Nana buying grandson South Park for Christmas?

[kamz]

If it was my grandchild asking fot that gift I would just not get it, I would ask what other things they would like and if they don’t give me another option then I would pick them something I deem to be suitable. If I’m buying the gift with my money, I do have the right to feel comfortable with a gift that I am giving, I would never give something as trashy as South Park, it is just bad and the language is not o.k. for any age in my opinion.

I’m an adult and I feel South Park is like watching a dirty movie, I would feel shameful watching it, let alone my children, and I would never give it as a gift.

But, thats just me.

 

[LSK]

What is with parents and grandparents buying exactly what is on the children’s lists without first seeing whether or not it is suitable?

My MIL came over today so my husband could help her order DVDs for different family members for Christmas. She was reading the list to me and she is getting my 16 year old nephew South Park for Christmas:bigyikes: . because that is what his mother (my SIL) told her he wanted for Christmas.

This would never have gone down in my family growing up. I remember my Dad returning a gift from my grandfather because he felt it was inappropriate.

I think it is giving approval of this type of material. After all, if Nana gets it for him, what could be wrong with it?

I just want to know what is going on with some people that they do not seem to be holding any standards up anymore for what goes into the mind as well as the body.

What do you guys think?

Honestly? My thought is your MIL is upholding the standards set by your SIL…unfortunately those standards are pretty low.

So, I guess we need to really really pray for them. I remember finding out my TEN year old nephew was watching that show and asking my brother point-blank what he was thinking by allowing that to go on. He had not been aware…and put the brakes on that big-time. That little boy is now 17 and a wonderful young man (but a lousy driver - but that is another story) trying to hold fast to Christian ideals in a secular world.

I think parents today who are trying to bring up their children with real values are heroic…

 

[wjp984]

I first found out about in the 8th grade when everyone else was talking about it so I started watching it. I think the Oh Holy Night Cartman special when he gets shocked every time he gets the words wrong was my first exposure to it at a Christmas party. My parents could care less what I watch nor my grandparents but my aunt found out about that show and would come over my grandpa’s house when I was there and prevent me from watching it. (What she didn’t know is that the show repeated at midnight ). The best part was the controvercy at my Catholic grade school. The principal and vice principal thought it was terrible the way we all had South Park stuff and were talking about the show so they warned all the parents. Ya, like that did any good. Then for our yearbook they refused to print it since we listed South Park as our favorite show so we had to change it.

 

[Catholic90]

Well, for those who inquired, I’m in my 40s and teach 5th grade.

Let me say my kids are EXTREMELY grounded in their faith. They are probably some of the most dedicated volunteers, participants, and leaders at our parish (following in our footsteps, I might humbly add). My DH and I view this somewhat irreverent watching to be a release, satire, and funny. Yes, some of it does go overboard, and we talk about it with the kids. SP does poke fun at EVERYONE. Family Guy is better.

As my 13 YO said, “Who takes their beliefs from a TV show anyway?” (I’m paraphrasing, but that was the basic gist of the comment).

We certainly don’t take the views of SP or FG seriously, but it is funny to us and way to unwind, have a good laugh (usually), and relax. If we can’t laugh at ourselves (yes, as Catholics, too, occassionly) then we are taking life way too seriously.

I’m sure Jesus laughed now and again.

 

[stayathomemom]

You’re comfortable sitting there with your kids while these kids who are supposed to be in third grade use the most foul language and often make jokes about one of the characters mother being a whore?

Here’s a lovely example of an episode

The episode was aired on December 7, 2005, which is the eve of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, a Catholic observance related specifically to the Virgin Mary. The Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights condemned this episode for its treatment of the Virgin Mary…

Randy, who Stan describes as a “hypochondriac,” then begins to, ironically, drink more, since he has decided that he is in fact powerless to control it and cannot stop. Around this time, a statue of the Virgin Mary begins to bleed – out of her anus – and people begin to flock around it to find a cure for their diseases. Randy believes it can heal him of his disease…The new PopeBenedict XVI comes to investigate, and discovers that the blood is not actually coming from the statue’s anus – but her vagina. Since “chicks bleed out their vaginas all the time,” this is no miracle, and Randy, realizing this, suddenly realizes God did not heal him.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bloody_Mary_(South_Park

That is sick and unbelievable!

 

[rayne89]

Well, for those who inquired, I’m in my 40s and teach 5th grade.

Add that to the list of one more reasons why I homeschool.

Very grounded in their faith? My 11 year old would beyond disgusted at the immorality of this show. Degrading the mother of God is funny? By sitting there and laughing along with your kids you’re saying it’s ok for people to treat the Blessed Mother this way.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_South_Park_episodes
Here’s a sample of some episodes

Cartman’s Mom Is Still a Dirty Slut

**Two Guys Naked in a Hot Tub **(Stan must go to a meteor shower party with his parents; Randy feels uncomfortable after he and Gerald watch each other masturbate in a hot tub.)

4th Grade (The boys enter fourth grade, where they have a new teacher, Ms. Choksondik; Mr. Garrison finally faces the fact that he is homosexual.)

Red Hot Catholic Love (Father Maxi travels to the Vatican to discuss molestation; the parents become atheists. Cartman poops out of his mouth.)

**Mr. Garrison’s Fancy New Vagina **(Mr. Garrison goes to great lengths to get what he wants; a sex change.)

**Bloody Mary **(Randy’s drinking problem reaches its peak. A Virgin Mary statue in a neighboring town begins to bleed from its anus.)

**Miss Teacher Bangs a Boy **(A South Park Elementary School teacher has an affair with Ike. Cartman becomes a hall monitor.)

Some how I just don’t think Jesus is laughing.

 

[rayne89]

Some character descriptions from South Park
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southpark

Mr. Garrison Mr. Garrison is the boys’ 4th grade teacher (previously their 3rd grade teacher). Mr. Garrison will often teach in the early seasons about irrelevant material that has nothing to do what the kids are supposed to be learning, such as television soaps as “Days of our lives”. In early seasons he was a a raging masculist, accompanied by his hand puppet Mr. Hat and Mr. Twigg, who turned out to be gay and got together with his “Life Partner” Mr. Slave. In the 9th season, Mr. Garrison underwent a sex-change operation to become Ms. Garrison, leading to his breakup with Mr. Slave, who is gay and not interested in women.

God, has made an appearance in several episodes and is a furry, midget creature with a long tail. Although a four-legged hippo-rodent, he often stands on his hind legs. God also has a reptilian tongue that shoots out in short bursts used to catch and eat flies, like that of a frog. Although arch-enemies, Satan often comes to God for advice since the two have a friendly relationship. Satan is also the much bigger and physically stronger of the two. On the show, God is a Buddhist.

Jesus, who owned a home and hosted a public-access television talk show in South Park called Jesus and Pals. Jesus often poorly tried to trick everyone into thinking he had powers, such as by telling Stan to keep his eyes closed while he flies on Jesus to another location. The two are actually on a plane ride and Jesus is reading the newspaper. He was killed in Red Sleigh Down, and has not been in any subsequent episode.

Satan, who has cow legs, horns, and somewhat of a large, dark red, and muscular human body, has been romantically connected to Saddam Hussein, and a sensitive 90’s guy named Chris. Satan is sweet, sensitive, and loves to party with his friends. He sometimes behaves like a child who always has to get his way however, such as when he demands to wear his ogre friend’s Britney Spears costume and have a cake in the shape of a Ferrari for his birthday party.

Moses, a giant glowing dreidel who appears exactly as the Master Control Program (MCP) does in the Disney film Tron and demands pictures made of macaroni glued to paper plates from his faithful

 

[kamz]

Add that to the list of one more reasons why I homeschool.

Very grounded in their faith? My 11 year old would beyond disgusted at the immorality of this show. Degrading the mother of God is funny? By sitting there and laughing along with your kids you’re saying it’s ok for people to treat the Blessed Mother this way.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_South_Park_episodes
Here’s a sample of some episodes

Excellent Post, thank you so much rayne89, I am absolutely disgusted that this show is even on t.v., it should be in the video store in the “dirty” section because in my opinion it is “dirty”
The episode you described about the Virgin Mother bleeding and the making fun of her… I am so angry… that is just so sick… sick…sick… why… why would anyone who claims to be a Christian let alone a Catholic Christian, watch this Trash?

Some how I just don’t think Jesus is laughing.

 

[Catholic90]

Add that to the list of one more reasons why I homeschool.

Very grounded in their faith? My 11 year old would beyond disgusted at the immorality of this show. Degrading the mother of God is funny? By sitting there and laughing along with your kids you’re saying it’s ok for people to treat the Blessed Mother this way.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_South_Park_episodes
Here’s a sample of some episodes

That’s fine for your son, then.

I won’t tell you how to raise yours, and you won’t tell me how to raise mine!

---

No, we are NOT saying that. Just because something is funny and we laugh does NOT mean we approve of it. I realize it is a fine line, but it is there. If you met our entire extended family, you would find that we are LOUD, FUNNY, LAUGH frequently, are PASSIONATE, are VIBRANT, are a little TWISTED, and extremely Catholic and rooted in our belief and our faith. But none of us would ever be considered “pious”. My oldest is currently at church as we speak and is training to lead (yes LEAD) a junior weekend retreat in January. As I dropped my oldest off, I picked up my youngest, who voluntarily attends a weekly religous ed program that is not required, because he attends Catholic school. He just likes it so much, he WANTS to go every week.

Yes, I guess my kids are just a bunch of trouble makers.

Some how I just don’t think Jesus is laughing.

Maybe, maybe not. If his mom is like my MIL, she is laughing at the absurdity of it. We all poke fun IN FUN, and we all understand that. Our family gatherings (about 1 a month with holidays and birthday celebrations) are a hoot. No one EVER misses one.(out of nearly 20 attendees).

 

[wjp984]

In Catholic 90’s defense, our priest admitted that he watches the show and can laugh and look past the bad parts. However, this priest also doesn’t think the Sunday obligation is a big deal to miss and said it is not a sin. He also doesn’t think any of the sexual sins are mortal and he therfore thinks everyone should receive communion no matter what. But he does think watching South Park is alright and if he thinks it is alright it must be.

 

[Catholic90]

In Catholic 90’s defense, our priest admitted that he watches the show and can laugh and look past the bad parts. However, this priest also doesn’t think the Sunday obligation is a big deal to miss and said it is not a sin. He also doesn’t think any of the sexual sins are mortal and he therfore thinks everyone should receive communion no matter what. But he does think watching South Park is alright and if he thinks it is alright it must be.

Well, we take our Sunday obligation seriously. My kids know about mortal sins. They must be properly disposed to receive. They go to confession regularly (their school offers it regularly, so they can and do go during the school week).

I don’t see what that priest and we have in common (other than our comedy tastes).

People are so uptight, it’s almost laughable!

 

[Catholic90]

In Catholic 90’s defense, our priest admitted that he watches the show and can laugh and look past the bad parts. However, this priest also doesn’t think the Sunday obligation is a big deal to miss and said it is not a sin. He also doesn’t think any of the sexual sins are mortal and he therfore thinks everyone should receive communion no matter what. But he does think watching South Park is alright and if he thinks it is alright it must be.

Well, we take our Sunday obligation seriously. My kids know about mortal sins. They must be properly disposed to receive. They go to confession regularly (their school offers it regularly, so they can and do go during the school week).

I don’t see what that priest and we have in common (other than our comedy tastes).

People are so uptight, it’s almost laughable!

 

[rayne89]

People are so uptight, it’s almost laughable!

Bishops’ prez joins condemnation of 'tasteless’ South Park episode
12/19/2005
The president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops decried a recent episode of South Park as “tasteless and ugly” reflecting “extreme insensitivity” in a letter to the co-president and chief operating officer of Viacom International which operates Comedy Center.The Dec. 7 episode, entitled “Bloody Mary,” revolves around a town’s discovery that a statue of the virgin Mary has begun bleeding. The event is dubbed a miracle and the people flock to see the statue, including Pope Benedict XVI, who concludes that the statue is simply menstruating…
Viacom board member Joseph Califano Jr., a Catholic, also condemned the episode Dec. 9, after viewing it.“I found it an appalling and disgusting portrayal of the virgin Mary. It is particularly troubling to me as a Roman Catholic that the segment has run on the eve and day of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, a holy day for Roman Catholics,” Califano said in a statement.

catholic.org/national/national_story.php?id=18034

Blasphemy is directly opposed to the second commandment. It consists in uttering against God - inwardly or outwardly - words of hatred, reproach, or defiance; in speaking ill of God; in failing in respect toward him in one’s speech; in misusing God’s name. St. James condemns those "who blaspheme that honorable name [of Jesus] by which you are called."78 The prohibition of blasphemy extends to language against Christ’s Church, the saints, and sacred things. It is also blasphemous to make use of God’s name to cover up criminal practices, to reduce peoples to servitude, to torture persons or put them to death. The misuse of God’s name to commit a crime can provoke others to repudiate religion.

Blasphemy is contrary to the respect due God and his holy name. It is in itself a grave sin.79
Catechism of the Catholic Church

 

[BrooklynBoy200]

I personally don’t see anything wrong with getting South Park for a 16 year old. I’m only 15 and i watch it all the time. Granted, sometimes they take it too far, but most of the time it’s just fart jokes and the like.

 

[rayne89]

**2496 **The means of social communication (especially the mass media) can give rise to a certain passivity among users, making them less than vigilant consumers of what is said or shown. Users should practice moderation and discipline in their approach to the mass media. They will want to form enlightened and correct consciences the more easily to resist unwholesome influences.
CCC

**2525 **Christian purity requires a purification of the social climate. It requires of the communications media that their presentations show concern for respect and restraint. Purity of heart brings freedom from widespread eroticism and avoids entertainment inclined to voyeurism and illusion.
CCC

 

[Catholic90]

Well, we’ll have to agree to disagree on what I will let my kids watch!

Yes, some of the episodes are tasteless. Some go over the top. Some are funny.

To each his own!

Have a great night. I have to finish work and go to bed now.

 

[rayne89]

Goodnight

 

[Debbie]

In Catholic 90’s defense, our priest admitted that he watches the show and can laugh and look past the bad parts. However, this priest also doesn’t think the Sunday obligation is a big deal to miss and said it is not a sin. He also doesn’t think any of the sexual sins are mortal and he therfore thinks everyone should receive communion no matter what. But he does think watching South Park is alright and if he thinks it is alright it must be.

Are you serious ?

 

[Ianjo99]

I’ve watched South Park since I was like 11 or 12. Many times it provides a good laugh and a satirical view on current issues.

I second the notion that some people are rather uptight about relatively minor issues. Yes, many times there are a few jabs at Catholicism, but the point is they make fun of everyone and everything. They try to show the lighter side of serious issues.

Like someone said, Jesus had a sense of humor. Even when they take it to the extreme (the “bloody mary” episode), it’s meant as a joke, not a hardcore condemnation of the Catholic Church.

 

[wjp984]

Are you serious ?

every word of it. I miss the old priest who got transfered this year.