enlightnment movement of the 1700s. I think this is largely because of the empathizing we do with characters in books. In few other settings do we stare at pages of paper and conjure up complete images in our minds of events taking place, yet we have that incredible ability to do so when we read. In turn, novelizing these stories may be very useful to enlarging our perception of our standard works.
ReplyDeleteThis can be both a positive and spiritual prosperous practice, as well as a negative one. On the one hand, increased empathy and imagination helps us to better relate to gospel doctrine. On the other hand, you start to hear stories withing the Mormon Mythology about missionaries being aided by three mysterious men (presumably the three nephites)or miraculous predictions and protections from harm. While there may be a varying degree of truth to any of these stories and it's not fair to disregard them out of hand, there may also be a level of wide artistic licensing in written forms of Mormon Mythology or Folklore, that becomes misconstrued. With these artistic liberties come a great degree of improvisation and therefore untruthful statements. It's one thing when these things are recognized as imaginative and helping tools in adding to faith, but it's another thing when the creative freedoms they have taken welcome misguided referencing. The Left Behind Series has taken a lot of criticism from various Christian denominations, based largely on its loose interpretations of the Rapture. These sources of criticism fear that the books are being treated as doctrine, and thus could be considered false preaching. Additionally, these books have been widely merchandised into spin off products and works. Within our own folklore, just as with the Left Behind series, we really should consider the motives behind these works. If they are creative, imaginative and able to add to a better perception of doctrine, they can be useful. If they are not careful with their creative liberties, they can quickly misguide. And altogether, if they are being optioned for monetary use, their worldly values may be high, while standing spiritually bankrupt.
I believe the effects of publications such as these to be mostly negative. Obviously one series deals with beliefs which are unfamiliar to us, and the other is very relatable to Mormon culture. However, these sensationalist novels seem to me to be so far fetched as to what it actually means to be a Christian, that the actual experience might pale in comparison. Yes, being a Christ does involve seeing miracles and great happiness, but for the most part, just like Elder Maxwell said, it is the mundane that saves us.
ReplyDeleteHuge experiences like the rapture or being visited by the three Nephites are very unlikely experiences, and even if they did happen, you can't build a testimony on that. Your chances of becoming converted through these books is probably about the same as your chances of becoming an actual wizard while reading Harry Potter. I don't want to sound overly critical, but testimony is supposed to be founded upon real events and true doctrine, and not imaginative stories, as entertaining as they may seem.
When I see products attempting to produce a relationship with a specific religion, I wonder if the purpose is to be more profitable or the sincere intent to lift up others in a spiritual sense. After watching the different situations with the televangelism scandals, I tend to question any profit that seems to take advantage of others by making it seem to be the religion. I thought it was interesting that the blog referenced religious individuals as "markets". This label shows how individuals are shown as sources of income for business and not for increasing spiritual experiences in the home.
ReplyDeleteI also found it interesting about the antichrist propaganda. I know that I have seen numerous commercials for movies that involve these concepts. Even in the commercials for religious movies, I have seen rapture references in movies. It amazes me that this interest and business has expanded to video games, board games, and music. These fears cause an increase in the market of religion. They also are made for substantial entertainment purposes.
It fascinates me that individuals take scriptures and turns them into modern day stories. We see this concept in many media outlets. An example of this concept includes Veggie Tales, which shows cartoon characters acting as scripture characters. I believe that this market will continue to grow as the differences between religious and non-religious grows greater and greater.
I've struggled with trying to understand people like this. I met them a lot of my mission and I didn't understand them then and I still don't now.
ReplyDeleteI could see how the "Left Behind" series has become scriptural for certain people. When we think of the 2nd coming or "the rapture" I don't think most people are filled with warm fuzzies. It's usually a time of fear and heart ache. The interesting thing about fear is things are always scarier when we don't know what it is. The monster in a movie is always scarier until you see it. This might be one reason people like the left behind series so much. Because it puts a face to their fear, which in turn lessens it. People hate the unknown.
Moving on to the next question. the popularity of the left behind series only increases interest in other products having to do with the 2nd coming. It's probably brought about other books and stories. And maybe even led to all sorts of 2nd coming survival gear (kind of like the LDS survivalists).
I've been to a handful of evangelical meetings and I just don't get what really draws people to it. I've been to churchs where they speak in tongues, practice healings, etc. To my Mormon viewpoint I can see that they're scams and it's quite sad to see everyone taken in by them. And I guess I'm just really curious why people are so attracted to those kinds of churches. I guess I should just ask someone.