Be Careful What You Say

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This just kills me. In a society where they show women strutting around a walkway in next to nothing (Victoria's Secret) on prime time TV, expletives out the wazoo on everything from NYPD Blue to the Simpsons, homosexual cable shows (Queer as Folk), nudity (NYPD Blue to a slew of other shows), constant making fun of Jesus and crossing the line into obscene as far as religion goes (South Park)....and all of this is readily accepted by the main stream public. But they bleep out the word Jesus on The View?! Unreal.

ABC Bleeps 'Jesus' Out of Broadcast Thu Jun 6, 1:06 PM ET By DAVID BAUDER, AP Television Writer

NEW YORK (AP) - ABC says it edited the word "Jesus" out of a recent broadcast so viewers wouldn't be offended. For many, it had the opposite effect.

The bleeped Jesus on "The View" has drawn the ire of the Rev. Jerry Falwell, some conservative media watchdogs and even the women whose on-air conversation was altered.

"It is political correctness run amok," said Elizabeth Swasey, spokeswoman for the Media Research Center.

On the May 23 edition of "The View," Meredith Vieira noted that the daily weigh-ins of her dieting co-host, Joy Behar, had ended.

"Yes, and thank you, thank you, Jesus, is all I have to say," Behar replied.

Her words were aired live in much of the country, but when ABC broadcast a taped version of the show on the West Coast, "Jesus" was edited out.

ABC spokeswoman Julie Hoover said the use ran afoul of a pretty clear standard. The network has no problem with Jesus Christ's name if it is used in a "prayerful and respectful manner," she said. (ABC's Peter Jennings anchored a highly rated news special, "The Search For Jesus," in July 2000.)

But ABC does not allow Jesus' name to be used in an exclamation.

"Under the circumstances, we were concerned it would be offensive to our audience," Hoover said.

The incident comes at a time broadcasters in general are pushing the boundaries of language and content. Expletives rarely allowed on the networks were used this year, for instance, on a May "ER" episode on NBC and on CBS' March special using video from inside the World Trade Center.

ABC's broadcast of a racy Victoria's Secret fashion special in November prompted complaints to the Federal Communications Commission (news - web sites), which ruled that it did not violate indecency regulations.

Five days after the Behar incident, hosts of "The View" noted they had received about 100 letters of complaint.

"It was stupid to beep that," co-host Star Jones said. "They let us say all kinds of things on TV, but they beep Jesus? That makes no sense."

Falwell, in a newspaper column, said he believed ABC's action was wrong. What makes it worse, he said, is that many cable television networks are habitually blasphemous.

"Conservative Catholics and evangelical Christians are expected to accept this double standard and keep our mouths shut," he said.

-- Jackiea (sorry@dontlikespam.com), June 06, 2002

Answers

God save us all. Thanks Jackiea. Just what the world needs more censoring of Christ. The EU and UN are doing a great job as it is now. Let us pray it is reversed someday.

Hope you are feeling better today.

-- Fred Bishop (FCB@heartland.com), June 06, 2002.


"The network has no problem with Jesus Christ's name if it is used in a "prayerful and respectful manner," she said."

I would think that "Yes, and thank you, thank you, Jesus, is all I have to say," is pretty prayerful and respectful.

It is a flat out lie to say that this was edited because it was offensive. Maybe it was offensive to them. Jesus says, "No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other; or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other." Most TV stations serve money, and therefore they despise Jesus.

It makes my heart break to hear this. But their justice will be served.

Father forgive them, for they no not what they do. Amen.

In Christ.

-- Jake Huether (Jake.huether@lamrc.com), June 06, 2002.


Jackiea,

Thank you so much for sharing that with us. I am going to send an e- mail complaint to ABC. In fact, why don't we all do that?

I agree with everything you say, Jackiea. We are exposed to all kinds of offensive material on TV, but the name Jesus is considered offensive???

I tell you this whole anti-Jesus, anti-catholic, anti-religion climate is making me sick. Yet, Bill Maher can say "Drugs are good and religion is bad." Bill Maher can verbally attack our military and support the enemy who wants to destroy us...well, actually, his show was cancelled because of it...but, he did get a lot of support from his viewers. Bill Maher, after all was misunderstood.

We must pray, pray, pray because Satan is running wild in this world, especially in our country and it is scary.

MaryLu :)

-- MaryLu (mlc327@juno.com), June 06, 2002.


Here is ABC's email: netaudr@abc.com

Please send all your complaints here!!!!!!!

Lets clean up shop. Thank you MaryLu for that idea.

In Christ.

-- Jake Huether (Jake.huether@lamrc.com), June 06, 2002.


They would have had NO PROBLEM if Jesus' name had been used as a curse word!

-- Gail (Rothfarms@socket.net), June 06, 2002.


Jackiea,

Thanks for bringing this to everyone's attention. It's ironic that ABC would claim that they were protecting us from using Jesus' name as an "an exclamation." It's a funny thing--I don't remember a single time when ABC "bleeped out" Jesus' name when His name was really used in vain.

I'm glad that the talk-show hosts are on the side of reason, even if the network is in denial.

Enjoy,

Mateo

-- (MattElFeo@netscape.net), June 06, 2002.


Well, you are all very, very welcome. We don't watch the news because frankly, real life was just too darned scary. Gave us both nightmares so, I skim over the news on the internet to see what's going on in the world and came across that. Just blew my mind.

I totally agree on who the media serves. It's all about ratings and that equals money. I don't think they seriously give one whit about what the public REALLY wants to see. But that's just my opinion. And I totally agree with the email idea. Thanks for the address, Jake.

Yes, I'm feeling a bit better, Fred. Thank you very much for saying so and for all of the prayers. :)

God Bless~

-- Jackiea (sorry@dontlikespam.com), June 06, 2002.


Jake,

Thank you for the address. I will contact them.

Jackiea,

I must ahve missed a post. I didn't know you weren't feeling well. Glad to hear you are feeling better now. I am so thankful for this site. It is so nice to be able to share our faith, isn't it?

As for watching the news, I am with you Jackiea, I have stopped watching it. It is very anxiety-producing, creates fear and anger. I was starting to develop sleep-disturbances because I was constantly watching the Foxnewschannel or MSNBC and I just cannot absorb all that violence, hatred, anti-religious views, anti-american, anti- anything that is good and decent. It is so very scary. Our world has changed completely and is changing for the worse every day. I do not like it at all.

In fact, the other night, I took a step back in time. I watched 'silly' shows like Gidget, The Flying Nun, Andy Griffith. I didn't watch these shows years ago (Andy, I did) but for some reason the other night I actually enjoyed their silliness and their innocence. Times were so different then, so different. You probably couldn't have a show on now about a nun or a priest or any kind of religious show (on prime time, anyway). It would be offensive.

In fact, if any of you want to go to www.belief.net and click on religion....there is an article written by a rabbi who wants to build a mosque at Ground Zero, a Temple, and I forgot what other religious buildings, but his main idea was to have a mosque built their as a way of turning the other cheek. All I could think about was what you aid today about the name of Jesus being offensive to others and this rabbi wants to have a mosque built at Ground Zero...I do believe it would create a lot of problems - problems we do not need.

If you go there, let me know what you think of the article. I think his intent was good, but I don't think religious buildings to suite everyone's religous needs would work.

I am really getting to feel like I know all of you so well and I thank God for this site. Sometimes we are like the typical dysfunctional family when we get our dander up, but for the most part I am thankful for all of you. You are a wonderful group of people.

God Bless each and every one of you. MaryLu

-- MaryLu (mlc327@juno.com), June 06, 2002.


Unfortunately, something like this does not surprise me, especially since it is from ABC, which is owned by Disney, who are both renowned for their hatred towards Catholicism. Don't believe me? Remember that "lovely" movie entitled "Priest" or when ABC ran a show about a priest (name escapes me at the moment)?

I am sorry but we have become so worried about hurting people's feelings that we have allowed ourselves to be so restricted that the moment we stand up for something seemingly "intolerant" we become pariahs. It is no wonder religous syncretism and indifference abounds, take away our religious freedom under the guise of political correctness and we can't even thank He who is responsible for our very lives. Yet, in the same breath we ask God to Bless America. How long can God Bless an America that refuses to acknowledge God as God?

May the Sacred Heart Jesus have mercy on us all.

-- Brian (sacerdos@hotpop.com), June 06, 2002.


Fred, what's up with the EU and the UN? First of all, your post could be misunderstood that they're closely related or even identical, and they're certainly not. Second, if anyone really believes these organisations are anti-Christian or opposed to religion in general, he's really been brainwashed by the U.S. media. I'm sorry to have to say it so harshly. But thinking that the few professedly secular politicians who want to ban religion from the public are more than a minority you politely listen to is plain wrong. (Where's democracy if you can't say what you think, especially if you're a minority? Somewhere, but not present.)

You do have religious freedom in Europe, even in Albania. You do have plenty of whackos, e.g. parties traditionally associated with religion, even with 'Christian' in the name that support stem cell research and all forms of cloning. You do have the "Green" parties, traditionally devoted to protecting the environment and civil rights, cooperating with the churches.

I don't understand North Americans. Do you really think the U.S. is a safe haven for religious beliefs? With a few wild media deriding your faith? Perhaps European parliaments don't start sessions with a prayer, but what ABC's done wouldn't have happened over there.

-- -- (unknown@a.nonymous), June 07, 2002.



Well MR ANONYMOUS who has so much shame that he refuses to show his face to the world.

For your information the UN and the EU do have many faults and they can be numbered well on a long list of faults.

They both want to control the world and both want to control population growth and a lot more.

I am appalled at the UN whose desire to sterilize the rest of the world and the EU is part of the problem too.

If you do not like what you hear then I will pray for you and your ignorance to truth.

Religious freedom is not a reality in Europe at all for the governments still dictate to all how they are to live as they are all living in a post soviet social system of socialism. This fact has been aired many times by the Vatican for years. Religious freedom??? I have my serious doubts that it really exists when I read daily of the things that Europeans do that defy the word of GOD.

Ignorance is not GOD's will and it is not mine neither.

So take your anger elsewhere. And show your cowardly face too.

-- Fred Bishop (FCB@heartland.com), June 07, 2002.


Anonymous

Your Quote:

"I don't understand North Americans. Do you really think the U.S. is a safe haven for religious beliefs? With a few wild media deriding your faith? Perhaps European parliaments don't start sessions with a prayer, but what ABC's done wouldn't have happened over there."

You couldn't be more wrong in your statement. I have read plenty on the open use of drugs, state promote prostitution in Holland, the wide use of Libertine behavior (Swinger sex), and much more.Thje Church has given up on this behavior and is waiting for the Europeans to fall on their faces on account of their open immorality.

We do have prayers in our legislatures and it is not allowed in many European Parliaments. Furthermore laws here are established by the people NOT the governments as they are in Europe. You forget that France had NO government for many years before and during WWII. If they did the outcome of the war would have been dramatically different. To this day the French are the most difficult of nations to deal with because of their ignorance to others. I could go on with this, but to tell the truth I don't have the time for your foolishness. BYE.

-- Fred Bishop (FCB@heartland.com), June 07, 2002.


Remember after the Dec. 11 event, when fire engines would ride around with "God bless America", and there were some states (or cities) who banned them from doing this because it was offensive? This totally reminds me of that.

I'm supprised a movement hasn't been made to remove "in God we Trust" from our $$$. Or maybe people don't care simply because it is $$$.

Kind of makes you think, eh?

In Christ.

-- Jake Huether (jake.huether@lamrc.com), June 07, 2002.


Jake

You can thank Madeline O'Hare and the ACLU for all of that. I just wish for once that they would just disappear. The ACLU has done more moral harm to this country than good.

They must ALL be atheists. I am sick of them.

Blessings.

-- Fred Bishop (FCB@heartland.com), June 07, 2002.


Good morning, Fred :)

I am with you. The ACLU must be run by Satan and his warriors. They are the ruination of this country.

MaryLu

-- MaryLu (mlc327@juno.com), June 07, 2002.



MaryLu

I am more than appaled about our political people in this country. Remeber the Easter Promises we make every Easter? Well I am shocked at the Kennedy's and others who openly support abortion and birth control these days. I cannot see myself recieving communion with these people anymore. It fightens me that we have Catholics who deny the creative powers of GOD. This is not free will speaking at all. it is the denial of GOD. Pereiod. Now Conneticut wants to control the confessional. NO WAY JOSE.

Blessings.

-- Fred Bishop (FCB@heartland.com), June 07, 2002.


MaryLu

I hope you can read my mess above. It is terribly full of misspelled words. The fingers and brain here cannot seem to cooperate with the keyboard.

Blessings.

-- Fred Bishop (FCB@heartland.com), June 07, 2002.


Thanks for that info Fred and MaryLu. I wrote to the ACLU shortly after reading your comments. It made me wonder: How can an organization be so pro-free-speech, yet fight to take away ones freedom to say God or Jesus in a TV program. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. Makes no sence what so ever to me.

-- Jake Huether (jake.huether@lamrc.com), June 07, 2002.

Jake

The ACLU is not ALL of the problem. There are many forces out there who want to keep us out of the Churches. Look around you. I can remember well when Department stores closed on Sundays and Grocery Stores opened after Mass at noontime and liquor of all kinds was banned to be sold on Sunday. Now ALL of that is no longer happening. These things disappeared during the late 50's and through the 60's. It is our desires to have more entertainment that has caused the downturn of faith in GOD.

Blessings.

-- Fred Bishop (FCB@heartland.com), June 07, 2002.


Jake,

There have been lawsuits attempting to remove the slogan "In God We Trust" from the US Currency. Luckily, the courts have always ruled against removal.

-- Glenn (glenn@excite.com), June 07, 2002.


To all,

First of all, Jake, I am not sure that the ACLU had anything at all to do with ABC's decision to delete the name Jesus from the tv show, The View. I do know, that the ACLU works diligently on having the name God removed from public schools, public instituitons, our money, do not want the words Merry Christmas said on public grounds, etc., etc., etc.. They are strong advocates for anti-God in America and pro-anything that smacks of evil - abortion, NAMBLA (man-boy love association on the internet lures young boys into their organization), you name it, if it is evil the ACLU is involved.

I just heard on Foxnews that the reason ABC deleted the name Jesus from the tv show, "The View" is because it was used 'improperly' and that was offensive. The star, Joy Baher, according to ABC, used the name of the Lord in vain?????? Took all this time to make a statement like that, I find that very interesting.

MaryLu

-- MaryLu (mlc327@juno.com), June 07, 2002.


Sounds like they're crawfishin' after all the complaints they got, MaryLu. Here's another article I just read about it:

ABC Plays God, Bleeps "Jesus" Thu Jun 6, 9:05 PM ET By Bridget Byrne

ABC has bleeped the "Jesus" out of one its shows. And conservative Christians are mad as hell about it. The bleepin' controversy began May 23, after network censors snipped the name of the Lord from The View when the opinionated femme chat show aired in tape delay on the West Coast on May 23.

Viewers in much of the country, where the daytime show airs live, heard cohost Joy Behar say, "Yes, and thank you, thank you, Jesus, is all I have to say." She was responding to cohost Meredith Vieria's comment that Behar's daily weigh-in diet regime had ended. Behar, who had engaged in an on-air weight-loss campaign, then said, "Goodbye to that damn scale and this whole diet. I'm sick of it."

Once the censors got done cutting, people out West couldn't quite figure out exactly who Behar was thanking. The show, which is produced by the entertainment division of ABC, reportedly received about 100 letters of complaint, prompting Behar to call the network's decision "wrong."

The protests were prompted in part by the the conservative watchdog group Media Research Center, whose spokersperson tells the Associated Press the bleeping was "political correctness run amok."

The Reverend Jerry Falwell quickly pointed out that ABC is, after all, the network that flaunts bare butts on NYPD Blue and skimpy negligees on last year's Victoria's Secret special (which prompted numerous complaints to the Federal Communications Commission).

"Conservative Catholics and evangelical Christians are expected to accept this double standard and keep our mouths shut," said Falwell.

Media Research Center's Website, www.mrc.org, carries full details of the incident, including Behar and cohost Star Jones' on-air response on May 28.

Jones, who said she'd used the word "Jesus" many times but had not been censored, got a playful ribbing from Behar.

"Yeah, that's right. How come the black girl can say it and the white girl can't? I protest!" said Behar. When Jones suggested she might have been given free rein because, "I've often expressed my faith on television," Behar took the opportunity to point out she is a Catholic, baptized, confirmed and "married in the Catholic Church," and that "Jesus and I are pals."

Julie Hoover, the ABC spokesperson stuck with trying to explain why the bleep was employed, tells AP that the context in which "Jesus" was used ran afoul of the network standards. Hoover explained the network doesn't have a problem with Jesus Christ's name if it is used in a "prayerful and respectful manner," but does not allow it to be used in an exclamation.

"Under the circumstances, we were concerned it would be offensive to our audience," Hoover said.

No word on when the network was going to start chopping out "thank you, Jesus" from sports and award shows.

-- Jackiea (sorry@dontlikespam.com), June 07, 2002.


Just as a side note...

Yesterday, "Billy Graham Evangelistic Association" purchased 90 minutes of prime-time television from ABC/Disney yesterday to air its movie "The Climb." I tuned into it for a minute or two...it was a simplistic tool for proselytizing.

So, what is Disney going to do with all the money that Billy Graham paid? Maybe they'll hire more people to censor Jesus' name from their programs. Sad...

Mateo

-- (MattElFeo@netscape.net), June 07, 2002.


I remember there being a boycott against Disney a year or two ago, actually, Mateo. John would probably know better than I. I read about it on the Catholic League website.

One truly must wonder about the entertainment value nowadays. I was looking to see what movies are out right now (and will be coming out) on Yahoo and came across this:

The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys (Limited) Kieran Culkin stars as the leader of a group of boys who find escapism from their cruel nun teacher (Jodie Foster) through violent and sexually graphic comic books which spawn both an imaginary dream world for them, but also send them farther down a dark path of conflict with "Sister Assumpta." More...

Action/Adventure and Drama 1 hr. 45 min. Set in the South in the early 1970s, it tells the tale of two bright but rebellious boys, Franis Doyle and Tim Sullivan, and thir (sic) closest friends, who are fighting the stultifying repression of their parish school. They fight boredom, hormones, unresponsive teachers and clueless families in their quest to find something meaningful. Francis is an exceptional artist, whose imaginative forays into a fictional universe of good and evil fill his notebooks with comic-book imagery and create a netherworld of superhero alter egos for the two boys. Foremost among the forces of evil is the stern and disapproving nun, Sister Assumpta (Jodie Foster), who rules their lives. She seizes their artwork one day, setting the boys on an obsessed trail of revenge that ultimately changes their lives. MPAA Rating: R for language, sexual content and youth substance use.

Release Date: Sundance 2002.

Cast and Credits Starring: Emile Hirsch, Jena Malone, Kieran Culkin, Jodie Foster, Vincent D'Onofrio Directed by: Peter Care Produced by: Jodie Foster, Jay Shapiro, Meg LaFauve, Meg Le Fauve Written by: Jeff Stockwell, Michael Petroni Distributor: ThinkFilm --------

Very nice, eh? They can fret about showing war films, etc. because it might just be a little too real...too timely...too close to home. But this isn't? Makes me sick.

-- Jackiea (sorry@dontlikespam.com), June 07, 2002.


Jackiea,

I e-mailed ABC, but instead of the usual complaint style letter, I wrote as if I was talking to Jesus, and how pleased He must have been to hear Joy Behar acknowledge Him on TV for the whole world to witness, etc...it was rather clever and cute and I got my point across without being nasty or sarcastic. Am quite proud of myself! :) ha,ha

MaryLu :)

-- MaryLu (mlc327@juno.com), June 07, 2002.


5: Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6: who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7: but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8: And being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross. 9: Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name, 10: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11: and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philipians 2)

-- Enrique Ortiz (eaortiz@yahoo.com), June 08, 2002.

Jmj

That is one sickening-sounding movie, Jackiea. And I had just begun to have some respect for Jodie Foster. She has now joined the long list of immoral and/or pro-death media personalities (past and present) whose work I will boycott until I hear a public apology from them.

You wrote: "I remember there being a boycott against Disney a year or two ago ..."

Actually, that boycott started quite a few years ago, and it will continue indefinitely -- i.e., until Disney completely detaches itself from makers of immoral films, stops sponsoring "gay days" at Disneyland/Disneyworld, and stops giving family benefits to employees who have an active relationship with a same-sex partner.

I am one of millions of Americans who now never watch anything from Disney (TV/movies) and who never buy any Disney products. I wish that everyone would do likewise, so that they would see out to decent, God-fearing people. Walt must be spinning in his grave.
Here is an American Family Association page about the boycott.

God bless you.
John

-- (jfgecik@hotmail.com), June 08, 2002.


That was supposed to be ...
"I wish that everyone would do likewise, so that they would sell out [the Disney empire] to decent, God-fearing people."

-- (jfgecik@hotmail.com), June 08, 2002.

John and all others

The reason for the Disney change is because the Disney productions were sold out by the Disney family and it has damaged it's original character. Many have complained of this change as it has damaged the name of the creator, Walt Disney.

Blessings

-- Fred Bishop (FCB@heartland.com), June 08, 2002.


When my son was a senior in college, he had the opportunity to work at Disney, an opportunity he waited two years for. He was so excited when he finally got chosen.

When he and his friend got there, they were put up in a hotel with other Disney employees and all the employees were gay!! My son had some awful experiences and came home within two weeks very disappointed. He said, "Mom you can't imagine what went on there."

I saw the life story of Walt Disney and he would be so outraged if he knew what they are doing to the Disney name. Walt Disney was a beautiful person who wanted to bring joy into the lives of others and he did that for so many years. MaryLu

-- MaryLu (mlc327@juno.com), June 08, 2002.


Aaahhh yes. I remember now. Thanks for that, John. I figured you would know. :)

A good friend of mine went to Disney in Florida about a year ago with her husband and their two children. Little did they know there was a gay pride parade going on that day. Oy vay! She said "look. They wanna be gay, let em be gay. But I don't need my kids seeing that groping and grabbing crap by two men or anyone else, for that matter, thank you very much and especially at a place like THAT!".

Yep. I'm sure Walt is reeeal proud of what it's turned into. Sheesh. Is nothing sacred anymore? Reminds me...I was looking on snopes.com the other day for an email hoax my MIL sent me. I was just looking around at all the various hoaxes, urban legends and what not and saw a Disney link. I thought now, what could Disney possibly have? Ho boy! How bout their cartoonists putting topless women in a scene from the Rescuers, amongst other things? Granted, it was one of those blink and you miss it kind of things but certainly NOT something I want my kids to get ahold of. And we have that movie!!! Geez louise. Got some real intelligent people working there, I'm tellin ya.

Ok...steppin down off my soapbox. :)

-- Jackiea (sorry@dontlikespam.com), June 08, 2002.


To All

Too bad the Disney name is being totally destroyed by a deviant bunch of jerks. Here the world worries about a few priests and Disney is crawling with Gays and child rapists/kidnappers.

I have a lot of trouble understanding how they let these things happen. Too much Gay freedoms being allowed?

Blessings.

-- Fred Bishop (FCB@heartland.com), June 08, 2002.


It appears to me that Satan is trying to destroy everything that is good in this world.

MaryLu

-- MaryLu (mlc327@juno.com), June 08, 2002.


Yes, I see that from the main page, MaryLu.

How pathetic. :(

-- Jackiea (sorry@dontlikespam.com), June 08, 2002.


Who runs/owns Disney, Hollywood and practically all the media? Jews (zionists).

-- Willow (Willow@noemail.cam), June 11, 2002.

Willow

So what do I care. I will not support your racist comments. This is a Catholic Forum, not a racist forum. BYE.

-- Fred Bishop (FCB@heartland.com), June 11, 2002.


Wake up!

-- Willow (Willow@noemail.cam), June 22, 2002.

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