Who really wins with 'reality' TV?

In your column, you talk about it being normal and healthy to be angry. Well, I'm angry! I admit to watching a few of the reality TV programs and quiz shows. But, what happened to every human being of value and loving your neighbor? This new form of "reality entertainment" seems to be one in which there have to be, not just winners, but denigrated losers. What does this say about all of us, and where does the UMC stand on these kinds of programs?

Sad and Angry

Dear Sad and Angry,

Of course, we cannot speak for the entire UMC; we can open the dialogue on these important issues.

There are actually several issues you've pinpointed. First, the competitive edge of so much of our societal life and second, our seeming need to see other people shamed.

There's no question, we live in a competitive society. Sadly, that means in many cases, we rank human beings, and we reward the most valued or more superior human beings. As I think you've alluded to, that leads to shaming the ones who don't win. So the issue becomes more than only winning money and fame, it becomes one of establishing one's value as a person. And, obviously, only a few are at the top.

It seems to me the fundamental issue is the value of all God's people; this gets sacrificed in the process of providing entertainment. It's almost the parallel of Gladiator games, only it's not physical life but spiritual life that gets mutilated.

It reminds me of an undergraduate sociology class in which I learned about the "ladder" of insistence we have to enforce behavior in our society. At the top of the list, was to call something a taboo - absolutely forbidden by all of humanity. A step down was laws which the society enacts to enforce a behavior, with a penalty for performing that behavior. Next were social mores and moral values. What struck me was that, beneath all of these insistences was the value of human life and welfare. We often overlook that the bedrock of our faith is to protect people and keep them safe in physical, emotional and spiritual ways. And that is clearly your concern.

Hence, the UMC takes a stand, for example, on gambling, because fundamentally it erodes the welfare of many to the meager benefit of a few. Your point about our more sophisticated "gladiator games" shows a lot of insight.

We'd like to hear more from you and others, about how you feel about our current entertainment situation.

Ed & Susan Alley

Ed and Susan Alley are Pastoral Counselors, licensed Marriage and Family Therapists. Questions may be addressed to them, in confidence, at Kairos Center for the Family, 4337 Kessler Blvd. N. Dr., Indianapolis, Ind. 46228, e-mail eskairos@aol.com.

Last updated on 01/14/2004

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