Is Touched by an Angel contrary to the Catholic faith?

[EphelDuath]

I just saw the first four episodes. It obviously portrays angels in an unorthodox manner, though I honestly don’t think it’s that big of a deal.

Would let your son or daughter watch it?

 

[rosebudsal]

I just saw the first four episodes. It obviously portrays angels in an unorthodox manner, though I honestly don’t think it’s that big of a deal.

Would let your son or daughter watch it?

I don’t think there’s anything wrong with it… but I thought it was way too sappy and sweet for my tastes and so I never watched it.

 

[Miserissima]

As long as you’re grounded in your faith and can point out the theological mistakes, there’s nothing wrong with it…especially if it challenges you to study, that’s even better.

The premiss are sometimes sappy, sometimes great, but wither way, you need to know where they jump onto the non-denominational ship.

If you’re watching it with your kids, discuss this during the show or during the commercial breaks.

“I know we just watched XXX happen, but I want to clarify that as Catholics, we believe YYY.”

That’s good bonding with your kids – a Catholic message right there - starting in the home. Answer their questions, if possible. If not, look it up together.

 

[Scottgun]

We’d have to stop watching It’s a Wonderful Life as well it would seem.

 

[rosebudsal]

We’d have to stop watching It’s a Wonderful Life as well it would seem.

Why? Frank Capra who directed it was a devout Catholic and I don’t think there is anything about it that’s contrary to the faith? Enlighten me, please?

 

[Scottgun]

Why? Frank Capra who directed it was a devout Catholic and I don’t think there is anything about it that’s contrary to the faith? Enlighten me, please?

Basically isn’t it the erroneous belief that we become angels when we die? That is, the angel that watches over George talks about when he was human and now he is earning his wings if I recall correctly. I don’t think it’s dangerous to the Faith, just a little silly, which is why it is probably ok to watch Touched, but I don’t watch the show to say for sure.

 

[MarieVeronica]

Basically isn’t it the erroneous belief that we become angels when we die? That is, the angel that watches over George talks about when he was human and now he is earning his wings if I recall correctly.

Yes, you’re correct. Although “It’s a Wonderful Life” is a heartwarming movie, to watch near Christmas. It does have that one little piece of false “theology” in it. Clarence (the angel) does speak of having been human… and having died. Angels are never human. Angels do not die.

Maybe Mr. Capra was absent from school the day the class learned that humans don’t become angels, after death? As long as we know what the Church teaches… and point out the “error of Clarence” to younger viewers I think it’s a harmless movie.

 

[Scottgun]

Maybe Mr. Capra was absent from school the day the class learned that humans don’t become angels, after death? movie.

Maybe he watched too many cartoons when a character gets blown up, it show his spirit floating up with wings and a harp. I wonder, is there a history of the humans-turn-to-angels belief? Where does it come from? My money is on that it was a deliberate distortion of Catholic teaching somewhere in past. Pesky anti-Catholics under every rock…

 

[bluerose]

I do remember one episode with a very powerful scene (I hope I can remember it correctly) where a man was caught up in dealing and/or abusing drugs. The angels were trying to help him get out of all that and clean up his life, but then the devil kept showing up, dragging him back down. The scene I’m thinking of took place in a warehouse and involved a showdown between the angels and the devil, with the man, literally, in the middle of them. I think at one point, the man called out to God and suddenly the battle shifted and the devil was defeated. Ican’t remember all the details, but that one scene did stick with me and gives me goosebumps to this day.

I hope I didn’t dream this up. Does anyone else remember this?

 

[Miserissima]

I hope I didn’t dream this up. Does anyone else remember this?

I remember this vaguely, but it reminds me of Highway to Heaven with Michael Landon.

Boy, that brings back goo memories…weekly H to H, Little House on the Prairie, as well as The Waltons.

And know what? Every time particular issues (especially religion) was brough up, my parents would quiz us, almost. “Honey, I know what you just heard, but do you know what the True Church says about XYZ?”

 

[KevinAK]

Yes, you’re correct. Although “It’s a Wonderful Life” is a heartwarming movie, to watch near Christmas. It does have that one little piece of false “theology” in it. Clarence (the angel) does speak of having been human… and having died. Angels are never human. Angels do not die.

Maybe Mr. Capra was absent from school the day the class learned that humans don’t become angels, after death? As long as we know what the Church teaches… and point out the “error of Clarence” to younger viewers I think it’s a harmless movie.

Did Capra have any involvement with the script? He may not be responsible for the oversight. In any event it’s a small blip in another was great film.

 

[MarieVeronica]

Did Capra have any involvement with the script? He may not be responsible for the oversight. In any event it’s a small blip in another was great film.

You know, I’m really not sure. But my guess is… that he probably did have quite a bit of involvement with the script; He was, afterall… a very fine director and I’ve heard he was always fully “in charge” on the set of any movies he directed.

My guess… is that Mr. Capra just took a bit of creative license in regards to the character of “Clarence”. He probably felt it wasn’t a big deal… because the story was a sort of “fantasy” in some ways. And that surely, any practicing Catholics… who knew their faith would be “ok” with it, as fantasy. (Remember, J.R.R. Tolkien… and “The Lord of the Rings”! Pure fantasy!).

 

[JRKH]

Touched by an Angel is certainly better to watch than a LOT of other things on the tube!!
We also like 7th heaven, although it isn’t as "faith"ful as we’d like.

Go ahead and watch. If you feel you need to explain things to your kids, well that’s what your there for.

Peace
James

 

[Little_Mary]

I like 7th Heaven, too. I LOVE Catherine Hicks, who is also a devout Catholic and devoted to the rosary.

I think shows like that try very hard to keep faith details vague so that pretty much anyone can relate to it. Sometimes they cross the line, but for the most part they try to do that.

For instance, when I watch 7th Heaven, I just pretend it’s a Catholic family and Eric is a Catholic deacon and the only part of the Mass they show is the homily…

Kinda silly I know but…whatever!

The only think I don’t like about 7th Heaven is when Lucy decided to become a minister and the issue of female ministers came up and someone said “Women have been good to religion throughout the ages but religion hasn’t been so good to women”
Give me a break!!

Sorry, I know this thread is about Touched by an Angel, but, again, I think those shows all try to keep it so that anyone can relate to it from their faith view point.