Disney World Cancels Christian Services, Flap Ensues

CNSNews.com ^ | December 18, 2002 | Michael L. Betsch

[Teacher317]

What's wrong with wanting to go to the same services you've attended for a generation?

[Rebelbase]

"can no longer accommodate 1,500 Catholic and Protestant families who want to go to those Sunday services. "

The line to Mr. Toad's Wild Ride can accomodate more people that that.

[Petronski]

I know, I'm repeating myself, but it bears repetition:

BOYCOTT DISNEY: a vortex of seductive evil™

[savedbygrace]

This is just a wild gues, but here goes.

The park opens at 9am (depending on the time of the year, IIRC) and if they drive miles away to attend a church service, they wouldn't get back by the 9am start time. If they're paying more than $30 for a day ticket, and they've got three kids they're spending over $150 a day in tickets alone, not counting food and stuff. So at those prices they don't want to burn any daylight outside the park.

Kinda like being sure to eat everything on your plate when the dinner is costing you $100.

But I could be wrong.

[pgyanke]

The services were actually very nice. They were not run by Disney, it's just that a space was provided. Guests who were staying within the park, whether it was at a themed hotel, regular hotel or campground could ride the monorail to the Polynesian Resort for services.

It was a great lesson for children and for family values: we may be at a theme park and having a jolly time but church time still takes precedence. My family did this and it did make an impression.

Unless the local parishes plan to set up shuttle service this is now far more complicated and expensive. I know, if it's worth doing, people will find a way to make it work...

It's not that it's a right to have the services, it's that it was part of the fabric of Disney that is being discarded like the rest.

[Cicero]

Despite what several of the people interviewed naively assume, this is NOT a financial decision. Obviously if a mob of 3,000 Catholics shows up for Mass every Sunday, the smart thing to do would be to accommodate them. They are paying customers.

Nor was it simply done to please politically correct Disney visitors or homosexuals, who could care less if there are churches hidden away somewhere on the property.

This was done because Michael Eisner and the folks who run Disney hate Catholicism and Christianity in general, as they have amply evidenced with "Priest" and "Nothing Sacred." The present bosses at Disney are perverts. They want to make the company over in their image, even if the bottom line suffers--as it is in fact doing. Eisner is at risk of losing his job, but he still goes on his merry way destroying the company because perversion is more important to him than money.

[Red Jones]

the people who control disney may be jewish, but they don't take their religion seriously IMHO. Kind of like Hitler was a christian right? Yeah, but you know all real christians are extremely offended by hitler and nazi-esque type thinking.

Disney's going down the drain. praise the lord for the boycott is my opinion.

[keats5]

"...corporate officials claim the 35,000-acre facility can no longer accommodate 1,500 Catholic and Protestant families who want to go to those Sunday services."

So, services will be cancelled due to excessive demand?

[pgyanke]

> "So, services will be cancelled due to excessive demand?"

BINGO! Let's here it for Economics 101... now if we could just get Michael to attend class...

[Tucson]

The services were conducted by clergy members from local churches. Disney simply provided space for the service.

[SoothingDave]

Of course the local diocese lobbied for this... it puts the tourist dollars in THEIR collection plates. Maybe I'm getting too cynical but a lot our leadership is earning it...

Spare us the "I'm a Catholic" line, huh? And try using your brain.

Do you think Disney has their own priests? Or would priests from the local diocese come to the building Disney alloted for services and celebrate Mass?

Do you honestly think the Catholic Church let Disney take the proceeds from the collection? Do you honestly think Disney would be stupid enough to think what are essentially charitable donations were their money?

You really need to think before you open your mouth next time.

Actually, since probably fewer people will attend Mass, it now being a hassle to get to, the diocese will lose money.

And, for what it's worth, some room in a resort, especially a resort with the reputation of Disney is not a fitting place for a Mass anyway. Mass should be held in a sacred place, a place specially dedicated for such.

SD

[Paulus Invictus]

Get a clue folks! Disney Inc. is and will continue to be anti-Christian! That is their policy. I avoid anything they make or sell.

[Psycho_Bunny]

You know what killed it for me?  When I had honestly "Had Enough" of the Disney Company?

I heard an album of childrens tunes, released by Disney a couple years ago and the cut of Little Bunny Foo-Foo had been changed to:

Little Bunny Foo-Foo,

Hoppin' through the forest,

Pickin' up the field mice

And kissin' them on the head.

 

I mean, come the hell on: give me a freaking break. 

I know it's a pretty stupid thing to find annoying but, it was just too disingenuous for me to feel anything but resentment for the company.

[Centurion2000]

The Orlando-based Disney resort and theme park began offering regular, weekend church services in 1975, but corporate officials claim the 35,000-acre facility can no longer accommodate 1,500 Catholic and Protestant families who want to go to those Sunday services

But of course Gay days will be the new sacrosanct festivals at Disney.

[Hawkeye's Girl]

Walt wanted the Christian services at Disney, he wanted family values. This new crowd is on their way to destroying Disney.

Exactly. And I can't imagine 'ol Walt being too happy about it.

Someone needs to clean Mickey's house.

[hattend]

The management of Disney just continues to alienate those of us raised on wholesome family values.

Amazing. I really have to chuckle at their decline.

[Mamzelle]

re:What's wrong with going to their church for religious services? Or is their religion unable to compete with all those attractive rides?)))

The idea was that many families are at the park on the weekend, on Sunday. The services were a convenience and a chance for the park to show its support for observance. Now the park has a chance to show its lack of support and respect for Christians.