Last Friday’s episode of “The View” is making headlines after the show decided to bleep out the name “Jesus Christ,” with some critics lashing out over the decision to mute the Christian savior’s full title from the discussion.
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The question, of course, is why the network made that decision. But before we get there, let’s first explore the details surrounding what exactly unfolded.
The hosts of the show were discussing the Ten Commandments when host Paula Faris — who is a Christian — started sharing about her upbringing and the words that she was and wasn’t allowed to say as a child, specifically when it came to taking the Lord’s name in vain.
“My parents were really strict about what we said in the home. We couldn’t say, ‘Oh, my God.’ We couldn’t say J.C., we couldn’t say [bleeped out],” Faris said during the show. “My son…we could say ‘Jeez’ … unless you were praising him, and then you could say, [bleeped out].”
She said she implements these same restrictions in her own home and also slipped in a great proclamation about the Bible — one that was largely missed in the hoopla over the removal: “The great thing about the Bible and God is the same yesterday, today and forever.”
This, of course, comes from Hebrews 13:8 in the Bible, which reads, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
Watch the moment unfold at the 4-minute mark:
The decision to bleep “Jesus Christ” sparked some notice and intense critique — and it’s not the first time that “The View” has come under fire for deciding to strip the word from the show.
It could be possible, however, that the decision was likely rooted in not offending viewers. Consider that Faris’ use of the term “Jesus Christ” was referring to it in a negative light.
And considering the importance among many of not taking the Lord’s name in vain, it makes sense why the network would want to exercise caution.
In fact, a similar issue unfolded back in when host Joy Behar used Jesus’ name — and the network bleeped it.
Some Christians were upset afterward, but ABC explained that it was trying not to offend people by keeping Behar’s mention in the show. Snopes has more:
On a 23 May 2002 episode of The View, co-host Joy Behar said of the end of her daily weigh-ins (she’d been dieting), “Yes, and thank you, thank you, Jesus, is all I have to say.” Her words were aired live in much of the country, but when ABC broadcast a taped version of the show on the West Coast, “Jesus” was edited out.
According to ABC spokeswoman Julie Hoover, that usage ran afoul of a particular standard the network adheres to. ABC has no problem with Jesus’ name if it is used in a “prayerful and respectful manner,” she said. But ABC does not allow Jesus’ name to be used in an exclamation.
In an attempt to bend over backwards to not condone what many would have seen as blasphemy,
“Jesus” got bleeped. This put yet another group of Christians up in arms over what they perceived as censorship of the holy name. Rather than realizing ABC had been trying to prevent what many would have seen as a misuse of the name, those ranting about censorship fretted that the network was turning its back upon Jesus.
While anything is possible, it would appear the most recent omission is most likely rooted in similar concerns. Still, you can read more about the debate and decide for yourself.