Activism Change

AFA Alert–Disney/ABC — Posted with AFA Permission

Question:

First you all should know that I probably won’t watch this–or any other commercial television show–in the "fall line-up."  Generally, I find commercial television is mind-numbing.  (I can do *that* in this newsgroup, instead <grin.) What I usually dislike is that television serves up "ready-made" answers.  I can only hope that maybe this show will be an exception. Now that we have had my prologue, here comes my response.

Thanks for the feedback. Regardless of what you think of the AFA, the organization does point out that Disney and ABC have an agenda that is contrary to moralistic, Judeo-Christian culture. The new show about the priest is just another example of how the U.S., indeed the world, is slipping deeper and deeper into Satan’s grip. God bless. Al —      |       "This is the Faith of the Apostles,    |||||     this is the Faith of the Fathers,      |       this is the Faith of the Orthodox,      |       established the Universe!"     |     |       (The statement of the 7th Ecumenical      |      Council, affirming the truths of the      |     Holy Orthodox Faith, 787 A.D.)

Response:

As an Episcopal Priest I would be interested in watching this program. Thanks for letting me know to watch for it.

Response:

Thanks for the feedback. Regardless of what you think of the AFA, the organization does point out that Disney and ABC have an agenda that is contrary to moralistic, Judeo-Christian culture. The new show about the priest is just another example of how the U.S., indeed the world, is slipping deeper and deeper into Satan’s grip.

The AFA has made "unsupported" statements in the past.  These statements turned out to be false.  Specifically, I am referring to their campaign against the movie *Last Temptation of Christ*. The AFA may think it is doing us a favor, but: 1.  It would help if they would verify their facts better. 2.  Who appointed *them* the moral arbiters of the world? Frankly, I am disappointed with most recent Disney work.  Not because of the morality, but because of the watered-down, pablum they serve up. *The Hunchback of Notre Dame* is an example.  The shows on the ABC network are further examples.   So far, we really know nothing about *Priest* except that the creators and writers of the program wanted to be provacative.  I draw this from their own statements. The examples in the AFA posting are incomplete.  They may be in context; they may not be.  The AFA has a track record of getting it wrong. What we are slipping deeper into is the bland, mediocre fare served up these days.  C. S. Lewis expressed my opinion about this better than I ever could in a piece added to some of the later editions of *Screwtape Letters*.   When proposing a toast, there is a bemoaning of the blandness common today.   If *Priest* really is "bad," at least it would be something that we could sink our teeth into and discuss.  From Disney, I suspect it will have the veneer of substance, but nothing underneath.  I very well could be wrong about this. Venite exultemus. Bob — Robert R. Chapman, Jr. Lynnwood, Washington USA Those who do not think about their own sins make up for it by thinking incessantly about the sins of others.      –C. S. Lewis  (God in the Dock, "Miserable Offenders," p. 124)

Response:

AFA ACTION ALERT  9/5/97 American Family Association Dr. Donald E. Wildmon, President P. O. Drawer 2440 Tupelo, Mississippi 38803 Telephone: 601/844-5036 Fax: 601/844-9176 World Wide Web: http://www.afa.net ABC/DISNEY TO AIR BLASPHEMOUS DRAMA ABOUT PROFANE CATHOLIC PRIEST Soon after being boycotted by the Southern Baptists, Disney Co.-owned ABC TV is about to release a new prime time drama on the life and times of a confused Catholic priest. With the premiere episode to air September 25th, "Nothing Sacred" takes religion to the liberal woodshed and ridicules Christianity like no other prime time drama has ever done. Appropriately entitled, the show follows the struggles of an irreverent priest named Father Ray as he tries to lead his small parish. Few Catholics, however, could be happy with this priest. He’s profane. He not only questions the existence of God stating, "I don’t even know if God exists", but says he might be a better priest "if I didn’t hate God so much." He calls his occupation "a h_ _ _ of a job" and says that "God had better show his face around here pretty d_ _ _ soon." His staff has an atheist business manager and a feminist nun. During a staff meeting she pushes for God to be referred to as ‘Mother.’ "I thought we had agreed to get rid of the sexist language for God. I’m so tired of having God called ‘Father.’" Other controversy in the pilot episode surrounds abortion. Father Ray refuses to counsel against it when a woman comes into the confessional and says she is going to have an abortion. "The church says that I’ll go to hell if I have one. What should I do, father?" she asks desperately. "You’re an adult, with your own conscience. I can’t tell you what to do. I can only tell you what the church teaches," he responds. "[Or] If you want, what I think." The camera shifts focus to the woman’s side of the confessional, where she is holding a tape recorder. "What are you saying, father? That my conscience is more important than what the church teaches?" It is obvious what his answer is because a copy of the tape is then sent to the bishop and Father Ray is called to account for it. His only response to the bishop is, "I can’t say things I don’t believe." But Bishop Arthur only warns him that he could be asked to leave and that he should be careful. Leading the Catholic protest against "Nothing Sacred" is the Catholic League headed by William Donahue. When told that the producers have advisers familiar with Catholicism, Donahue asked, "They have advisers? Like Phil Donahue and Bryant Gumbel? They must be lame-brain Catholic priests. And if the show is not irreverent, why don’t they substitute a Jewish rabbi or black minister for Father Ray?"  "The larger question is: Why does Disney have an agenda to portray priests in the worst possible light?" The answer is obvious Donahue says. "Many of the cultural elites in our society look at the Catholic Church’s teachings as an anathema to liberty. The Catholic Church preaches the virtue of restraint in a culture that preaches the abandonment of it. To the extent you can war on the church’s moral authority, the cultural elite will have succeeded in their efforts." Sure enough, during a sermon, Father Ray holds up a New Testament, stating that of all the 20th century hot-button issues, abortion, contraception, promiscuity and homosexuality "are not in here. I was not ordained to be a sexual traffic cop." Thus, he informs the people, he will no longer hear confessions for sexual sins. What is Disney/ABC’s response to the complaints? David Manson, one of the executive producers for the series, said in USA Today, "We’re unrepentant about the choices we’ve made for the show." Richard Kramer, another executive producer, states that though Disney is increasingly coming under fire from religious and conservative groups, Disney hasn’t restricted ‘Nothing Sacred’ producers at all. ABC-TV’s own website ( http://www.abc.com/primetime/watch/a06.html ) promoting the series describes Father Ray as a man who "just cursed out an obnoxious guy on the street, came pretty close to accepting a bribe and almost got fired." Despite the blasphemous subject matter, Executive Producer David Manson makes no apologies. "We’re unrepentant about the choices we’ve made for the show," Manson told USA Today. This new Disney/ABC show for this fall, Nothing Sacred, has angered Catholics with its foul-mouthed, liberal priest who admits he hates God. Yet this doesn’t concern Disney’s Michael Eisner. Calling the Catholics protesting "non-big time." Eisner said their reaction was "aggravating," since the claimed the show has been apporved by five priests who have screened it. Please contact your local ABC TV affiliate and politely ask them to refrain from airing "Nothing Sacred". Moral outrage expressed properly can often be the most motivating force in policy issues such as this. The insidious denigration of religion and its valuable contribution to our society should not be tolerated. Please call or write Robert Iger, CEO of ABC-TV, and express your opposition to this program. We also urge you to call or write you local ABC affiliate and ask them not to carry Nothing Sacred this fall. +++ NOTE: You can find the location and address (most have Web Sites and email addresses) of your local ABC/Disney affiliate by pointing your browser to the following address: http://www.abc.com/localstations/   Mr. Robert Iger Chief Executive Officer, ABC-TV 77 West 66th Street New York, NY 10023 Phone: (212) 456-1000 Fax: (212) 456-4866 Web site: http://www.abc.com "Spreading Truth on the Information Superhighway" Please tell a friend about the AFA ACTION ALERT Buddy Smith, Editor (From Al Green) —      |       "This is the Faith of the Apostles,    |||||     this is the Faith of the Fathers,      |       this is the Faith of the Orthodox,      |       established the Universe!"     |     |       (The statement of the 7th Ecumenical      |      Council, affirming the truths of the      |     Holy Orthodox Faith, 787 A.D.)

Response:

First you all should know that I probably won’t watch this–or any other commercial television show–in the "fall line-up."  Generally, I find commercial television is mind-numbing.  (I can do *that* in this newsgroup, instead <grin.)   What I usually dislike is that television serves up "ready-made" answers.  I can only hope that maybe this show will be an exception. Now that we have had my prologue, here comes my response. AFA ACTION ALERT  9/5/97 American Family Association Dr. Donald E. Wildmon, President

This is the same organization that spread untrue information about the movie *Last Temptation of Christ*.  I know the information spread by the AFA was untrue because actually went to see the movie and compared it to their claims. The issue then was that they were basing their complaints on–if I remember correctly–a script that was six generations from the one that was actually used to shoot the film. I hope their information is better this time. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – ABC/DISNEY TO AIR BLASPHEMOUS DRAMA ABOUT PROFANE CATHOLIC PRIEST Soon after being boycotted by the Southern Baptists, Disney Co.-owned ABC TV is about to release a new prime time drama on the life and times of a confused Catholic priest. With the premiere episode to air September 25th, "Nothing Sacred" takes religion to the liberal woodshed and ridicules Christianity like no other prime time drama has ever done. Appropriately entitled, the show follows the struggles of an irreverent priest named Father Ray as he tries to lead his small parish. Few Catholics, however, could be happy with this priest. He’s profane. He not only questions the existence of God stating, "I don’t even know if God exists", but says he might be a better priest "if I didn’t hate God so much." He calls his occupation "a h_ _ _ of a job" and says that "God had better show his face around here pretty d_ _ _ soon."

I believe Teresa of Avila said something once like (I may be misquoting here), "Jesus, you might have more friends if you didn’t treat the ones you have so poorly."  I believe the comment came when a cart became mired in mud.  That comment is much along the same lines as the quotes above. You only show feeling when you care.  I’ve known a few clerical collars that such an expression of caring would be an improvement. Of course, I do not know the context of these comments.  So, maybe *in context* they are inappropriate–but there is not enought data here. His staff has an atheist business manager and a feminist nun. During a staff meeting she pushes for God to be referred to as ‘Mother.’ "I thought we had agreed to get rid of the sexist language for God. I’m so tired of having God called ‘Father.’"

Atheist:  I’ve known many conversions after non-believing choir section leaders "hung around" the church for a while.  Sometimes you have to pay to get people to go to church!  (I could see a good story line as this person begins to eventually express some faith, little by little.  Of course, we do not know if this is what they have in mind for the series, but it could go good places.) Sexist Language:  Some people are also tired of seeing an essentially caucasian God (really should be "god") thrown at them, also.  There are feminine references to God in the Bible.  This looks like it could lead to some good discussion later on. Other controversy in the pilot episode surrounds abortion. Father Ray refuses to counsel against it when a woman comes into the confessional and says she is going to have an abortion. "The church says that I’ll go to hell if I have one. What should I do, father?" she asks desperately. "You’re an adult, with your own conscience. I can’t tell you what to do. I can only tell you what the church teaches," he responds. "[Or] If you want, what I think."

Good counseling technique.  Make the person ask.  Make the person accept responsibility for their actions.  In a situation like this you want a good outcome; normally a person like this will not listen to a one-sided sermon, so don’t deliver one. I don’t see a contradiction of Roman teaching here, anyway.  He said he would tell her what the church (and he) teaches. The camera shifts focus to the woman’s side of the confessional, where she is holding a tape recorder. "What are you saying, father? That my conscience is more important than what the church teaches?" It is obvious what his answer…

What is obvious here?   A person is out to trick a priest is the obvious thing here.  By not approaching the confessional to make a confession is definitely bearing false witness.  I think most people would catch this for what it is. That person is also shown to break the seal of the confessional.  I’m not sure how many people would catch this sin. Incidently, there are some very well placed words in Roman theology about conscience and its importance in the life of the Christian.  This snip implies that the priest in this case was a prophet:  he knew the person in the confessional had problems with conscience, and that was the real issue (not abortion).  With a better developed conscience maybe there would be fewer questions about abortion? … is because a copy of the tape is then sent to the bishop and Father Ray is called to account for it. His only response to the bishop is, "I can’t say things I don’t believe." But Bishop Arthur only warns him that he could be asked to leave and that he should be careful.

What did the priest say?  What didn’t he believe?  This could be a "damning" exchange; it might not be.  It appears to me they had the priest believing that conscience was the real issue, and that was right. Leading the Catholic protest against "Nothing Sacred" is the Catholic League headed by William Donahue. When told that the producers have advisers familiar with Catholicism, Donahue asked, "They have advisers? Like Phil Donahue and Bryant Gumbel? They must be lame-brain Catholic priests. And if the show is not irreverent, why don’t they substitute a Jewish rabbi or black minister for Father Ray?"

I do know they have (I believe) two Jesuit priests (the number is up for question, but it is more than one).  Maybe the show will tackle things intellegently, after all!  "The larger question is: Why does Disney have an agenda to portray priests in the worst possible light?"…

A thinking man in the priesthood.  A person that can cut through and see a person’s true problem.  This is the "worst possible light"? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – …The answer is obvious Donahue says. "Many of the cultural elites in our society look at the Catholic Church’s teachings as an anathema to liberty. The Catholic Church preaches the virtue of restraint in a culture that preaches the abandonment of it. To the extent you can war on the church’s moral authority, the cultural elite will have succeeded in their efforts." Sure enough, during a sermon, Father Ray holds up a New Testament, stating that of all the 20th century hot-button issues, abortion, contraception, promiscuity and homosexuality "are not in here. I was not ordained to be a sexual traffic cop." Thus, he informs the people, he will no longer hear confessions for sexual sins.

It looks like they made the priest feel burned after someone set him up.   – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – What is Disney/ABC’s response to the complaints? David Manson, one of the executive producers for the series, said in USA Today, "We’re unrepentant about the choices we’ve made for the show." Richard Kramer, another executive producer, states that though Disney is increasingly coming under fire from religious and conservative groups, Disney hasn’t restricted ‘Nothing Sacred’ producers at all. ABC-TV’s own website ( http://www.abc.com/primetime/watch/a06.html ) promoting the series describes Father Ray as a man who "just cursed out an obnoxious guy on the street,…

There are some Gospel passages that–in their original language–imply something that strong with Jesus.  One example is driving the money changers from the temple. …came pretty close to accepting a bribe…

But apparently did not succumb to temptation.  Sounds good to me. …and almost got fired."

For correctly recognizing that the issue was conscience, not sex. Despite the blasphemous subject matter, Executive Producer David Manson makes no apologies. "We’re unrepentant about the choices we’ve made for the show," Manson told USA Today.

What was blasphemous?  Hating God at times is very different from blasphemy. This new Disney/ABC show for this fall, Nothing Sacred, has angered Catholics with its foul-mouthed, liberal priest who admits he hates God. Yet this doesn’t concern Disney’s Michael Eisner. Calling the Catholics protesting "non-big time." Eisner said their reaction was "aggravating," since the claimed the show has been apporved by five priests who have screened it.

Is the trouble that someone is being honest?  I would hope not. Priests are human. Please contact your local ABC TV affiliate and politely ask them to refrain from airing "Nothing Sacred". Moral outrage expressed properly can often be the most motivating force in policy issues such as this. The insidious denigration of religion and its valuable contribution to our society should not be tolerated.

Considering that the AFA has been wrong before, watch the show first. Please call or write Robert Iger, CEO of ABC-TV, and express your opposition to this program. We also urge you to call or write you local ABC affiliate and ask them not to carry Nothing Sacred this fall.

If the AFA is wrong again, be sure to contact them instead. Venite exultemus. Bob — Robert R. Chapman, Jr. Lynnwood, Washington USA Those who do not think about their own sins … read more »

Response:

Filed under: Feminist

Related Posts

• What Interesting Things Have You Been Reading?
• Vitamins and Healing
• **//Humor\**
• sorry have to test somethin
• Alanis (the chick with nice tits)
• An intro
• So Much for Russian Brides ...
• Why can't we Find Real Love?
• Child Support Question
• the WORST HC BAND today