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.
Whatever your belief is or isn't I have this to say to you: God loves you and I wish you all the best in life.
"We're not allowed to get offended"
You are welcome to be offended, but I suggest getting offended over something you actually know to be true (and is worth taking offense to).
Once again: Earth to offendees... Earth to offendees!
The show did not make fun of communion, Catholics or religion. It made fun of idiots trying to do the respectful thing in an inept way.
I guess you guys didn't think Monty Python and the Holy Grail or Life of Brian were funny either eh?
you missed my point and didn't watch the show. that's two strikes.
"no protestant denomination believes in transubstantion..."
The 'serious' Anglican does. The Othodox does. And the Lutheran transubstantiation is a belief in the Real Presence, just from a different point of view. Since those groups, together with the Catholic are the MAJORIATY of those calling themselves Christian AND THEY AGREE WITH ALL OF THE COUNCILS OF THE FIRST 800 YEARS OF THE CHURCH, you might want to rethink your claims.
"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?"
Nope. Nor does anyone that I know. Are you actually interested in what the Church believes and has ALWAYS believed about this?
I guess we'll have to watch every porn movie out there in order to come to the judgment that its bad and immoral. - sarcasm
I do know that methodists celebrate the Eucharist much as you do, some churches more often than others, but not nearly as often as Catholics.
The wording is also not exactly the same. Some dropped and some changed or added, I am not real sure.
I have attended Catholic mass so I noticed it right away. Of course,as a non-Catholic, I cannot participate.
If you came to a Methodist church, you could.
"The message I got is that you are here just to offend and take a contrary position because you like to irk people."
Then I guess you know about as much about me as you do about the show in question. I suggest relieving yourself of your ignorance and removing your foot from your mouth. Oh yeah, and put an Ace bandage on that knee.
You have nailed it. I am a cradle Catholic and have never touched the sacred host. I still swallow without chewing as the Servite sisters who taught us to consume without chewing out of respect. Communion in the hand was a bad move.
good job, kill poser with false kindness!
try this, watch the show yourself and get of your high horse.
You've pulled my words out of context, and made a very good effort of it.
As I said, however, I pray for them precisely because of what their black hearts deserve.
Even to us Episcopalians, the host represents the body of Christ, at least symbolically.
did you go to Confession before you were refused???
if not... don't blame the Church because YOU didn't go to Confession.
Had NBC insulted Islam, a homicide bomber would have blown themself up in its HQ lobby, don't you think?
I agree.
And I don't belong to the school that teaches all Catholics are heretics who are going to Hell, or Pentacostals etc.
I believe those who accept Jesus and the fundamentals of the Gospel message are saved.
These other doctrines are secondary.
God bless you too!
"If you came to a Methodist church, you could."
No, actually I could not. To do so would be Idolatry, as the service would be invalid and what would be served would simply be bread and wine (or even more oddly grape juice).
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