Sundance and "8: The Mormon Proposition"

Well, I made it to February before deciding to post anything having to do with religion. However, due to the recent Sundance Film Festival and the official unveiling of the Michael Moore-esque documentary detailing the LDS involvement in the hype leading up to the votes for California Proposition 8, there has been much local discussion on the matter.

I still was not compelled to opine my thoughts and feelings, regardless of the levels of ridiculousness in the commentary being spewed. That was before a friend sent me this news clip reposted on YouTube.

I was willing to let go the obvious initial slap about "...it appears that truth and accuracy are rare commodities in this film." I even found it rather hilarious. I was impressed that the Church PR was finally growing a pair and commenting with emotion instead of the standard robotic dodge of drama.

It wasn't until they followed it up with this doozy that I became annoyed. "...we had no desire to participate in something so obviously biased."

Really? Really...That's why you paired up with Focus on the Family during the Prop 8 legislation battle? Because Focus on the Family is definitely not biased in their agenda.

Really...You're all about 'fair and balanced' dialogue, open discussion and debate? You're in favor of not backing any political candidates or political parties? Is that why Utah is so evenly balanced between Republicans and Democrats?

Really? Boyd K Packer:

“You seminary teachers and some of you institute and BYU men will be teaching the history of the Church this school year. This is an unparalleled opportunity in the lives of your students to increase their faith and testimony of the divinity of this work. Your objective should be that they will see the hand of the Lord in every hour and every moment of the Church from its beginning till now.” “Church history can be so interesting and so inspiring as to be a very powerful tool indeed for building faith. If not properly written or properly taught, it may be a faith destroyer.” “There is a temptation for the writer or the teacher of Church history to want to tell everything, whether it is worthy or faith promoting or not.” “Some things that are true are not very useful.” “That historian or scholar who delights in pointing out the weaknesses and frailties of present or past leaders destroys faith. A destroyer of faith — particularly one within the Church, and more particularly one who is employed specifically to build faith — places himself in great spiritual jeopardy. He is serving the wrong master, and unless he repents, he will not be among the faithful in the eternities. ... Do not spread disease germs!" - Boyd K. Packer, "The Mantle is Far, Far Greater Than the Intellect", 1981, BYU Studies, Vol. 21, No. 3, pp. 259-271

Seems to me like the PR department needs a sit down with Elder Packer. Then maybe they will learn that everything you participate in is SUPPOSED to promote a biased agenda...as long as it is YOUR biased agenda.

I should add that I absolutely support an individual or institution's right to promote bias but I also am an obvious supporter of calling out hypocritical nonsense when and where I see it.