The title for this post comes courtesy of the Los Angeles Times’ review of “The Book of Mormon,” a musical created by South Park’s creators, Matt Stone and Trey Parker, and Robert Lopez, who is also known for penning that earworm of a song, “Let it Go,” from Disney’s Frozen. It seems that nearly every major newspaper and media outlet had glowing remarks for the creative team behind this musical. I wish I could say the same.
My husband and I beheld the spectacle of “The Book of Mormon” last Friday night at our local performing arts center. Having seen several episodes of South Park, we were prepared to be shocked by what we were about to see, but had heard such amazing things about the musical that we shelled out top dollar for tickets and mentally prepared ourselves.
Though the musical was intended to satirize religious practice (amongst other things), I did not expect to be quite so unnerved. Sadly, it wasn’t the language of AIDS, genital mutilation, or closeted homosexuality that surprised me. Rather, it was the “native” Ugandan song that turns out to be an F-bomb to the Lord. How can the Ugandans make it through all of the crap that life throws at them? They just say, “F*&# you, God!” Repeatedly. With middle fingers pointed to the sky.
Obviously, not everyone believes in God. Not everyone believes He is good, let alone that He exists at all. But hearing such a song, however satirical it might be, lauded by an audience of my peers was downright heartbreaking and truly shocking. It reminded me that while I might be in the world I am, at the core, not of it. To me there’s nothing redeeming or noteworthy about portraying open defiance of God. Maybe they’re poking fun at people like me who are still willing to believe in God even though there’s pain that happens in this life, and that’s okay. I’m okay with being lambasted for my faith, but I get really upset when the criticism is directed at God, who alone is actually truly worthy of honor.
As I shared my sentiments with some friends at church, I was met with the statement we’ve all probably heard before: “God can take it.” It’s true that God doesn’t need me to defend His honor, as if I could do so adequately. He is big enough to shoulder the weight of man’s anger and indifference toward Him, however misguided it might be. But it struck me that my displeasure with this song and the critically acclaimed musical in general stems from my earnest desire for God’s name to be honored. And realizing the depth of that desire was one very unexpected byproduct of a night of theater crafted by the South Park guys.
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