Suit: TV show demeans voodoo

[PsychoDad]

An advocacy group for African religions contends that the Sci Fi Channel series degrades the religion.

By Joseph A. Slobodzian

Inquirer Staff Writer

A Philadelphia-based advocacy group for African religions yesterday sued Universal Studios and producers for cable's Sci Fi Channel, contending that a forthcoming "reality series" demeans and misrepresents the voodoo religion.

...
"People already have negative feelings about this religion without a program like this exacerbating things," said George Ware, president of the five-year-old congress. The congress claims 4,500 members representing such religions as Akan, the Orisa Tradition of Trinidad and Tobago, Ifa, Santeria-Yoruba, voodoo, Candomble and Lucumi, including 500 in the tristate Philadelphia area.
...
The lawsuit contends that the program's voodoo priestess, Iya Ta'Shia Asanti, is actually a priestess of "Yemoja in the Ifa tradition," a faith of the Yoruba people of Africa.

Asanti does not dress as a voodoo priestess, the lawsuit continues, and a commercial showing participants being placed into a pit and covered with animal parts and entrails does not represent voodoo or Ifa.

More here:
http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/news/local/8024245.htm

The media wouldn't misrepresent a religion just for ratings, would they? /sarcasm

[Superfly]

1. And even if they did...

"misrepresent a religion just for ratings"

That's entirely within their rights.

[PsychoDad]

3. And that's one of the problems ..

And that's one of the problems with society today...

We consider it well within our or someone elses rights to lie and misrepresent. It's ok to "bear false witness" about someone's beliefs, words, lifestyle, WMD. It's entirely within their rights.

It's entirely within their rights to LIE.

Why is there no outrage about the constant stream of lies to the american public from our government and media?

It's entirely within their rights to LIE.
thats why...

Mind you, it probably wouldn't be quite so ok if it were your or my beliefs they were misrepresenting.. but it's ok here.. right? Like anyone has any right to a religion free from misrepresntation or ridicule if it's not ours.

It's entirely within their rights to LIE.

Think about that...
It may be their "right" to lie. Doesn't make it right or socialy responsible.

[Superfly]

4. We're not talking about the government here.

We are talking about the media misrepresenting a religion, which is entirely within their right to do so, if they chose.

It may not be OK with you or me, but we have the ability to NOT listen to those alleged misrepresentations, by changing the channel, walking away, etc.

Bringing a lawsuit as nebulous as this is ridiculous at best.

[noiretextatique]

9. it's actually pretty specific, not nebulous

they seem to be saying they want the hostess correcly identified as an Ifa practioner, not a Voodoo priestess.

[daveskilt]

2. most religions are pretty funny without misrepresentation

[Muddleoftheroad]

5. Ah the open minded

Thanks for that little bit of anti-religious hatred for this morning.

[muriel_volestrangler]

6. It might not be hatred

It might be pity.

[daveskilt]

7. Im not hating anyone, silly

Having spent a couple of years as a full time missionary and an ordained minister who used to write a humor coloumn for a newspaper, I get to poke a little gentle fun at all religions don't I? Very humorous I think. If only people could take themselves a little less seriously especially in the context of religion (not faith so much - a more serious and personal thing) The institutional nature of religion is pretty funny and gives rise to a lot of humor.

There is no fight to pick here, so put down the big crucifix and dont hit me with it :)

[noiretextatique]

8. welcome to the wacky world of DU, rev

:hi: some christians feel persecuted here, as you see.

[daveskilt]

10. I can see that

I understand some folks being defensive here. Not a god hater honest. but come on - religion is funny. Like the monty python guys when they decided to make fun of god. legend is they all go off and read the new testament and come back with nothing. cant fault the guy (jesus) for trying can they? but they CAN make fun of the way some people get so touchy about it - result - the life of brian a fine commentary on the foibles of people trying to live a good lifwe while unsure if it is the peacemakers or cheesmakers who are truly blessed.


Oh PS I'm not a reverend (wouldnt want any reverends getting mad at me misappropriating their title!) - lay ministry, but while a missionary I was the equivalent.