Watch out SpongeBob!!!!!

[Melman]

Poor SpongeBob. Looks like he's a threat to mankind....er...or something like that. Does this put him in the same category as Tinky Wink????? You know how Tinky Wink caused all those babies and toddlers to become gay. :rolleyes: We certainly wouldn't want a film that's designed to "encourage tolerance and diversity" to be a good thing, right? :confused: :rolleyes:

Christians issue gay warning on SpongeBob video
Conservative groups criticize maker's 'tolerance pledge'
Friday, January 21, 2005 Posted: 10:26 AM EST (1526 GMT)


LOS ANGELES, California (Reuters) -- Conservative Christian groups accuse the makers of a video starring SpongeBob SquarePants, Barney and a host of other cartoon characters of promoting homosexuality to children.

The wacky square yellow SpongeBob is one of the stars of a music video due to be sent to 61,000 U.S. schools in March. The makers -- the nonprofit We Are Family Foundation -- say the video is designed to encourage tolerance and diversity.

But at least two Christian activist groups say the innocent cartoon characters are being exploited to promote the acceptance of homosexuality.

"A short step beneath the surface reveals that one of the differences being celebrated is homosexuality," wrote Ed Vitagliano in an article for the American Family Association.

The video is a remake of the 1979 hit song "We Are Family" using the voices and images of SpongeBob, Barney, Winnie the Pooh, Bob the Builder, the Rugrats and other TV cartoon characters. It was made by a foundation set up by songwriter Nile Rodgers after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, in an effort to promote healing.

Christian groups however have taken exception to the tolerance pledge on the foundation's Web site, which asks people to respect the sexual identity of others along with their abilities, beliefs, culture and race.

"Their inclusion of the reference to 'sexual identity" within their 'tolerance pledge' is not only unnecessary, but it crosses a moral line," James Dobson, founder of Focus on the Family, said in a statement released Thursday.

Rodgers said he was astounded by the attack.

"That is so myopic and harsh," he told Reuters. "You have really got to look hard to find anything in this that is offensive to anyone. The last thing I am going to do is taint these characters."

Dobson was quoted by the New York Times on Thursday as having singled out the wildly popular SpongeBob during remarks about the video at dinner this week in Washington, D.C.

SpongeBob, who lives in a pineapple under the sea, was "outed" by the U.S. media in 2002 after reports that the TV show and its merchandise are popular with gays. His creator, Stephen Hillenburg, said at the time that though SpongeBob was an oddball, he thought of all the characters in the show as asexual.

It is not the first time that children's TV favorites have come under the critical spotlight of the Christian right. In 1999, the Rev. Jerry Falwell described Tinky Winky, the purse-toting purple Teletubbie, as a gay role model.

[sneezles]

Wish the media would quit giving that group any coverage! I've always been dumbfounded by their idiot comments.

[jellyben]

Heaven forbid we all show tolerance for others.

[SandyM]

Originally posted by jellyben
Heaven forbid we all show tolerance for others.

Right.

Dobson is one scary dude. :rolleyes:

[matt]

This is depressing, maybe we should go back to the stone ages and show our animal sides. I wonder how they are to explain the ignorance and bigotry to their children. It must be nice to show them how to hate anyone who is different. Shouldn't they being using the money to protest this to help better mankind..

but hey after all it is only a sponge!!!

Matt

[aggie94]

Originally posted by Melman
It is not the first time that children's TV favorites have come under the critical spotlight of the Christian right. In 1999, the Rev. Jerry Falwell described Tinky Winky, the purse-toting purple Teletubbie, as a gay role model.

Right. Because that's who gays have chosen as their role models - Tinky Winky and SpongeBob. Because they don't have anyone better. :rolleyes:

[lisas3575]

Originally posted by aggie94


Right. Because that's who gays have chosen as their role models - Tinky Winky and SpongeBob. Because they don't have anyone better. :rolleyes:

LMAO. :D

[SueK]

I saw this on The Today Show today. :rolleyes: I think some people have w-a-y too much time on their hands! Who would actually sit down to analyze this show and come up with something like that???

[badunnin]

Of course, it all started with Bert and Ernie...

[tamawrite]

Part of being tolerant is allowing other people to have and share their own views, even if we do not agree with them.

While I agree with Dr. Dobson that promoting homosexuality to children (and I have NO idea whether SpongeBob does so) is wrong because I believe that homoesexuality is morally wrong according to the Bible, I also believe that those who disagree with me are entitled to their own opinions.

So is Dobson.

So are you.

So am I.

That's tolerance.

Each of us is responsible, in the end, for the results of our actions, opinions, and influnces...for good or for ill. I believe in a God who will decide.

You don't?

Your choice. ;) :)


(edited for clarity)

[HejazSunKat]

Originally posted by SueK
I think some people have w-a-y too much time on their hands!

Uh huh. My thoughts exactly. Mr. Dobson spends his time fretting about the sexual proclivities of an imaginary character who lives in a pineapple under the sea. His views are not worthy of being taken seriously.

[tamawrite]

Originally posted by HejazSunKat

Mr. Dobson spends his time fretting about the sexual proclivities of an imaginary character who lives in a pineapple under the sea. His views are not worthy of being taken seriously.

Unless, of course, your child is absorbing part of his or her formative worldview from said imaginary character, with whose opinion you as a parent happen to disagree on moral grounds. (Note that we're talking about young children here, not older ones prepared to draw conclusions after examining evidence on both sides of an issue.)

I'm neither a parent nor a person familiar with SpongeBob and his sexual proclivities. (I avoid him on other grounds -- he's just plain annoying. ;)) However, IF I were a parent and IF I felt a television character was promoting what I believed to be improper morals, I would not allow my child to watch programs including that character.

Dr. Dobson is pointing out what some parents will consider a problem, and other parents will not. If you're in the "not" group, that's your choice. I'm not trying to tell you what to believe; rather, I'm sharing what I believe. Fair 'nough? :)

[MusicMom]

Originally posted by tamawrite I'm not trying to tell you what to believe; rather, I'm sharing what I believe. Fair 'nough? :)

That's fine- no one is criticizing your beliefs. I respect your opinion, even if I don't share it.

Dr. Dobson is another story, though. He's stirring up trouble where none exists. I spent some time surfing around the We are Family Foundation's website- WAFF (http://www.wearefamilyfoundation.org/index.asp)

A couple of facts: The video itself makes no mention of sexuality, so children only get the message that they should appreciate diversity and love others who are different from themselves. Isn't that one of the main messages taught in the Bible?

Also, the pledge that the Conservative leaders object to was borrowed by the foundation from the Southern Law Poverty Center, a long-time proponent of civil rights and equality. It is on the WAFF website, not the video. Here it is:

Tolerance is a personal decision that comes from a belief that every person is a treasure. I believe that America's diversity is its strength. I also recognize that ignorance, insensitivity and bigotry can turn that diversity into a source of prejudice and discrimination.

To help keep diversity a wellspring of strength and make America a better place for all, I pledge to have respect for people whose abilities, beliefs, culture, race, sexual identity or other characteristics are different from my own.

The problem with Dr. Dobson is that he's preaching intolerance and it will continue unless people call him on it. You cannot be on the side of tolerance and tolerate intolerant actions. I know he's trying to protect his ideal of family life, but he loses my respect when he twists things around to create something that's not even there.

[kkapow]

and let's not forget.... these are IMAGINARY characters!

"methinks they doth protest too much" - maybe having some guilt of their own?

karen

[HejazSunKat]

Originally posted by tamawrite
I'm not trying to tell you what to believe; rather, I'm sharing what I believe. Fair 'nough? :)

And I wasn't trying to tell you what to believe. My comment was directed towards Mr. Dobson who I think is an idiot for engaging in a public debate about cartoon characters when there are so many more important issues he could be addressing. As you said yourself - if people don't like Spongebob turn off the TV. Responsible parents shouldn't need to be TOLD by the likes of James Dobson or anyone else what's offensive to them and what's not. If I were a parent I would find that offensive. This is one man's opinion about what this cartoon's subliminal message is. Who's to say he's right? Even if he is I'd thank him to keep his mouth shut and not presume to dictate how I should be parenting my child. I could do that without any interference from him.

[Wendy w]

Originally posted by kkapow
and let's not forget.... these are IMAGINARY characters!

"methinks they doth protest too much" - maybe having some guilt of their own?



Bingo! With all of the causes in the world that could use his good Christian assistance, he has to obsess over such a ridiculous concept.

[Melman]

The really wild thing about this whole story is that the video has SpongeBob in it for MAYBE 2 seconds....I think there were at least 3 appearances of him in the film for a fraction of a second each. Many other cartoon characters are in there including the Muppets (watch out Kermit or Miss Piggy!!!), Winnie the Pooh (NOT wearing pants as they pointed out!! :eek: ) and Tigger, the Clifford, and a huge number of other cartoon characters that I don't recognize at all.

It's really not SpongeBob that Dobson is complaining about. He could have picked any other cartoon from the video; many of the others had much more screen time than he did. It's obvious that it's just the whole idea of tolerance that gives him such a problem.

Looks like my decision was right years ago when I would immediately change any radio station anytime his voice was heard. UGH! I think he fits right in there with Falwell and crew. Quacks.

Yep. That's my opinion. :rolleyes:

[Jessica]

Originally posted by HejazSunKat
Mr. Dobson spends his time fretting about the sexual proclivities of an imaginary character who lives in a pineapple under the sea.

Snort.

[hollysmom]

Though I have always wondered about Patrick...

My name is Susan and I have a 7 year old - that is why I know this.

There was an episode where Spongebob and Patrick find an orphaned baby scallop (?) and decide to raise it - Patrick goes out to 'make the bacon' and Spongebob has to stay home with the baby. Kinda two guys keeping house with a baby. Maybe that is the one that set this ball rolling.

SSM

[tamawrite]

Originally posted by HejazSunKat


And I wasn't trying to tell you what to believe.

:) FWIW, I didn't mean to indicate that you were doing so. I just wanted to head off a common reaction (not necessarily yours) to the expression of personal opinions.

For those who are interested, I've posted information regarding Dr. Dobson's take on the Spongebob brouhaha on the "As Paul Harvey Would Say" thread.

[BarbaraL]

Originally posted by HejazSunKat


. . . an imaginary character who lives in a pineapple under the sea.

But pineapples don't grow under the sea . . .
Sorry, just being silly to lighten the mood. I don't think that consenting adults in a loving, committed relationship are immoral. I'm more worried about "an eye for an eye" etc.

[jmarie]

Since this is old hat, I have to say the other thread more accurately discussed this.