Anti-Catholicism still thrives at the Los Angeles Times, even though readers of the paper continue to call them on it. Last week, the Times published a smarmy op-ed by "humor" writer Barry Gottlieb ("That 'thou shalt not' list just got longer," [1] 3/17/08). In addition to propagating the false story that the Vatican had composed a list of "new sins" (it didn't [2]), Gottlieb mocked Catholic belief, ridiculed the sacraments, and derided the Church. In other words, it was just another episode of Catholic bashing at the Times.
Today (Thu. 3/20/08) - to its credit - the Times published three letters to the editor [3] from readers who objected to the column's blatant bigotry. (I couldn't help but embolden some of the right-on points.)
This screed [Gottlieb's piece] insulting the Catholic religion is inexcusable. To publish this in a daily paper is an insult to every Catholic reader.
I dare Barry Gottlieb to write in this vein about the Muslim religion. He would be apologizing forever, and the Muslims would put a price on his head.
RAYMOND G. BOYD
Somis, Calif.+_+_+_+
I have a great idea for an Op-Ed article satirizing Judaism, making puerile fun of its history, traditions, beliefs and ceremonies. I think it's perfect for your editorial pages. What's that? You would never publish such a patently anti-Semitic screed? You would consider it unworthy of a major daily newspaper?
Then why did you give Gottlieb the space to make exactly such an attack on Roman Catholicism?
JIM MORAN
Alhambra+_+_+_+
If an article about the Anti-Defamation League, or the merits of the Israeli wall, contained a tenth of the smart-alecky vitriol of Gottlieb's, it would be decried as anti-Semitic.
MARIA ELENA DE LAS CARRERAS
Northridge
Bravo, readers. But this entire episode begs the question: Why was Gottlieb's article published in the first place?
This is not the first time readers have objected to such blatant anti-Catholicism at the Times (see "Reader Nails LAT Columnist for 'Ignorance,' 'Naiveté,' and 'Anti-Catholicism'" [3] (NB, 8/13/06)).
We've also cited the Times for its anti-Catholic tilt several times before. (See this [3], this [3], this [3], this [3], this [3], this [3], this [3], and this [3].)
The words of Distinguished Penn State Professor Philip Jenkins [4] continue to be ring loud and true: Catholic bashing is "America's last acceptable prejudice." [5]