Breaking the Faith

Breaking the Faith, a reality television series from TLC that was aired in 2013, steps into a tightly-knit and clandestine subculture: the lives of those within the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS). The show’s overarching narrative embodies the human impulse for freedom, charting the plight and struggle of those who want nothing more than to liberate themselves from a reality that others would perceive as normal but they themselves find overwhelmingly confining.

Breaking the Faith delves into the lives of young men and women who have grown up in a world characterized by strict rules, deeply anchored moral standards, seclusion from the larger outside world, and a dominant figurehead who exercises an extraordinary amount of power and control over the community. Chafing at the reins of this control, they long to wrest themselves free from these chains and the principal narrative of the show revolves around their endeavors to do so.

The show deals extensively with the distorted power dynamics and the misuse of authority that characterize the FLDS. The concept of 'Lost Boys', a term used within the community to refer to young men who have been excommunicated or left the church, is a frequent overarching theme throughout the series. These young men are often expelled from the community on the pretext of disobedience, only to free up the demographic for the elder, more powerful men seeking to marry the young, impressionable women.

Breaking the Faith also provides insight into the desires and aspirations of these women and their attempt to flee this world of powerful men leveraging control over their futures. These women have spent a lifetime obeying directives – both direct and indirect – that instructed them on everything from how they should dress to how they should comport themselves. The ambition of these women to express their identity and individuality outside the confines of the community is a strong recurring motif in the show.

The intimate portrayal that Breaking the Faith offers is thanks to the central characters – a group of nine individuals - four boys and five girls - seeking to break away from the FLDS. Although the community discourages exposure to the larger secular world, these brave individuals are driven by the hope of freedom to risk social ostracization in their pursuit of a more diversified life beyond the constraints of this insular society.

Each character carries a story that tugs at the heartstrings of the viewers. Some of the narratives include tales of longing for the freedom to wear attire of one’s choosing, the chance to fall in love and choose one’s own spouse, and the pursuit of education - very ordinary desires that are a world apart for the individuals in this particular community.

As the series progresses, the narrative unfolds to reveal their journey, fraught with the challenges of acculturation, and the trauma of being ejected from a community which, while suffocating, was all they knew from birth. The disorientation their physical departure from the community incurs, and the emotional confusion of leaving behind years of indoctrination, is laid bare before viewers as they grapple with the major shift in their lifestyle.

In essence, Breaking the Faith tells a tale that is both poignant and transcendent, highlighting the struggles of the human spirit against oppressive forces, and the length it is willing to travel to seek independence. It paints a vivid picture of the profound challenges faced by those on the path to self-discovery and independence in a world unknown to them.

Through the eyes of Breaking the Faith, we journey alongside these individuals as they navigate through feelings of fear, anticipation, excitement, and much more. It’s not just about breaking away from the faith, but also about rebuilding a life beyond the faith. The hard-learned lessons, the shared moments of camaraderie, the bitter-sweet freedom, and the courage to pave their paths contribute towards a captivating narrative that seizes the viewer's interest and attention.

Overall, Breaking the Faith is a profound exploration of the rigidly conservative world of the FLDS, the human yearning for liberation, and the resilience of the spirit in its quest for freedom. In the end, it is a testament to the indomitable will of the human spirit to assert its right for self-determination, no matter the cost.