Keaton Religious? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

~Tropical Punch 19~ · 02-19-2002, 10:23 PM

THIS MIGHT BE A STRONG ISSUE TO DISCUSS AND SOME OF YOU MIGHT FEEL OFENDED OR MAY NOT WANNA TALK ABOUT IT.. BUT DO U THINK THE KEATONS WERE RELIGIOUS? IF SO WHAT RELIGION DO YOU THINK THEY WERE? ALSO, DO YOU THINK ANY OF THE CAST MEMBERS WERE RELIGIOUS IN REAL LIFE? JUST WAS WOONDERING WHAT YOUR OPINION IS!!!

Janice · 02-19-2002, 10:44 PM

LilNanFan-- I think this is a good question, and I'm not offended by it at all.
I recall Steven saying once that he believed in God--don't know what show, but I know he said it. So he's not an atheist.
For some reason, my gut tells me the Keatons were Protestant. I have nothing whatsoever to back up this opinion with--just feel that way.
Whatever their denomination, I don't think they were very religious. Perhaps non-practicing, but believers nonetheless.

DJM77 · 02-20-2002, 12:36 AM

The Keatons didn't seem like they were very religious to me. I only say this because the topic of religion rarely if ever came up on the show. I'm not too sure about the cast members in real life except for Justine Bateman ofcourse who is a christian.

FamilyTiesFan · 02-20-2002, 01:27 AM

I think Steven once referred to his being something of a deist, meaning that he believed in a higher power, but not necessarily God in the traditional sense. In the A My Name is Alex episode Alex decided that he believed in God. So the Keatons did believe in God, but other than that I don't think they were very religious. I have no idea what religion the cast members belong to.

MJFfan · 02-20-2002, 07:55 PM

They didn't go to church... I know that much. In the one where their Aunt dies, Steven says he beleives that there is some "Ruling Spirit". In the episodes you see that at least Alex ans Steven beleive in some sort of God. However, neither beleive in the real God, because Alex says he doesn't beleive in Brother Timothy's God. I found his comment a bit offensive as I am Catholic. Don't worry though, I don't find this subject offensive.

Michael Cross · 02-21-2002, 03:07 AM

The Keaton's seemed pretty morally correct most of the time, but I highly doubt that they were religious. There was an episode on recently where Steven was saying that the best thing to do on Sunday morning was to cook a big breakfast or something like that, but he didn't mention church. I don't think the Keaton's mention going to church in any of their episodes and religion wasn't every really brought up, except for, as mentioned earlier, that there were times when the acceptance of a higher power was made. Those are my thoughts, anyway.

alf8mycat · 02-21-2002, 06:27 AM

I religiously watch the show !

But yeah, I think the writers tip toed around the subject. It was the 80's after all. I think it might of made for some great episodes if they did some episodes that revolved around faith and stuff. Would of been better than a flash back episode which they seemed to have every damn season.

Even the Simpsons go to church!

Brad Russ · 02-27-2002, 04:22 AM

There was an episode entitled my name is Alex where Elyse recalls a conversation she once had with Alexe's deceased friend Greg. He said to her Elyse, I know your not a particulary Religious person, but if your new baby turns out to be another Alex, your going to need this. And then he handed her a Bible. So based on that comment I don't think the Keaton's as a whole were Religious. But as others have said the characters of Steven, and Alex believe in God but the other characters I don't recall ever mentioning God. Except for the time Mallory asked her dad if he believed in God. Anyway, hopefully that helps.

02-19-2002, 10:23 PM	#1
~Tropical Punch 19~ Member Senior Member Join Date: Jul 19, 2001 Location: I'm a fly on Clay's wall Posts: 1,961	Keaton Religious? THIS MIGHT BE A STRONG ISSUE TO DISCUSS AND SOME OF YOU MIGHT FEEL OFENDED OR MAY NOT WANNA TALK ABOUT IT.. BUT DO U THINK THE KEATONS WERE RELIGIOUS? IF SO WHAT RELIGION DO YOU THINK THEY WERE? ALSO, DO YOU THINK ANY OF THE CAST MEMBERS WERE RELIGIOUS IN REAL LIFE? JUST WAS WOONDERING WHAT YOUR OPINION IS!!!

02-19-2002, 10:44 PM	#2
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	LilNanFan-- I think this is a good question, and I'm not offended by it at all. I recall Steven saying once that he believed in God--don't know what show, but I know he said it. So he's not an atheist. For some reason, my gut tells me the Keatons were Protestant. I have nothing whatsoever to back up this opinion with--just feel that way. Whatever their denomination, I don't think they were very religious. Perhaps non-practicing, but believers nonetheless.
	Last edited by Janice; 02-20-2002 at 10:03 AM.

02-20-2002, 12:36 AM	#3
DJM77 Member Forum Veteran Join Date: May 15, 2001 Location: Missouri Posts: 5,564	The Keatons didn't seem like they were very religious to me. I only say this because the topic of religion rarely if ever came up on the show. I'm not too sure about the cast members in real life except for Justine Bateman ofcourse who is a christian.
	__________________ Marge: There are only 49 stars on that flag. Abe: I'll be deep in the cold, cold ground before I recognize Missouri! Last edited by DJM77; 02-20-2002 at 12:40 AM.

02-20-2002, 07:55 PM	#5
MJFfan I love Family Ties! Frequent Poster Join Date: Jan 01, 2002 Location: U.S.A. Posts: 324	They didn't go to church... I know that much. In the one where their Aunt dies, Steven says he beleives that there is some "Ruling Spirit". In the episodes you see that at least Alex ans Steven beleive in some sort of God. However, neither beleive in the real God, because Alex says he doesn't beleive in Brother Timothy's God. I found his comment a bit offensive as I am Catholic. Don't worry though, I don't find this subject offensive.
	__________________ ~Charlotte A big fan of family ties

02-21-2002, 06:27 AM	#7
alf8mycat Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Dec 21, 2001 Location: Southern California Posts: 77	I religiously watch the show ! But yeah, I think the writers tip toed around the subject. It was the 80's after all. I think it might of made for some great episodes if they did some episodes that revolved around faith and stuff. Would of been better than a flash back episode which they seemed to have every damn season. Even the Simpsons go to church!
	__________________ Stifle it will ya.

02-20-2002, 01:27 AM	#4
FamilyTiesFan Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Nov 21, 2001 Location: WA Posts: 142	I think Steven once referred to his being something of a deist, meaning that he believed in a higher power, but not necessarily God in the traditional sense. In the A My Name is Alex episode Alex decided that he believed in God. So the Keatons did believe in God, but other than that I don't think they were very religious. I have no idea what religion the cast members belong to.

02-21-2002, 03:07 AM	#6
Michael Cross Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Feb 05, 2002 Location: California Posts: 28	The Keaton's seemed pretty morally correct most of the time, but I highly doubt that they were religious. There was an episode on recently where Steven was saying that the best thing to do on Sunday morning was to cook a big breakfast or something like that, but he didn't mention church. I don't think the Keaton's mention going to church in any of their episodes and religion wasn't every really brought up, except for, as mentioned earlier, that there were times when the acceptance of a higher power was made. Those are my thoughts, anyway.

02-27-2002, 04:22 AM	#8
Brad Russ Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Feb 17, 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 10,085	There was an episode entitled my name is Alex where Elyse recalls a conversation she once had with Alexe's deceased friend Greg. He said to her Elyse, I know your not a particulary Religious person, but if your new baby turns out to be another Alex, your going to need this. And then he handed her a Bible. So based on that comment I don't think the Keaton's as a whole were Religious. But as others have said the characters of Steven, and Alex believe in God but the other characters I don't recall ever mentioning God. Except for the time Mallory asked her dad if he believed in God. Anyway, hopefully that helps.