Comic Kathy Griffin uses Emmy acceptance speech to blaspheme

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Comic Kathy Griffin

Hollywood, Calif., Sep 12, 2007 / 09:37 am (CNA).- The Emmy’s are usually an opportunity for performers to thank all of those who helped them deliver their award-worthy performances. Many stars thank God for their abilities, but comedian Kathy Griffin decided that she would prove that she has no fear of God by blaspheming Jesus in her acceptance speech.

Griffin made her inflammatory comments on Saturday night as she took the stage of the Shrine Auditorium to collect her Emmy for the best reality program for her Bravo channel show "My Life on the D-List."

"A lot of people come up here and thank Jesus for this award. I want you to know that no one had less to do with this award than Jesus," an exuberant Griffin said, holding up her statuette. "Suck it, Jesus. This award is my god now."

Kathy Griffin was asked by the L.A. Times backstage about her anti-Christian speech. Without any sign of remorse, she said, “I hope I offended some people. I didn't want to win the Emmy for nothing.”

Bill Donahue of the Catholic League pointed out how a double standard is being applied when it comes to anti-Christian speech. “It is sure bet that if Griffin had said, ‘Suck it, Muhammad,’ there would have been a very different reaction from the crowd [which laughed at Griffin’s comments] and from the media who covered this event. To say nothing of the Muslim reaction.”

Griffin's comments also upset her former Suddenly Susan co-star Sherri Shepherd, who is also a stand-up comic. Appearing on the TV show The View on yesterday morning, Shepherd raged, "I love Kathy but I was trying to text her, 'Girl, you know you ain't supposed to be saying no mess like that.' "There's just a line that you shouldn't cross, there's a reverence for God that we should have."

Nevertheless Griffin seemed unabashed. In a statement issued by her publicist she said: "Am I the only Catholic left with a sense of humor?" Strangely, the comic also describes herself as a militant atheist.

In response to calls by the Catholic League for the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences to censor Griffin's acceptance speech, her taped comments will be heavily edited before it airs on cable television's E! Entertainment Network this coming Saturday, the night before the live Fox network broadcast of the main Primetime Emmy Awards.

Comments: 12

Subscriber comments:

Published by: Jean
Chicago 02/22/2009 01:17 AM EST

I actually went to high school with Kathy and was in a play with her. She's a good Irish Catholic girl, though she always had a wacky sense of humor. I think she was just foolin' around. Didn't like the "suck it" comment, but I don't think she meant to blaspheme the Lord. She's just jokin'

Published by: T.Lawrence
San Antonio, Texas USA 02/21/2009 11:04 PM EST

My heart is deeply sorry for Kathy, for her comments are deeply offensive and create deep sadness for anyone who has had an experience of the person of Jesus. His gentleness and love never demands publicity, though He does hope for at least some measure of respect and acceptance. If He has never offended her, why would she wish to offend Him... if she has no belief in Him, why would she even speak of Him? May her heart one day discover the love the Good Shepherd longs to carry her in. She has my prayers and my sorrow at her angry heart.

Published by: Elaine
Texas 10/04/2007 04:36 PM EST

We should be offended, it may not be our place to censor someones's views, but celebraties are role models to our children, and what they see on TV is what they think is alright. We have too many people wanting to do away with anything that resembles religion - but not enough Christians that stand up for what they believe. I will pray for Kathy G.

Published by: Celia Stone
Farmville, NC USA 09/21/2007 10:46 AM EST

News Flash! As Christians, we are ALL hypocrites! Of course we will never live up to the holiness that we hopefully desire. That does not mean that we never differentiate between good and sinful behavior. There is NO denomination which is free from skeletons in the closet. I'm not even Catholic but I dare say the Catholic Church is trying to move in the right direction. When did our society become filled with so many people who think that one of the biggest no-no's is to say that there are bad actions or that a certain behavior is wrong. When did the word "censor" come up? People have the right to say what they want. Don Imus said what he wanted to say. Were there consequences? Yes! I think that Christians are simply saying that we want a more even playing field. The media should not feel free to turn a blind eye to insults against Christians but create a frenzy against insults to Muslims.

Published by: patricia langdon
everett, WA 09/21/2007 08:37 AM EST

I don't see blaspheming, she only said Jesus had nothing to do woth it, and added a sarcastic "this award is my god now"...lighten up, already...

Published by: Rick
westport, connecticut 09/20/2007 12:26 PM EST

She hates herself deep down.

Published by: John
California 09/17/2007 08:14 PM EST

I have to say, a group of Catholics sitting around and trying to play the moral high ground is disturbingly hypocritical. I think we have some internal housecleaning that needs to take place before we start worrying about "militant atheists" saying blasphemous things among people who also have already left the church behind.

Published by: John
St.Louis Missouri 09/17/2007 06:10 PM EST

I am not offended by the comment. It is not our place to censor someone's views. We must live our life as an example and allow others to turn to the Lord by their own decision, not by us dictating what they should believe or revere. "Let he without sin throw the first stone." Remember, the bible is meant as a map of life for all mankind, but only after you have chosen to follow the lord. Preaching his word is not living his word. Should we not worry more about the "devoted" catholics who aren't living as Jesus guided. These are the people that should truly be put in the spotlight. Something to think about.

Published by: v golding
nys usa 09/13/2007 02:26 AM EST

This is a very sad state of affairs to have a celebrity blaspheme our Lord - and a Catholic - but not a practicing Catholic or she would not have said such words and offended our Lord God. It is very sad because alot of young people also watch these awards and types of shows and
there are supposed to be role models for the young and our country is in a state of enough
problems and immorality and our Lord God being left out
and schools closing - Catholic schools. I really am hoping that the Catholic league stands up and does not let Kathy's acceptance speech and taped commens go on the sat. night for the fox network. I hope taht the primetime Emmy Awards - selects some speakers who are Catholic and Christians to
give a speech geared to our young people toward moral issues and
giving them encourage ment to stand up for rights and also for parents to stand up for censorship too. Other countries see this on their tv's and they are saying things about Americans -- and now they will say even more. I believe hopefully and pray that the Holy Spirit comes out in Kathy and that she gives a statement of apology to members of our Catholic faith and religious and also Christians and to the public and - in other words - those were statements wherein the devil entered in and words came out of her mouth that to me were not words of thanks - we are made in the Image of God and in his likeness and receive our gifts from Him and through His help we should use them for the good.vag

Published by: Sheila Olivieri
Margate FL USA 09/12/2007 09:09 PM EST

I really feel sorry for Kathy. One day she will face Our Lord and wonder why she will not be invited to eternal life. God have mercy on her soul as she knows not what she is losing.

Published by: Mary
Fort Worth, TX USA 09/12/2007 12:58 PM EST

Ms. Griffin claims to be a Catholic; even a fallen away Catholic would not say such horrible things. Perhaps her intent was to shock people and gain more publicity for herself. I just wished that incidents like this would not even make the news or be repeated. They are not worth the ink to print it!

Published by: Rosalinda Lozano
Denver Colorado 09/12/2007 12:48 PM EST

Kathy G is in my prayers. She is obviously selling her soul to the devil and trying to write it off as "comedy." God forgive her for she knows not what she has done...

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