Simpsons vs. Donohue: Who's gone too far?
Thursday, October 22, 2009
By Megan Sweas
Comments (10)
Bill Donohue of the Catholic League is protesting The Simpsons once again, and for once, I think he may be right that the show has gone too far.
In "Don't have a cow, mankind," a segment of this year's Halloween episode, Krusty The Clown introduces the "burger squared," made from cows that have been fed beef. When humans eat it, they become zombie cannibals. Bart, however, turns out to be immune and is declared the "chosen one." But when the Simpson family reaches the "safe zone," the guard declares that all they have to do is eat Bart to be safe. And that's when Marge says the offending line:"What kinds of civilized people eat the body and blood of their savior?"
When we polled our readers about humor and religion, 45% said jokes about the Eucharist are never funny. But even though a slight majority find room for humor in the Eucharist, depending on the context, this line lacks all subtlety. It's just not that funny.Still, I'm not convinced that this is evidence of some grand conspiracy on the part of FOX and their liberal secularist friends against Catholicism. Donohue reacted with spite ("What kind of civilized people work at FOX?") to this little, dumb joke. See his guest post, filled with venom, at On Faith to see his stance on the culture wars.
John Gehring responded with a post at On Faith, asking the media not to turn to Donohue as the spokesman of Catholicism and describing the true "public expression" of faith: "comforting the sick, welcoming the strangers among us and seeking peace in a world torn by violence."Instead of anger, perhaps a better response to a bad joke on the Simpsons would be to simply explain what taking the Eucharist does for us. It might not save me from zombies, but it does help me live like Christ with compassion for all.
ht to In Good Faith
Posted in: In preview mode
love fox/ hate fox
By dennis n (not verified) on Tuesday, October 27, 2009I'm sure Donohue agrees with just about everything coning out of the news division @ Fox - well, buddy - the Simpsons (et al) is what pays to keep that drivel on the air. It's a package deal.
Clarity for Dennis
By Jerry (not verified) on Wednesday, October 28, 2009Your claim that The Simpsons pays for Fox News to be on the air is ridiculous since Fox News consistently dominates Cable TV new ratings.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/09/30/fox-news-dominates-3q-200_n_304260.html
As a member of the Catholic faith, Mr. Donahue most likely appreciates that Fox News airs reports that are not hostile to pro-lifers and will discuss issues such as Miller Brewing funding a San Francisco Gay Street Fest featuring a promotional picture of scantily clad gay men in a last supper setting. This is mocked as "drivel" by members of the liberal faith.
Really?
By Kelly (not verified) on Tuesday, October 27, 2009The show would not have lasted all these years if the writers were afraid to push the envelope in their jokes. We laugh when it's pushed in someone else's direction, but it's not so funny when it's us?
Maybe I'm just not that easily offended, but this seems like a stupid thing to be getting excited about. Shouldn't we be much more offended that our nation is using our tax dollars and our military to engage in violence, torture, and the killing of thousands of innocent people around the world? Why doesn't Mr. Donahue take offense to that, instead of worrying about a tasteless joke on a cartoon program? Seems to me like it's grandstanding to get some limelight in his direction, and nothing more.
I'll still be at mass this weekend receiving the Eucharist - whether the writers on the Simpsons do the same is their own business, not mine. Their jokes would only offend me if they were actually turning Catholics away from the Eucharist. But some of our own bishops and priests are taking care of that on their own, by denying Jesus to anyone who doesn't vote Republican.
Clarity for Kelly
By Jerry (not verified) on Wednesday, October 28, 2009All our our Bishops would not object to Catholics casting a vote for Democrat, Bob Stupack. Bob is standing up against pseudo-Catholic Nancy Pelosi trying to cram abortion funding through the health care bill.
http://thehill.com//blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/64971-mich-democrat-pelosi-not-happy-with-me
Perhaps you agree with Ann Coulter that the Democratic Party is the Abortion Party. While, that may be mostly true, I pray more Democrats insist upon nominating the likes of Bob Stupack rather than the likes of Nancy Pelosi.
Fo onceBill Donohue is right?
By dave cumming (not verified) on Tuesday, October 27, 2009As a long time Catholic League member I find it incredible that anyone can say "for once" about Dr Donohue's statements.His criticisms are too mild if anything re Penn and Teller, CBS, Showtime,HBO. and the remaining Catholic haters infesting TV. The Church's non support of those fighting the Catholic haters is despicable.
Yes, maybe he was right this
By John David (not verified) on Tuesday, October 27, 2009Yes, maybe he was right this tme. But, why is it that The Right tends to reduce all criticism of The Church as coming from "Catholic haters"? That attitude just seems to turn the church into a cult. Sure there are some who hate The Church and, at the same time, there are some haters in The Church, as well. I criticise The Church, because I love The Church. I just don't see any point in listening to someone when I hear this accusation.
I happened to watch that
By Martin Berg (not verified) on Tuesday, October 27, 2009I happened to watch that episode of The Simpsons, which I usually love, and was shocked when Marge came up with that line. It seemed totally gratuitous and insensitive, and I agree that it was way "over the line" for humor. However, I also think that the fulminations of William Donahue do much to damage the image of the Church in the eyes of reasonable but uninformed people. I'd like to note that my objection to this Simpsons episode are in spite of, not because of, the unfortunate Mr. Donahue.
Who shouts the loudest?
By Megan Sweas on Tuesday, October 27, 2009"My objection to this Simpsons episode are in spite of, not because of, the unfortunate Mr. Donahue." That's a good way of putting it. Even if he thinks the church is under attack, can't he respond with more charity and less anger? Anger, unfortunately, is what gets you on TV in our culture.
Yes, sad but true. There is
By JC (not verified) on Tuesday, October 27, 2009Yes, sad but true. There is much too much division and hate in what Mr. Donahue says. I think it is a case of someone who is just desperate for attention and, as you say, anger is what gets you on television.
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