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May 24, 2004
The Root Of All Evil?
A friend of mine sent me the following email this afternoon. I have copied and pasted it verbatim. Only my friends name was omitted. It originated from the American Family Association Online in case you’re curious.
ABC to air show based on UK program 'Wife Swap'
Dear (friend),
Just when you think television can't sink any lower, it does. ABC has plans this fall to air a new program called "Trading Moms," based on the program "Wife Swap" now showing in the United Kingdom. ABC had originally planned to call the program "The Swap," then decided to change the name-but not the content. It is a program in which men swap wives for 10 days.
Here is a review of the program from ZAP2IT, a web-based magazine. "The title, which conjures up visions of a 1970s swingers party, is racier than the concept: Two married women switch places with one another for 10 days, living with the other's family and taking on the other woman's household duties. At the end of 10 days, the families get together to discuss what they experienced."
The concept is that wives and mothers are property, to be traded like automobiles. If one is unhappy with their wife, or mom, they can swap with someone else to see if things go better with their new wife and new family.
For the sake of ratings (money), ABC is willing to desecrate the institution of marriage, parenthood and family. Click here to see the ZAP2IT article.
Please sign the petition letter to ABC below concerning their decision to air this program. We will present ABC with a list of those who sign, using only their name and state.
Click here to sign the petition.
Please forward this letter to your family and friends.
Sincerely,
Don
Donald E. Wildmon, Founder and Chairman
American Family Association
Okay, here’s the thing: I’m glad that she sent this to me. Apparently she felt strongly enough about this issue that she forwarded it on to me and that’s great, but I won’t be signing. I like to be aware of upcoming television shows and other news, so it’s not like I’m trying to demean her or this association by the things that I am going to say. Therefore, don’t get snooty and condescending if you don’t agree with me.
I just feel that petitions like this are silly. As adults, we are required to make decisions on a daily basis. These decisions can be as small as how to dress or what to have for dinner or as big as should I take this job, or should I buy this car. There will always be decisions that need to be made and as adults it is our judgment call that prevails in our own lives. As far as the television goes, I honestly feel: if you don’t like it, don’t watch it. You don’t have to watch it, no one is making you. No one is even making you buy a television set for that matter. It’s all up to us what we watch and what our children watch. I know that my children watch things that I wasn’t allowed to watch at their age. But, as their parent, it is my judgment call as it was way back for my parents. I think a lot depends on the child and the maturity level.
I can’t give an opinion on this Trading Moms show because I haven’t seen it, so I don’t know how things will be done; if the trading mom will have her own bedroom, bathroom privacy, etc. But, as with any of these reality television shows, if they want to subject themselves to whatever it is they are doing then who am I to judge? The mom’s on this show will have to be a legal age (meaning: adult) so let them make their own decisions or mistakes. Who will have to answer for it in the end? Not me!
Oh and P.S. I NEVER pass along those emails that say I have to send it to 10 other people or I don’t love Jesus. Give me a break! That’s not the way it works!
Posted by tami at May 24, 2004 9:36 PM
Comments
Preach it, sister Tami! I am 100% with you. And I'll tell you, boycotts often backfire; a friend of mine who was a manager in a large retail book chain said the boycotts drove book sales up.
And I refuse to be guilted into forwarding e-mails, epecially those that accuse me of being ashamed of Christ if I don't forward them. Like you said, "That's not the way it works!"
Wish you lived closer - I'd love to have coffee with ya. :)
Posted by: gw at May 25, 2004 12:52 AM
You have officially made my day GW :) :) Thanks!
Posted by: Tami at May 25, 2004 10:42 AM