What is happening in our back yard?

Freedom of anything, anymore?

Published on October 20, 2004 By foreverserenity In Blogging

Something is bothering me enough for me to ask everyone or anyone if they see this too? What's going on with these groups, mostly "religious" ones that are crying "wolf" on the entertainment, television world? Some things are just not fit to be on TV I'll admit, but to actually want to stop freedom of speech and freedom of expression, isn't that our right as citizen of the United States? There's a group that are now making waves for a new program that started recently, Desperate Housewives, they claim that the show is not suitable for america to watch. It's a little racy yes, but if you don't like it, change the channel, right? Instead, they are campaining against the program and are causing the advertising industry to pull away from the show. This group says they are a "ministry devoted to the preservation of traditional family values,". I consider myself to be a religious person (and maybe not like some die-hard christians), however, I believe in God and all that he represents. Why is it that these groups feel that they have to impose what they believe and the way they live on others? Why are they using their religion as an excuse? That's exactly what it looks like to me. So they are campaigning against this program, pretty soon the network will pull it because they can't stand the heat. Look at what's happened to Howard Stern and others being slapped with these fines and forced off the air because of groups like these? Don't get me wrong, while I believe in decency standards and goodness and everything that is moral. I also believe that everyone has the right to his or her beliefs, opinions, creativity, etc. If I don't want my children to watch a program or listen to something that I feel is not appropriate, I let them know this and I monitor them. What they are doing is wrong and pretty soon we will have something else on our hands. Pretty soon even reading, our way and style of dressing and our way of living if it's not what "they" like will be deemed morally corrupt.

Using religious beliefs to stem our flow of creativity is wrong. It makes you wonder what is behind it all and what exactly will be next? Using God as their justification in what they do is just wrong. As the bible says, many shall come in Jesus' name and claim to be him. It's all just a smoke screen.

Comments

Texas Wahine

on Oct 20, 2004

Interesting article.

I can see two sides to this.

Personally, I have no problem changing the channel and not watching something offensive. I am also an involved parent and am able to monitor what my children watch on TV, so them stumbling onto something is not really a problem. Maybe if they were older it would be more of an issue. Of course, I could always block out a channel. I don't want someone else to tell me what I can and cannot watch, so I would not presume to do the same to others.

On the other hand, if television programming continues to become raunchier and more and more explicit, it could reach a point where there is absolutely nothing on TV that is worth watching. At that point, I have lost an activity that I have enjoyed in the past because neither I, nor anyone else, was willing to raise a fuss over the decline in decent programming.

Personally, I am glad Howard Stern is gone . . . he grosses me out, and I always manage to hit on him saying something like, "pee in the shower" as I am flipping through the channels. Blech.

I don't watch much TV, but what I do watch is usually not good for me anyway (South Park, The Simpsons, SNL). Maybe someone SHOULD be telling me what to watch.

Great article, serenity.

InfoGeek

on Oct 20, 2004

Technically Stern is not gone, he just changed formats to Satellite Radio. No dialog censoring.

There is still good programming out there.

IG

Texas Wahine

on Oct 20, 2004

By gone, I mean he is no longer a blight on my channel surfing.

MasonM

on Oct 20, 2004

Well, what about THEIR freedom of speech? In this country, one does have the right to speak out against something they don't like. That's what freedom of speech is really all about, not putting filth over the airwaves.

While I do not watch much television at all, (don't own one in fact) I agree that if there's something I don't like I just change the channel. But I suppose if I saw something that truly offended or concerned me, I would exercise my right of free speech to voice my opinion about it.

What is it that bothers you about this? The fact that they are speaking out against a television show, or the fact that they are a religious group? Don't religious groups have the same right to free speech as anyone else? Or is that right for everyone BUT them? WOuld you feel the same way if it were some civil rights group protesting a bigoted show? Or a gay rights group protesting an anti-gay show?

While I couldn't care less about this group I never heard of, I applaude their taking a stand for what they believe. Maybe more people should do the same.

foreverserenity

on Oct 21, 2004

Texas, thanks, I agree, there are two sides to this. And yes, as I do, you, monitor, change the channel etc. Stern can be really gross at times, and I know this because sometimes I watch his program (usually while channel surfing, if there is someone, on and I'm wondering they had the guts to show up knowing what Howard is like. So I watch for a bit to see the antics until I get really tired of it and ta daaaa, change the channel.

InfoGeek, I agree that there are good programming out there - thank God! So, there's hope for us yet.

MasonM, no, it doesn't bother me that they are also exercising their freedom of speech nor the fact that they are a religious group - this is what makes our country great. The people or group that protest to these kinds of things, don't always have to be religious, although this group is. What bothers me is that, there seem to be a focus by some groups, who happen to be religious, want to have censorship of any and everything they don't like. It seems that if they don't like it, they make a loud enough noise and the people that are in charge, out of fear of repercussions, acquise to them without looking at both sides of the argument. By doing this, they are squashing the thing that makes this country great, that makes us who we are. Art and creativity is important in our world. The freedom to create programs like whats going on on television right now is important. Watching television, going to the movies and/or theatre and reading any materials we want, is an important part of our world. We get information, sometimes we learn things, hear what's going on in other parts of the world or in other people's life. We laugh, cry, and wonder about some things. We question, we have fun. We learn to forget our troubles for a bit by indulging in one of these activities. We socialize, we learn what not to do and what's right from wrong - and don't say we don't, some programs, religious ones too, are uplifting and educational. A program like Desperate Housewives, and yes, I enjoy watching that show because it's very funny and the story telling is intriguing in some parts of it. What I'm trying to say before I get any longer with my reply, is one group should not be allowed to have the power to control us or to try to do so. Yes, they have a right to have their say and to protest, (freedom of speech and liberty at work here). But my opinions, and others, and yours, may be different and why should they stop something that is enjoyed by others? It doesn't have to be this particular program, it could be anything.

"WOuld you feel the same way if it were some civil rights group protesting a bigoted show? Or a gay rights group protesting an anti-gay show?"
I don't see them out there protesting the fact that there aren't equal opportunities to all people; some are featured more than others, (and it's not just a black or white issue) on television. Also, the networks have the sense not to have bigotted shows on because that would be wrong in this day and age. However, there are programs from time to time featuring bigottry and what went on in the days bigottry was more rampant and openly acceptable by some folks (and I'm not saying it doesn't still exist for some people). We learn from these things, from the past. And gay people have every right to protest any show they consider to be offensive to them. Sometimes there are regular folks who have just had enough and want to voice their opinions and that's fine. I am doing that right now. But don't try to have a dictatorship, that's wrong.

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