Lake Neuron

I was reading Jamey Tucker’s blog at WKRN, and I found a link to this story. A TV journalist from Scotland who is described in the news story as “once a committed Christian” will try to rediscover his faith for a documentary series with a pilgrimage to several historic sites, possibly culminating in his participation in a crucifixion ritual in the Philippines.

The documentary will be called “Crucify Me.”

It’s not for me to judge someone else’s faith journey, and I’m usually reluctant to criticize a movie or TV show I haven’t seen. But from the promotion, and from what we already know about the corrosive nature of reality TV, this seems absurd, exploitative and embarrassing on so many levels. It certainly smells like a stunt: if he were merely “considering” undergoing the ritual, why would they already be announcing “Crucify Me” as the title of the show? And I can’t imagine that this has much to do with trying to “rediscover” his faith. God has used stranger situations and vessels to awaken or re-awaken people’s faith, of course. But in general, so-called reality television represents the polar opposite of spiritual discovery.

You know my feelings on free speech and on the counterproductive nature of boycotts and protests as they relate to TV or film programming. A big stink will only draw attention to this.

I am not judging the actual ritual in which this reporter is thinking of participating. Yes, it’s the type of thing that makes me, coming from my particular national and religious background, uncomfortable. But that’s more about cultural sensitivities than about any Biblical truth. I simply suspect that this TV reporter is using that ritual for its shock value rather than to inform or enlighten himself or his viewers.