Comedy Central's Blasphemy

[margypops]

Christain Groups are rising up as a team to oppose Comedy central's programme that denigrates  Jesus ..the main character is called Jesus who lives in New York and  is intent on breaking 'ties' with a  powerful yet apathetic' father ...you can imagine the mockery and sacrilege would go into that ...a few weeks ago Comedy Central edited out a segment that was disrespectful to Mohammed after a Muslim activist  group complained.. Be interesting to see whether a double  standard applies here ...

[ILADVOCATE]

If you would mean South Park or some similar show they have mocked every religious group, race and orientation and have often generated protests. IMO the best thing to do is change the channel as they are trying to get that reaction. The reason they edited out the Mohammed character is because they received direct terrorist threats. I do know in interviews that the creators of South Park have pointed out they have put down every group but generally politically they are against liberals (one could google the term "South Park Republicans"), although they are generally libertarian. I have found some of the shows to be amusing though they can be pointless, offensive and childish but I believe those are their intentions. I don't believe they have withdrawn any show (they have received protests from many groups, including gay rights groups) except in reaction to a direct threat. The fact that they had to pull an episode because of a terrorist threat and a bomb scare doesn't speak well of how terrorism has affected the political climate of the United States. I wouldn't disagree about them being offensive though but that's what draws people's attention to the show. After a while I got bored with it for that express reason.

[adgal]

Iladvocate is exactly right.  South Park, Family Guy, etc. spare no one so it's pretty equal.  And yes, Comedy Central edited out that portion not because of "complaints" from muslims, but from death threats from radical muslims.  Huge difference.

[adgal]

And btw, Family Guy mocks Christianity and every other religion all the time...and it's on Fox.

[teko]

They want us to react. The best thing to do is simply not watch it and not bring attention to it. Of course we all know that people will watch it anyway. I find them all offensive in general.

[caregiver222]

I don't believe in making fun of any religion. There is no point in hurting anyone's feelings.

The proposed show is disgraceful.

[teko]

I was thinking of an effective way to combat something like this and the only thing I can come up with that would really make any impact at all would be to boycott the sponsors? If it starts costing them money, they will drop the show.

[adgal]

Yeah, I am not a fan either, but then again I dislike any blatantly disrespectful "comedy".  I think some things just shouldn't be touched and religion is one of them.  Same with race sterotyping.  I don't think people should get hurt to give others a laugh...not funny.

[specialmom]

I just think they keep trying to push the envelope.  What was risque and scandalous a couple of decades ago is probably normal now on tv.  I am not a fan of that.  I think at some point, you have to draw the line.  

[Sarajmt]

Sometimes I do get the feeling it's open season on Christians.  It seems that offending a Muslim is taboo while Christians are expected to turn the other cheek.  (Side note-turning the other cheek doesn't carry the same connotation today that it did during the time of Jesus.)

And I agree.  Many shows go after everyone.  Personally I think South Park is funny.  Offensive but funny.

[specialmom]

Ha.  I'm such a mom of little kids that I didn't even know that show was still on except for the occasional news alert that they are offending someone again!  I'm always like "what?  Southpark is still on?"  Hubby and I watched it a bit before kids but things like floating poop were the big joke back then.  They are amping it up a bit, I guess.  

Since having kids--------  I'm turning into a prude.  Maybe I'll come out on the other side ready for some bawdy humor . . . but Christianity will never be on my menu.  (or any other religion.  Not my thing to make fun of that.)

[R Glass]

I have to admit, I am an avid South Park fan. I think Cartman should be president.

[teko]

I have to admit I never watched it but my da and sil, love it! I sounds like when they talk about this show, they are talking a foreign language. The things they say when talking about it make no sense! lol  Something poop! ???

[R Glass]

This Interview explains South Park
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vi9qxO8nUrs&feature=related

This is my favorite episode. It does have some adult language.
http://www.southparkstudios.com/episodes/103548/  

[margypops]

So its still okay to make fun of other religions like Islam then if its amusing to make fun of Christianity that was my question ,so you will all laugh at the jokes made about them ??

[R Glass]

  I'm not sure I understand your question but it doesn’t bother me if the jokes are about Christians or Muslims.

[Vintendo56]

As a humorist, I am amazed at this thread.  It is humor.  Not to be taken seriously.

ALL humor is based upon tragedy, and ALL humor is equally offensive to someone, yet funny to someone else.

When I first started writing my newspaper column, I included my telephone number in the "column bug" and quickly realized that even the most innocuous column created heated controversy.  I would get phone calls (usually very long, very loud, and very close to the time when the bars closed) either extolling me as the funniest )*&^*&^% this side of the Mississippi, or the single greatest threat to the world since the Third Reich!

I assure you, God has a sense of humor.  Not only did He create humor, He made the Duck-Billed Platypus, for proof!

I will laugh at anything I find funny, cry at anything I think is sad, and there is no-one nor anything that has the right to tell me otherwise.

Have you heard the one about the Rabbi, the Mullah and the Pope.....lol...

[Sarajmt]

When we lose the ability to laugh at ourselves, we're in trouble.

But I don't believe in  the smart alec. holier than thou mocking that I see some people do.  There is humor and there is mocking.  I don't like mocking.

[teko]

Does anyone remember when the comedy "Bewitched" was on? I remember all the churches getting together and signing petitions and raising all kinds of racket about that one, trying to get it off the air. Because it was centered around witchcraft. If something offends you, turn it off, you dont have to watch it. Giving it undue attention will simply get them the advertising without having to pay for it.

[specialmom]

I'm sticking to my original thought.  I think pushing the envelope over and over again pushes our line of what is acceptable further.  In 20 years, will it be scandalous or upsetting to see a pedaphile tv program?  A good rape scene?  You think I'm joking?  As we put things on tv, we normalize it.  We are talking about funny things here but it is all part of the same problem.  A funny pedaphile is still disgusting.  I don't really like things that make fun of my religion to be honest or any other.  But that is just my personal taste, I guess.  I turn off what I have to but do wonder why we need more and more of that kind of thing to keep laughing.

[teko]

Yes, I think history has proved that out. Look how innocent bewitched was and then look at what is on television now. Boycott the advertisers I say. But how many of us really think enough people will do that in order to make a difference?

[Vintendo56]

I think we are pretty safe from a "funny" ********* on TV. In fact as a victim of a *********, I think it would be safe to say I have a very strong dislike of ANYONE who hurts (sexually or otherwise) ANY of our children or those who can't protect themselves.  

I agree that in some ares we are pushing the envelope, but as a rule, just about everything that people find humorous has already been done.  There's only so much that can be done.

Again, it is just humor.

[Sarajmt]

I had several of my friends get angry with me for allowing and encouraging my children to read the Harry Potter series..And personally I very much enjoy reading them.  They're fantasy and IMO, no more harmful than a fairy tale.  I was just glad to see them read as opposed to vegging out in front of the tv.  I draw the line at Hustler (lol).  

I enjoy Joyce Meyer, a TV evangelist.  But I think we've all seen those who were proven to be Christian in name only and proved to be in it for the money.  Those people, I condemn and have no problem with whatever is said about them.

But to flame Christianity and its followers (I include myself as a follower of Christ.) just to make yourself look hip and smart is revolting.  These same people would not dare flame Islam.  In addition to fearing for their lives, they wouldn't want to appear uncool and heaven forbid, Christian.  They disgust me.

[adgal]

Actually SpecialMom, that is the number reason I will not watch The Family Guy.  There is a character that is a *********, and it is supposed to be funny.  I saw it a few times and was incredibly offended by that particular character.  I do have a pretty good sense of humor and can even laugh at myself, but some things just aren't funny to me.  As for using religion as a basis of humor, that is fine as long as it is not hurtful, or as Sara put it mocking.  I will give shows like SouthPark and Family Guy credit though, in the sense that all religions are fair game....they do not discrimanate...lol.  Just not really my kind of humor.

I actually just saw my first Harry Potter movie and liked it.  I want to read the books now (I know, they are childrens books, but still....).  I have no problem with that sort of thing.  However, you would never see me play with or handle a Ouija Board, so I guess I have boundaries there as well.  

[Sarajmt]

The Harry Potter books are much better than the movies.  Lots of details that the movies leave out.

And Ouija boards or any spirit boards can be very dangerous things.  I don't allow them in my home.