That's why I never go to church.

Has the Catholic church become the official censor for the entire community? Who really gives a stuff about the supposed Virgin Mary anyway. She's only a myth of a religion that deceives people who don't want to ask questions.

Ach, I guess I'm going to have to be the dissenter here....

I can understand why people got upset over this. You can't attack someone's dearly held beliefs and not expect them to get upset about it. That's completely understandable.

While I enjoy reading most posts, there are some replies that seem as if they were written by evangilical athiests.

A zealot is a zealot, no matter the stripe, and zealots tend to be blinded by emotion. Merely because one person disdains an idea and believes it to be foolish does not automatically make it so, and does not mean that attacking those who hold it, merely because they hold it, is a good thing.

That those-who have freed themselves from the spiritually constricting arms of whatever religion has been harming them-are hostile towards that religion in general is understandable also. But it doesn't mean that religious (or rather, spiritual) beliefs in and of themselves are bad.

Holding an erroneous belief up to the light so that it can be picked apart and proven to be erroneous is one thing; holding a belief that cannot be proven either way (whether I believe it or not)up to ridicule merely makes people hold onto it that much tighter.

For some, religion works. For others, it doesn't. For the former, there is church. For the latter, there is this site.

Hey all, I sometimes watch South Park, but did not see that episode. Before you know it, they will want to take it completely off the air. All we'll be allowed to see is sunshine, roses, lollipops, and perhaps jesus once in a while (played by Mel Gibson) (I am getting carried away).

Ironically enough, I posted something under the trading spouses headline, about getting a forwarded email from the christian orginization AFA (American Family Assn.) They want a new show called The Book of Daniel banned from premiering. It is scheduled this week on NBC 9pm Friday night EST. It is a show featuring a priest who sees jesus and converses with him all the time. They want it taken off the air because it "degrades christianity". The headliner on their website is: NBC Demeans Christianity. The only good thing about this publicity is the show might get a record viewing audience on it's premier!!

Good grief, did I miss something? Are remote controls still being manufactured with televisions? Did the 1st amendment get abolished over night?

So far, the show is still supposed to be aired, so it will be interesting to see if the xtians are powerful enough to get it taken off NBC.

well said lady sidhe! i go here because there arent veyr many non xians in Texas but what lady sidhe said mustve hit a nerve anyways heres a nice quote i found about xmas to lighten the mood "everybody has overlooked why christmas is evil: we of the tree-worship society object to the dressing up of a tree like a freak, starving it, and then discarding it out on the corner."

As I said, I did not see the episode, but apparently a lot of catholics must have!

The episode does sound pretty gross, and I fully understand that people get offended by certain things that poke fun or spoof their beliefs, but when that group decides what everyone else watches, says, or does, it is censorship, and that in my opinion is unacceptable.

The dilemma is that we don't believe in religion, so it's hard to respect the silly belief.

I get no respect for my non-belief. I have had a Christian tell me he would kill me if it was not against the law.

The hypocracy goes so deep in religion. Christianity loves to demonize and tell people they are going to hell. That is attacking and wrong. Yet, they get made when someone points out their hypocracy. They think they have the power and clout to stop any attack on their false belief to keep it believable.

Oh..don't air Daniel...don't air South park...That will make us look bad...We invented that for non-believers.

Religion wants their way..but refuse others the same. That is why I say...ON with south park.


Ladysidhe...you wrote
"Merely because one person disdains an idea and believes it to be foolish does not automatically make it so"

If the christians can say "a man who says there is no god is a fool", then I can say the opposite and that makes it as automatic as their belief.

RJ

Everyone on this forum should write a letter to Viacom and tell them that you actually want to see this episode, and that conservative christians are not the target audience of South Park. I doubt more than a handful of people actually complained about the episode. Instead of posting your laments here, do something about it. Stand up for Matt and Trey.
The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing. - Edmund Burke

I saw the episode as I am one of the South Park crazoids. I do believe Matt and Trey are pretty sick and twisted, BUT at least they poke fun at the issues of current. In case anyone hasn't noticed, the actual statue of the virgin hasn't been on the news since they started doing the "tests" on whether or not the tears were blood or not. Seems that there may be a hoax in play. It sure would be easy for anyone to take a paint ball or whatever kind of ball and shoot it over onto the statue (I am not saying this is what happened...I am pointing out a possibility)

>>>Madbuni said: The episode does sound pretty gross, and I fully understand that people get offended by certain things that poke fun or spoof their beliefs, but when that group decides what everyone else watches, says, or does, it is censorship, and that in my opinion is unacceptable. <<<

Yes, it was a bit gross, but it was in a way funny, the episode has the Pope showing up, looking at the statue, and he gets shot with goo, and he states that the statue was just having her period and it wasn't a miracle.

In a way, it was Trey and Matt giving their little statement to the church. It was also free speech. Which brings me to the old question of "why does the church get to dictate what people can or cannot say?"

My advice to those "offended"... CHANGE THE CHANNEL! You are not old enough, or mature enough to be watching such material.

I will get to see the episode again when the DVD gets released.

Bye

>>>Madbuni said: All we'll be allowed to see is sunshine, roses, lollipops, and perhaps jesus once in a while (played by Mel Gibson) (I am getting carried away). <<<


Wanna hear something scary? There has been MANY rumors that the christians want Mel Gibson to run for governor of California!!

This state is one of the "blue states" and very liberal! Perhaps we can witness a real life "Passion" happen right here because the idea of Mel running for governor is sickening to a lot of the natives of California.

"In the United States, government is broadly forbidden by the First Amendment of the Constitution from restricting speech. Jurists generally understand this to mean that the government cannot regulate the content of speech, but that it can sanction the harmful effects of speech through laws against slander and libel."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hate_speech

Actually, I don't like hate speech or speech that is aimed at bringing about the emotion of guilt, shame, fear, hate, anger, etc. Many Christian leaders, post signs in front of their churches, as they frolic in the death and suffering of humanity while claiming that it is "their" god, who is the "dealer of pain". Not only, do these churches, based on their religious doctrine find ways to inspire hate towards non-believers... they seem to find time to hate eachother as well...

"A North Carolina Baptist church has sparked national controversy with a sign reading, "THE KORAN NEEDS TO BE FLUSHED.""
http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/archives/10662

These acts of common "Christian" etiquette, as pronounced by their marketing campaigns on the side of the road, create separation and bigotry. Its how Christian leaders are keeping their flocks, they create an us-them scenario, and then attack everyone who doesn't choose their church.

I see that as totally different than South Park episodes, as they "first", don't present the humor as Absolute "truth" (like churches and religions who push hate based on "so called" fact), and "second", the media platform for South Park is TV, all one need do, is push a button, and whallah, fixed (unlike church's and religions' who continually bombard other TV channels 365/24/7 and post signs on the side of public roads which can 'not' be ignored, and can not be removed from the site of children - who soak up the hate mantra)... Third, South Park, doesn't create speech or media to incite hate, fear, guilt, shame, etc., in order to keep a viewer following (like church and religions)... Basically, South Park has return viewers because of the humor, "not" like religions who have return followers, because of fear, guilt, shame, etc...

I don't agree with censorship, and if religions can continue to spout hate speech, and incite unhealthy psychological behaviors which manifest in criminal acts in society, then, there has to be an opposing view to offset the hate... and humor, laughing, etc., is a good psychological defense mechanism... Although, I didn't see the episode, I know the scenario, and both TV networks and Church leaders, are "marketing" in areas that put their name in neon lights... Its been said, that there is no such thing as "bad" publicity...

The next best thing to not having all the facts regarding religion, is to have at least "two" different views, and if it has to come in the form of "comedy", then so be it...

godNot,

I do enjoy SP too, and no matter how gross they get, they never offend me. I guess some folks are just queezy about menstral cycles!! I especially like their Mr. Hinkey (I think that's his name)episodes at christmas time.

Anyway, I totally agree with you about changing the channel, and, why were all the catholics watching it anyway? LOL The problem is, xtians are not satisfied with just changing the channel and avoiding things that they perceive offensive, oh no, they would rather decide what all of us see on the boob tube. Frankly, it scares the bejesbus out of me that this shit happens given the fact that we live in 2006. The RCC demanding apologies, etc etc? Is Viacom that afraid of the pope? Obviously so. WTFEver

Maybe we have entered a time warp and are hurling back into the dark ages! I think it's more like this bull makes me want to hurl!

Hey Jeff, you're right, I think we ought to write Viacom too, I'm game!

Take care all,

I forgot to add gn, that I had't heard about Mel for Governor, you're right, scary stuff. SHEESH.

Anonymous, I just read your post, missed it earlier.

I have never been threatened like that, but I have a type of fear about letting people know how I feel. That is a shame since they have no qualms whatsoever of "praying for you" or telling you to have a "blessed" day anywhere anytime.

Hey, let's invent a "have an unblessed day" or "I won't pray for you, I will just leave you alone" slogan. LOL

On with South Park and Daniel too, (that is if it's a good show)!!

Just in case it gets pulled off the air, you can download the episode here:
Bloody Mary

Dave8 said:
"Although, I didn't see the episode, I know the scenario, and both TV networks and Church leaders, are "marketing" in areas that put their name in neon lights... Its been said, that there is no such thing as "bad" publicity..."

Thanks Dave, that is one aspect of this I had not thought of, but sure, the publicity brings attention to both organizations, and Viacom certainly looks good by being the nice guys and apologizing.

Dave 8 I could not have said it better. Thank you for stating things as you did.

o.K. I didn't see the episode but it certainly sounds incredibly offensive. Now, I believe in free speech and I don't think anyone has the right to decide what everyone else watches on television.

I must agree with ladysidhe though. Flat out insulting and offending a group or a belief that you hate, dispise, or just disagree with just brings you down to their level. If that be the case then who is right?

Putting this episode on TV on the eve of the Immaculate conception was not simply a statement of free speech, it was a blatant attack on christianity and the catholic church specifically. This is not the way to demand respect. This act could not possibly do anything but create hatred. Christian or ex-christian, atheist or believer, hate is always wrong.

I agree, the so-called christians are equally guilty of offensive and discriminatory acts against anyone who does not share their exact beliefs but, we don't want to become just like them, do we?

I did see this episode and was lmao!
As an ex-catholic/christian, I saw it for what it was- a parody. This wonderful country, USA, used outrageous parody (in cartoon and written form) to incite the colonists to free themselves of foreign rule. This has been a tool, which has been used quite successfully over the years. The reason is to get people to discuss a subject by the regular people instead of letting the matter be handled by the powers that be!

The entire point of a parody is to be thought provoking and in today’s world, I think Matt and Trey are the best. Unfortunately, they do not receive as much airtime that I think they deserve.

Did anyone see the episode about The Church of Scientology and Tom Cruise being in the closet! A must see!!!

I did see this episode and was lmao! I disagree that it was a hateful act!
As an ex-catholic/christian, I saw it for what it was- a parody. This wonderful country, USA, used outrageous parody (in cartoon and written form) to incite the colonists to free themselves of foreign rule. This has been a tool, which has been used quite successfully over the years. The reason is to get people to discuss a subject by the regular people instead of letting the matter be handled by the powers that be!

The entire point of a parody is to be thought provoking and in today’s world, I think Matt and Trey are the best. Unfortunately, they do not receive as much airtime that I think they deserve.

Did anyone see the episode about The Church of Scientology and Tom Cruise being in the closet! A must see!!!

sorry about the double post!

Hi Mike,

While I understand the point you are making, I must disagree with you. I don't think this episode of South Park was televised as an act of hate. Broadcasting corporations are out to make money.

I agree with Freeman, South Park is a parody show, meant for adult viewers who enjoy that kind program. The point is, there are numerous christian programs flooding the radio and tv airwaves, and many of them offend me, for example, Pat Robertson's hate filled comments, are so offensive, it boils my blood, but I choose not to watch any of them, and I certainly would not think about petitioning the networks to have them removed. The same freedom they have to air their programs is the same freedom viacom has to air theirs.

As several of us have said here, that is why televsions have remote controls.

I downloaded the South Park episode with "Bearshazre"

Google it and download it. It's hilarious.

If the catholics can't take a fuck, then joke'em.

"what seems to be the officer, problem"

"Young man, Do you know anything about the 12 step program?'
Stan: 'Yeh and I also know a thing or 2 about cults, i was the leader of one for a while"

LOL!