Catholic Exchange

Robin Williams’ Sick Idea of Humor

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Catholic League

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On Monday night on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, comedian Robin Williams plugged his upcoming movie, License to Wed. In the film, Williams plays a Protestant minister who forces an engaged couple to go through a grueling marriage preparatory course. But last night Williams went off on Catholic priests, painting them all as pedophiles.

Williams pretended to be playing a game where the pedophile is hidden under a cup. "Here we go. Find the priest, find the pedophile. Find the priest, find the pedophile. Here you go right now. Move ‘em around, move ‘em around. Oh, you found the pedophile."

Williams then put his hand over his groin, saying, "You have to realize that if you are a Catholic priest, you have retired this. That's it — no more sex." Then he took a shot at Confession: "But they are going to put you in a small dark box and people are going to tell you the nastiest sexual stuff they have done."

Catholic League president Bill Donohue spoke to this issue today:

"Isaiah Washington lashes out at one gay person in private, and he is banished from Grey's Anatomy. Robin Williams lashes out against all priests in public, and he suffers no consequence. To top it off, Williams suggests that most molesting priests are pedophiles, when in fact they are homosexuals. But to make a joke about gay priests could get him into trouble. So it's better to lie. This is justice — Hollywood style.

"One more thing: in an interview with MoviesOnline, Robin Williams recently said that ‘you can't poke fun at certain religions,' noting that ‘we just made major fun of the Catholic Church but hey, they don't blow you up.' So not only is Williams a bigot and a liar, he's a coward. No wonder he's so well received in Tinseltown."

Comments

  1. Guest Avatar
    Guest

    "…most molesting priests are pedophiles, when in fact they are homosexuals…"

    Is this really the best counter-argument, Mr. Donohue?  

    Heidi Hess Saxton

  2. Guest Avatar
    Guest

    I just saw the ad for his new movie this morning, and I feared something like this.  I am so grateful that Bill Donohue stays on top of these things and challenges them. 

  3. Guest Avatar
    Guest

    Heidi,

    Mr. Donohue's point was not simply that molesting priests are homosexuals. Rather, his point is that since those priests are homosexual, Robin Williams would NEVER dare make fun of them. To do so would enrage the homosexual community. Saying that priests are pedophiles is okay. Saying that gay priests are pedophiles is unthinkable in the media's eye.

    Tim

  4. Guest Avatar
    Guest

    Yes, I got that — and I also understand that there is often a connection between homosexuality and pedophilia. However, they are very different things.

    In his article "A Time for Caution," Deal Hudson states that 35% of all pedophiles are homosexual — a significant percentage, but not even the majority (assuming these percentages are accurate).(http://www.catholicity.com/commentary/hudson/timeforcaution.html)

    Hudson also rightly points out that those with SSA issues can and do live chastely. There would be no reason for the media — or for Mr. Donohue, for that matter — to denounce this group (in this context), since they would not be numbered among the molesters. Priests who do not live chastely (whether gay or straight) present a real but separate problem for the Church. Neither group (practicing homosexuals and pedophiles) is wholly contained in the other. Both need to be weeded out — something the Church has renewed her efforts to do.

    Consequently, Mr. Donohue's objection — while undoubtedly true — is rather beside the point. Frankly, it simply draws attention to the fact that the Church has an even bigger job at hand, by having to weed out prospective clergy who demonstrate either tendency. 

  5. Guest Avatar
    Guest

    Why haven't I read a comment signifying outrage at Robin Williams?  I've read comments criticizing Mr. Donohue's comments but not Williams'.  This proves what Donohue said, there will be no consequences for Williams.  Will we boycott his movies?  speak out to our friends and family about the double standard in hollywood that only certain groups can be openly attacked without consequence?  will we promote pro-life, pro-family films and actors?  or will we simply continue to grumble about the Church's "real problem"  while Robin Williams continues to attack something he simply does not understand?

  6. Guest Avatar
    Guest

    I say we boycot Robin Williams, the tonight show, and NBC. I'm going to the  NBC website and post my concerns there  right now.

  7. Guest Avatar
    Guest

    tmichell480,

    I think that our collective outrage at Robin Williams is assumed. The whole article is the Catholic League voicing our disgust.

  8. Guest Avatar
    Guest

    I think the point is that most molesting priests are NOT pedophiles, they are homosexuals.  In Hollywood, homosexuality is okay, so he can't make fun of anyone for being a homosexual, even a priest.  Therefore, he must accuse them of pedophilia, not homosexuality.  That is the lie, and it was exactly his point, or at least one of them.

     

    Most abusive priests are homosexual even though most men are not.  Apparently homosexual men have a more difficult time living chastely.

     

    Not that there's anything wrong with that.

     

    We all have our weaknesses, but I don't want to be identified by mine even if it is an official-sounding acronym.  A good twelve step program is pray, confess, eucharist, pray, confess, eucharist, pray, confess, eucharist, pray, confess, eucharist…

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