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Show Saturday, April 29, 2006 DAILY EDITORIALS HERALD EDITORIAL BOARD DoilySHerald — Albert J. Manzi, President & Publisher Randy Wright, Executive Editor Donald W. Meyers, Editorial page editor Nancy Hale, Public adviser Carole Newkirk, Public adviser Jason Bellows, Public adviser IN OUR VIEW ee ‘The Mormon movie warning ould a movie theater warn patrons that “The Passion of The Christ” was a Catholic-oriented movie? Or that “The Ten Commandments” was about Jewish history andtradition? Of course not. But a theater in San Diego tookit uponitself to ask people's religious affiliation before sending theminsideto see “States of Grace,” an LDS missionary saga. Irvine, Calif., resident Armand Mauss told the Daily Herald that wis eet spite orton Plaza 14 Theater in San Diego to Mormons who moveto Utah often comment about the insular nature of the “dominant culture” and the orientation, commonly expressed, that the LDS Churchis “the only true church.” Clearly, all Christian churches,including the LDS Church, have muchin common. Yet while many Mormons are set strongly in their faith, we do not see them organizing protests outsideof the religious services of other Christian sects — or complaining about moviesthat include Christian themes that differ somewhat from their own views. ee see ie ied Richard The so-called Whenhesaidyes,the fundamentalists cherfilm, anseling tickets womasked if he was a Christian. rr Chistian H wompantcldhimthat“are entitled to the was adverti A ae as aChristian filmbut their opinions, fm Afterseveral patrons pues of so-called Christian fundamentalists areentitled to their opinions,but pressuring ie theater t uctareligioustest orissue a warhing before selling tickets ungen- erous, to say the least Dutcher's film has an ps thread, bt itis not OUT PESSUTING Seeiraoe “I don’t know what's wrongwith me, Doc. The bin Laden tapes just don’t scare me the way they usedto.” amovie theater story of redemption, cee bonkids eee being “ d” about theater's management told employeesto start “warning” people in advance. Thatpolicy sparked a protest by LDS movie- goers and filmmakers, including Steven Green- street of Michael Moore documentary fame The protest would have beenbigger had Dutch- 5 a religious test. 4 OF Issue a people ofall religious stripes. While using LDSculture as the ve- warning before selling tickets is ungenerous, to say the least. hicle, the film explores z er not askedprotesters to tone it down.Dutcher said he wanted to handlethe situation himself with theater management. —— universal themes in faith, justice, mercy andthe swirling cur- rents of humanlife. In theend,this film is less abouta particular religion than about the commonbonds shared by all humanbeings. It is difficult to imagine that any thinking movie patron wouldnot put up with any numberofselflabled Christians questioning their status as Christians for the better part of twocenturies. These other knowin advancethatthis picture is told from a Mormonperspective. Dutcheris, after all the father of the LDSfilm genre, and there are plenty of reviewsofhis films out there. Any confusion on the Christians, who maybe strident and argumentative, view anyone matteris like going to “Brokeback Mountain” expecting to get a John Latter-day Saints have had to who doesnot subscribe to their particular belief system as aninfi- del. A variety of viewsare clearly valid, which explains why there are so many Christian sects — different approaches appeal to different people. But all too many fundamentalists don't sée it that way. They are so convinced that their own interpre- » tation is the one and only “correct” interpretation that they're willing to actively put downthebeliefs of thers. Some Mormons,too, might find themselvesin the same boat as they considerother religions. Non- CRY FOR es ATTENTION | || “Hf you look back at what's been happening with bin Ladentapes in the past, it's when people have kind of forgotten about him, whenhe's not been ‘on the news,that the tapes emerge. It's kind of his way of thumbing his nose at the Wayne-style western,then being upset becauseit turned outto be a U.S. and saying,‘Hey, I'm homosexual romancestory. A movie theater's job is to show still out here.’ “ — BobAyers. a secu- movies.It is not supposed to make sure that people are not viewing movies that offend them. Thatis what movie reviews and MPAA ratingsare for. If fundamentalist Christians do not wantto see Dutcher’sfilms,that is their right, and perhaps their loss. They have no right, however, to makeit more difficult for people who wantto see thefilms to doso, and notheater owner should cooperate with suchtactics. rity expert with the Cha- tham House think tank in London, on why Osama bin Ladenreleased a tape to the media recently. On the tape, bin Laden claims the western world has declaredwar onIslamand urges Muslims to join al-Qaida’s fight Beehives & Buffalo Chips _ Beehive to Provo Mayor Lewis K.Billings for a plan that will take the city’s budget presentation to new heights — heights that might actually get the publicto pay attention. Billingsplans to give his annual presentation from helicopter, flying over the city and landing at Novell’s headquarters. The stunt won't cost the city much money becausetheaircraft and pilot are being donated. But we're wonderingif there is some subtle symbolic meaningin the fact that the budgetwill be delivered from a chopper. _ Beehiveto the Orem residents who are trying to stop © Utah Power from putting 100-foot-tall power transmission poles in their yards. The residents are seeking a court injunction to stop Utah Power's project and havethe court decide whether the towersviolate the easement running throughtheir back yards. Alan Bailey, oneofthe residents, expressed concern about the safety of high-voltagelines, as well as their effect on property values. Maybe this will be the case that gets.Utah Powerto putthe lines underground, where they belong, andstop cluttering our viewsof the mountains. Buffalo Chip to those behind a scurrilous attack on Rep. Margaret Dayton and her husband. Daytonis one of two candidates challenging Sen. Parley Hellewell, R-Orem.A derogatory letter was sent to more than 200 delegates who will decide whom to nominate. Daytonhas denied the charges and the Utah County Re- publican Party has denounced the attack as a violation of party bylaws. The letter was anonymous, but the author or authors shouldn't be too confident about remaining in the shadows.These things have away ofleaking out. _ Beehive to the Mormon Tab- ernacle Choir for passing a major milestonein broadcasting. The choir will perform its 4,000th broadcast tomorrow, putting it in second place behind the Grand Ole Opry for the longest-runningradio program. The choir's first broadcast was July . y KA MESSAGE FROM BIN LADEN 15, 1929, and is has been a Sunday fixture on radio eversince. Cal Ripken,eat your heart out. DOONESBURY- Garry Trudeau BD, WHAT YOUKAVE 70 UNDERSTANDIS THAT YOU Sk MALLARDFILLMORE- BruceTinsley |