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WOF TV > Video Commentaries

Trackback URL: http://www.wordonfire.org/trackback/b6843642-2359-4fb5-9d78-1a4e6ea58d10/Fr--Barron-comments-on-Judge-Judy,-Simon-Cowell,-and-the-Lord-God.aspx

Comments

Garth McKinnon

Fr. Barron,
I enjoy most of your video comentaries and believe that they carry a great Catholic message to the world. This one however, I believe is a long stretch at best even an insult to God. I am sure you could have picked better roll models or examples to portray God's honest judgement other than the opinionated and arrogant self serving methods of Judge Judy and Simon Cowell. It makes me question the rationale of all your other teachings now. Poor choice

4/18/2010 5:00:12 PM

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Fr. Gabriel Gillen, O.P.

Garth,

You bring up an interesting point. I agree with you that Judge Judy and Simon Cowell are not role models for God's honest judgement. They are examples of a "distorted form" of authentic religious values.

Maybe Fr. Barron should have repeated this principle near the end of the video, but with this important distinction in mind, his examples are sound. If he had failed to mention the principle of authentic religious values reemerging in culture in distorted forms, I would have judged him guilty and demanded his excommunication!

Sincerely yours in Christ our one true Judge.

Fr. Gabriel Gillen, O.P.

4/21/2010 8:34:30 AM

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Mark Wainwright

Very well said Fr. Barron. I appreciate the examples you established through Judge Judy and Simon Cowell. If a flawed human can make a good judgement based on truth, then how much more are we to welcome the true judgements of God. I think Garth missed the whole point.

4/23/2010 3:50:13 PM

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Garth

In an attempt at gracious clairification, I would like to make one final comment. I have no issue with the points Fr. Barron was making, my issue was with the roll models he uses to make those points. Essentially, I believe that the judgements these people make, more often than not, are grounded on opinion and less on truth or law.

I understand Fr. Barron's desire to reach the people where they live and I totally agree with this approach, but surely there must be better contemporary role models of God's justice that these two.

Finally, I would like to thank Fr Gabreil for his response and explaination. No excommunication required, but what even seems like the affirmation of a "distorted form" of religious values can't be good for the cause.

Thank you for keeping the faith.

5/8/2010 10:11:41 AM

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Min

Thank God for you Fr Barron:)I am so grateful for this because I judge like this, and at times have been attacked unfairly like you were. Something is either right or wrong, black and white,no grey. Some people don't like it but they need healing. Jesus is the Truth Who sets us free.Everything you said was so true and the world needs to hear true judgments not 'feel good' answers.God bless you heaps.

5/21/2010 3:53:29 AM

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Bill

It took me awhile to get used to the judgements of Judge Judy and Simon Cowell because they are both blunt and often appearing as without caring. But after awhile you realize they do really care for the best and they want others to be the best they can be...so Judge Judy has to make judgements based on the law and she often advises people to stop making excuses...she tells and today, many of the litigants make excuses why they cannot accept responsibility in their lives. Simon also wants the contestants on American Idol to be the best they can be and so his critiques are harsh and yet honest. I have seen contestants who did improve acknowledge that Simon was the motivation they really needed. There is nothing wrong with seeing them as role models as long as we teach our children that both these individuals are rightly for the truth. Thank you so much, Father Barron, for your assessment on judgement.

12/16/2010 9:17:43 AM

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Sidd Finn

It is a bit surprising the tough Judge Judy to be hospitalized. Well, she is just human anyway. It is a good thing to pause in times like this. I have read the details here: <a href="http://www.gossipinthecity.com/judge-judy-hospitalized-because-of-stomach-pain/">Judge Judy Hospitalized-gossipinthecity</a>

4/3/2011 9:45:15 AM

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christopher

Garth,
Father Barron said we can look to them as icons, not role models. There is a big difference. An icon is something that draws your attention beyond itself to a greater reality. A role model is someone you look to in order to emulate their behavior. I don't think Father Barron is encouraging us to emulate Judge Judy or Simon Cowell in their self-serving methods as you say, or even saying that they're right all of the time. He's saying that if you look at them carefully, the good that you perceive in their truth telling can lead to a contemplation of God. He's not saying they are perfect; even the greatest icons have flaws and even a perfect icon would have limits...God has neither. But you can't honestly think there is nothing about them that is good!

8/10/2011 11:42:10 AM

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