Deseret News | It's a Mormon in the 'House'

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Scott D. Pierce: It's a Mormon in the 'House'

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Thomas | 12:34 p.m. Oct. 30, 2007

To "To Fredd"

Sorry, that logic doesn't cut it. The LDS Church definitely defines itself as Christian. It defines other Christian churches as Christian, too -- just incomplete. "Christian" and "false" aren't mutually exclusive.

See "Christian" is a general term. By the fairest definition, it includes all people who believe that Jesus Christ is the divine Son of God and the ultimate source of human salvation. You don't have to get every doctrinal point perfect to fall within this general definition.

Catholics and Protestants have critical differences on the role of sacramental authority, the interplay between divine grace and good works, and the authoritative source of religious doctrine. Except for a handful of fire-breathing evangelicals who think cavemen hunted dinosaurs (gotta get around that un-Biblical paleontological timeline), most Protestants more or less grudgingly accept Catholics as fellow Christians -- even if they are deluded papists. And Catholics more or less accept Protestants as fellow Christians -- even if they are rebellious heretics.

My hope is that both groups, once they fully understand what Mormonism actually proclaims, will more or less grudgingly accept Mormons as fellow Christians, even if we are a little weird.

Who Cares | 12:35 p.m. Oct. 30, 2007

The LDS church could use a lesson in statistics. There are many surveys/polls out there regarding religious affiliation in the United States. One, the Pew Survey showed Mormonism as third in the United States. It only included a little over 2,000 people surveyed. That is clearly not a statistically significant sample. Most of the others I've seen list Mormonism somewhere around 8th, 9th, or 10th - just barely ahead of the Churches of Christ.

However, these surveys all depend on the groupings given as options. Are all baptists practicing the same religion? Nope. All Protestants? Nope. So, if you want to be technical and define a religion as an organized church following one defined set of religious beliefs, ok, maybe Mormonism is fourth. Still maybe not. And, of the 13 million worldwide, how many are active? How many pay tithing? How many have active temple recommends? My guess on activity rate is around 25%. We're talking small potatoes.

verb | 12:37 p.m. Oct. 30, 2007

>

Dear Fredd, I can hear my mother saying that very few things happen all the time, except people saying that something does. :)

Comments continue below

To: To Fredd | 12:43 p.m. Oct. 30, 2007

According to www.merriam-webster.com deffintion 1a a Christian is - one who professes belief in the teachings of Jesus Christ. Therefore any who professes his belief is christian. Christian is a religious belief not a religion. I never have understood why mormons and catholics have got so much grief about not being christian.

ramadi | 12:43 p.m. Oct. 30, 2007

To Fredd, LDS is not the full name of the church which you already know. Please define for me what a Christian is? I dont care who's definition you give me either, Catholic, Baptist, Methodist, I would just like too hear what you define a Christian as.

Christians defined | 12:50 p.m. Oct. 30, 2007

Actually To Fredd,

LDS define christian, as followers of Christ, as it was originally intended to be meant for persons who were being persecuted for their belief in Christ: kind of like what you are doing now, by persecuting people (which isn't very Christian) for following Christ, and therefore persecuting Christians.

GM | 12:50 p.m. Oct. 30, 2007

The "magic underwear", poligamy, and Osmond quips towards Utah and Mormons continue and I could care less. It just shows ignorance but please don't sound the politically correct horn, that to me is as dislikable as the house, big love, Jay Leno, and Bill Maher takes on Mormonism.

exasperated | 12:56 p.m. Oct. 30, 2007

So, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is not christian? I thought the definition of a christian was a believer in Christ. Since the name Jesus Christ is in the title...I assume they believe in him. So, what made christianity false suddenly? You? On what authority are you acting?

Followers of Christ | 1:01 p.m. Oct. 30, 2007

Isn't it strange that self-proclaimed Christians (other than Mormons) who profess to believe in Jesus Christ, won't accept like believers? How can they deny Mormons, who believe in and accept their Christ, without themselves denying their Christ. If they knew Christ, they would know that He has invited both Jew and Gentile (All men) to come unto Him, to learn of Him, for He is the way, the truth, and the life, and they would not deny any man the right to seek after Him and follow Him the best that they know how. It is not a threat for persons outside of one's faith to accept one's Savior as their own, unless one has ulterior motives in one's representation of Him (Christ). (An example of such a motive: Preaching for gain. What would happen if a preacher's congregation found out that they could gain a better understanding and get closer to Christ through a church that doesn't have a paid clergy. No wonder those preachers preach against other churches, it affects their livelihood. But who commissioned them to speak for Christ, if not themselves? Christ didn't ask for money.).

Rich | 1:10 p.m. Oct. 30, 2007

Reading a majority of these comments it's interesting how something as simple as a Mormon character on a TV show can cause a big argument over whether mormons are this or that or believe in this. For God's sake why won't everyone just chill out.

I would bet that almost everyone who is commenting is a grown adult and understands that this is a TV show! There's no hidden agenda to attack the Mormon beliefs. The writers are not Mormon so they're not going to get everything right and they're not going to pay to bring in a consult who is an active member of the church to make sure that they're being sensitive to all of the beliefs.

For anybody who doesn't watch the show, you need to know that this show is not about sensitivity. House is a genius doctor who is extremely cynical about people...that means everybody! House believes that all religious beliefs are stupid.

I'm LDS and I'm saying to all LDS people, including the author of the article...lighten up! If you don't like what the show is doing then don't watch it.

Re: To Fredd | 1:16 p.m. Oct. 30, 2007

Wow what dictionary is that definition of Christian from? LDS by definition is as Christian as it comes. The Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter Day Saints is the real name of the church. It's not that hard to figure out LDS people are Christians. To say all Christian churches are false just means you believe all Christian churches are false. It's a faith for a reason. There is nothing that proves all Christian churches are false. Next time you give out a definition try look it up on Websters or something.

RangerGordon | 1:17 p.m. Oct. 30, 2007

Surely House would mock a Catholic or a Protestant (or a Jew, Muslim, Buddhist, Wiccan or Hindu) just as rigorously as he would a member of the LDS Church.

He mocks everybody. That's the point of the show.

Thomas | 1:48 p.m. Oct. 30, 2007

The problem evangelical Protestants face (and the reason they're the ones banging the loudest on the "Mormons aren't Christian" drum) is that generally, they believe that being classified as "Christian" is dispositive of a person's salvation. Christians are saved, full stop.

It follows that if Mormons are Christians, then evangelicals have to accept that they are "saved." That, in turn, implies that Mormonism is an equally effective path to salvation as (name your favorite Protestant flavor).

But Mormons are clearly different from Protestants. That's a big deal -- because much of contemporary evangelicism is more about one's Christian identity, rather than about actually changing the way a person lives his life. (It's been faulted for essentially "baptizing" mindless American materialism, serving mostly as therapy to make people feel good about their rather pathetic selves.) How can you really get into the "hurray for our team" spirit, if the other team works just as well?

So Mormons can't be Christians to these guys. Does not compute, no matter how many logical contortions they have to wiggle through.

And I'm Mormon. I know from logical contortions.

Fredd | 1:51 p.m. Oct. 30, 2007

All--You misunderstood me. I was trying to say the LDS church should be number 1 because they are Christian. My opinion and only my opinion--is that all the protestants, catholics, mormons etc are different sects of the Christian religion. I'm not pretending to be a scholar so if I'm wrong on a point I apologize. So Christians Defined, lighten up on the persecution. There is a big difference between persecution and being challenged BTW. Also, what's so wrong about a paid clergy? I've seen several refernces to that in the last few weeks. My best friends brother was a highly underpaid minister. He was very Christian. Please don't confuse televangelist con men with Christian preachers.

Fredd | 2:00 p.m. Oct. 30, 2007

WOW--I cannot believe how what I wrote is so misinterpeted. Where did I post a definition? I directly stated "I thought LDS was Christian?" BTW, just having Jesus Christ in your name doesn't make you Christian. So all of you throwing that out can stop. I get it, you believe in Jesus. I'd wager you believe in him more then me. House is a great show isn't it?

Rich | 2:14 p.m. Oct. 30, 2007

Most Mormons I know don't talk a lot about how the media portays their religion. But they certainly get hot and bothered when somebody claims that Mormons are not Christians. That's because they believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who was sent by his father to this earth to atone for our sins. It is the most sacred of their beliefs, and Mormons hate it when somebody questions the core of their faith. I used to be a newspaper reporter, and I learned quickly not to bed surprised when reporters display their ignorance and bigotry and prejudices, if not openly and overtly, then tactfully and insidiously. Those at CNN and other media outlets are either ignorant or bigoted when they insist on interviewing non-LDS polygamists against a background of the Salt Lake Temple. I appreciated HBO's effort to point out that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has not condoned polygamy for more than 100 years.

Me | 2:22 p.m. Oct. 30, 2007

Okay this was a stupid article. Cleary the write of this article has never watched house before and just hearing stuff.

If you watch House you will know he only really goes after those he respects. His way of showing you that he likes you. I watch it and take it that he is one of his favorites. I dont really see it throwing venom when he says things.

As the saying goes any publicity is good publicity, and I dont think any person in this world would take a fictional show about a fictional character and base their belief about mormons on HOUSE.

In our case, publicity is bad... | 2:58 p.m. Oct. 30, 2007

In the case of publicity on the LDS church it is usually a bad, not a good thing. The reason is simple. We did have a history that is titilating (polygamy) and therefore draws the interest of people. The fact that it was abolished since about 1905 (it actually did NOT end in 1890...)does not lessen the appeal of outsiders to view us a sexual perverts, and that is always interesting to poke fun at. I see no end to the barbs, insults, jokes, etc. We have not been successful in denouncing what was done and that leaves thinking people wondering if we really thought it was all OK. Heck, I'm wondering if we really think it was all hunky-doorie.

TYLER | 2:59 p.m. Oct. 30, 2007

To "rehun" No Big Love is not about Mormons nor am I denying the early history of the church. Big Love is about members of the FLDS church which is a sect of the LDS church which gains no support from us. Mormons have not practiced polygamy in more than a century, Good try though! Try commenting on something you actually have a basic knowledge about.

peg | 3:03 p.m. Oct. 30, 2007

you know the old adage: there's no such thing as bad press

house is a jerk, which is the point of the program

but his cases are fascinating, which is why i watch it

no, i don't like having a single, black lds dad thrown in for kicks, but who knows what prompts such moves

maybe house and/or his writers hate romney and this is their way of campaigning against him

most anti-mormons were once mormons--maybe house and/or his writers are jack- or ex-mormons

INTJ Mom | 3:24 p.m. Oct. 30, 2007

I guess you don't understand the concept of satire, Mr. Pierce. I don't think the House characters are meant to be viewed as realistic people, they are more personality stereotypes. I think it's a very funny show. I hope they keep on doing what they're doing - black Mormon and all.

Happy Mormon | 3:27 p.m. Oct. 30, 2007

Since when do we expect a steriotyped character on TV to be "realistic"? Especially on House!

Personally I'm just glad to see a Mormon character that isn't still portrayed as the turn a the century hay-seed polygamist.

I agree it's an honor for House to abuse you and aparently hate you. That's his whole shtick.

Christians Defined | 3:46 p.m. Oct. 30, 2007

Fred you make a good point. Insert "being challenged" above in my previous comments, instead of persecution, and you still get the idea. My comment was actually directed at "To Fredd" who posted at 11:53 A.M., who is definitely challenging whether Mormons are Christian.

Though persecution may be too strong a word for persons who challenge whether Mormons are Christian, the fact remains that in the Dark Ages, people who were persecuted for believing in Christ were called Christians. It is just ironic to me that people who call themselves Christians today, would then attack other Christians to challenge their notion of Christ, just like the first Christians were challenged over that same notion. You would think those acusatory Christians today would lighten up. We all worship the same Christ.

Are Mormons Christians? | 3:47 p.m. Oct. 30, 2007

In answer to that question, let me just say that you all sound like a bunch of missionaries one month in the field bashing doctrine with some baptist preacher. Don't you see that anyone with half a brain gets it? Your comments after comments arguing why mormons are christians is tiring and old. Find something else to talk about and move on. Responding to that question has been done over and over and it is time to move on past 1st grade math people.

Joe | 3:55 p.m. Oct. 30, 2007

Fred, I don't think it was your comments that got people worked up, considering you said LDS was christians. The comments most people got worked up over were TO FRED who ignorantly said christians religions are false and Mormons believe their religion is the only true religion therefore if christians are false so are mormons. This is an extermly ingnorant statement. I really don't think most of the people were upset with yours.

re: Oregonian | 3:59 p.m. Oct. 30, 2007

"Most people...don't care about religion at all." That's right. In fact, when someone like Mitt Romney runs for president, most people don't even bother about what religion he belongs to. Er, wait, never mind. :)

Fredd | 4:16 p.m. Oct. 30, 2007

Who is your favorite Mormon character on TV? Did Bonanza or any of the old westerns do a positive portrayal?

Rohen | 4:21 p.m. Oct. 30, 2007

All religions get made fun of. Mormons should know that better then the rest. I grew up in Utah and the Mormons at my schools loved making fun of the Jews. But as soon as one person says one thing about the mormon church they freak out. Get over it.

JimB | 4:36 p.m. Oct. 30, 2007

The book of Doctrine and Covenants still contains Section 132. Also, an LDS man who has been widowed can marry a 2nd wife in the Temple "for time and all eternity" and both wives will be his, assuming they all gain exaltation, in the Celestial Kingdom. While the LDS Church has not practiced polygamy for over 100 years, the doctrine of polygamy still remains.

The church is true | 4:45 p.m. Oct. 30, 2007

Amen!

I'm mormon and i luv it | 4:47 p.m. Oct. 30, 2007

i think its good a mormon is on house i perfferd it
its not good that they dont know alot about the lds church because thats away to get the show kicked of the air.

Re The church is true | 5:12 p.m. Oct. 30, 2007

AMEN!

Lon Wilcox | 5:15 p.m. Oct. 30, 2007

This is a personal note to Scott. Thanks for the response to my email. I enjoyed your article and your willingness to follow up on my comment.

Big Love? | 5:27 p.m. Oct. 30, 2007

Big love isn't mormon??? WHAT!!!

They are polygamist, live in Utah, and uh... ARE MEANT TO BE MORMON. Guys its okay.

As a mormon we need to learn to laugh at ourselves. Some things that mormons do are funny!

House is an awesome show, and a black mormon is funny!

Chalres H | 6:06 p.m. Oct. 30, 2007

Popular media and culture have been mis-portraying almost every group imaginable since there was such a thing as pop media and culture.

Years ago I had the privilege of attending a Catholic wedding (and later Christening) for the first time. It was far different than is usually portrayed in the media, especially in the various mafia films.

The sacred rites of the Catholic church from the Rosary to the confession have been routinely portrayed and misportrayed in the media.

For decades blacks and indians and asians were portrayed only as villians.

I see far less insult by similar mistakes being made in the portrayal of the LDS church and its members than I do simply a coming of age where the church is large and prominent enough to be worthy of mention by the media.

Dale F. | 9:54 p.m. Oct. 30, 2007

The best thing about a Mormon on House is that House (the character, of course) does an excellent job of shredding other people's beliefs and theories. In front of a huge audience, the Mormon absurdities will be exposed and debunked by House's character! I won't miss an episode!

Omby | 10:12 p.m. Oct. 30, 2007

Dale F., if you think after all these years of persecution, slander and misrepresentations that "House" is going to bring the church down, you'll be waiting an awfully long time.

Kasey | 10:45 p.m. Oct. 30, 2007

I just want to say that as a member of the Church, I am bothered by the word 'publicity'.....I know what you guys are saying but we don't want 'publicity', we want to help people....I was so sad to see that someone on the message board thought we were out for advertisement. That sounds wrong. We want people to learn more but as far as the fires we pay our own money to tithing funds to help those in need. It's not for publicity....we get nothing out of it.

Robbie B | 10:57 p.m. Oct. 30, 2007

Someone asked "Are Mormons Christians?". Joseph Smith taught of a Plurality of Gods. Mormons are Polytheistic, Christians are Monotheistic. Ergo, Mormons are NOT Christians, as Christians believe in only one Gad. You should stop trying to deceive people into thinking you are just another Christian faith. "Lying for the Lord" is still a lie, and still a sin.

Grace | 11:11 p.m. Oct. 30, 2007

I LOVE JESUS CHRIST.
I LOVE HOUSE.
I HATE RELIGION.

Personally, I like the 'older guy who isn't really a doctor better than the Morman guy.
I was hoping he would stay.

MIKE S | 12:30 a.m. Oct. 31, 2007

House is a stupid show. Please don't go watch it just because there is a Mormon character...

Fellas, keep your wives away from the show too, otherwise, you'll end up like me with a wife that loves the show...What a waste of an hour every week...I agreed to get TIVO for my wife just so I don't have to watch that show again

House Watcher | 1:22 a.m. Oct. 31, 2007

I've watched House since it first aired and was wondering how they would handle a black LDS doctor on the show. As many have pointed out, House is House, an arrogant atheistic jerk who mocks and ridicules every thing religious. Also, in the context of the plot, he singled out the LDS character because of a bet in the episode where House was particularly outrageous and he got decked for it and knew he deserved it. The other characters in the show are just as disgusted at House for his rude treatment as well. If it were condoned by others on the show, then I think there would be a problem.

Moreover, I find that the LDS doctor always rises above whatever garbage House throws at him and comes off the better for it and does it in a way that I think is praiseworthy and portrays the character in a good light.

Another impressive moment was when it was revealed that he's a single dad and takes it very seriously to be an active father. He was uncompromising on that point and even House backed down and gave him respect.

save energy.. | 4:01 a.m. Oct. 31, 2007

(House) remains on the Air/TV because it comes on after Monk.

People forget to turn off their TV while they are getting ready for bed.

chris | 7:28 a.m. Oct. 31, 2007

My view is that if Mitt Romney was NOT running for President, we would not see a LDS character on a TV show. Is that a bad thing? The writers wanted to get the two most extreme beings and put them togeter. It's no mistake that the character is a black single father. Many don't think there are black LDS folks. And a single father at that?

Maybe 1 'fan' will see the show and investigate and join. For that, it is worth it.

What The Heck? | 8:37 a.m. Oct. 31, 2007

What the heck is the problem. I have been watching television for years and have seen Catholic Priests portrayed as everything from drunks to idiots. I have even see a few shows that went right after the Pope. I have seen Jewish, Islamic, and most of the eastern religions come under attack in television shows. The newest trend is to drag every known disability through the media also. Lets see we have Jerry "Hands" whatever his last name is on Boston Legal and although he does represent a lot of what goes on in certain cases of Asperger's Syndrome I don't remember seeing Vernon Smith waddle up to get his Nobel Prize with his hands glued to his tuxedo pants. Television always portrays the sensationalist view of everything. ANYONE stupid enough to believe anything they see on television at face value deserves to be the ignorant person they are and please just leave them safely in their own little world. I don't want them in the real world.

bellybutonlint | 8:53 a.m. Oct. 31, 2007

i agree with the person who said that if it were not for mitt romney running for pres, there wouldn't be such negative exposure for our church......i cringe at the comments along with the rest of the LDS population, but on my mission i have already heard it all, and you just have to let it roll off your back..i can even laugh at some of it..yes we are misrepresented on the show, but house talks that way to everyone...anyway..was it Brigham Young (maybe?) who said that "You can never kick a mormon downstairs, you can only kick them up"....meaning negative press will only generate more intrest with the people who are looking for something different.

maryland mo | 9:04 a.m. Oct. 31, 2007

Sat around with some friends last night to watch my first full episode of House. I think the main character was an actor in Sense and Sensibility--not my viewing choice, but entertaining just the same. I thought House was abrasive but entertaining. I don't mind being the subject of humor by this or any other program. It gave me something to talk about with my non-mormon friends on commercial breaks. It's important to be able to laugh at yourself. We do some 'wierd' stuff--Cristians believe in some miraculous things that non believers find easy to make light of. Sticks and stones...

Med student | 11:26 a.m. Oct. 31, 2007

I don't usually watch House, but my neighbor had me come over and watch the Mormon episode with him. We're both LDS med students, going to graduate in April. First, not American hospital would ever hire a doctor like House. Seond, the things he brings up to the Mormon doctor are the same things that I frequently hear from physicians, residents, attendings and other med students. House presents them in a vulgar and belittling manner; others present the same topics as teasing pokes or simple questions. It's not unrealistic at all. I think it's representative of reality, especially considering the fact that so many Mormons go into medicine these days.

TV shows and anti rants | 11:42 a.m. Oct. 31, 2007

I don't care and I'm LDS.
I have a life, and it doesn't revolve around TV or anti rants.
I know what I believe and if someone honestly wants to find out what the church really teaches...I encourage them to take the discussions from the missionaries.

TV shows and anti rants
given their wierd and akward slants
worth nothing more than a sidewards glance.
this is not happenchance.
rest easy knowing
the TVs not glowing
and antis guff
is only fluff!
God is there!
So why really care!

Michael | 12:26 p.m. Oct. 31, 2007

House is an equal-opportunity basher. GET OVER IT!

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