ABC and the bible - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

absorbentishe · 10-07-2003, 11:24 AM

I got this in an e-mail yesterday. Don't know where to put it? So, what do you all think?

Subject: A Letter to ABC-TV

If more of us took a stand maybe we could have some decent TV programs..

-- Jim Neugent is a coach in Childress, Texas.
Jim writes:
My name is Jim Neugent. I wrote to ABC (on-line) concerning a
program called "THE PRACTICE." In last nights episode, one of
the lawyer's mothers decided she is gay and wanted her son to go
to court and help her get a marriage license so she could marry
her 'partner.' ! I sent the following letter to ABC yesterday and
really did not expect a reply, but I did get one.

My original message was:
ABC is obsessed (or should I say abscessed) with the subject of
homosexuality. I will no longer watch any of your attempts to
convince the world that homosexuality is OK. THE PRACTICE
can be a fairly good show, but last night's program was so typical
of your agenda. You picked the 'dufus' of the office to be the one
who was against the idea of his mother being gay and made him
look like a whiner because he had convictions. This type of mentality calls people like me a "gay basher." Read the first chapter of Romans (that's in the Bible) and see what the apostle Paul had to say about it.... He, God and Jesus were all 'gay
bashers'. What if she'd fallen in love with her cocker spaniel? Is that an alternative lifestyle? (By the way, the Bible speaks against that, too.)
--Jim Neugent

Here is ABC's reply from the ABC on-line webmaster:

How about getting your nose out of the Bible (which is ONLY a book of stories compiled by MANY different writers hundreds of years ago) and read the declaration of independence (what our nation is built on), where it says "All Men are Created equal," and try treating them that way for a change! Or better yet, try thinking for yourself and stop using an archaic book of stories as your lame crutch for your existence. You are in minority in this country and your boycott will not affect us or our freedom of statement.

Jim Neugent's second response to ABC:
Thanks for your reply. From your harsh reply, evidently I hit a nerve. I will share it with all with whom I come in contact. Hopefully,the Arkansas Democrat Newspaper will include it in one of their columns and I will be praying for you.
- -Jim Neugent

Note: Wouldn't Satan just love it if people stopped using the Bible
for a crutch? Please resend this to everyone in your mailbox..
-- Thanks, Jim Neugent

I wonder if the person from ABC considered how many people would read this e-mail! This is one we should definitely pass on.

lurkette · 10-07-2003, 11:48 AM

The guy's entitled to his opinion about the TV show, and the employee was out of line.

Did you have a comment about this yourself, or are you just looking to start another "homosexuality is an abomination/homosexuality is all right by me" flamewar...er..debate?

FYI, Snopes has an interesting page about this one, which happens to be true:

http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/outrage/practice.htm

absorbentishe · 10-07-2003, 02:01 PM

Sorry, my comment would basically be.... The idiot from NBC (probably not an NBC employee) that wrote the retort. That person should have just limited what they wrote in return, and seems it's more their attitude than the network.

TheKak · 10-07-2003, 02:53 PM

I agree with the webmaster.

filtherton · 10-07-2003, 04:15 PM

It is obviously not the network's reply, because the network would have just said a bunch of vague apologetic stuff without really saying anything at all.

I agree with the webmaster, although there is really no way to say what he said without offending "good" christians. I think if you're reasonable, though, you realize that not everything is required to fit in with your personal beliefs.

Lebell · 10-07-2003, 04:18 PM

I agree with the sentiment, but I would require some proof before I believe that an employee of ABC would be that stupid.

The_Dude · 10-07-2003, 04:40 PM

why is this thread titled NBC?

phukraut · 10-07-2003, 04:55 PM

i always get upset when someone says they'll pray for me. thx but no thx, i can straighten out my own life.

lurkette · 10-07-2003, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Lebell
I agree with the sentiment, but I would require some proof before I believe that an employee of ABC would be that stupid.

Check out the Snopes link in my post above - they've verified it.

absorbentishe · 10-07-2003, 07:56 PM

It's titled NBC 'cause I'm stupid! Damn...

Honestly, I know the bible, but I would never send a e-mail like the original one, offened or not. Second, I would keep my opinions to myself. If I were offended by anything, I wouldn't continue to watch/read/listen to whatever offended me. I might tell a few people about it. And to forward a response to everyone and there brother and to ask everyone to forward takes a lot of balls, since your name would be attached to it.

itchy93 · 10-13-2003, 06:26 PM

meh. Obviously the response was way out of line, as Mr. Neugent was addressing ABC and not the webmaster, but in terms of with whose opinion I agree, well...

Religion is just one of those things I've never understood. Why do people feel the need to have such a public relationship with God? Why does the whole world have to see and believe exactly as they do? If your god tells you that homosexuality is wrong, fine; don't be a homosexual. But to assume that because your god perceives things one way, the entire universe must abide by it is a joke.

Faith is good. Religion... not so much. (just to clarify, I'm not against religion, I just don't understand it.)

Itchy93

debaser · 10-13-2003, 07:11 PM

I call shens. No way would ABC respond in such a fashion, they have form letter for that sort of thing. Why would the webmaster be replying?

Lebell · 10-13-2003, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by lurkette
Check out the Snopes link in my post above - they've verified it.

Ah, sorry Lurkette, I should have checked that out.

People, check out the snopes link if you haven't.

Anyway, from that link:

Quote:

Dear Mr. Neugent:
We apologize for the e-mail message that was sent to you with comments that reflect neither the view of ABC nor of its executives. Viewer mail is traditionally handled by our Audience Information department for response. Your message was inappropriately handled by a programmer from ABC.com. I want to assure you that the response that you received does not in any way reflect the views of ABC Television, and most importantly is not at all consistent with the manner in which KATV, our valued partner in Little Rock, would ever treat their audience/community members.

Unfortunately, as in any organization, there are bound to be a few individuals that step out of line. To that end, we completed a comprehensive investigation into the matter earlier this afternoon. While the individual was deeply contrite and wanted to apologize to you, we felt that his actions were reprehensible and terminated him immediately.

Specifically in response to your original concerns regarding the subject of homosexuality in our programming, the ABC programming department has tried to treat such subjects in a sensitive manner. We recognize that we are serving a large, diverse audience with a wide range of attitudes towards all types of entertainment programming. We believe that programs thoughtfully reflecting social issues existing in our present society constitute proper television faire. We appreciate your original comments and take serious note of your thoughts on the potential direction of future story lines.

We are glad that you brought the e-mail incident to our attention. We truly regret that this happened, and we hope you understand by our actions that we will not tolerate this kind of behavior from any member of our staff.

Finally, I would like to once again add that the response that you received should in no way be attributed to our partner in Little Rock, KATV. As you well know, KATV has been the news and public affairs leader in Little Rock for years, and will be for many more. A finer, more committed television station does not exist. I would not want their reputation to suffer in any way due to our mishap.

Please accept our apologies and regrets.

Sincerely,

Daren Benzi ABC Television Network

Just an over-zealous employee.

Big whoop.

TIO · 10-13-2003, 08:42 PM

debaser, the webmaster responded because Nugent accidentally emailed him instead of the network. When ABC found out about the letter, they wrote this:

Quote:

Dear Mr. Neugent:
We apologize for the e-mail message that was sent to you with comments that reflect neither the view of ABC nor of its executives. Viewer mail is traditionally handled by our Audience Information department for response. Your message was inappropriately handled by a programmer from ABC.com. I want to assure you that the response that you received does not in any way reflect the views of ABC Television, and most importantly is not at all consistent with the manner in which KATV, our valued partner in Little Rock, would ever treat their audience/community members.

Unfortunately, as in any organization, there are bound to be a few individuals that step out of line. To that end, we completed a comprehensive investigation into the matter earlier this afternoon. While the individual was deeply contrite and wanted to apologize to you, we felt that his actions were reprehensible and terminated him immediately.

Specifically in response to your original concerns regarding the subject of homosexuality in our programming, the ABC programming department has tried to treat such subjects in a sensitive manner. We recognize that we are serving a large, diverse audience with a wide range of attitudes towards all types of entertainment programming. We believe that programs thoughtfully reflecting social issues existing in our present society constitute proper television faire. We appreciate your original comments and take serious note of your thoughts on the potential direction of future story lines.

We are glad that you brought the e-mail incident to our attention. We truly regret that this happened, and we hope you understand by our actions that we will not tolerate this kind of behavior from any member of our staff.

Finally, I would like to once again add that the response that you received should in no way be attributed to our partner in Little Rock, KATV. As you well know, KATV has been the news and public affairs leader in Little Rock for years, and will be for many more. A finer, more committed television station does not exist. I would not want their reputation to suffer in any way due to our mishap.

Please accept our apologies and regrets.

Sincerely,

Daren Benzi ABC Television Network

ObieX · 10-13-2003, 09:31 PM

Wow what a troublemaker. The guy writes in looking to hit a nerve and is shocked when he does? I think the response was rather appropriate, it seemed to be exactly what he was looking for. Then the guy looks for even more attention by submiting it to newspapers. What an asshole. I wanna punch people like him, collectively, square in the face.

Wave a red sheet in front of a bull and you'd better be prepared to either run like hell or get a horn shoved up your ass. This guy would stand there, get a nice horn implated in him... then send pictures of it to the news paper blaming the bull.

P.S.
Daren Benzi ABC Television Network = Pussy

prosequence · 10-14-2003, 03:41 AM

TV is bad, so don't do TV mmkay.

Conclamo Ludus · 10-14-2003, 06:36 AM

I got a good kick out of this one when I read it on snopes a while ago. Its a brash bull-headed ridiculous judgemental opinion retorted by a brash bull-headed ridiculous judgemental opinion. Its like trying to cover up someone elses smelly shit, with a shit of your own.

MuadDib · 10-14-2003, 11:29 AM

Wow, I used to only like NBC for my sitcoms, but ABC has just gained my respect and patronage!

Stare At The Sun · 10-14-2003, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Conclamo Ludus
I got a good kick out of this one when I read it on snopes a while ago. Its a brash bull-headed ridiculous judgemental opinion retorted by a brash bull-headed ridiculous judgemental opinion. Its like trying to cover up someone elses smelly shit, with a shit of your own.

Very well said my good sir.

ForgottenKnight · 10-19-2003, 08:01 PM

I doubt it's actually the network's reply. It most likely was just a stupid employee who has no respect for the viewers.

TIO · 10-19-2003, 10:44 PM

NiceGuy, if you read the rest of the thread, it turns out it was the webmaster replying, independant of the ABC.

Doesn't Matter · 10-30-2003, 12:24 AM

Its fake.

No way.

Midnight_Son · 10-30-2003, 11:36 AM

hats off to the guy at ABC for having the balls to stand up and say what so many off us think.

I wonder if he's still looking for a job?

skippy · 10-30-2003, 07:07 PM

I think that the guy who was webmaster at ABC should get a job working on the TFP for a while. The pay is right (Tee hee) and he would read the posts of a very diverse group of people from which he (Might) learn to be tolerant.

Just a thought ... a funny thought

Skippy

Mael · 10-31-2003, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Conclamo Ludus
I got a good kick out of this one when I read it on snopes a while ago. Its a brash bull-headed ridiculous judgemental opinion retorted by a brash bull-headed ridiculous judgemental opinion. Its like trying to cover up someone elses smelly shit, with a shit of your own.

but remember, everyone thinks their shit don't stink...

guthmund · 11-02-2003, 12:09 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mael
but remember, everyone thinks their shit don't stink...

My shit stinks?!?!?!

I think in the grand scheme of things it's important to remember that it's a television show, and not a very good one at that. (<-----watch out.... opinion?!?! *gasp)

I would think instead of writing a flaming letter to the company his purpose would have been better served by exercising his finger to change the channel.

Remember folks....it's possible to not watch tv. You control the television not the other way round....

oh yeah.... and gay people make Jesus cry

dy156 · 11-04-2003, 10:04 AM

Don't mean to Hijack this thread, but ....
Anyone catch the special last night on ABC about Jesus and Mary Magdeline just before Monday Night Football?
It was pretty interesting, but a strange programming choice, I thought, especially during sweeps. It was not even especially over the top -"there is new evidence that Jesus was married and had kids and leonardo Da Vinci knew about it!!"
I thought it was pretty balanced, talking about the theories, but saying there wasn't much evidence,and letting scholars on both side speak about it.
Were they trying to counter any negative publicity from this email that's been making the rounds?

TIO · 11-04-2003, 07:14 PM

I doubt it, dy. This email's old news; it's been on Snopes for at least 3 years.

dy156 · 11-05-2003, 10:22 AM

Well, guess it just takes things awhile to get to us here in the backwoods. We're kinda behind the times.

10-07-2003, 11:24 AM	#1 (permalink)
absorbentishe Boy am I horny today Location: T O L E D O, Toledo!!	NBC and the bible I got this in an e-mail yesterday. Don't know where to put it? So, what do you all think? Subject: A Letter to ABC-TV If more of us took a stand maybe we could have some decent TV programs.. -- Jim Neugent is a coach in Childress, Texas. Jim writes: My name is Jim Neugent. I wrote to ABC (on-line) concerning a program called "THE PRACTICE." In last nights episode, one of the lawyer's mothers decided she is gay and wanted her son to go to court and help her get a marriage license so she could marry her 'partner.' ! I sent the following letter to ABC yesterday and really did not expect a reply, but I did get one. My original message was: ABC is obsessed (or should I say abscessed) with the subject of homosexuality. I will no longer watch any of your attempts to convince the world that homosexuality is OK. THE PRACTICE can be a fairly good show, but last night's program was so typical of your agenda. You picked the 'dufus' of the office to be the one who was against the idea of his mother being gay and made him look like a whiner because he had convictions. This type of mentality calls people like me a "gay basher." Read the first chapter of Romans (that's in the Bible) and see what the apostle Paul had to say about it.... He, God and Jesus were all 'gay bashers'. What if she'd fallen in love with her cocker spaniel? Is that an alternative lifestyle? (By the way, the Bible speaks against that, too.) --Jim Neugent Here is ABC's reply from the ABC on-line webmaster: How about getting your nose out of the Bible (which is ONLY a book of stories compiled by MANY different writers hundreds of years ago) and read the declaration of independence (what our nation is built on), where it says "All Men are Created equal," and try treating them that way for a change! Or better yet, try thinking for yourself and stop using an archaic book of stories as your lame crutch for your existence. You are in minority in this country and your boycott will not affect us or our freedom of statement. Jim Neugent's second response to ABC: Thanks for your reply. From your harsh reply, evidently I hit a nerve. I will share it with all with whom I come in contact. Hopefully,the Arkansas Democrat Newspaper will include it in one of their columns and I will be praying for you. - -Jim Neugent Note: Wouldn't Satan just love it if people stopped using the Bible for a crutch? Please resend this to everyone in your mailbox.. -- Thanks, Jim Neugent I wonder if the person from ABC considered how many people would read this e-mail! This is one we should definitely pass on.

10-07-2003, 11:48 AM	#2 (permalink)
lurkette My future is coming on Moderator Emeritus Location: east of the sun and west of the moon	The guy's entitled to his opinion about the TV show, and the employee was out of line. Did you have a comment about this yourself, or are you just looking to start another "homosexuality is an abomination/homosexuality is all right by me" flamewar...er..debate? FYI, Snopes has an interesting page about this one, which happens to be true: http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/outrage/practice.htm __________________ "If ten million people believe a foolish thing, it is still a foolish thing." - Anatole France

10-07-2003, 02:53 PM	#4 (permalink)
TheKak Insane Location: Virginia	I agree with the webmaster. __________________ Roses are red, violets are blue, I'm a schizophrenic and so am I.

10-07-2003, 04:18 PM	#6 (permalink)
Lebell Cracking the Whip Location: Sexymama's arms...	I agree with the sentiment, but I would require some proof before I believe that an employee of ABC would be that stupid. __________________ "Of all tyrannies, a tyranny exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end, for they do so with the approval of their own conscience." – C. S. Lewis The ONLY sponsors we have are YOU! Please Donate!

10-07-2003, 04:40 PM	#7 (permalink)
The_Dude The GrandDaddy of them all! Location: Austin, TX	why is this thread titled NBC? __________________ "Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity." - Darrel K Royal

10-07-2003, 02:01 PM	#3 (permalink)
absorbentishe Boy am I horny today Location: T O L E D O, Toledo!!	Sorry, my comment would basically be.... The idiot from NBC (probably not an NBC employee) that wrote the retort. That person should have just limited what they wrote in return, and seems it's more their attitude than the network.

10-07-2003, 04:15 PM	#5 (permalink)
filtherton Junkie Location: In the land of ice and snow.	It is obviously not the network's reply, because the network would have just said a bunch of vague apologetic stuff without really saying anything at all. I agree with the webmaster, although there is really no way to say what he said without offending "good" christians. I think if you're reasonable, though, you realize that not everything is required to fit in with your personal beliefs.

10-07-2003, 04:55 PM	#8 (permalink)
phukraut Addict	i always get upset when someone says they'll pray for me. thx but no thx, i can straighten out my own life.

10-07-2003, 07:56 PM	#10 (permalink)
absorbentishe Boy am I horny today Location: T O L E D O, Toledo!!	It's titled NBC 'cause I'm stupid! Damn... Honestly, I know the bible, but I would never send a e-mail like the original one, offened or not. Second, I would keep my opinions to myself. If I were offended by anything, I wouldn't continue to watch/read/listen to whatever offended me. I might tell a few people about it. And to forward a response to everyone and there brother and to ask everyone to forward takes a lot of balls, since your name would be attached to it.

10-13-2003, 06:26 PM	#11 (permalink)
itchy93 Tilted Location: Wandering North America	meh. Obviously the response was way out of line, as Mr. Neugent was addressing ABC and not the webmaster, but in terms of with whose opinion I agree, well... Religion is just one of those things I've never understood. Why do people feel the need to have such a public relationship with God? Why does the whole world have to see and believe exactly as they do? If your god tells you that homosexuality is wrong, fine; don't be a homosexual. But to assume that because your god perceives things one way, the entire universe must abide by it is a joke. Faith is good. Religion... not so much. (just to clarify, I'm not against religion, I just don't understand it.) Itchy93 __________________ That's just my opinion; I could be wrong.

10-13-2003, 07:11 PM	#12 (permalink)
debaser Sir, I have a plan... Location: 38S NC20943324	I call shens. No way would ABC respond in such a fashion, they have form letter for that sort of thing. Why would the webmaster be replying? __________________ Fortunato became immured to the sound of the trowel after a while.

10-13-2003, 09:31 PM	#15 (permalink)
ObieX Pickles Location: Shirt and Pants (NJ)	Wow what a troublemaker. The guy writes in looking to hit a nerve and is shocked when he does? I think the response was rather appropriate, it seemed to be exactly what he was looking for. Then the guy looks for even more attention by submiting it to newspapers. What an asshole. I wanna punch people like him, collectively, square in the face. Wave a red sheet in front of a bull and you'd better be prepared to either run like hell or get a horn shoved up your ass. This guy would stand there, get a nice horn implated in him... then send pictures of it to the news paper blaming the bull. P.S. Daren Benzi ABC Television Network = Pussy __________________ We Must Dissent.

10-14-2003, 03:41 AM	#16 (permalink)
prosequence Psycho Location: YOUR MOM!!	TV is bad, so don't do TV mmkay. __________________ And now here I stand because of you, Mister Anderson, because of you I'm no longer an agent of the system, because of you I've changed...

10-14-2003, 06:36 AM	#17 (permalink)
Conclamo Ludus Modern Man Location: West Michigan	I got a good kick out of this one when I read it on snopes a while ago. Its a brash bull-headed ridiculous judgemental opinion retorted by a brash bull-headed ridiculous judgemental opinion. Its like trying to cover up someone elses smelly shit, with a shit of your own. __________________ Lord, have mercy on my wicked soul I wouldn't mistreat you baby, for my weight in gold. -Son House, Death Letter Blues

10-14-2003, 11:29 AM	#18 (permalink)
MuadDib Psycho	Wow, I used to only like NBC for my sitcoms, but ABC has just gained my respect and patronage! __________________ "The courts that first rode the warhorse of virtual representation into battle on the res judicata front invested their steed with near-magical properties." ~27 F.3d 751

10-30-2003, 12:24 AM	#22 (permalink)
Doesn't Matter Banned	Its fake. No way.

10-30-2003, 11:36 AM	#23 (permalink)
Midnight_Son The Cover Doesn't Match The Book Location: in a van down by the river	hats off to the guy at ABC for having the balls to stand up and say what so many off us think. I wonder if he's still looking for a job? __________________ SWM, tattooed, seeks meaningful tits and beer. Enjoys biker mags, pornography, and Sunday morning walks to the liquor store. Winners of erotic hot dog eating contests given priority. Last edited by Midnight_Son; 10-30-2003 at 11:38 AM..

10-19-2003, 08:01 PM	#20 (permalink)
ForgottenKnight Jesus Freak Location: Following the light...	I doubt it's actually the network's reply. It most likely was just a stupid employee who has no respect for the viewers. __________________ "People say I'm strange, does that make me a stranger?"

10-19-2003, 10:44 PM	#21 (permalink)
TIO Addict Location: The Land Down Under	NiceGuy, if you read the rest of the thread, it turns out it was the webmaster replying, independant of the ABC. __________________ Strewth

10-30-2003, 07:07 PM	#24 (permalink)
skippy Banned	I think that the guy who was webmaster at ABC should get a job working on the TFP for a while. The pay is right (Tee hee) and he would read the posts of a very diverse group of people from which he (Might) learn to be tolerant. Just a thought ... a funny thought Skippy

11-04-2003, 10:04 AM	#27 (permalink)
dy156 cookie Location: in the backwoods	Don't mean to Hijack this thread, but .... Anyone catch the special last night on ABC about Jesus and Mary Magdeline just before Monday Night Football? It was pretty interesting, but a strange programming choice, I thought, especially during sweeps. It was not even especially over the top -"there is new evidence that Jesus was married and had kids and leonardo Da Vinci knew about it!!" I thought it was pretty balanced, talking about the theories, but saying there wasn't much evidence,and letting scholars on both side speak about it. Were they trying to counter any negative publicity from this email that's been making the rounds?

11-04-2003, 07:14 PM	#28 (permalink)
TIO Addict Location: The Land Down Under	I doubt it, dy. This email's old news; it's been on Snopes for at least 3 years. __________________ Strewth

11-05-2003, 10:22 AM	#29 (permalink)
dy156 cookie Location: in the backwoods	Well, guess it just takes things awhile to get to us here in the backwoods. We're kinda behind the times.