Posted on 12/30/2005 12:45:47 AM PST by Quick1
Following the Dec. 7 season finale of South Park, titled "Bloody Mary," the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights slammed the network for its irreverent portrayal of church icons and sought to block the episode from being rebroadcast.
It appears the group may have met with success. A repeat of the finale was scheduled to air Wednesday night, but was seemingly pulled from the Comedy Central lineup without explanation.
In the episode, a statue of the Virgin Mary is believed to be bleeding from its rear end, inspiring faithful parishioners to flock from miles around to be healed by the miraculous blood.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
"Someone's here to push their agenda."
What agenda - that worshipping of false idols is moronic? Ummm..then yeah - that's my EVIL AGENDA!!
MWHUAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!! (evil laughter)
You could try to explain how worshipping rusty stains on watertowers, asking 'visions' of Mary on French Toast to cure you, or venerating before bleeding statues is NOT worshipping of false idols...but I doubt you'll bother. You're too paranoid looking for those evil, insidious "people with agendas" to turn those critical eyes on the topic at hand.
I'm a confirmed Catholic, so you can cross off "Anti-Catholic bigot" off your Paranoia list. I just don't believe in statue/rust stain/cheese toast worship, sorry.
I think he said plainly right there that he his serious!
err... ~is~
I have a hunch the majority of atheists would find it weird too. As would Jews and Sikhs
Idol worship in the Roman Church was a hangover from pagan Rome.
they mouth the platitudes of Boulderite sensitivity training: Don't offend those obsessed with race, class, or gender issues
OK you have never seen South Park, right? They do it all the time. (Token, "richers", Ms Garrison)
But IMO, a lot of what's going on when they poke fun of society are simply reductio ad absurdum arguments.
I saw the episode in question. With a couple of Catholic friends. Keep in mind that we all consider ourselves to be rather conservative--in and out of the Church.
Irreverent? You betcha. But we all laughed our butts off. I'll leave it up to my other FRiends on this thread to discern why.
The episode IMO wasn't intended to seriously slam Catholicism--I somehow doubt Matt and Trey would actually go that far and do something like that.
Further, I don't think they intended to blaspheme the Virgin Mary. They do make fun of people who worship bricks under the bridge and "Nun Buns."
It is precisely this irreverence and unique satire that makes South Park what it is. People watch it because it's shock value, and our culture, for better or worse, responds to shock value.
As a practicing Catholic (I wouldn't go so far as to say devout), I don't take offense to it. There are many and far worse things that bash Catholicism and on a far deeper level--Jack Chick, the Lavender Mafia, and the Democrats are two of 'em.
But why don't we hear about these more and put a higher precedence on these threats? Honestly, I think more damage to Catholicism can be done by propaganda and the gay lobby than an episode of South Park. Priorities, people!
Every group, every celebrity, everybody gets ripped on South Park--regardless of race, creed, religion, skin color, political persuasion and/or sexual orientation. That's the point--it's specifically designed to lambaste everybody.
Having said all of this, I really think that this is being blown way out of proportion. People have the right to freely express their views within reason, and we as the public have the equal right to not pay attention if we so desire.
Meaning, if you don't like SP, or any other show for that matter, then don't watch it. Rather than screaming hysterically and whining like Liberals, just vote with your eyes--turn the channel or even better, FReep instead.
The networks are quite literally ratings whores--the nexus of Hollywood is about money and sponsorship. If a significant percentage of America doesn't watch the crap that's being put out, the network execs have no choice but to listen, as advertisers will not purchase slots with failing shows and the networks subsequently lose money.
That's how real change happens, folks. Tired of the crap peddled on TV? Don't watch it, and encourage your FRiends and neighbors to do the same.
But more importantly, there never was, isn't, and never will be a right to be free from being offended. We're all going to be offended by something, and that is a fact of life. To say one can go through live without ever being offended at some point is incredibly naive.
two=three
Seems like it's been pulled. Guess that's censorship eh?
Sorry, but there is nothing "conservative" about someone obsessed with limiting other people's freedom. Getting one's panties in a wad and demanding censorship because a television show feels "offensive" is authoritarian no matter how much lipstick you put on that pig. Liberal is as liberal does, and poor taste isn't a crime in a free society.
Sure we could let the fragile, timid souls decide what can be discussed in public or shown on television in America, lest anyone break down in a shuddering fit of tears at perceived offense. But it would be easier for real Americans if such individuals just emigrated to France where they belong.
nope.
Just the truth.
Balch got owned on another thread. He has been exposed as a Plagarist and someone who bears false witness.
all over a stupid cartoon.
Please...I was being sarcastic. You handle irony, sarcasm and lampooning as well as you handle South Park.
"I'm a confirmed Catholic,
So what?"
So, I'm not one of the many anti-Catholic, "The Pope is Satan" Catholic bashers in this forum. I clearly typed this. You clearly failed/refused to read it.
"There are ordained Catholic priests that make inane criticisms of their own Church."
The Church was created by men. It is therefore, and by definition, NOT infallible.
I suppose you would also think it was funny to have a woman who was menstrating change her tampon in a closeup scene as part of a skit.
Why is something that is gross considered to be funny?
I don't have much to add, except the Tagline.....
yes, I am
And contrary to any ignorant misconceptions you may have, Catholics do not worship statues.
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