The Pagan Reality Show
First there was Fiona Horne in “Mad Mad House”, then there was ’scary’ Mary in the UK show Big Brother. Now ABC is invoking modern Paganism once again for the latest in what seems to be a never-ending parade of “reality” television.
The show is called “Welcome to the Neighborhood” in which seven racially and socially diverse families compete to move into a luxury home in an affluent Austin, Texas neighborhood. The catch is that they must win over their conservative, Christian, and Republican-voting neighbors. The show is already drawing fire for the message it is going to send.
“”Watching three privileged couples vote to get rid of disenfranchised families they don’t like is really disturbing,” – Damon Romine, GLAAD
One of the families trying to get in is the Eckharts. “A Caucasian, pagan family that worships several gods”, reports Reality TV Magazine.
So how long will the Pagan family last? I don’t plan on watching the show but I wouldn’t place any money on the Eckharts making it too far. They will be easy to eliminate because no cries of racism could be leveled, and since many see our faith as a cult, or worse, a joke I doubt too many repercussions would ensue from their quick removal.
I think the worst thing is how our faith is cheapened by these crass television shows. This isn’t the kind of attention I want for our family of faiths. No doubt the lure of a possible dream-home was too much for the Eckharts to refuse, but we have to make a principled stand somewhere. Big media cheapens all that it touches, because big media will always cater to the lowest common denominator.
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