What if pop culture changed a religion? UC lecturer asks

With the 2012 US Presidential elections over and spoils claimed by Barrack Obama, there is a lot of media conjecture about the next steps for Mitt Romney, a University of Canterbury (UC) lecturer says.

But among Mormons there are also other next steps, UC expert Dr Gina Colvin said today. The cultural and religious landscape for Mormons has changed dramatically as a result of his campaign.

Dr Colvin will give a public lecture at UC on Wednesday night outlining the implications for a religion that got what they wanted because of Romney. See more on the lecture: http://www.canterbury.ac.nz/wiw/

As the first Mormon to be a serious contender for the US presidency, Romney’s bid cast an unprecedented spotlight on the religion.

``Vilified in the media from its inception, and rejected by other faith traditions as a cult, the Mormons have struggled to be taken seriously and thought of respectfully.

``Of course the scandalous practice of polygamy did little for their public relations; their radical dissent from the requirements of the federal government didn’t win them any friends either. Their stubborn past refusal to accept black people and white people as spiritual equals only served to inflate a general sense that Mormons were insular and exclusive.

``But Romney’s campaign threw Mormons a bone.  As Americans tried to reconcile themselves to the possibility of a Mormon for president the church’s PR department worked overtime to disabuse the media of lingering myths about the church in contemporary America.

``Polygamy, now an ex-communicable offence, was something odd people in rural Arizona did; the church is growing in Africa and is largely managed by a local, black clergy; and yes, Mormons are very ordinary folk who aren’t obligated to vote for Romney just because they share a religion.

``But the Romney campaign has been only one warm front in the perfect storm. As Mormons moved out of their Utah enclave, they have also moved out into mainstream society distinguishing themselves in entertainment, the arts, science, politics and sports.’’

She said in modern Mormonism there were no impediments to activity in a variety of important national cultural activities.  Enter onto this scene the Osmonds, who advertised a brand of wholesome, family centered, patriotic, Americana that even Americans couldn’t compete with.

Some had thought that at least their signature teeth and good looks could have turned the tide of vitriol.  But notwithstanding the Osmond converts, fans figured out how to love the Osmonds while rejecting their faith, Dr Colvin said.

But in an unlikely turn of events actors Trey Parker and Matt Stone, in their parody of Mormons, created another story. Mormons were an audacious faith tradition but they made nice neighbours.

``The Mormons began popping up in popular culture.  From Big Love, Twilight, the Book of Mormon Musical, even Rowan Atkinson sketches, none of which had the sanction of the Mormon church, the popular media began to carve out a unique and even a legitimate space for this unique and historically maligned religion.

``Even arch conservative evangelical Billy Graham moved the Mormons from his ‘religions that are cults’ list. But what now for Mormons?’’