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Disney Bans Smoking: Will It Now Ban Catholic Bashing?

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Disney president Robert Iger wrote a letter today to Rep. Edward Markey, chairman of the House Telecommunications & Internet Subcommittee, regarding smoking in its films. Here is an excerpt:

"We discourage depictions of cigarette smoking in Disney, Touchstone and Miramax films. In particular, we expect depictions of cigarette smoking in future Disney branded films will be non-existent."

As a result, Iger also said that Disney "will place an anti-smoking PSA [Public Service Announcement] on DVD's of any future film that does depict smoking. In addition, we will work with theater owners to encourage the exhibition of an anti-smoking PSA before the theatrical exhibition of any such film."

The Catholic League takes note of this development, especially as Disney owns ABC, the network that airs the anti-Catholic show, The View. And under its Miramax label in the past, Disney has given us such anti-Catholic movies as Priest, Dogma, Butcher Boy, 40 Days and 40 Nights, The Magdalene Sisters and Black Christmas.

Catholic League president Bill Donohue said today that it would be refreshing if Iger would issue a similar letter today, only this time targeting anti-Catholicism. He even penned a model for him:

"We discourage depictions of Catholic bashing in Disney, Touchstone and Miramax films. In particular, we expect depictions of Catholic bashing in future Disney branded films will be non-existent. We will place an anti-Catholic bashing PSA on DVD's of any future film that does depict Catholic bashing. In addition, we will work with theater owners to encourage the exhibition of an anti-Catholic bashing PSA before the theatrical exhibition of any such film."

Donohue said that if Iger accedes to his request, there will be no fee for his service.

Comments

  1. Guest Avatar
    Guest

    Bravo, Bill Donohue!  You show what imaginative, self-starting Catholic laity can and should do.

    Such a great example for those to ponder who just sit on their duffs criticizing the hierarchy, individually and collectively, for not doing this or not doing that.

    If such all-knowing, arm-chair generals (as well as the rest of us) would vigorously do their own part as you (Bill Donohue) do, sooner or later, the massive moral potential of the American Catholic Church would glorify our nation.

     

    Peace,

     

    Jakes

  2. Guest Avatar
    Guest

    Amen!  Bill Donohue does a tremendous service to our Church.

  3. Guest Avatar
    Guest

    I encourage anyone who reads this article to take action against anti-Catholicism by reading the article at the following link: http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2007/jul/07072601.html -concerning the Tonight's Show host Jay Leno's constant attacks on the Catholic priesthood and the Church – and writing an e-mail or a letter to both the Tonight Show and the president of nbc.  I've included a copy of the e-mail I wrote below.  Thank you!

    To the Tonight Show producers, writers, and host,

    I want to express my dismay at the numerous negative comments by host Jay Leno against the Catholic Church.  Too many pedophile priest jokes, it is simply NOT funny anymore.  Those writers and audience members who continue to laugh at such vulgar attempts at humor do not know much about the Catholic Church or else they would realize that enough is enough.  The Catholic Church does not condone such behavior in it's members, let alone it's priests.  The absolutely wrong and morally reprehensible actions of several clergy and those in charge of hiding their crimes do not reflect the truth or morality of the Catholic faith.  

    I feel nbc has simply joined the bandwagon of those who think it is the "in" thing to do by criticizing a Church they know nothing about.  If you did know something about the Catholic Church, more than the tragic example set by too many of it's members, you would indeed realize that what you are doing is the true tragedy.  You are setting a poor example for today's youth and really the entire American public by judging an entire way of life based on a tiny percentage of those who claim to be Catholic, but obviously do not live according to actual Church teaching.  

    So you must understand that you do not even have a credible sample to judge the Church as a whole.  And therefore I feel you have taken your attempts at humor too far and have given the American public a false impression of the Catholic Church.  It is a very sad ordeal as too many Americans will simply agree with your complete ignorance of the Catholic Church and never set about exploring the truth of the Catholic faith for themselves.  

    Not that you owe the Catholic Church any favors but I do wish you would stop perpetuating the lies that have evolved from the tragic events surrounding those men who have committed such a horrible crime against both their victims (especially their faith) and the Catholic Church.  Enough damage has already been done, you need not continue to worsen the effects.  

    Thank you for your attention.  

    Unfortunately due to Jay Leno's deplorable conduct and nbc's tolerance of his ignorant comments I, as well as my family and friends, will be boycotting the Tonight's Show and all other nbc shows as well as several of the more popular products advertised during your broadcast.  I doubt this will deter Leno's or nbc's actions, but it is a necessary step for people to take, especially Catholics who indeed practice the true faith espoused by the Church, so that hopefully this sort of biased, often hateful and entirely ignorant commentary will end.

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