Why is it still okay to bash Catholics?

[marydowney]

recently while looking for books online, I came across and ad for a book that stated, quite plainly, Jesus was gay. I have heard and read similar articles in the past, but this took on new lows. There was no “historical,” or “scolarly,” research and noclaims tosuch. Instead there is a vitriolic, outright pornographic discussion in the book,or play since that’s what it is, on the sexuality of Jesus Christ, after he refused the outrageous sexual advances of Mary Magdeline. The book then goes on to state that the Bleesed Mother was in fact not a virgin, and that only "crazy"people would believe this. This book called Claire Silva,is availableonline for anyone (including children) to see and download. Why is this allowed? If this written about Muslims or Jews, there would be an outcry, and talk of diversity and understanding would ensue. But it is against Catholics and that always seems to be okay, whenther in movies, literature, TV, Catholics are bashed from all angles on issues like gay marriage and pro-life choices, and nobody sees anythng wrong in this. Now, plays like Claire Silva, which starts off with a very graphic depiction of a “gentleman’s club,” is allowed to be published online with no editing or checking. Where are our Civil Rights and why does a place like Lulu.com have the right to publish such vulgar, hateful material with no backlash. These self published books are not available at Barnes and Noble or Amazon where there are standards. This is obvioulsy a rant by an author with no regard for decency or the rights and beliefs oftohers. How do we fight this when it comes at us from all sides, especially in ways that verge on pornographic and downright hate?

 

[StrawberryJam]

Are these books you mention titled fiction?

 

[Dale_M]

This book called Claire Silva,is availableonline for anyone (including children) to see and download. Why is this allowed?

The internet is something of the wild west when it comes to content. Anyone can put up just about any content they want. Because web servers can be located anywhere in the world, and moving a website to another country is easy, it is hard to enforce national laws. Its up to parents to monitor their children’s use of the internet.

But I am curious, are you really advocating for some kind of blasphemy law?

If this written about Muslims or Jews, there would be an outcry, and talk of diversity and understanding would ensue

I highly doubt that. All kinds of vile speech can be found on the web. Again, it is pretty much a lawless environment.

Where are our Civil Rights and why does a place like Lulu.com have the right to publish such vulgar, hateful material with no backlash. These self published books are not available at Barnes and Noble or Amazon where there are standards.

I’m not sure what country you live in, but here in the US we place a very high value on freedom of speech… and that includes the right to say (or publish) things which offend others.

 

[Zundrah]

Catholic bashing is a protestant tradition!
P.S. What did catholic bashing have to do with your OP? The title of this thread and the OP are different. I think the OP is refering to christian bashing? That’s different. That is an athiest tradition.

 

[PadraigPearce]

How do we fight it? I don’t know. People have always had hateful ideas and written hateful things. The only difference is that now people can put their thoughts out there on the internet for free. The internet is pretty much a free for all, and it takes some pretty strong discernment to separate the lies from the truth,.
In his book True Devotion to Mary, St. Louis de Montfort says that as the time for Christ’s return approaches, God will raise up saints who are even greater than the saints of old. If we look around at the world today compared to the world of the early Christians or the middle ages, it’s easy to see what he meant. The early Christians had more physical hardships than we do, but it would probably be difficult for them to imagine the confusion in the world today. It almost takes a saint to be able to sort through the conflicting messages that are thrown at us every day through the entertainment and news media. I guess the only thing we can do is pray for discernment, but in the meantime I just try to tune out the more offensive stuff.

 

[manualman]

For starters, you can fight it by NOT drawing attention to it. That’s what such authors CRAVE.

As for offenses against Islam, don’t you read the news? You can still find those Dutch cartoon that lampoon Mohammed online. You can buy Salmaan Rushdie’s Satanic Verses at a bookstore.

People are sinful and some simply revel in it. This won’t be fixed until judgement day and we aren’t in charge of when that it. In the meantime, put 'em to shame with your own class.

 

[WillieWonka]

recently while looking for books online, I came across and ad for a book that stated, quite plainly, Jesus was gay. I have heard and read similar articles in the past, but this took on new lows. There was no “historical,” or “scolarly,” research and noclaims tosuch. Instead there is a vitriolic, outright pornographic discussion in the book,or play since that’s what it is, on the sexuality of Jesus Christ, after he refused the outrageous sexual advances of Mary Magdeline. The book then goes on to state that the Bleesed Mother was in fact not a virgin, and that only "crazy"people would believe this. This book called Claire Silva,is availableonline for anyone (including children) to see and download. Why is this allowed? If this written about Muslims or Jews, there would be an outcry, and talk of diversity and understanding would ensue. But it is against Catholics and that always seems to be okay, whenther in movies, literature, TV, Catholics are bashed from all angles on issues like gay marriage and pro-life choices, and nobody sees anythng wrong in this. Now, plays like Claire Silva, which starts off with a very graphic depiction of a “gentleman’s club,” is allowed to be published online with no editing or checking. Where are our Civil Rights and why does a place like Lulu.com have the right to publish such vulgar, hateful material with no backlash. These self published books are not available at Barnes and Noble or Amazon where there are standards. This is obvioulsy a rant by an author with no regard for decency or the rights and beliefs oftohers. How do we fight this when it comes at us from all sides, especially in ways that verge on pornographic and downright hate?

This book is allowed because the First Amendment to the US Constitution allows it. It’s the same amendment that protects your right to practice Catholicism.

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

 

[theistgal]

Why is it still okay to bash Catholics?

Perhaps for the same reason(s) it’s still okay to bash non-Catholics, like for example in the Non-Catholic Religions forum, where almost every day there seems to be a new thread bashing atheists, Mormons, Muslims, or Jews - some people just don’t feel comfortable allowing other people to disagree with them.

 

[StrawberryJam]

Why is it still okay to bash Catholics?

Perhaps for the same reason(s) it’s still okay to bash non-Catholics, like for example in the Non-Catholic Religions forum, where almost every day there seems to be a new thread bashing atheists, Mormons, Muslims, or Jews - some people just don’t feel comfortable allowing other people to disagree with them.

Yes indeed.

 

[Drawmack]

recently while looking for books online, I came across and ad for a book that stated, quite plainly, Jesus was gay. I have heard and read similar articles in the past, but this took on new lows. There was no “historical,” or “scolarly,” research and noclaims tosuch. Instead there is a vitriolic, outright pornographic discussion in the book,or play since that’s what it is, on the sexuality of Jesus Christ, after he refused the outrageous sexual advances of Mary Magdeline. The book then goes on to state that the Bleesed Mother was in fact not a virgin, and that only "crazy"people would believe this. This book called Claire Silva,is availableonline for anyone (including children) to see and download. Why is this allowed? If this written about Muslims or Jews, there would be an outcry, and talk of diversity and understanding would ensue. But it is against Catholics and that always seems to be okay, whenther in movies, literature, TV, Catholics are bashed from all angles on issues like gay marriage and pro-life choices, and nobody sees anythng wrong in this. Now, plays like Claire Silva, which starts off with a very graphic depiction of a “gentleman’s club,” is allowed to be published online with no editing or checking. Where are our Civil Rights and why does a place like Lulu.com have the right to publish such vulgar, hateful material with no backlash. These self published books are not available at Barnes and Noble or Amazon where there are standards. This is obvioulsy a rant by an author with no regard for decency or the rights and beliefs oftohers. How do we fight this when it comes at us from all sides, especially in ways that verge on pornographic and downright hate?

It is interesting that you see this as Catholic bashing and not Christian bashing.

 

[LilyM]

It’s OK to bash Catholics because the Church since its inception has been subject to all-out attack by the Devil, which frequently assumes the form of persecutions and outrages against our beliefs such as this one.

As has been pointed out, there is plenty of anti-Muslim and anti-Semitic propaganda freely available out there. I’m sure you can still obtain copies of ‘Mein Kampf’, for example, and I suppose even the highly scurrilous and anti-Semitic ‘Protocols of the Elders of Zion’ for that matter.

Not to mention that Shakespeare’s ‘Merchant of Venice’, which has some extremely anti-Semitic elements to it, is still freely performed. Even though in mitigation it also has the eloquently tolerant speech that begins ‘hath not a Jew eyes?’

 

[Katrn]

This book is allowed because the First Amendment to the US Constitution allows it. It’s the same amendment that protects your right to practice Catholicism.

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

Seem you’re not Catholic…but i do have a reason why Catholics are bashed…it’s because everyone, admit it or not, knows that that the Catholic church is the first and only true church of Christ and there fore more is expected of it…we do one thing wrong and everyone jumps on it, for instance the sex abuse… there are more clergy from other religions that do this but who gets the rap??? of course, the Catholics. Why don’t we have a Jesuse parade… the gays are aloud to do it why not us…oh yeah, we’re bigots for what we believe!

 

[Katrn]

It is interesting that you see this as Catholic bashing and not Christian bashing.

of course…Didn’t you know Catholics aren’t Christians in their eyes? Gee, I wonder who preserved christianity for over 1500 years while they were changing all of the traditions and dogmas of our church? Their God is a pie in the sky asking nothing more than “alter calls”’ and being “led by the holy spirit”…how convinient to get all the warm fuzzy’s with non of the responsibilities!

 

[WillieWonka]

Seem you’re not Catholic…but i do have a reason why Catholics are bashed…it’s because everyone, admit it or not, knows that that the Catholic church is the first and only true church of Christ and there fore more is expected of it…we do one thing wrong and everyone jumps on it, for instance the sex abuse… there are more clergy from other religions that do this but who gets the rap??? of course, the Catholics. Why don’t we have a Jesuse parade… the gays are aloud to do it why not us…oh yeah, we’re bigots for what we believe!

Religious affiliation has no bearig on recognizing the First Amendment protects both the book in question, and the right of Catholics tp practice their religion…

I’d suggest the 4.75 billion people of the world who are not Christian don’t think about Catholicism any more than Catholics think about Hinduism… They would be very surprised to find they consider Catholicism to be the only true Church of Christ. They really don’t care…

Catholics may have whatever parade they choose. Note parish churches regularly have streets reserved for their block parties. If they don’t have parades, it’s because they haven’t chosen to have parades.

Bigots have parades. The KKK does it.

 

[Katrn]

Religious affiliation has no bearig on recognizing the First Amendment protects both the book in question, and the right of Catholics tp practice their religion…

I’d suggest the 4.75 billion people of the world who are not Christian don’t think about Catholicism any more than Catholics think about Hinduism… They would be very surprised to find they consider Catholicism to be the only true Church of Christ. They really don’t care…

Catholics may have whatever parade they choose. Note parish churches regularly have streets reserved for their block parties. If they don’t have parades, it’s because they haven’t chosen to have parades.

Bigots have parades. The KKK does it.

 

[Katrn]

Katrn:
There are no Jesus parades in my neighborhood. Gays want to get married and redefine the word marriage When I say that the Catholic Church is Christ’s church I’m quoting the Bible…maybe a book you don’t have…Why are you on a website that trys to support Catholics if all you want to do is insult them…let me guess, you live in Hillcrest? Anti-Christians want to take God off of money, the supreme court, out of the pledge of allegence and of course out of schools. Well that worked out great, look at Colunbine and Virginia tech…I bet there was no prayers or moments of silence in those schools those fatefull days

 

[WillieWonka]

There are no Jesus parades in my neighborhood. Gays want to get married and redefine the word marriage When I say that the Catholic Church is Christ’s church I’m quoting the Bible…maybe a book you don’t have…Why are you on a website that trys to support Catholics if all you want to do is insult them…let me guess, you live in Hillcrest? Anti-Christians want to take God off of money, the supreme court, out of the pledge of allegence and of course out of schools. Well that worked out great, look at Colunbine and Virginia tech…I bet there was no prayers or moments of silence in those schools those fatefull days

If there are no Jesus parades in your neighborhood, it’s because supporters of Jesus haven’t taken the initiative to organize and produce them. Gays have taken that initiative. That’s whay we see gay pride parades.

 

[Drawmack]

of course…Didn’t you know Catholics aren’t Christians in their eyes? Gee, I wonder who preserved christianity for over 1500 years while they were changing all of the traditions and dogmas of our church? Their God is a pie in the sky asking nothing more than “alter calls”’ and being “led by the holy spirit”…how convinient to get all the warm fuzzy’s with non of the responsibilities!

I just want to make sure I understand something here. It is okay to be rife about Catholic bashing in a play. However, when someone questions that this might be better referred to as Christian bashing than Catholic bashing it is then okay to clearly bash other Christians. Gee, I wonder why people think it’s okay to Catholic bash.

BTW: altar calls and being led by the Holy Spirit are not practiced by all Protestant denominations. These are purely Calvanistic teachings. You might do well to place a little research into what you wish to publicly bash so you can at least speak intelligently on the topic.

 

[mkingdomlvr]

For starters, you can fight it by NOT drawing attention to it. That’s what such authors CRAVE.

As for offenses against Islam, don’t you read the news? You can still find those Dutch cartoon that lampoon Mohammed online. You can buy Salmaan Rushdie’s Satanic Verses at a bookstore.

People are sinful and some simply revel in it. This won’t be fixed until judgement day and we aren’t in charge of when that it. In the meantime, put 'em to shame with your own class.

Exactly-and frankly, the victim attitude doesn’t really fly in the US. We are NOT in any way, shape, manner or form prevented from following our faith as we see fit. Talk to Catholics and other Christians in other countries about how “rough” we have it and they should laugh in your face.

This book is allowed because the First Amendment to the US Constitution allows it. It’s the same amendment that protects your right to practice Catholicism.

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

What that Amendment does NOT do is state that we are free from criticism or disagreement. We can all freely state our opinions, but if others disagree they have the right to do that as well.

 

[buffalo]

The New Anti-Catholicism: The Last Acceptable Prejudice

From Publishers Weekly
The American media, usually painstaking in their efforts to offend members of no racial, religious or gender category, consistently make one major exception-the Roman Catholic Church. So argues Jenkins, professor of history and religion at Penn State and a prolific author whose titles include Pedophiles and Priests and The New Christendom. Though anti-Catholicism arrived with the Pilgrims, only since the 1960s has it been aided by dissenters within the Catholic Church, primarily those who disagree with the church on sexual matters: birth control, feminism, abortion, homosexuality. Citing copious recent examples of anti-Catholicism in public protests, movies, television, publishing, the arts, the news media and academia, Jenkins concludes that offenses against Catholicism, unlike those against, say, Judaism or Islam, are rarely censored and never considered hate crimes. Similarly, historical offenses by Catholics are treated differently from those against Catholics: “If seizing Christian Syria and Palestine by the Muslim sword was acceptable in the seventh century, why was it so atrocious to try to reclaim them with the Christian lance 400 years later?” Jenkins, an Episcopalian, wants evenhanded treatment for all religions, whether through equal respect or equal openness to attack. Liberal Catholics may contend that vigorous dissent helps keep the hierarchy honest; others might argue that the largest American denomination does not need the protections afforded more vulnerable groups. For Jenkins, however, it’s about fairness: “One does not make light of black heroes and martyrs, of AIDS or gay-bashing, yet when dealing with Catholics, no subject is off-limits.”
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.