There are so many things wrong with blaming the five-years-defunct Joss Whedon baby, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, for influencing young women to stop going to church and take up the pagan practice of Wicca, though that's exactly what a recent study is claiming. The woman at the helm of the research, Dr. Kristin Aune, also suggests that female empowerment in television is to blame for the fact that "women are abandoning the church."
Well isn't that a giant leap in logic?
Wicca has been around way before Buffy (and way before television), and people have been accused (and hanged!) for subscribing to the religion way before Alyson Hannigan made it popular.
Not to mention that Buffy has been out of the public eye for half a decade, so how could you even quantify the impact the show has had on possible converts? (Hopefully it involves some sort of exit poll after refusing to take communion.)
We've placed the validity of the study right up there with the health advice dished out on House or ER, which just means that a lot of people are going to embrace it as infallible truth while flying in the face of common sense. En garde, reality.
Editorial Director
There is just so much wrong with this article. First of all, Buffy was on for SEVEN years, not five. Secondly, its spelled Alyson Hannigan. I would expect an article to get its facts right.
A friend once remarked that someday, when archaeologists dig up the remains of our cities and homes, they will believe we worshipped a deity that was represented by a large screen upon which images were projected. The TV in the home and movie theater screens are placed so prominently, it does give one pause. Perhaps we do worship what we watch…when I look at what substitutes for our American mythologies, they largely involve the exploits of screen celebrities. I'm not sure that Buffy creates true Wiccans, but I do believe TV creates TV worshippers.
I believe the article reads "five-years-defunct," calling to attention the fact that the show has been off of the air for five years.
I would expect someone complaining to be able to read.
Exactly what Anonymous said, except with an added DUR to Rox.
A leap in logic, indeed!
And I just thought women were leaving Christianity because they are treated as subservient to men and told to obey.
In fact I think gays should leave as well… why be in a group that doesn't want you as you are?
Reminder; Don't touch that dial!We control all you see and hear…