“Blue Bloods” Runs Cold on Church’s Treatment of Homosexuals

[buffalo]

**“Blue Bloods” Runs Cold on Church’s Treatment of Homosexuals **

When the opposition not only caricatures the Church’s teaching on a particular matter, but also anyone who espouses that teaching, you know they’re running from the truth. After all, if you’re not fearful of what your opponent professes, you can let him have his say, confident you can carry the day persuasively through a charitable, honest witness.
But, unfortunately, that’s not what happened in the latest episode of Blue Bloods, the hit TV series that airs Friday nights on CBS and which stars Tom Selleck as Frank Reagan, the police commissioner of New York City. Frank is also the head of the Reagan clan, an Irish-Catholic family with long and deep roots in serving in or assisting the men in blue of the New York Police Department (thus, the show’s title and play on the term “blue blood”).

Read more: ncregister.com/blog/tom-nash/blue-bloods-runs-cold-on-churchs-treatment-of-homosexuals#ixzz3G8PDHSoo

 

[Corki]

I saw that episode and was very disappointed, not only with how the Church was portrayed but how the Bishop’s reaction was dramatized.

 

[MW1T68]

I saw the episode also and was very disappointed. This was a perfect opportunity for CBS to step up and show what the Church actually teaches. I guess the only way we will be able to do that is by living the Gospel in our lives.

Peace Mat

 

[buffalo]

I saw the episode also and was very disappointed. This was a perfect opportunity for CBS to step up and show what the Church actually teaches. I guess the only way we will be able to do that is by living the Gospel in our lives.

Peace Mat

CBS has no interest in transmitting church teaching. The issue is so many think that they have.

 

[exiled]

I just watched it today and was so disappointed, but should I really be surprised? It was disgusting how they portrayed the cardinal.

 

[latin_rite]

According to liberal logic. Portraying the Church in an accurate light would be “homophobic”.
If the Church is so evil and homophobic etc. Then why do they feel the need to make things up like this? Wouldn’t they be able to be more factual if it was so evil?

 

[Maxirad]

Would one be better off watching episodes of Mr. Selleck’s old show Magnum, P.I.?

 

[pnewton]

Would one be better off watching episodes of Mr. Selleck’s old show Magnum, P.I.?

Actually, Blue Bloods is one of the best Catholic shows on, as far as showing the Church in good light…

…until that last episode. The complaint in the original post is completely accurate. They did caricature the Church and the bishop. They even hinted at scandals years in the past, though at least they had the taste not to go down there. The portrayal of the bishop was completely off ridiculous. I guess when it comes to homosexuality, then propaganda is an acceptable tool for screen writers. I would bet a dollar to a donut that the writer, or one of them is homosexual. I cannot otherwise see why there would be such an obvious promotion of the gay agenda, and yes, this episode stands as further evidence that this agenda is quite real.

 

[Maxirad]

It’s worth noting that Blue Bloods EP Leonard Goldberg worked with the late Aaron Spelling on such series as Family, Charlie’s Angels, Fantasy Island, and T.J. Hooker.

 

[yellowbird]

I just watched this episode on Netflix and disagree it portrayed the Church in a negative light. In this episode, Commissioner Reagan, a devout Catholic, struggles with the Church’s stance regarding homosexuality. Is the Church correct? Of course. But that doesn’t change the fact that it is challenging for those of us with siblings, children, close friends who are homosexuals. How are we loving, supportive and accepting without condoning? I think this episode portrayed the struggle many of us face.

I think the show does an excellent job in its portrayal of Catholics who aren’t saints - but we’re trying our best, day by day.

 

[Midwest88]

I just watched this episode on Netflix and disagree it portrayed the Church in a negative light. In this episode, Commissioner Reagan, a devout Catholic, struggles with the Church’s stance regarding homosexuality. Is the Church correct? Of course. But that doesn’t change the fact that it is challenging for those of us with siblings, children, close friends who are homosexuals. How are we loving, supportive and accepting without condoning? I think this episode portrayed the struggle many of us face.

I think the show does an excellent job in its portrayal of Catholics who aren’t saints - but we’re trying our best, day by day.

I was once a same-sex “marriage” supporter, mainly out of naivety and later learning that my siblings is a homosexual. Until I started questioning moral relativity, seeing how it made me feel about things that I saw as sacred and how moral relativity creates nothing but low standards and a PC culture, I then moved onto whether or nor same-sex attraction is A-OKAY. I slowly started to learn the stances of those who objected to it; no longer was just it because “Because the Church says so.” My understanding evolved from a shallow holding to a more philosophical and intellectual stripe. It’s no longer an issue for me to understand and to challenge the Church’s teachings. The issue is standing my ground when to not support same-sex relationships and “marriages.”

I feel that Commissioner Reagan’s faith has more to do with tradition than any philosophical understanding. It’s cool that he’s portrayed as a devout Catholic, but that devotion seems somewhat shallow. It creates the perfect conflict and triumph of moral relativity which opens the doors to the lazy tv portrayal of grandma standing during mass, saying, “My grandson is gay. If you think he’s going to hell well you can go f_ck yourself!” (This was in some tv show.) It works because it takes advantage of the current social zeitgeist in favor of “love is love” and add to the fact that the grandma looks cute and endearing.

The chances of finding a screenwriter that has a more philosophical kind of knowledge about Catholicism is a bushel in a peck. Then again tv (and movies - whether they’re artsy or blockbuster) isn’t a medium to gain any accurate portrayal of a certain demographic (unless it’s Madam Secretary where liberal screenwriters and half-baked political assumptions are inserted into the script, then you’ll get a fair understanding on how liberal Hollywood thinks the world should run).

 

[fastenatingguy]

We shouldn’t be surprised at all by this last episode (although I normally watch BB, I did not see this one).

We should be pleasantly surprised that for the last several years BB has fairly portrayed a Catholic family on network TV.

Five years from now, we’ll be talking about this as the good old days…

 

[yellowbird]

I was once a same-sex “marriage” supporter, mainly out of naivety and later learning that my siblings is a homosexual. Until I started questioning moral relativity, seeing how it made me feel about things that I saw as sacred and how moral relativity creates nothing but low standards and a PC culture, I then moved onto whether or nor same-sex attraction is A-OKAY. I slowly started to learn the stances of those who objected to it; no longer was just it because “Because the Church says so.” My understanding evolved from a shallow holding to a more philosophical and intellectual stripe. It’s no longer an issue for me to understand and to challenge the Church’s teachings. The issue is standing my ground when to not support same-sex relationships and “marriages.”

I feel that Commissioner Reagan’s faith has more to do with tradition than any philosophical understanding. It’s cool that he’s portrayed as a devout Catholic, but that devotion seems somewhat shallow. It creates the perfect conflict and triumph of moral relativity which opens the doors to the lazy tv portrayal of grandma standing during mass, saying, “My grandson is gay. If you think he’s going to hell well you can go f_ck yourself!” (This was in some tv show.) It works because it takes advantage of the current social zeitgeist in favor of “love is love” and add to the fact that the grandma looks cute and endearing.

The chances of finding a screenwriter that has a more philosophical kind of knowledge about Catholicism is a bushel in a peck. Then again tv (and movies - whether they’re artsy or blockbuster) isn’t a medium to gain any accurate portrayal of a certain demographic (unless it’s Madam Secretary where liberal screenwriters and half-baked political assumptions are inserted into the script, then you’ll get a fair understanding on how liberal Hollywood thinks the world should run).

Thank you for sharing your thoughts, I appreciate them. I wouldn’t call myself a same sex marriage supporter. I’d like to think I fall more into the category of I support the Church and abide by it’s teachings, but this one is really really hard for me. It’s my hope that I get to heaven and find out God didn’t mind the gays nearly as much as we thought He did. I’m also counting on his grace and mercy - for my loved one who is gay. Him being gay isn’t the greatest sadness in my life. The greatest sadness is because he’s gay he believes there is no place for him in the Church or in heaven. That breaks my heart. I’m a sinner and I never feel that way. I often think, well played Satan… well played.

Back to Blue Bloods. You’re probably right about the portrayal of Com. Reagan’s faith… it does seem to be a bit rote, but I think that’s common of his generation. Not sure how much they were talking about having a “relationship” with Jesus years back? Like the other poster said - I’m just happy to see a practicing Catholic family on TV. I think they come across as very moral, upright people… and perhaps some viewers will attribute that to their faith?

 

[Viki63]

I’m also counting on his grace and mercy - for my loved one who is gay. Him being gay isn’t the greatest sadness in my life. The greatest sadness is because he’s gay he believes there is no place for him in the Church or in heaven.

Keep praying for him. God is at work in his life, as he is in the lives of all our relatives who aren’t practicing the faith. He wants each of us to get to heaven.
You don’t say whether your loved one is a practicing homosexual. You know that having SSA is not sinful in itself, it’s acting on the attraction that is sinful.
And he can repent any day and begin a new life in Christ. So there is always hope – look at St Augustine, who led a very dissolute life until God stepped in.

.

 

[at9009]

This a problem I’ve noticed not just in popular media but also kind of in many Christian media too. Often, the discussion is stopped at the issue of marriage where each side states their view. Unfortunately before we are able to even get into the more detailed teaching distinguishing the acts and the inclination, discussion usually stops and defensive culture war mentality takes over. When we are stuck at this most basic level, the modern media tends to reflect it while ignoring the more nitty griitty and nuanced teachings.

I haven’t watched the show, but from what I gather, its a pretty accurate portrayal of what happens in some families and the poor response by the head Commissioner is not unexpected. I can see both a commissioner who isn’t use to answering these types of questions and antagonistic media to make that quite a believable scene. Additionally, the ostracization by some families does sadly exist (Honest Question: Did the show depict this as the norm or as Catholics practicing their faith and understanding imperfectly?).

I find this frustrating on two personal accounts.
One: From what I understand it depicts the Cardinal as doubting Church teaching. The writers could have simply had the Cardinal tell the commissioner that Church teaching is far more detailed than just the acts as sinful (without actually describing it and getting the audience to wonder/look for themselves).

Second: Just for once, I would like to see a character who is gay/ssa and follows Church’s teachings. It would make for an interesting character (since its kind of counter cultural) and could easily for the channel be seen as controversial( To some in the secular culture and some in the Christian culture) which the show would probably like.

Additionally, it could be an interesting (albeit minor side plot) that would fit into the show’s Catholic background. There is a way to portray it that would be honest about the sacrifices and the good that leaves both sides wondering. However, I doubt we’ll ever see either a secular show portray that character or even a Christian themed show portray that.

 

[yellowbird]

(Honest Question: Did the show depict this as the norm or as Catholics practicing their faith and understanding imperfectly?).

In the show, the Commissioner is very open about his Catholic faith. It’s during a press confrence that he gets sort of trapped in answering how he reconciles his faith (which is against homosexuality) while supporting his police force of thousands - some of whom presumably gay. And he responds that it’s his personal feeling that the Church has some catching up to do regarding this subject. Later, his friend the Cardinal calls him out on it - but not on his feelings, but only that he shared them publicly. It’s hinted the Cardinal privately shares the belief the Church has some catching up to do with regard to gays.

I think there is a portion of Catholics (and probably Cardinals?) who feel the same - which is why I didn’t find this episode offensive. IMHO, the struggle is a reality. There are many, especially of the younger generation who do not have a problem with two consenting adults of the same sex committing themselves to each other. For me personally, the fact that the Church will never say it’s OK is both troubling (because of my gay loved one) and comforting (because my Church does NOT bend to the times). Hence the struggle.

 

[yellowbird]

And he can repent any day and begin a new life in Christ. So there is always hope – look at St Augustine, who led a very dissolute life until God stepped in.

.

This is very comforting! Bless you for sharing, and I thank you.

 

[at9009]

In the show, the Commissioner is very open about his Catholic faith. It’s during a press confrence that he gets sort of trapped in answering how he reconciles his faith (which is against homosexuality) while supporting his police force of thousands - some of whom presumably gay. And he responds that it’s his personal feeling that the Church has some catching up to do regarding this subject. Later, his friend the Cardinal calls him out on it - but not on his feelings, but only that he shared them publicly. It’s hinted the Cardinal privately shares the belief the Church has some catching up to do with regard to gays.

I think there is a portion of Catholics (and probably Cardinals?) who feel the same - which is why I didn’t find this episode offensive. IMHO, the struggle is a reality. There are many, especially of the younger generation who do not have a problem with two consenting adults of the same sex committing themselves to each other. For me personally, the fact that the Church will never say it’s OK is both troubling (because of my gay loved one) and comforting (because my Church does NOT bend to the times). Hence the struggle.

Thanks for answering my question. I appreciate it.

 

[edwest2]

Thank you. And have hope. And keep us informed.

Ed