June 21, 2007
Robin Williams shows his Ignorance
Robin Williams attacked the Catholic Church (and all Catholics) Monday night on the Tonight Show. He was pushing his new movie in which he plays a protestant minister and he repeatedly suggested that all priests were pedophiles:
Williams pretended to play a game with Jay Leno where a 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.”
Williams has never been a friend to Christians, but it's unfortunate that he can't see the ignorance of his statement. Catholic children are much more likely to be molested by a public school teacher than by a priest. The statistics are overwhelming, but I guess he is just focused on pushing the sterotype to help his career. What a shame.
The news article notes his recent statement that you can make "major fun of the Catholic Church but hey, they don’t blow you up." That sounds like a great reason to mock the Church.
God bless,
Jay
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Remember kids, it's only okay to be a bigot if it's hilarious...
Posted by: M. Swaim at June 21, 2007 02:51 PMMy heart is broken over this. I was in shock when I saw it on the news. Robin Williams has always been a bit irreverent in his humor, but this crosses the line. I am waiting to see what Jay Leno does about it. Will Robin Williams ever be a guest again?
Posted by: Dorothy at June 23, 2007 02:51 PMI actually used to like him as an actor. Its a shame that he feels that he can take advantage of the Church's charitable nature, but he should remember what happened to Senead O'Connor. I am sure that there will be some backlash.
Posted by: Contra at June 24, 2007 12:08 PMTHE 10 COMMANDMENTS THAT THE CATHOLIC CHURCH ISSUSED ABOUT CAR COURTESY WERE VERY AMUSING.AS OF THIS WEEK THEY ADDED A NEW ONE.THOU SHALT NOT USE A AUTOMOBILE TO TRANSPORT A PEDOPHILE CATHOLIC PRIEST FROM ON PARISH TO ANOTHER.
Posted by: bene-dick at June 29, 2007 03:08 PMWow, Bene. You just violated everything Jesus ever taught on love, charity, and forgiveness. You must be very proud of yourself - those pedophile jokes are so difficult to think up.
God bless,
Jay
I can't decide which part I am more heartbroken about: Robin Williams' comments on the Tonight Show or shoving the blame to public school teachers. Where does it end?
Posted by: Andrea at July 16, 2007 05:13 PMI saw his show which also features the same remarks you find troubling. Well comedians tend to "attack" most holy cows. I think Mr. Williams knows not ALL priests molest children as we all know MOST teachers aren't paedophiles etc. He didnt just comment on christianity so I don't think it's an "attack" at all.
Posted by: John at December 28, 2007 04:22 PMJohn, is it common knowledge that priests are no more likely to molest a child than people from other respectable demographic groups (firefighters, teachers, protestant clergy, boy scout leaders)?
Almost everyone I tell this to in real life seems shocked at the news and doesn't believe. Then they point to the attention the media gives to priestly abuse as evidence that the rates are higher among priests. Though when they actually say it they seem to know their reasoning is weak.
Do you think that Robin Williams knows that children are more likely to be molested by a teacher or boy scout leader than a priest?
Posted by: Burnt Marshwiggle at December 29, 2007 12:07 AMThe Catholic church has known of its pedophile priests for about 1600 years and has hidden it from view. What kind of people do such things? This isn't just bad behavior, this is criminal conduct that ruins people's lives and tears apart families. A church. Hah! It's sickening.
Posted by: Charlie Doe at February 9, 2008 09:20 PM
