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Charmed, I'm Sure.
- Mar 21, 2009 at 12:15 AM
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- Comments (21) Total Views (422) Everyone can see this journal post.
I was thinking about something this morning. I was in the shower, as that is where I do my best thinking for some reason, and I thought about how so many Wiccans, and Pagans in general, dislike the show "Charmed" because of the false ideas it presents to those who are unfamiliar with Wicca or Paganism.
Personally, even as a Pagan, I enjoy the show. I watch it most mornings until the wee ones demand something, anything, animated. Eventually I cave, but not until I've gotten myself a good dose of Phoebe, Piper, and Pru/Paige. It's entertaining to me. Keep in mind that I was also entertained my Hercules (the one with Kevin Sorbo) and Xena: Warrior Princess (until the last season or so, after which time I couldn't handle the uber-corniness). I love Star Trek, Star Wars, and if I ever get the time I'm sure I'll love me some Battlestar Galactica, as well. I have always loved fantastical, campy, overly-imaginative shows like those. On the other hand, I will stay up way too late watching a Masterpiece Theatre movie, a documentary about corn, or Whacked Out Videos.
My point is this: what each of us find entertaining is clearly subjective. However, the Pagans who do not like "Charmed" usually do not dislike it because of the acting, story lines, or entertainment value. No, rather it is the insinuation that witchcraft is full of flashy spells, daily banishings, and the general idea that magic can fix everything. My pagan friends, please help me out here. Do I understand the gist of the animosity toward this show?
Of course, my wandering, showering thoughts did not stop there. It became quickly apparent to me that Christians have been dealing with this sort of media-induced preconception for as long, if not longer, than Pagans have. At least, insofar as television shows are concerned. So, I also would like to ask my Christian friends to please tell me how you feel about popular tv shows which you feel represent Christianity in a skewed manner. Shows that aren't just questionable at times, but whose premise, as it pertains to Christianity, offends you. Do you feel that there are any programs out there which cast an incorrect idea about Christianity on the mind of viewers who are not familiar with Christianity?
Not being too sensitive to that sort of thing (we already know my taste in weird tv shows!), I cannot think of any programs which may have the same effect on Christians as "Charmed" has on so many Pagans. Are there any?
So, share with me your thoughts about how mainstream media has altered the perception of your religion, Christianity and Paganism in particular... but, I'm open to hear about any other religions, too. Are there particular programs that you feel ore more unfair than others? Do you feel that the viewing public has an equal share of the responsibility for their perceptions as the the media does for broadcasting those ideas? Should the media be more responsible? How does public opinion about your religion effect you on a daily basis?
Let's talk TV and God here, people.
Comments:
The thing that got me started on this whole train of thought is that some people really do care about how their religion is percieved by others.
The thing about "Charmed" is that they claim to be Wiccan. There is little that they do which resembles Wicca. devtysmom, it might be like if a popular show depicted women claiming to be Christian and making blood sacrifices to God. Unless there's something I don't know about, blood sacrifices don't take place in modern Christianity. The reality of Wicca and the way it is presented in the show are two entirely different animals.
I am trying to think of a show about Christianity at all. There was Amen, Seventh Heaven, and Touched By An Angel. If I am missing an obvious example, I know I will feel dumb, but I just can not think of any others. (This sounds stilted because I am on a keyboard without apostrophes, so no contractions) Of those, Touched By An Angel was the corniest and I never got interested in it enough to follow it. I dislike movies like "Oh God", and I really hate ones like "Michael" and "Bruce Almighty" because they are so disrespectful. Any overall message that might be partially acceptable is ruined by that, for me.
As you know, we're Pagan, and yet we loved Charmed, up until maybe the second season after uh... darn it... "Paige" was introduced. We just felt the storyline started sucking.
God, I even liked the movie "The Craft."
The only thing I DISLIKE is that people who aren't educated surely form their misconceptions and stereotypes off of shows like those, especially Charmed where they claim to be Wiccan. However, I've never complained about either as a form of entertainment any further than that.
Well, except the one time someone some my triskel tattoo and said, "Wow, you must be a BIG fan of Charmed." *facepalm* I carefully explained that the symbol had been around MUCH longer than the show and actually had meaning.
(Oh, and by "we" in my first paragraph, I meant my Pagan mommy and me.)
I actually really never paid attention to the fact they were Wiccan, or claimed to be on the show. It is such a far fetched show, I didn't consider any base of reality. I can see how some people would watch the show & go "all Wiccan" like the Charmed Ones. I guess I am able to separate fact from entertainment better.
As far as Christian shows, there was a show that came out a year or two ago about an Episcopal Minister & his family called "The Book of Daniel". It got taken off the air quite quickly w/ some controversy. I was really annoyed because I liked the show. I thought is had at least some level of tie to reality. OK, also a little far fetched with the 3 kids all having something that would be considered "dysfunctional" by the uptight was pushing it, but it I enjoyed it.
What was the show about the young girl who saw God in various guises? Can't remember the name. Anyway, it started out good & got more & more biazare. I think everyone needs to keep in mind that these are Hollywood & for entertainment purposes only. Anyone who takes shows on primetime.seriously, it seems to me, is showing a marked degree of insecurity about wharever it is they believe. These shws are not educational and do not claim to be.
I think most people are ignorant about any belief system that is not their own- very few take the time to really study the comparitive systems of faith. ( Please do not attack me saying you have studied! Some few do- most do not) If they are getting their info from prime time & believing it, isn't that their problem? It should not affect those who are sucure in their belief.
By the By- That list of shows you enjoy? I second them all- and Stargate, and there are others. My Dad ( who is now 80) & I used to watch Star Trek every week- the first run original version! Dated, aren't I?!
I'm an atheist and I simply adore Saving Grace, which is the only really Christian-themed program I can think of that's currently on. I can't see that Christians would be peeved at Saving Grace, since the show really is about faith and having it and finding it. Earl The Angel doesn't quote scripture verbatim, but he does offer up deep-fried Southern-toned verbal contortions of scripture themes to slam home his points even though it's clear that Former Catholic Schoolgirl Grace sees through that like Grandma's underpants.
MemaSu, I would never attack you! You're too cool for all that nonsense.
I think you're right in that most people really do understand that these kind of tv shows are for entertainment, not education. But, I have seen some ignorant statements here on CM regarding what people believe about Paganism. I always wonder, when I see truly bizarre notions that people have about Paganism, where they got some of those ideas. It's not beyond the realm of possibility that there really are some people out there who think that Paganism/Wicca resemble what goes on in "Charmed". Obviously, there are likely some underlying issues which would lead a person to be so gullible, but nevertheless...
It strikes my curiosity!
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I am Christian. I loved Charmed & will still watch repeats on TV every now & then. I am sure there is no real link to reality in it, but who cares? It is entertainment to me. I know reality. I live reality. I watch it for an hour of escape.
Of course, every so often I will whip of a spell... just hoping it will work. They never do. LMAO!!
- devtysmom
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