A short report about the Big Love endowment ceremony "dust-up" was on an entertainment aggregator on imdb.com.

HBO offered an apology of sorts, but did not pull it.

It will be interesting to see what the fallout is.

"Do you guys have an endowment ceremony?"
yes.
"Is it like the thing on Big Love?"
I don't know, I haven't seen it.
"Do you guys do x, y, z?"
I'm really uncomfortable talking about this, because it's not something that Mormons discuss even amongst each other.
"Why not?"
I'm not sure. Some say because it's so sacred.
"Do you think it's weird?"
No, I think it's perfectly normal. What do you do in your church?

Why do some religious people and religious sects expect a pass from critical scrutiny or parody just because the subject matter is religious? I don't get it.

Sooner says the LDS Church doesn't want it exposed simply because the dress is embarrassing.

Sooner is embarrassed by the clothing, and if taken out of context the ceremony could be misrepresented and distorted. The Church wants a fair representation, including the symbolic meaning, which lookie-seers will not bother to investigate.

People do not wish to be ridiculed regarding certain matters important to them. Do you wish for people to ridicule you for your singing voice or penis size? Why should you avoid scrutiny?

I shouldn't. I'm sure if I were a true public figure I'd be savaged on all fronts.

But you would do your darndest to protect your family, no matter what.

This has nothing to do with anyone's family. Religions have now been the butt of jokes and parody and dramatized now for a long time. Did you laugh at the Penguin in the Blues Brothers? Was Tolstoy in bad taste depicting Orthodox Christian ceremonies and liturgy? Why should the endowment ceremony be a sacrd cow? You're all acting like radical Muslims.

"I'm not sure?" That's certainly not how I'd respond.

It's an honest reply for many persons.

I won't discuss it because I said I wouldn't. Why was I asked? I'm not certain, as those requirements were set forth during the 18th Century, and those setting that requirement are no longer living.

I dissent, counselor. The show is better than ever and its ratings are up. It was just cleared for a fourth season.

Perhaps Big Love is an aquired taste, but I love it.

I think the proper response to this is to try and capitalize on it.

"Intriguing, isn't it?"

I think a lot of people find symbology and ritual interesting. No reason to run.