NBC Show Blasphemes Communion Host

NewsMax ^ | 2/24/05 | Carl Limbacher

[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, don’t 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.”

[mike182d]

Christ is not physically present in the host.

Then why does Paul say we receive judgement upon ourselves if we receive unworthily?

Harsh sentence for a symbol.

[Guyin4Os]

The fact that you get upset by someone else's empty actions bespeaks of idolatry. I revere the American flag and hold it dear as a symbol of my country. But I do not get upset when a picture of it is burned. That's just silly.

Now to the "symbol" of the eucharist. At least you are calling it a "symbol." That's progress. But I'm more concerned when people who call themselves "christians" mock our Lord with their deeds than I am about a silly wafer getting flushed down the toilet.

[rwfromkansas]

Again with Catholic idolatry.

Exalting the objects of the physical church above God.

Man, this thread is a goldmine for Catholic heresy.

[dsc]

"mindlessly quoting back "this is my body" as if that proves something."

Let me see if I understand your point: Catholics are funny for quoting Holy Scripture as though Holy Scripture proves something. That about it?

[rwfromkansas]

Funny that Jesus and his disciples never did this confession thing, nor Peter after his death etc.

You guys like to boast about your history (hmm....I recall that being sin), but in reality, your history only starts hundreds of years after Christ.

[rwfromkansas]

I trust in Jesus Christ when I confess my sins, not a mere mortal.

[rwfromkansas]

Jesus Christ, the ONLY mediator between God and man.

[mike182d]

The fact that you get upset by someone else's empty actions bespeaks of idolatry. I revere the American flag and hold it dear as a symbol of my country. But I do not get upset when a picture of it is burned. That's just silly.

I think you're missing my point.

What is upsetting about the burning of a flag is not the actual burning of colored cloth, but rather what the action suggests. Actions speak louder than words (unless your protestant in which mere words speak louder than actions :-)

This is why we get upset at Ted Kennedy and the loony left that hates America. While they're not burning a literal, cloth American flag, they are "burning" the American flag with their words and desecrating all that is great about this country.

You're right, though. It would be idolatry to be upset over someone burning a picture of an American flag if you were only upset over the fact that a picture was burned. But this is not what I am talking about.

[dsc]

"Exalting the objects of the physical church above God."

As Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen said, "There are not a hundred people in America who hate the Catholic Church—but there are millions who hate what they mistakenly think the Catholic Church teaches."

I've read your notes, and you have yet to betray a correct understanding of any shred of Catholic theology.

[rwfromkansas]

Jesus Christ, as Scripture expressly states, is the ONLY mediator between God and man.

Not Mary (toss out co-mediatrix doctrine), nor a priest.

[Kirkwood]

I'm glad to hear that your parish still gets them from a monastary kitchen instead of a factory.

[dsc]

"I trust in Jesus Christ when I confess my sins, not a mere mortal."

So do Catholics. What's your point?

"Jesus Christ, the ONLY mediator between God and man."

So, you never ask anyone to pray for you? You never try to gain a deeper understanding of your faith by discussing Scripture and its implications for our lives with other Christians?

[rwfromkansas]

How is a cracker sacred?

I guess my pop bottle is sacred if I can convince somebody to bless it.

[mike182d]

Jesus Christ, the ONLY mediator between God and man.

Is that why Jesus gave the Apostles to forgive or bind sins of men?

[GopherGOPer]

Its not idolatry because Jesus IS in that Host at the moment of the Consecration, and all points after that. He IS truly present there. The Host IS Jesus, not merely representative of Him, no its not an image or a symbol, but Him present in Flesh and Blood.

[Jrabbit]

I don't know what your faith is.....except non-Catholic....and I don't really care. I respect whatever you choose to believe. I am curious about something, though.

Why does it matter to you what Catholics believe or not believe?

[rwfromkansas]

It is almost like you transform Communion into a witch's spell. If you do it this way, then the magic happens...

[rwfromkansas]

oh, here we go.....the Catholics start questioning where you get your info Jorge.

Typical pattern of their attempted defense.

Since they can't attack what you say, they go after you.

[mike182d]

Funny that Jesus and his disciples never did this confession thing, nor Peter after his death etc.

lol. Actually, its in the BIBLE. Perhaps you should read it ;-) John 20:23 "Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained."

Well, shucks...this means that even if I were to apologize to God of my own accord, I still may not be forgiven and my sins could be retained by the Apostles.

[mike182d]

oh, here we go.....the Catholics start questioning where you get your info Jorge.

As most anti-Catholic sentiment is either not rooted in truth or is a misunderstanding of actual Church teaching, it stands to reason that when someone makes such a blind claim that it need be accompanied by resources so that we may better explain to you.