Critics slam HBO show that mocked Catholic devotion to Jesus

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Comments: 31

Larry David

New York City, N.Y., Oct 28, 2009 / 10:55 pm (CNA).- Catholic critics have reacted to an HBO show that had a scene showing a painting of Jesus being urinated on and which also mocked Catholic devotion to Jesus. They have questioned an apparent double standard in the treatment of religions and have called for an apology from the show’s producers.

Larry David, creator of the successful sitcom “Seinfeld,” now stars in the Sunday night show “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” a fictional comedy about his life.

In the most recent episode, the elderly David goes to the bathroom in a Catholic home and splatters urine on a painting of Jesus without cleaning it up. A Catholic woman goes to the bathroom, sees the liquid on the picture and believes that Jesus is crying. She calls to her mother, who joins her. They both kneel in prayer.

Bill Donohue, President of the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights, criticized the episode in a statement.

“Was Larry David always this crude? Would he think it's comedic if someone urinated on a picture of his mother?” Donohue said, accusing HBO of only liking to “dump on Catholics.”

“Last night’s episode demonstrates that David’s best years are behind him. He ought to quit while he’s ahead,” he added.

Deal Hudson, editor of InsideCatholic.com, wondered why people are allowed to show such public disrespect for Christian symbols.

“If the same thing was done to a symbol of any other religions -- Jewish or Muslim -- there'd be a huge outcry. It's simply not a level playing field," Hudson told Fox News.

"When is it going to stop? When is common sense going to dictate that people realize this willingness of artists to do to Christianity what they would never do to Judaism or Islam?”

Hudson said that the show’s producers and writers should issue an apology.

Comments: 31

Subscriber comments:

Published by: Bill
Sacramento, CA 11/04/2009 02:56 AM EST

My original thought when I found out what this Davis guy did was where have we gone wrong? Perhaps we have sat by while other's have made slams about all religions. But this terrible thing as others have said has crossed the decency line. Yes I am a Catholic but what he did is an grevious insult to peoples of all faiths. I will be going to a meeting next week where my fraternal brothers will ask me what we should do about this total disregard for decency. Up til now all I can think of is "if you have HBO cancel it". Hit them in the pocket book where it hurts. "Also, complain to your network provider." I am closely watching my provider Dish Network. Should Dish take a stand to support this or ignore the fact that it happened then I say bye bye Dish. It is not too difficult to go back to the antenna especially now that we have digital.

Published by: EDMaruyama
Japan 11/03/2009 02:44 AM EST

Larry David if you are a real artist with decency, you don't act like a cheap and and shameless son of Devil so you better reflect on yourself and see how much you disrespect yourself.For such an act you ought to ask Jesus for forgiveness. One day you will see how bad you have are. You area shame as an artist. HBO who tolerates this is really not worth a penny. Why not spend your money for those who really are in need.

Published by: Brad
Seattle, WA USA 11/02/2009 03:00 PM EST

I agree with Luna's and Greg's comment. "Curb your Enthusiasm" is an equal opportunity hater; there are episodes that mock Judaism and Evengelicalism as well. It makes fun of those insensitive to many issues more than it mocks the things themselves. It is satire. It pushes boundaries that sometimes offend and I agree that if it is offensive, then in prudence one should not watch. But it is not just anti-Catholic, it makes fun of about everything.

Published by: Agnostic
Australia, Sydney 11/01/2009 11:21 AM EST

"Ceci n'est pas une pipe" René Magritte I too am outraged by worldly things, things of man and not of God.

Published by: John
USA 10/30/2009 02:51 PM EST

Yaakov; Why are you reading Catholic news? Are you interested in converting? Or are you trying to influence other Catholics and tell them what and who to believe?

Published by: Francis
Wareham Ma 10/30/2009 01:11 PM EST

Yaakov, sadly you are wrong, I don't belong to the SSPX or any other "traditionalist" Church. I go to the Novus Ordo because that is the Catholic Church I have near me. Yet I know Catholic Dogma, the scriptures, and the Catechism, and I know that the novelties of Vatican II contradict almost 2000 years of Catholic Dogma, which was handed down to us from Our Lord, his apostles, the doctors of the church, the 20 ecumenical counsels before VII and various Popes. If you think that the ADL, the Mossad, and the state of Israel aren't Christophobic, and have not infiltrated and tried to influence the Catholic hierarchy then you are blind!! The ADL called the New Testament an anti semitic book! You know as well as I do that if this was a "Christian" doing this sacrelige to a talmud or any other Jewish symbol there would have been hell to pay!! If anyone preaches the Name of Jesus in the state of Israel they can be arrested...am I wrong about that?? I criticize the Pope and the Vatican II Church when it strays into areas it doesn't belong, and waters down Catholic dogma to appease pagans and other non Catholics which they should be evangelizing and not catering to. Every day when I say the Rosary I pray for the conversion of the Jews and all nonCatholics. You can call me antisemitic all you want, but I will continue to preach the Gospel in its fullness to all, without "fear of the Jews"! John 7:13

Published by: Stephany
Weslaco, TX 10/30/2009 11:40 AM EST

What does it matter that this guy insults another denomination? Is that supposed to mitigate his insult of Our Lord? Sorry, those who think this guy is funny. That's just how the general lack of respect insidiously slithers it s way in and it just gets deeper and deeper. When is enough actually enough? In truth, Jesus would not have found humor in this filth. He went the whole distance to redeem our perverted world. This is just one instance of the ingratitude shown.

Published by: Francis
Wareham Ma 10/29/2009 10:23 PM EST

How much longer is Our Lord going to put up with this filth and sacrilege??! Satan is definitely controlling most of the media and politicians these days with people like David, HBO, the majority of Congress, the courts, our President, and sadly some of our Catholic Bishops and Priests. I really believe that the parousia is not that far off. We still must pray for the consecration of Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary!! These scripture passages come to mind: (Zephaniah 1:14-16) "The great day of the Lord is near, it is near and exceeding swift; the voice of the day of the Lord is bitter, the mighty man shall there meet with tribulation. That day is a day of wrath, a day of tribulation and distress, a day of calamity and misery, a day of darkness and obscurity, a day of clouds and whirlwinds, A day of the trumpet and alarm against the fenced cities, and against the high bulwarks". (Rev 20:11-13) "And I saw a great white throne and one sitting upon it, from whose face the earth and heaven fled away; and there was no place found for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing in the presence of the throne. And the books were opened; and another book was opened, which was the book of life. And the dead were judged by those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead that were in it; and death and hell gave up their dead that were in them. And they were judged, every one according to their works".

Published by: Vincent of Valley Forge
Valley Forge 10/29/2009 10:22 PM EST

Perhaps someone -- right here, in a subsequent comment -- might provide names of HBO advertisers.

Published by: Rob
new york 10/29/2009 10:08 PM EST

At times prayer is not sufficient to put an end to evil happenings. Those of faith have got to take action: Cancel your HBO subscription giving the reasons for your cancelation; get your Bishop to make known their outrage in their respective diocesian newspaper, and urge your pastor/priest make use of their feelings in the church bulletins.

Published by: njbartolini@hotmail.com
dunedin, fl 10/29/2009 06:23 PM EST

A list of the those companies that support these shows with their advertising dollars should be made public. Personally I refuse to watch trash but given correct information I will make the phone calls andwrite e-mails to Corporate Headquarters. Either they pull their support or I pull mine from their product. I scream louder when I am a Share Holder of such a company. WE ALL NEED TO CALL & WRITE AS INDIVIDUALS!

Published by: dave cumming
iva/sc/usa 10/29/2009 01:47 PM EST

Bill has been pointing out this stuff for years. Until bishops and pastors point out in letters to parishioners that boycotting sponsors is the best response to the televermin nothing will improve."Resistance to evil is obedience to God".

Published by: Yaakov
Jerusalem, Israel 10/29/2009 01:42 PM EST

As a member of the Jewish faith, I find Larry David's humor tasteless and disgusting. It is wrong for any faith to urinate on something sacred to anyone be it a picture of Jesus, or a Koran. I will say however that people like Francis use these events to blame the entire Jewish people for the faults of one or two people. Should I blame the entire Catholic Church for giving us Pro-Choice politicians like Nancy Pelosi, Joe Biden, or John Kerry? No, the actions of a few rogue Catholics do not mean that the entire Church is to blame. Likewise, I would advise all to be cautious of the likes of people like "Francis" to ensure that we do not condemn all Jews becuase of Larry David. Francis has shown through numerous posts on the website that his agenda is one of Antisemitic diatribe and hate for anyone who isn't SSPX. Excuse me Francis, but your hatred for Jews is almost as bad as your hatred for your own Pope. I respect and love Pope Benedict more than you do. I would encourage others to read Francis' numerous rants against the Pope and the current Church hierarchy in other posts. By their "actions" ye shall know them.

Published by: Manuel Morales
Chicago, IL U.S.A. 10/29/2009 01:25 PM EST

Where Larry David written something to insult Muslims, he'd be death. We, as Catholics, pray for him and his soul.

Published by: Hector
houston, Tx 10/29/2009 01:01 PM EST

Cancel your hbo subcription and send them a letter telling them why you cancelled. Thease people only respond to money so they dont care if you get mad unless you affect thier profits. Join and support the Catholic league. Bill does great work defending our Faith.

Published by: Seamus
sun city center, fl, usa 10/29/2009 11:58 AM EST

The entertainment establishment simply smiles and say: Its just another Jewish boy from Brooklyn, getting his digs-in against the Catholics. Proof that liberal American Jewry is and always has been anti-Catholic

Published by: Jeff
NY 10/29/2009 10:28 AM EST

Enough is enough. When is the Christian community finally going to put their foot down. This type of act would not have be done, nor tolerated, by Jews, Muslims, Blacks or Gays. A concerted effort needs to be brought down upon HBO, their advertising supporters and affiliates.

Published by: Tomassotucson
Tucson, AZ. USA 10/29/2009 10:27 AM EST

What do our bishop's have to say about this? I'm waiting....

Published by: Luna
Austin texas, usa 10/29/2009 10:21 AM EST

Curb is a great show. My wife and i as well as our family and family history are Catholics and i saw nothing offensive on the show. It's apparent that not all of you have watched the show but Larry David has made fun of his own Jewish religion on multiple occasions as well as the Gay community, Handicapped, Orthodox Jews, Little People, Children, African Americans and himself. Larry's wife on the show Cheryl is Christian and the topic of Jesus has come up multiple times as we all know Jesus was Jewish. The episode was hilarious not the best of the season but very good and a little dark nonetheless. Larry didn't mean to urinate on the picture as it was an accident. This was more to make fun of people who see Jesus in a sandwich and the like not Catholics. This is a great show with more great episodes to come.

Published by: Ida Turner
St. Louis, Mo. USA 10/29/2009 09:20 AM EST

I have watch each one of these shows on HBO. The one with this scene was not only an insult to Catholic's but to any beliver in "Jesus Christ". I find the location of the picture of Christ over a commode was intentionally design to bring about the results, with any imagination. I liked the enough to record it to watch, however, that was the last one that I cared to see. Shame on you Larry David and Shame on HBO.

Published by: Rosemarie Cameron
San Antonio, Texas, USA 10/29/2009 08:58 AM EST

Mr. Larry David obviously has no understanding or respect for the sacred. Since Christ is the very meaning of my life, what Mr. David did was deeply, deeply shocking and degrading not only to me, but to his own person in that he showed such lack of esteem for himself, allowing something so private and essential to human life as going to the bathroom to be mocked and degrade a revered, sacred image. One day he will meet the One whose image he mocked --- may Mr. Davis realize how vile his behavior was and ask pardon before that day arrives. He has my sorrow, my anguish over his foolishness, and my prayers.

Published by: DLL
scituate Mass 10/29/2009 08:51 AM EST

HBO is a disgusting network,it is all for profit and it shows by the content of some of it's worst forms of programing,that it could care less for discretion in the content of all of it's programs. I have seen some things on HBO that I would hope children wouldn't see. Sex and vileness are commonplace,as is the desire to degrade Catholics especially. The devil is the demon of the airways. TV executives are the devils executers.

Published by: Greg Bullough
Doylestown PA 10/29/2009 08:26 AM EST

Donohue obviously is not a follower of "Curb." If he were, he'd see that David has done send-ups of the devotional practices and sensibilities of his own Jewish religion as well. The point of the episode is that some people are terrible, others foolish.

Published by: Stephany
Weslaco, TX 10/29/2009 08:13 AM EST

Why not use the newly signed "hate crimes" law and press charges? We are offended and that is equally important to offenses suffered by gay people when they are "bashed". I think the hate crimes law should apply here. I'm tired of hearing the "If the same thing...". Nothing happens because we never get past the "if the same thing" comment. Take action and fight fire with fire. If Al Sharpton can get things stopped and people fired, what's to say we can't? As Church Militant, sometimes I think we are a bunch of wimps, wringing hands while the devil does a dance around us and thumbs his nose. Perhaps it's time to kick his butt!

Published by: Mary
Fort Worth, Texas USA 10/29/2009 08:02 AM EST

This is tolerated because Christians have been taught to turn the other cheek. We must pray that people who disrespect our faith will come to see the truth: Jesus Christ. Nothing surprises me anymore. Our world has been turned upside down: Good is evil; evil is good according to the secular culture. I am totally disappointed in Larry David; he used to write and produce good stuff; not anymore.

Published by: Concerned Catholic
Boston MA 10/29/2009 08:00 AM EST

I am in whole hearted agreement. We have sometimes taken the Lord's command to "turn the other cheek" a little too far. We look the other way while others freely trample down, mock and ridicule and we silently look the other way. It has to be stopped. We need to stand up form what we hold dear and not allow others to get away with such trash. I hope an apology and more is coming.

Published by: Fenton
Cour d'Elene, Idaho 10/29/2009 07:14 AM EST

Jesus should be crying at what our nation (and HIS people) have become. Pray. Pray. Pray.

Published by: Marian Marr
Ocala, Florida 10/29/2009 06:55 AM EST

Money talks, so all good Christians can cancel their HBO account due to this outrage.

Published by: Michael Mateyk
Toronto 10/29/2009 06:52 AM EST

The double standard does exist. But only because we as Catholics allow it. If we stand up like the our Jewish and Muslim friends then things like this will stop. We as Catholics are part of the last organization fighting against complete domination of the world by evil. That is why we are attacked so much. We aren't perfect, but at least our bishops are always out there challenging the wrongs they see. Well...it is time for us the laity to do the same. Or we may as well pack it up.

Published by: KansasGirl
Kansas City USA 10/29/2009 06:20 AM EST

Forgive them Father, for they know not what they do.

Published by: Trisha
Dallas, TX, USA 10/28/2009 11:59 PM EST

Our family will NEVER purchase channels or any other product involved with HBO. We love comedies... of all kinds; HOWEVER, there are some lines that you just should NOT cross and the afore-mentioned "sitcom" has not only crossed that line, but buried it with FILTH. There will be a day when we are ALL held accountable for how we lived & served God. I know that I am not near where I should be as a servant of God; However, I would not want to be someone who placed a representation of the Creator and Lord of ALL in the situation you (HBO) have. We will pray for you and the others in the company who are so obviously lost.

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