Daily Gusto: Doesn't God Ever Call These People Just to Say Hey?

May 21, 2004

Doesn't God Ever Call These People Just to Say Hey?

What do PBS's Colonial House and last night's Frontline episode, "The Jesus Factor" have in common? Two subjects who believe they've been called by God to lead.

In a maddening master stroke of casting, PBS appointed Jeff Wyers, a Southern Baptist minister from Texas, as Governor of the colony on Colonial House. In what (at least so far) has been the central theme of the show, Wyers attempts to create a "City on a Hill" by enforcing 17th century laws -- most of which are, incidentally, similar to Baptist teachings -- under which the colonists begin to chafe. While enforcement of the laws seems appropriate for historical verisimilitude, Wyers clearly uses his role in the colony as one of a missionary. In an almost maniacal blurring of reality and reality TV, Wyers says he has been called by God to lead the colony.

"The Jesus Factor," which aired last evening but can be viewed online, explores the growing political impact of evangelical Christians and particularly the relationship between George W. Bush's faith and his presidency. For us atheist types (and I would imagine for religious people of a less evangelical stripe), the fact that GWB genuinely believes God has called him to be President of the United States is a chilling one. While the show sometimes has a slightly humorous "Christianity 101 for Godless Liberals" tone, it's definitely illuminating about the origins of the Religious Right in politics as well as GWB's own faith.

Both shows address timely questions about the relationship of religion to public life, both in historical and current contexts. Coincidence, PBS? We think not.

(p.s. Find here the rest of Steven Cloud's equally timely BoaSaS comic that's excerpted above.)

Posted by Jennifer at May 21, 2004 12:11 PM | TrackBack

Comments

sounds like you've got issues! can't we all let people be who they want to be? even if that means they're religious? sheesh!

Posted by: sanfred at May 21, 2004 06:56 PM

I love this show. Bush is a moron for enforcing evangelicalism on the country, but I think the Baptist dude they appointed governor on the show is in the right, even if he intends to convert the masses. If they're dumb enough to get converted, then they deserve it. And it's supposed to be the 1600's. The Puritans were England's Southern Baptists, so I think it's more than appropriate.

That atheist lady is giving atheists like me a bad wrap. She should not be playing into the naked swimming stereotype and acting like a knob. She signed up to go to 1628, and she should play along. I was an atheist when I was 8, but I still sat through Sunday School for the next 7 years. It's not hard. I guess even PBS reality shows need their drama queens.

Unrelated, but I hate Plymouth Plantation. Sturbridge village is where it's at.

Posted by: Brian at May 21, 2004 10:07 PM

I think you're wrong about Jeff Wyers. He really tried to play the role as it might have been done in 17th cent. even though some of the laws were against his modern day religious beliefs. The gay guy coming out in public at a Sabbath service satisfied his personal agenda (to be played and replayed on reruns and DVDs), the Voorhees woman who whined all the time about the rules, and even Ms. Heinz pouting about keeping her head covered--Hello!--it's the 17th century.

If you're eating peas every day and wearing dirty clothes, why not behave as you might have had you signed on for this to build a better life than you would have had back in Bristol. It really was irritating, that with 5,000 applicants, so few of those chosen could see beyond their 21st century noses.

Posted by: nbruce at May 25, 2004 07:42 PM

I think you might be right, to an extent. When I first saw the show, I was irritated that Wyers seemed to be using the show as an opportunity to push 21st century version of religion on the people. I still think he was trying to do that, but after his departure, the colonists didn't have that as an excuse anymore. Vorhees should have played along, and yes, it was ridiculous for the kid to come out publicly (I mean, why, anyway?).

I'm captiulating somewhat, yes, but I still think Wyers is a megalomaniacal ass.

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