Bill Donahue, president of the Catholic League, has said, "Penn & Teller's Nazi-like assault on Catholicism that took place on August 27 will go down in history as one of the most vile, obscene programs ever aired in any nation." However, will the show also go down in history for airing the most number of lies, falsehoods, and misleading statements in a single half-hour show?
Not counting credits, the guilty episode runs less than 26 minutes. Here's a lie-by-lie list of the falsehoods that Penn Jillette and his guests aired in that time:
1. Before he became Pope Benedict XVI, Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, in 2001, issued a "confidential order to every bishop" and "ordered the cover-up" of sex abuse.
As canon lawyer Ed Peters wrote years ago, the Vatican published Ratzinger's document in its official journal when it was first issued. Catholic press reported on the document in early 2002. The Vatican also posted the document on its web site.
In other words, nothing was ever "confidential." Not ... even ... close. As far as Jillette's wild charges of a "cover-up," keep reading.
2. Sabina Guzzanti, a self-described "political satirist" from Italy, "got in serious trouble with the Vatican when she told a joke about the pope in the middle of Rome." "[P]ressured intensely by the Vatican," the Italian courts threatened to charge her with slander and "throw her sexy a** in jail." (A lot of time in the episode was spent on this story.)
Stop and think for a moment how ridiculous this claim is. People say crude and awful things about the pope and the Vatican all the time. Does anyone really think that the Pope actually cares about what some two-bit entertainer says about him? C'mon.
The truth is that Guzzanti was never "in serious trouble with the Vatican." Neither did the Vatican "pressure" anyone to charge Guzzanti.
In her various routines, Guzzanti's "No. 1 target" has long been Italy's prime minister Silvio Berlusconi. And when Guzzanti publicly attacked the pope, an overzealous prosecutor in the Italian government sought to charge Guzzanti under an obscure 1929 agreement. Within a week of the story breaking, Italy's Minister of Justice denied the prosecutor's request. The Vatican had nothing to do at all with this episode.
Penn and Teller's claims are simply bogus.
3. Because it opposed a U.N. resolution "that would de-criminalize people for being gay in countries," the Vatican "seems to be O.K." with gays being violently persecuted in many countries in the world.
Penn and Teller conveniently left out the fact that it is already part of official Catholic teaching that gays be treated respectfully. Look at paragraph 2358 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
[Those with homosexual inclinations] must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided. These persons are called to fulfill God's will in their lives and, if they are Christians, to unite to the sacrifice of the Lord's Cross the difficulties they may encounter from their condition.
There's also the 1986 document, "Letter to the Bishops of The Catholic Church on the Pastoral Care of Homosexual Persons." It says,
It is deplorable that homosexual persons have been and are the object of violent malice in speech or in action. Such treatment deserves condemnation from the Church's pastors wherever it occurs. It reveals a kind of disregard for others which endangers the most fundamental principles of a healthy society. The intrinsic dignity of each person must always be respected in word, in action and in law.
And who wrote this document? Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, when he was Prefect to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith!
Why didn't the Vatican support the resolution? Well, like a lot of people, it smelled a hidden political agenda. (Gay marriage, anyone?) But within days of opposing the U.N. resolution, the Vatican re-issued its call to eliminate criminal penalties against homosexuals.
The Holy See continues to advocate that every sign of unjust discrimination towards homosexual persons should be avoided and urges States to do away with criminal penalties against them.
Penn and Teller conveniently left out these important facts while making their smear.
Honesty? Not from Penn and Teller.
(***IMPORTANT NOTE: There's more. A lot more. In the interest of brevity, I have posted only a shortened, edited version here. For the full version, check out TheMediaReport.com: "Did Penn & Teller Set a World Record For Most Falsehoods in One Show? (Full Version)" ***)
—Dave Pierre is the creator of TheMediaReport.com and a contributor to NewsBusters.
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
→ Thank you Dave Pierre
September 7, 2009 - 10:03 ET by Cool ArrowShouldn't be long before this turns into a bashing session.
Great article, but some of us can't help it.
We will Barry you! - Russian prophecy
When do Penn and Teller do
September 7, 2009 - 10:21 ET by Radical1979When do Penn and Teller do a similar piece on Islam? Or even Protestants?
I guess I'd better not hold by breath.
even protestants?
September 7, 2009 - 10:56 ET by candanceTry being Mormon, Jehova's Witness, or Pentecostal for a day. I'm routinely called everything from a snake handler to a schizophrenic, from the secular world and from a number of Christians. I agree the Penn & Teller show was bad, but let's not pretend Catholics are the only victims around here.
Candence, Evangelicals
September 7, 2009 - 11:16 ET by LiberalliesCandence,
Evangelicals are also attacked.
However, as a Catholic, I do not consider myself a victim. It is a badge of honor that I wear proudly. I have been called a Bible thumper, I always reply, "Yes I am! and Proud of it!" it disarms the Liberal throwing the insult.
At the end, most Christians are viciously attacked, just like Orthodx Jews.
The problem I see is, sadly, many Christians tend to also attack each other. So, not only are we getting attacked by most on the left, we also attack each other because we believe that the other Christian is not Christian enough.
I agree
September 7, 2009 - 11:22 ET by candanceWe should stop attacking each other, and we should stop whining about one denom getting hit harder than another. I don't pretend to understand what it's like to walk in a Catholic person's shoes. Likewise I expect other Christians to not make smart remarks about me being shielded from persecution.
And I didn't mean to imply that Catholics felt like victims. It was in response to the attitude that other Christians have it easier.
Candence, I agree.
September 7, 2009 - 11:27 ET by LiberalliesCandence,
I agree. Hopefully we can start reaching out to each other and unite against the vicious attacks from many atheist and the crazed out left.
At the end, as Mr. Franklin said, "...either we hang together or we will surely hang seperately".
The vast majority of Christians have the same goals in mind. Let us find our common ground and fight the left wing radicals and not each other.
Candence/Lirerallies
September 7, 2009 - 12:15 ET by acumenAmen. God wants spiritual fruits, not religious nuts.
Way past time for all self-professed Christians to stop joining non-believers in hate and get back to converting non-believers in the doctrine of Love. In heaven there will be no voices that seperate - Just joyful souls united in Christ. And God knows we could all use a little heaven on earth these days.
Candance, I didn't mean
September 7, 2009 - 18:48 ET by Radical1979Candance,
I didn't mean to imply Catholics get hit harder than other Christians. I had a gut reaction to the post and just shot it out. Personally I think reborn (correct term?) Christians, Mormans, and Jehovah's Witness's have a tough time. In school Jehovah's Witness's have it especially rough because of their beliefs. Again, sorry for the implication.
Attack each other
September 7, 2009 - 14:36 ET by obageegee"The problem I see is, sadly, many Christians tend to also attack each
other. So, not only are we getting attacked by most on the left, we
also attack each other because we believe that the other Christian is
not Christian enough"
We have been doing that for a long long time
At the same time?
September 7, 2009 - 14:35 ET by obageegeeCandance, are you Mormon, Jehova's Witness and Pentecostal at the same time?
is this a serious question
September 7, 2009 - 15:49 ET by candanceNo, I am not all three of them. But I do have a pretty good memory of all the "Mitt Romney is a creepy Mormon" stuff that went on right here at NB last summer. You don't have to be a certain thing to notice when it's being attacked.
Yes, they would gladly do a
September 7, 2009 - 12:49 ET by lotrYes, they would gladly do a piece on Protestants, if by "Protestants" you mean "Bible believing Christians."
Back onto my soapbox. To the anti-God forces in the pop-media, it matters not whether you call yourself "Protestant" or "Catholic" or "LDS" or whatever. If you are "liberal" about it, you will have their blessing. Quote the scriptures all you want, so long as they support the social agenda and power grab perpetuated by the Democratic Party. You'll never hear them attack Edward Kennedy as a vile papist. For that matter, they would go after Muslims too, but for the fact they are complete cowards with no backbones and no balls.
The primary division in Christianity today is no longer "Catholic" versus "Protestant" -- it is "modernist" (Jesus is yer buddy; the Bible is not inspired; etc.) versus "orthodox" (Jesus was the Son of God and Lord of the Universe; the Bible is His inspired Word; etc.).
"Let's wrap him up, alright?" -- Keith Olbermann
The Gospel According to
September 7, 2009 - 10:29 ET by RR GOPThe Gospel According to Penn and Teller has to be taken with a huge grain of salt. If they didn't titillate, enrage, and entertain they wouldn't have a show.
Anyone who accepts what a couple of Las Vegas magicians as credible journalism probably takes Colbert and Stewart seriously as well...and the NYT, and MSNBC, and WaPo, and...
Those in the media have been lying to us probably since its inception. We only notice when they say something that we disagree with and then check up on it. We need to learn to question even the things we agree with. Propaganda works both ways.
One of the 34% who thinks George W. Bush was a great President. One of the 86% who wants to bring back the stock and pillory.
Penn and who? Are they
September 7, 2009 - 10:30 ET by DingbatPenn and who? Are they famous?
As a Catholic
September 7, 2009 - 10:37 ET by moderncommentaries83These vicious attacks - which are never leveled at another faith or organization and almost always 100% inaccurate (intentionally or otherwise) - only reaffirm that there's something about Catholicism that scares the hell out of people like Jillette and most of the members of the liberal elite.
And it's not the admitted mistakes made by the Church in the past, or the sometimes deplorable behavior of Catholics. They fear our teachings becasue if we're right (and I believe we are), they are so deeply screwed.
Aut viam inveniam aut faciam
Penn and Teller broke their
September 7, 2009 - 10:46 ET by LiberalliesPenn and Teller broke their own rules which I have heard Jillete spew out countless of times on the Glen Beck show.
He did not present the opposite side, he went with hearsay, he took two or three Catholic haters and did not allow opposite point of views.
Dislike the Church all you want, that is within your rights, but at least present solid, verifiable points, tell the whole truth, not half-truths, and present an opposite point.
As I said on the other forum that tackled this subject, these two charlatans broke their own rules, if you watch the Global Warming Bull Sh...t episode and then this Catholic bashing one you'll see their hypocrisy. Jillete uses the same exact tactics on the Catholic episode that he attacks on the global warming alarmist episode.
precisely...
September 7, 2009 - 11:48 ET by mbuelThey are fundamentalists of the worst sort. They will do whatever it takes to prove the non-existence of God.
IMO, this and countless other similiar works proves that Atheism is a religion.
The free market works, Government controls always fail.
the promised persecution
September 7, 2009 - 10:46 ET by neripowellNone of this should come as a surprise to Christians--the Lord promised persecution for all those who answer the call to follow him.
Look for the situation to get far worse before it gets better.
Fr. Philip, OP
http://www.hancaquam... (my homilies)
Fr Philip... I checked out
September 7, 2009 - 11:15 ET by celatorFr Philip... I checked out your blog.. excellent.
I particularly appreciated the comment you made regarding the principles we must keep in mind in any "health care reform":
"Here's the very basic question I ask when evaluating any reform of the health-care system: what are the moral principles that stand under the proposed system and drive its inevitably tough choices?
"Given the answer to this question, I ask another: what system of laws, regulations, incentives, etc. will be used to implement these moral principles?
"In the current debate it seems to me that the proposals under review are based on a highly objectionable utilitarianism; that is, the reforms proposed rely on a variety of cost-benefit analyses that require those making medical decisions to commodify human life. If those making the decisions are not the ones who will suffer the consequences of the decisions made, then the utilitarianism in use becomes nothing short of immoral."
Powerful words. Thank you.
No citizen's right to life, liberty, pursuit of happiness, or property is safe as long as Obama is President of the United States.
No magic moment
September 7, 2009 - 10:50 ET by acumen"....will the show also go down in history for airing the most number of lies, falsehoods, and misleading statements in a single half-hour show?"
Who was the bright bulb that decided it was a good idea for Penn and Teller make a career move from illusion to delusion?
And now for our next act, we will attempt to make our careers vanish.
Oh please
September 7, 2009 - 11:12 ET by DurdenThe Catholic church has never been anything but a corrupt bully pulpit to push the Italian people around. Just because you don't like to hear it doesn't make it not true.
They didn't attack Catholics, they attacked the corrupt church. Learn to tell the difference and grow up.
Support troops/Not mission
September 7, 2009 - 11:34 ET by acumenThey didn't attack Catholics, they attacked the corrupt church.
Ah, now I understand. "The corrupt church" is not made up of Catholics. Thanks for that grown-up pearl of wisdom. Have you ever considered writing for Penn and Teller?
Catholics ARE the Church.
September 7, 2009 - 12:11 ET by moderncommentaries83Catholics ARE the Church. Billions of them, being cursed for the misdeeds of a few.
You attack my Church, you attack me. Period.
Aut viam inveniam aut faciam
"corrupt church"?
September 7, 2009 - 12:34 ET by lotrIf there is any corruption in the Church, it is the modernist-liberal elements, both clergy and laymen, that have infiltrated the ranks, and who now, assuming the good name of "Catholic" and the facade of orthodox Christian piety, now actively seek to destroy the Church like a cancer from within. But, alas, it is not these saboteur phonies that are the target of pop-media sarcasm; nay, rather they are in cohoots with one another.
"Blogger" versus "troll." Learn the difference and grow up.
"Let's wrap him up, alright?" -- Keith Olbermann
A friendly suggestion
September 7, 2009 - 12:43 ET by QueenMumDurden: You're on shaky ground. Stick to the topic at hand and you'll continue to be a welcome guest.
"The problem with socialism is that eventually you run out
of other people's money."
—Margaret Thatcher
Thank you QueenMum!
September 7, 2009 - 19:36 ET by LiberalliesThank you QueenMum!
Ditto that. Just caught
September 7, 2009 - 19:45 ET by bigtimerDitto that.
Just caught Durden's post...so many places one could go.
'Go Green...Recycle Congress'
Obviously their publicist
September 7, 2009 - 11:13 ET by LoosMooseObviously their publicist went to the Keith Olberman School of how to get attention. Just say outlandish things, the worse the better, and the Dan Rather Investigative Reporting Course, where you never let facts get in the way and just make up anything you need to fill in the gaps. "Fake but accurate"
In a related developement,
September 7, 2009 - 11:17 ET by nadadhimmiIn a related developement, it has"been reported" by reliable sources, that Mr Penn Gillette has been charged with the homosexual rape of a 6 yr old boy. The anal intercourse tore the 1st grader's tissues, which infuriated Gillette, so he finished with the boy orally. When discoverd, Gillette made an offer of money to "make it right" to the boys parents, and then asked to take the boys twin brother "to the park". This story has exactly the same level of research and accuracy as did Gillette's televised remarks. Unfortunatly, Gillettes remarks were not parody, as this story was. But then, well, uh, you know. Penn Gillette; PEDERAST? You decide!
Their thought process.
September 7, 2009 - 11:34 ET by awffp1890I'm sure Penn and Teller's thought process was, "Why cloud the issue with facts?"
"Not for fame or reward, not for place or rank, not lured by ambition or goaded by necessity. But in simple obedience to duty." - From the barracks at Ft. Benning
On Penn and Teller
September 7, 2009 - 11:44 ET by mbuelI think Penn and Teller are brilliant guys, HOWEVER when it comes to religion they are blindsided by their obsessive faith in Atheist-Secularism.
They've done some great work against the religion of global warming. BUT as the old saying goes, even a broken clock is right twice a day, so it is true here.
It's a shame that otherwise reasonable people can't see the importance of faith.
The free market works, Government controls always fail.
Or, put another way, a
September 7, 2009 - 11:50 ET by celatorOr, put another way, a broken clock is wrong 1338 minutes out of every day. 99.9999 percent of the time,
Couldn't resist. ;+}
No citizen's right to life, liberty, pursuit of happiness, or property is safe as long as Obama is President of the United States.
Nazi Assault? Seriously
September 7, 2009 - 13:48 ET by Defector01I can understand the complaints about being targetted, and P&T have been pretty hard hitting on Christians, but frankly they go after every target in that style and have had both sides scream at them. And in cases like PETA and Wal-Mart they've hit the topics pretty accurately and effectively. I don't deny why people are upset in this department but can I suggest not being as vicious as you state that P&T are?
I have only ever made one prayer to God, a very short one: O Lord, make my enemies ridiculous. And God granted it - Voltaire
isn't it obvious?
September 7, 2009 - 15:33 ET by mbuelWhen they are going after NON-religious (in the traditional sense, I consider the cult of global warming and atheism religions) targets, they do so with reasonable means and present both sides of the debate pretty fairly. Like the one episode that was on stranger danger. They actually presented the other sides arguments.
When it comes to going after traditional religion and values though, they do so with an atheistic fervor that only can be matched by hardcore evolutionary atheists. (I forget the name of one, he was interviewed on where life had come from, because the Earth isn't old enough for it to have happened here; "It must've been aliens or an asteroid from an older planet".)
The point is it proves that Atheists have dogma and fundamentalism.
The free market works, Government controls always fail.
My 2 cents...
September 7, 2009 - 14:39 ET by Legacy76I happen to watch the Penn and Teller program every time they have a new episode. I am a fan of their show, and a fan of this website.
In that particular episode, they announced the fact that no one would come on the show to give an alternate viewpoint.
Penn and Teller are not against the Catholic Church in particular, but against all organized forms of religion. Furthermore, they don't attack right-wing viewpoints only. They also denounce environmental radicalism, gun-control, and "organic" foods, just off the top of my head. They particularly took a lot of flack for their denouncing of second-hand smoke hysteria.
I don't want to argue with fellow NewBuster members, nor do I want to renounce Penn and Teller. Mostly, I just wanted to say that there are NewsBuster fans that are fans of Penn and Teller.
... and a 3rd cent...
September 7, 2009 - 14:50 ET by timrfrench61I have a thick skin with them and enjoy some of their stuff because they skewer both sides. But since they have an internet career with a show called b**ls**t I think they may need to do a show... on themselves!
Re Organized
September 7, 2009 - 15:20 ET by slickwillie2001BTW, are there any forms of religion that are not organized?
→ Yes slick
September 7, 2009 - 15:25 ET by Cool ArrowN.O.H. National Organization of Hermits.
It's a loosely knit organization of Gerald.
We will Barry you! - Russian prophecy
Actually, there are a lot
September 7, 2009 - 15:33 ET by Chris NormanActually, there are a lot of religions, including my Catholic Church, that are pretty disorganized. The Pope only wishes the Church would stay organized, if only for a day or two. :)
The "Mainstream" Media: By liberals. For liberals.
slick--
September 7, 2009 - 15:37 ET by Kat Outta the BagUh...does the Republican party count as a religion?
No, But Liberalism,
September 7, 2009 - 19:39 ET by LiberalliesNo,
But Liberalism, Global Warming, Anti-Americanism, Atheism are. :-)
Their shows are built up on their opinion
September 7, 2009 - 18:02 ET by chaosmongerThey are definitely not John Stossel, but I do enjoy their show, when I can catch it. I know how they feel about religion so I would expect a skewed show on that subject. Their show is opinion based and they would even admit that they could be wrong.
If you look at the list of their shows I am sure you would also seem some topics that a lot on this site would agree with...Global Warming, Taxes, Gun Rights, World Peace and Nukes.
Here is the list of their shows and topics, just so you can take a look. I am not tryin to sway people to like them, but just show that they also hit everyone.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Penn_%26_Teller:_Bullshit!_episodes#Season_1:_2003
I don't agree with them on
September 8, 2009 - 07:42 ET by wiwfI don't agree with them on religion, but boy are they great when they assault leftist ploys like recycling and organic foods.
The Rocky Mountain Collegian: Illustrating Idiocy
Jabba The Don-of-Puke Lies Again!
September 9, 2009 - 00:49 ET by The7Sticks""Penn & Teller's Nazi-like assault on Catholicism that took place on August 27 will go down in history as one of the most vile, obscene programs ever aired in any nation.""
1.) The Vatican aided the Nazis during the Holocaust, so Jabba the Don-of-puke is not one to claim that he was attacked by Nazis since he routinely defends Nazi sympathizers like Pope Pius XII! Hah, put that in your pipe and smoke it!
2.) It wasn't aired, it was relayed on premium cable, which you can only get if you want to PAY for it. So only those who pay for Showtime (most likely in order to watch Californication, which would probably be why I would want to pay for it.) would have been able to watch it in the first place.