Posted on 02/24/2005 7:06:21 PM PST by wagglebee
An episode of the NBC sitcom "Committed, featuring two characters who flush a Communion wafer down a toilet, has created a firestorm of protest among Catholics.
During the February 22 broadcast, two non-Catholics are mistakenly given Holy Communion at a Catholic funeral Mass. As recounted by the Catholic League:
"Nate, who is Jewish, and Bowie, a Protestant, dont know what to do with the Eucharist, so they make several failed attempts to get rid of it. For example, they try slipping it into the pocket of a priest, dropping it on a tray of cheese and crackers, etc.
"At one point, the priest, who is portrayed as not knowing the difference between the Host and a cracker, goes to grab the 'cracker' from a tray of appetizers; he initially balks when he discovers that it is the last one. Then he changes his mind, saying, "Oh, what the hell.
"By far the most offensive scene occurs when Nate and Bowie accidentally flush what they think is the Host down the toilet."
Catholic League President William Donahue is demanding that NBC apologize.
"To say that Catholics are angry about this show would be an understatement - the outrage is visceral and intense," he said Thursday.
"NBC has made a direct frontal assault on Roman Catholicism, choosing to mock, trivialize and ridicule the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ," Donahue added. "More than an apology is needed. This episode should be retired for good, and that is what we will demand.
Yes, this is where the Methodists differed a bit.
They, my former church, believe that in context, it is a metaphor.
So, it is representative, not actual.
However -- until it is transubtantiated in the Eucharist it's nothing but a wafer, isn't that correct? I still don't think it's something to joke about or flush down a toilet.
YOU THINK ABOUT IT.
You remind me of those who say we should take the parables of Jesus literally.
Do you actually THINK the disciples who were sitting there THOUGHT because Jesus called the bread His flesh that THEREFORE Jesus was ripping off pieces of His ACTUAL BODY and feeding it to them?
Do you THINK the "ACTUAL BODY OF CHRIST" is bought in a SUPERMARKET?
With all due respect, the simple-minded interpretation of scripture by those who defend this doctrine is laughable.
In humility, I could not stay silent.
Vivo Christo Rey!
no protestant denomination believes in transubstantion...NONE,,SOME BELIEVE IN CONSUBSTANTION a belief not shared by Catholics nor taught in the bible
That's because part of our beliefs are mystic in nature. The Baptists shouldn't complain. They have their own mysticism -- the Baptism. And they're kind of into Christian healing as well, it seems like.
As far as I'm concerned (forgive my renowned crankiness, but) the writers of this show can all go to hell. I will pray for them because they have no idea what their behavior has earned them, but I pity them if they get what is just.
I guess you got the message. Mission accomplished.
I know there are some serious Episcopalians, and I know your Faith has the same views on a lot of things. At least those serious Episcopalians.
It is if the writers believe (or rather acknowledge in some weird way), it to be Christ. Think about it, a clever plot device to ridicule Christ himself, and flush him down the toillet.
Granted some reformers did much worse with the Host after despoiling churches during the religious wars. But, given their (reformers) violent attacks on the images of Christ (burning, slashing with swords, dumping horse and pig sh*t on icons), it could be just as easily argued that they were also conciously being blasphemus. After all, not much else can explain the attitude of some people other then some form of demonic possession.
But I suppose that's not a line of logical thought most Protestants would relish.
LOL....Thank you for your kind support.
Abortion isn't the issue with this particular episode. Blasphemy and Catholic bashing is. Actually people here who aren't Catholics are appalled by this callous treatment of religious doctrine.
"With all due respect, the simple-minded interpretation of scripture by those who defend this doctrine is laughable."
Then ALL of Christendom was simple-minded for the first 800 years, and almost all (including Martin Luther) until the 16th Century. Worse, today OVER HALF of those who call themselves Christian are STILL so simple-minded as to BELIEVE in the LITERAL Word of God.
Exactly the point of the article. I guess everyone else can get offended but not Catholics/Christians. We're not allowed to get offended and we're not allowed to believe in what we believe.
This country was founded on freedom of religion. It is at the core of the birth of this great nation and some people just can't accept this fact.
You must be confusing Mr. William Donohue with the liberal Phil Donohue.
you might want to skip them and start praying for yourself.
True, the Methodist belief is as you state it. When did they first articulate that belief and what did those who were their forefathers believe?
sure it is...you are....they aren't
>This country was founded on freedom of religion. It is at the core of the birth of this great nation and some people just can't accept this fact.
do bad watching the show for yourself isn't part of the foundation. perhaps we wouldn't be so fast to judge.
Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, ye have not life in yourselves. He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood hath eternal life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
So you believe that the ACTUAL AND LITERAL Body of Christ is sitting on a Supermarket shelf before the Church buys it and hands it out at Communion?
So average people who go into the store and buy the same crackers/wafers and eat them are ingesting the ACTUAL Body Christ as part of their dinner.
You actually believe this?
Sorry, but I don't.
I believe the Communion is a spiritual representation of Christ's flesh and blood.
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