God and Mortal Conscience

The reality television genre has gripped this nation for the last decade (sports notwithstanding) starting with the Survivor series and Real World series; each containing well scripted drama and edited scenes of anger and deception, great for thirty minute or hour viewing sessions. Now the reality market has grown to such an extent that some networks are now becoming dominated by the collective reality show buzz. The two networks which have a virtual struggle hold on these shows are A&E and Bravo. We have an insatiable appetite for vicarious living and the supply is finally catching up with the demand.

Personally, I find them laughable and quite tiresome; however they do become addictive if given time and a deep suspension of disbelief. For example, during a long respite, I encountered a reality show centered on the Roman Catholic Church and men deciding whether or not to enter the priesthood. It is called God or the Girl. A&E states that the series is a documentary series but the essential reality show themes are clear: different contestants, same goal, elimination, and melodrama.

The men have their differing reasons for contemplating a life devoted to the church, or as the series comments in bold white letters underneath each man’s face when they are interviewed: “called to the priesthood”. Called? They point of contention is a calling from God to become a priest. Consequently, they must decide between the secular life and a devoted religious life. Should they become a priest or was that calling just some form of mild indigestion disguised as the word of God? Should they as the title indicates go for God or go for the Girl (I don’t want to get into the issues of positive and negative connotations with women, once again, placed in the role of evil and conflicting with God).

What is an interest to me is the notion of God as a machine for answers and the systemic way God has become an indefinable scapegoat for all choices popular and horrific. In Arabic this reasoning is called Inshala-God willing- and in this series it has a profound effect on any decision. If God wills it then it will be done. If God wants you to become a priest then you will become a priest. If God wants you to go on a mission trip to Guatemala then you will go (this is one of the situations a ‘contestant’ is in on the series).

Thus, we have created a situation where an individual’s conscious has evaporated. You did no wrong, God willed it. You are not responsible, God is responsible. This is an old story of ‘the devil made me do it’ however the issue still remains that it is now plausible for people to absolve themselves of guilt, remorse, and empathy. God was in charge not me, so consciously I bear no blame or fault. This is of coarse occurring on a grand scale in the Bush administration as well as in many Middle Eastern governments. This is a poisonous way of acting and even a more dangerous way of governing. In effect, you live with a clean mental shield and relax faithfully knowing that if harm befalls an individual or group then they must have deserved it. God does not punish the innocent, therefore all who are punished are guilty and you remain guiltless; creating a hideous circle of righteousness and might. My advice: go for the girl.