I’ve been struggling with this Survivor post about as much as Brandon has been with his life on the island. I hate to judge a guy based on what I see on a reality TV show, because we all know by now that most of the “reality” we see is spoon-fed to us by producers who, perhaps, have lost confidence in their aging show. Sure, there has always been editorial manipulation to create “types,” but now that we’re more aware of it, it makes us question just about everything we see that isn’t part of the actual competition. But I don’t want to come off sounding like I’m against anyone’s religious beliefs either.
So I wonder … is Brandon Hantz getting a raw deal from the editing or is he truly becoming unhinged before our very eyes? I’m not an anti-religion person, but from what I’ve seen in today’s society, I sometimes feel that some religions prey on those people who need the help the most and turn them into scary zealots who begin to see evil and temptation in everyone and everything around them. Mikayla, as far as we know, has done nothing to Brandon except wear island appropriate clothing. She hasn’t been cozying up to all of the men on the tribe, yet Brandon sees her as a temptress. Why? I just fear that in seeking solace in his religious beliefs, he’s been taken advantage of along the way by those who should be helping him escape his past transgressions.
The fact that his last name is Hantz has also been a burden that he finally lifted when he told the tribe who he was. This only made Mikayla trust him even less, and gave Coach second thoughts about having the guy in his alliance. Luckily, he’s a strong competitor in challenges and the Upolu tribe did not have to make a return visit to Tribal Council. But, will Brandon’s downward spiral continue next week, or was the teaser just more sensationalism for ratings? I’m actually feeling sorry for the guy, because one way or another, he’s getting a raw deal.
Other episode highlights:
Clacked by Chuck Duncan 
on Sep 28, 2011 @ 23:39 EST5EDT
I have a different interpretation of Hantz and his faith. He’s just simply not a mature believer. While right now he might see Mikayla as a temptress, when he matures and recovers from whatever is REALLY dogging him, he might see Mikayla as just another person who suffers, like the rest of us. When we know better, we don’t live in judgement of others, we understand that rain falls on us all, and that God loves us all, and that each one of us is deserving of love and kindness, regardless of what we look like on the outside.
I just don’t think Brandon was emotionally ready for the stress of Survivor. Please don’t blame his faith. His faith will ultimately help him heal.
*POST AUTHOR*
Oh no, I’m not blaming his faith at all. I respect people who have true faith and actually put that faith to good use (and I come from a very religious background). I do question those who use religion to take advantage of those who maybe aren’t emotionally ready for that, like you said. I’ve seen plenty of people claim to be part of “the faithful” who abuse the trust that people like Brandon place in them to guide them from their troubled past. So I don’t question for a minute Brandon’s strength of belief, I just worry that someone, somewhere — be it someone he trusts to guide him, or producers who will do anything for a rating point — are giving him a bum deal in life and/or on TV. That’s why I said I didn’t want to sound like I was bashing his personal beliefs, because it wasn’t about him, but about what those in positions of trust around him might be doing to him.
I agree with Chuck.
Instead of spending time with Brandon and helping him understand what he feels someone gave him religion as a tool to blame his hormonal reaction on others. It allows him not to accept responsibility for his actions.
This is my main gripe with religion. Instead of being understanding people use it as a reason to reject others, blame them and call them “unnatural”. That and using their religion as a reason for violent and abusive behavior.
I think the “hard to watch” part you mean is if Brandon does something violent (like he did before he found religion) on the island. That would indeed be hard to watch.
I’m guessing you meant “some people” …? Not all people of faith…? Everybody is different. Regarding “hard to watch” – I was thinking of seeing him struggle, and suffer emotionally. It would seem like he needs some counseling in a supportative environment, not the buzz saw of Survivor.
No of course I mean ALL people including those who don’t do it…
*eyeroll*
I mean honestly, you understand that “people”, by the definition of the word, means ALL people on earth, including atheists and agnostics?
So just to be clear: I only mean the billions of people who DO use it as a reason to blame their own faults on others, justify holy wars, killing and raping other people, make families kill their own daughters because they got raped, use church money to agitate people in California to vote against same-sex marriage etc. etc. Only THOSE people.
Is that the Sebastian charm coming out…?
Gotcha. I hope this poor kid gets voted off soon. It will be hard to watch otherwise.
You know how I think. Asking me if I meant “some people” was egging me on.
And you are doing it again. Pretending that this is me doing something that is offensive.
You are trolling me and you know it.
Egging you on…? Not at all, just trying to clarify, so you did not come off as anti-religion. I thought I was being nice, certainly not egging you on. No need to jump bad with me. C’mon man!
Please explain to me how a statement about zealots could be regarded anti-religion.
I don’t feel the need to defend myself if a woman, for instance, would say “I hate misogynistic men”, for I am not a misogynist.
So… why do you need me to qualify a statement describing a group of people you are not in?
And please, don’t be offended by that question. I just don’t want you to come off as anti-atheist.