New NBC series stirs controversy

Arellia · **Sun Jan 08, 2006 5:50 pm**

So I take it people have a problem with the WWJD sayings? Is it "wrong" to think to yourself... "Okay, so what would Jesus do?" I don't think so. Why does it matter if we think this line, and then express it in film?

Founder · **Sun Jan 08, 2006 5:51 pm**

Monster · **Sun Jan 08, 2006 5:53 pm**

teya · Commander Joined: 02 Feb 2005 Posts: 423

Monster · **Sun Jan 08, 2006 6:07 pm**

teya · Commander Joined: 02 Feb 2005 Posts: 423

CJ Cregg · Commodore Joined: 05 Oct 2002 Posts: 1254

I'm gonna watch the first episode tonight, I'm actually looking forward to it now. I always liked a good controversial TV or movie

Link, the Hero of Time · **Wed Jan 11, 2006 6:53 pm**

Reading a lot of what's written here and what I've heard and read in newspapers and Radio shows People seem to be condeming this series before seeing it because it's based on christianity.

So we're allowed to have comedy shows with Gay people (Will and Grace), Social Misfits (Friends), Intellectual morons (Frasier) and a whole bunch of other things, but when it comes to christianity, people scream, rant and holler that it should be banned from the airways? That's not fair to the people, nore should religion be allowed to dictate what is on TV stations.

Republican_Man · **Wed Jan 11, 2006 7:00 pm**

I really don't want to get into a debate over this again, but it's necessary to point out that it's not because it's "about Christianity" (just look at 7th Heaven), which it's not, but it's rather about the things with REGARDS to Christianity and the priest--with such dysfunction, immorality, etc--that's getting the people in an uproar.
Personally, I don't care if they make a show about Christianity. They have to be careful about it, though. But look at Touched by an Angel and 7th Heaven. All highly successful shows, yet no uproar. Why? Because it wasn't taking such dysfunction and immorality and putting it into a show about a priest and his family, that's why.
And I think you have it wrong, Link. If a TV show about a Rabbi and his dysfunctional family or a Imam and his dysfunctional family--maybe his son wants to get involved in terrorism?--it would be wrong and encountering a much bigger uproar, particularly by the politically incorrect crowd, than this. But of course (and whether or not this really is this), Christian-bashing is okay. Just not Jewish or Muslim bashing.

borgslayer · **Wed Jan 11, 2006 7:03 pm**

This is another example of liberal Americans hating everything or denying everything relating to Christianity.

I think this show is great.

Republican_Man · **Wed Jan 11, 2006 7:20 pm**

TrekkieMage · **Wed Jan 11, 2006 7:23 pm**

I saw part of the show. I liked what they were trying to do. The problem is they failed miserably. The script stunk, and the acting is even worse. It's a horribly done show - controversy aside.

If they came at this from a more subtle and well constructed angle I'd support it more. But they really are not accomplishing anything with what they're doing.

Link, the Hero of Time · **Wed Jan 11, 2006 10:17 pm**

Republican_Man · **Wed Jan 11, 2006 11:04 pm**

I wasn't aware that I felt that way, Link. Where did you draw the conclusion that I would be fine with a "comedy" about Judaism or Islam, because I don't recall saying anything that would even remotely suggest that; I never implied it once. As a matter of fact, I believe I've said the opposite, and believe the opposite

.
This isn't just a comedy, Link. It's an attack on Christianity and making a priest's family so dysfunctional and immoral in such a way that it shouldn't. I wouldn't even call it a comedy, it's so innapropriate.
Yes, I haven't seen it. But yes, I have seen commercials, as well as reviews from those that haven't and have seen it saying that it's horrifying. And I'm sure that I'll be offended by the portrayal of this priest and everything surrounding him. (My argument, hint hint, is not that it's about Christianity, but what's in it revolving around the relations of this priest, his persona, etc.) But I am, in light of teya's schpeel and the thoughts of others, reserving final opinions until I see it this Friday.

NO religion should be used in such a way. Not Christianity, not Judaism, not Islam, not Buddhism--I don't care which. (Of course I feel even worse about Christianity, but that's because, although I'm not devout, I am Christian; but that doesn't change the fact that my opinion stands for all faiths.)
I have personal objections to this show that may only change once I see it. Whether or not I see it depends on when I get the chance, and I'm betting (but not positive, of course) that when I turn the TV off from the show (whether I see the whole thing or not; that depends on if I feel the need to turn it off during) my opinion won't change much. But I'm going to give it a chance and see for myself, in particular to appease those that are saying that I can't make a judgment about it before I see it--just like they did prior to F. 9/11, which I came out with the same opinion from, if not worsened.
But until I do see it, I'm going to defend the side that has little voice here; that is, the opposition side.

And let me clear something up: it's the station's right to put it on. It's my right to disagree with it and think that it should come off the air, as it is for all people.

Oh, and btw. There's a difference between having comedies about "Social Misfits," as you called Friends (which I just never had interest in), and "Intellectual Morons," as you called Fraiser (which I do, on the other hand, like) and having a show about a Christian PRIEST with such troubles. Do you not understand where we're coming from at all with our position? (honest question) It's NOT the fact that it's a "comedy" about Christianity. It's about the family. About how things are in it, relating to this PRIEST. That's where the majority of objections lie, and some do on Jesus--but not so much by me.
If you want to have a Christian comedy, fine. But it doesn't need to be like this. It seems like they're going out of their way to be offensive...but I digress.

Again, I'm giving it some chance this Friday when I watch it, so I'll reserve final opinions until then. Feel free to disagree with whatever my judgments are, and my opinions now. Yours are respected, however, as much as I might disagree.

(And FYI, I never said anything about everyone not debating--just that I didn't really want to debate further because of what the ramifications could be. But I feel the need to now.)

Lord Borg · **Wed Jan 11, 2006 11:51 pm**

uh.... It's a TV show, I dont really see the problem over a tv show lol.

BTW? according to IMDB, its a "Comedy/Drama"

Republican_Man · **Thu Jan 12, 2006 12:02 am**

It's content, LB, content. It's a problem with the content of the show.
The farthest in humor I believe I'll go in terms of religion and stuff is the Jewish and Christian stuff in Mel Brooks' History of the World Part I. Like, when they encounter Jesus or have Moses in the beginning with 15 Commandments or the Inquisition song, lol, I find that funny. But when you go down to such dysfunctional a family, and that of a priest, and the content of jokes and incidents (something about the 16 year old brother trying to have sex with his adoptive sister--something that someone was OUTRAGED about--as an example) and things like this show has--the drugs, the sex, the lesbian church secretary having sex with the priest's sister in law--that just goes to far. So far, I don't see what's so funny about the show. Maybe I'll see it on Friday when I see the show; then again, maybe I won't.

Lord Borg · **Thu Jan 12, 2006 12:07 am**

Puck · The Texan Joined: 05 Jan 2004 Posts: 5596

I don't like it, and would probably discourage others from watching it, but that's about it.

Republican_Man · **Thu Jan 12, 2006 12:12 am**

teya · Commander Joined: 02 Feb 2005 Posts: 423

CJ Cregg · Commodore Joined: 05 Oct 2002 Posts: 1254

I expect NBC is very happy withe all the controversy. More people are gonna watch it now. If no one said anything it most likely would of been canceled.