Fox's 'Family Guy' goes too far; file a complaint with the FCC

[Catholic90]

This response was in response to someone who felt the need to list all of their redeeming qualities inspite of watching this junk.

I’m not holier than thou, nor do I take myself too seriously. I do take the moral decline of our culture VERY seriously as I have 6 children that will be part of that society all too soon. You may think that makes me crazy or whatever, but I’m fighting the culture war in a very serious way. I just can’t believe the justification for watching this junk by Christians.

I do apologize that this was a bit snarky, but I can’t believe there are serious Catholics that think this show is great family viewing…

Ahhhhh, 'kay… whatever.

Again, if you don’t want to watch it, DON’T WATCH IT! NO one is forcing you to see it! My kids are considerably older than yours, so while I don’t think it would be appropriate for little kids (I did say that in an earlier post as well), teens are different. What teens discuss in school, both with teachers and friends, is not all flowers and sunshine and peaches! Believe it or not, most teens know a fellow teen (or more than one) who is gay - or think they are, having sex, drinking, struggling with chemical abuse, strugging with abuse, etc. Better to view controversial shows together and then TALK. Teenagers are quite a different animal than little kids! These shows can offer incredible doors of opportunity for communication of very interesting, sensitive, painful topics.

Rarely will my 17 YO say out of the blue that somone he knows is struggling with something, but I do know after several episodes touching on different controversial topics, he will drop a name or a situation, and that then flows into further conversation (usually at midnight on a school night - but it’s communication!)

 

[punisherthunder]

There are more pressing matters out there, than a stupid cartoon show.

Write Nancy Pelosi and ask why she supports a bill for spending towards Planned Parenthood in all 50 states.

Write the Bishop in Cleveland, Ohio and ask him not to close all those parishes.

Write President Obama and ask about the cloning bill he signed.

Write the Pope at the Vatican and tell him to keep fighting the good fight.

Some people have too much time on their hands. If you don’t like Family Guy, don’t watch it. And if you have kids, don’t let them watch it if they aren’t old enough. As a matter fact, Family Guy comes on at 9pm here on the east coast. When I was a kid, I had to be in bed by 9pm anyways. Go figure

 

[Catholic90]

There are more pressing matters out there, than a stupid cartoon show.

Write Nancy Pelosi and ask why she supports a bill for spending towards Planned Parenthood in all 50 states.

Write the Bishop in Cleveland, Ohio and ask him not to close all those parishes.

Write President Obama and ask about the cloning bill he signed.

Write the Pope at the Vatican and tell him to keep fighting the good fight.

Some people have too much time on their hands. If you don’t like Family Guy, don’t watch it. And if you have kids, don’t let them watch it if they aren’t old enough. As a matter fact, Family Guy comes on at 9pm here on the east coast. When I was a kid, I had to be in bed by 9pm anyways. Go figure

 

[Jennifer_J]

There are more pressing matters out there, than a stupid cartoon show.

Write Nancy Pelosi and ask why she supports a bill for spending towards Planned Parenthood in all 50 states.

Write the Bishop in Cleveland, Ohio and ask him not to close all those parishes.

Write President Obama and ask about the cloning bill he signed.

Write the Pope at the Vatican and tell him to keep fighting the good fight.

Some people have too much time on their hands. If you don’t like Family Guy, don’t watch it. And if you have kids, don’t let them watch it if they aren’t old enough. As a matter fact, Family Guy comes on at 9pm here on the east coast. When I was a kid, I had to be in bed by 9pm anyways. Go figure

You know, these things aren’t either/or. I can both/and. So that’s not the best arguement.

With 6 children, I DON’T have much time on my hands. I don’t watch the Family Guy–I have seen it, it’s not funny. Heck, we don’t even have a tv that receives a signal anymore. We watch videos or don’t watch anything.

It’s really a shame that we’ve become so desensitized to this stuff, that it seems fine. Would you watch this show (esp this particular episode) with the Holy Father? Your Priest? Your Mother? hmmm, didn’t think so.

 

[Nicollle]

I’ve watched South Park with my mother. She always laughs at me for liking the Jonas Brothers, so I made watch their recent parody of them. She laughed more than I did. Before she actually watched it she thought the entire show was just an excuse to see cartoon characters shout profanity, but she said she surprised how spot on they were about the whole Disney marketing scheme.

 

[RainDown]

I used to almost never miss an episode of Family Guy, but now I’m starting to get disgusted with it. I still giggle at some small things occasionally, but I avoid watching it now. Since the family in the show is made up of lapsed Catholics, you know there are going to be a ton of cracks about the Church. Yep, like how they usually portray priests as having something to do with pedophilia, and how Francis, the grandfather who died in an earlier episode, hit people over the head with a Bible. And another episode where Mel Gibson made a movie starring Chris Tucker and Jesus, and Tucker says to Jesus, “Man, Jesus, You one crazy son of a-!” Oh, and how God made the universe by farting. It’s pretty common to see some teens quoting the show.

I really like the SImpsons, I know its not totally clean, but it’s way better than FG.

 

[ChristinaM]

I used to almost never miss an episode of Family Guy, but now I’m starting to get disgusted with it. I still giggle at some small things occasionally, but I avoid watching it now. Since the family in the show is made up of lapsed Catholics, you know there are going to be a ton of cracks about the Church. Yep, like how they usually portray priests as having something to do with pedophilia, and how Francis, the grandfather who died in an earlier episode, hit people over the head with a Bible. And another episode where Mel Gibson made a movie starring Chris Tucker and Jesus, and Tucker says to Jesus, “Man, Jesus, You one crazy son of a-!” Oh, and how God made the universe by farting. It’s pretty common to see some teens quoting the show.

I really like the SImpsons, I know its not totally clean, but it’s way better than FG.

I’m the same way as you…I used to watch Family Guy with friends but now I find it really tiresome. I’m not sure why I ever found it funny. If my husband tries to watch it I complain until he changes the channel.

Futurama is way better. I probably wouldn’t let my kids watch it, but at least it’s genuinely funny and doesn’t mock religion in every other joke.

 

[baylee]

I’m not holier than thou, nor do I take myself too seriously. I do take the moral decline of our culture VERY seriously as I have 6 children that will be part of that society all too soon.

I do apologize that this was a bit snarky, but I can’t believe there are serious Catholics that think this show is great family viewing…

Well, your posts certainly make you come across that way and I’m probably not the only one who has noticed this.

As for those of us who are serious Catholics and watch the show, I don’t think any of us watch it with underaged children…so no one is saying it’s “great family viewing”. However, I will say that the younger the child, the less likely any of it is going to make sense to them anyway.

 

[buffalo]

So what you’re saying is “it’s not fair that FG is on but there is no catholic programming unless you have cable”? Are you serious? I’m sorry but I don’t need catholic programming on TV to be a catholic…would it be nice-very! Again, be carefully what you wish for! If the Fairness Doctrine is passed…if there isn’t Buddhist, Islamic, whatever else programming on also, EWTN might just disappear…

It is time for Catholics to once again be a force in the public square. This is one place to start.

 

[Jennifer_J]

Well, your posts certainly make you come across that way and I’m probably not the only one who has noticed this.

As for those of us who are serious Catholics and watch the show, I don’t think any of us watch it with underaged children…so no one is saying it’s “great family viewing”. However, I will say that the younger the child, the less likely any of it is going to make sense to them anyway.

I’m sorry I came across that way. I’ve very serious about this subject. We must take a stand somewhere and do it soon. We, as Catholics, can’t just let these things slide. I don’t know how a Catholic could watch this show and justify that it is okay to watch–esp this particular episode. I don’t know how this is edifying viewing for anyone–little child or not. I enjoy humor as much as anyone, but this episode and most of this show just crosses the line, whether they make fun of “everyone” or not. That is just NOT okay.

 

[happymommy]

Well, your posts certainly make you come across that way and I’m probably not the only one who has noticed this.

As for those of us who are serious Catholics and watch the show, I don’t think any of us watch it with underaged children…so no one is saying it’s “great family viewing”. However, I will say that the younger the child, the less likely any of it is going to make sense to them anyway.

I don’t think she comes off that way at all, maybe because I agree with her! Why watch something as pointless and just plain awful, it’s not like there is nothing else to do in the world!

Adults shouldn’t be filling their minds with this garbage either! Age isn’t the issue, the lack of quality, crude humor…it’s just wrong! and as Catholic Christians we should strive to be better people and follow Chirst, not laugh when people are being made fun of, on t.v. or in real life!

We got rid of our t.v. too, because the programming is terrible and even if we didn’t watch this show or the other garbage on there, the commercials are on all the time! You can’t get away from the filth…well I guess you can, we did, we unplugged our t.v.!!

 

[whatevergirl]

You know, this brings to mind a lecture that Fr Corapi gave a while back…sometimes, he still says this…‘if we as Catholics do the same things non Catholics do, why would anyone think we’re different?’

Makes you think.

No one is holier than thou. I watch a variety of shows, I just choose to not watch shows that mock my faith. I don’t care if the show’s writers mock EVERYONE ON THE PLANET, as long as Christ is mocked…Catholics are being mocked…call it satire, witty, not taking one’s self so seriously…it’s still mocking Christ.

Cartoons seem innocuous because they are …cartoons. They are not real people. But, real people came up with the venue…real people think mocking others is entertainment. I don’t think the show is not funny, for the record. But, sometimes, we have to shut things off because they just don’t help us as Catholics.

Oprah is just a show, too…Bill Maher is just a show too…and on and on. Bill Maher mocks Christians, but many of us are gravely offended by his actions…he just is more brazen about his insults.

To each’s own, but as Fr Corapi tells us…if we do what non Catholics do, what sets us apart?

 

[whatevergirl]

I think there’s nothing wrong with thinking the show funny, but why are some of you vehemently defending this program???

lol

It’s not something worth defending, that’s for sure. If you think there are more important things for some of us to ‘concern’ ourselves with, there are many more things out there to defend, than these programs. Maybe there should be a bumper sticker or something…like save the whales…Catholics for South Park.

 

[baylee]

I think there’s nothing wrong with thinking the show funny, but why are some of you vehemently defending this program???

I don’t know about others, but I am not necessarily defending the show…I am annoyed that others seem to think they have a right to tell me what I should or shouldn’t watch…that they are morally superior to those that watch the show.

My watching that show has not made me morally depraved or changed my views on Catholic teaching. In fact, I would suggest that watching the show that many Americans watch is a good thing. It’s a good thing to go where others go…it helps us to evangelize when necessary. Others will be more likely to listen to us if they see us as one of them…not giving the impression that we’re better than them.

If I remember, Jesus ate with sinners…and some scoffed at Him for doing so.

 

[happymommy]

I don’t know about others, but I am not necessarily defending the show…I am annoyed that others seem to think they have a right to tell me what I should or shouldn’t watch…that they are morally superior to those that watch the show.

My watching that show has not made me morally depraved or changed my views on Catholic teaching. In fact, I would suggest that watching the show that many Americans watch is a good thing. It’s a good thing to go where others go…it helps us to evangelize when necessary. Others will be more likely to listen to us if they see us as one of them…not giving the impression that we’re better than them.

If I remember, Jesus ate with sinners…and some scoffed at Him for doing so.

Yes, He also told them about their sins and told them to sin no more!! I don’t think He would be sitting around watching FG or South Park:shrug:

 

[buffalo]

I don’t know about others, but I am not necessarily defending the show…I am annoyed that others seem to think they have a right to tell me what I should or shouldn’t watch…that they are morally superior to those that watch the show.

My watching that show has not made me morally depraved or changed my views on Catholic teaching. In fact, I would suggest that watching the show that many Americans watch is a good thing. It’s a good thing to go where others go…it helps us to evangelize when necessary. Others will be more likely to listen to us if they see us as one of them…not giving the impression that we’re better than them.

If I remember, Jesus ate with sinners…and some scoffed at Him for doing so.

Jesus did eat with sinners. If he ate with anyone he ate with sinners because we all are sinners.

I sent my complaint to the FCC. You are welcome to send yours in support of the mentioned episode. ( I would really be interested to see what your letter actually said)

True Christian charity demands fraternal correction. Jesus taught this.

 

[Jennifer_J]

.

If I remember, Jesus ate with sinners…and some scoffed at Him for doing so.

Jesus ate with the sinners and then told them to STOP it. He didn’t say “hey, that’s a great thing your doing, I think I’ll join you.” He lifted them out of what they were doing.

To me that is totally different then subjecting yourself to this show, supporting this show by watching it (or even buying the DVD’s, thereby directly supporting it), or allowing children to watch it (the rating, btw, on this particular episode was for 14 and up–too young for this show, imho), or even defending it. I have no control over you watching it. I wish you wouldn’t. I would like people to stop watching it so that it goes away. TV has slowly just gotten worse and worse. They see what they can get by with and we let them. Well, not me. But if I just wash my hands of it, like Pontius Pilot, and don’t say anything, I am just as guility. There is right and wrong. We must proclaim what is right and denounce what is wrong.

 

[baylee]

It doesn’t surprise me that you all missed the point that you are acting as those who took issue with Him eating with sinners…those that thought they were morally superior to Him for doing what they thought was reprehensible.

 

[Cat]

I have a suspicion this show doesn’t mock other groups the way it mocks Christians. Yes, we can shut the program off, but by watching this stuff…it increases ratings for the show, and thus the show will continue on. If people stop watching shows, no phone calls, letters, emails, or anything need to be sent to the FCC or anyone, the show just dies a natural death. lol

That being said, I’m not a prude when it comes to watching tv. I just refuse to give positive ratings by my viewing, to a show that mocks God, Jesus, Catholics, priests, etc etc…

By far, Christians are on the chopping block so much more than any other faith. Not that I want others faiths to be mocked…ha I just don’t see the need to give my viewing time and thus ratings, to a show that mocks Christ.

It’s such a bore, all this Christian mocking. SNL, Family Guy, South Park, Hollywood movies, etc etc…It’s just so old, but I guess when ratings are slouching, some top exec says…hey, let’s mock Jesus, that gets us some ratings.

How sad.

Actually, whatevergirl, the show DOES mock other groups equally if not more than they mock Christians. No one is safe from Family Guy! I loved their episode when Peter joined the Patriots–oh, my heavens, that end-zone dance was soooooo funny! And the Y2K episode still stands as my favorite–the very idea of living in a Twinkie factory (the only food that survived the nuclear disaster brought on by Y2K!) and eating twinkies for breakfast, lunch, and dinner (“Twinkie Casserole”)!

I’ve watched pretty much every episode from the beginning, and I can honestly say that Christians don’t get jabbed by this show any more than any other group.

I personally think that the shows that mock Christianity are the shows that are “acceptable” to many people and very subtle in their mockery. By showing real people, likeable people, committing blatant serious sin (e.g., sleeping with someone they’re not married to), THIS is a mockery of Christianity. It subtly and graduallly helps create a culture in which sin becomes acceptable and those people who insist on calling it sin (we Christians!) become the “extremist nut jobs.”

One thing about Family Guy–it is very obvious that it is satire. There is NO attempt to be subtle! It’s kind of like those “poopy jokes” that your toddlers love–not very sophisticated, but so funny when a two-year old tells you one! To me, Family Guy is “grown up” poopy jokes, and I make no apologies for the child in me that thinks that poopy jokes are really funny!

 

[baylee]

And I would just add that people who watch that show do it KNOWING that the characters are ridiculous and do ridiculous things. People laugh because they are so ridiculous. They aren’t sitting around and saying, “Wow, that Peter Griffin…he’s a smart guy…what he says is gospel” or “Wow, that Quagmire is a man’s man…what a respectable kind of guy”.