'Sacred' avoiders speak up

One person is reading the Bible; another is at Mass. A third doesn't watch any television at all while a fourth has been scared off by the publicity.

Those are some of the reasons Catholics give for never watching "Nothing Sacred," the ABC series about an inner-city parish (Saturdays, 8 p.m. ET).

In a recent column, I said that I had heard from viewers who love the show and never miss it, and from people who have watched it and hate it. But I had not heard from those who have never even given it a try.

I wondered why. Given the dearth of shows about religion and the enormous publicity surrounding "Nothing Sacred," how come they had never tuned in for at least a peek?

Here's what I learned when I asked readers to tell me:

* From an e-mailer: "I believe it is a waste of time. From what I have read about the show and from the title, it is evident that the show treats the Catholic Church as a totally human institution. My family and I would gain nothing from watching a show operating from such a false premise."

* From a Sharon Springs reader: "I have not been able to find it. At first, I thought it had been preempted by a special. Now I know to look on Saturday nights. Does [William Donohue of the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights] think 'Nothing Sacred' will be replaced by something more edifying? Does he think more Catholics should watch 'Friends'?"

* From an Alabaman: "My cultural and religious beliefs are being assaulted daily by the politically correct media, and I do not need added insult by the religious-bashing, morally dysfunctional Disney organization that spawned and transmits it."

* From a man in Mobile: "I only know of it from what I have read from printed commentary about it. These have been enough for me to regard the show as a waste of time. From what I gather, the priest is a sort of silly flake. The show is very possibly destructive of Catholic belief."

* From a Delmar man: "I have not watched [because] someone I trusted advised against seeing it, and that's good enough for me."

* From an Ohio woman: "I believe the time slot of 8 p.m. has been one of the drawbacks for 'Nothing Sacred' to reach a better audience. Most of the stuff we are offered between 8-10 p.m. is mindless garbage, meant for our teens and those who don't want to think while watching the tube. The better stuff ('E.R.,' 'Chicago Hope' etc.) is all on at 10; why not 'Nothing Sacred'?"

* From an Arizona man: "You asked why I haven't watched the program opposite 'Friends' and that's why: My family is a 'Friends'-watcher. Even more importantly, I'd never heard of it before."

* From an Albany reader: "I do not like the Catholic Church being used for entertainment. Using the Church as background for presenting 'dramatic' entertainment is essentially disrespectful. By 'dramatic,' I mean the stupid exaggerations and unreal scenarios that constitute almost everything on TV. I suspect that the producers and writers are essentially irreligious and concerned only about money. I will not support these people in any way."

* From another Arizonan: "I have never seen 'Nothing Sacred' because I watch so little TV, other than occasional specials and some news shows, from which I'm trying to wean myself! I mostly read. I belong to the young families ministry, and we have an evening Mass on Thursdays [the original night of 'Nothing Sacred'], attended by the most active parishioners."

* From an Alabama man: "Some [non-viewers] I have asked say that it's opposite 'Friends'; others say it's opposite another 'religious' show, 'Promised Land.'"

* From a Rhode Island viewer: "We do not watch much TV because we are too busy praying and reading good Catholic books and the Bible. We also know we don't have to step in mud or touch a flame to know we will get dirty or burned."

* From a priest in Rhode Island: "The very title gets under my skin. It reflects how the world wants to see us. With nothing sacred, the priesthood isn't necessary. I was brought up to believe that some things in life are sacred. Even though I have heard some good things about this show, [it] would not be on the top of my entertainment list."

Thanks to all who wrote.

(02-12-98)

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