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Apparently, James Dobson has recently condemned Spongebob Squarepants as "pro-homosexual" for appearing in childrens' video which was made to promote tolerance. That's tolerance, generally, of all people.
I haven't seen the video. Honestly, though, he's a sponge, and impressionable, in addition to being highly absorbent.
In light of today's commentary on religion, and the importance of moderation, I thought this article was pretty timely. If nothing else, it's a really good example of extreme views grabbing the spotlight.
Any thoughts?
Bunbun
[ January 20, 2005, 07:47 PM: Message edited by: bunbun ]
Posted by Zeugma (Member # 6636) on :
Heh, even if the guy had been right about the video promoting tolerance of homosexuals, his line about it being a "classic bait-and-switch"? Is funny. Posted by Chris Bridges (Member # 1138) on :
The Rev, James Dobson is not sponge-worthy.
Posted by Troubadour (Member # 83) on :
I wonder what the Rev. Dobson would think if he visited Italy and saw virile, hetro young men walking down the street holding hands?
Posted by jeniwren (Member # 2002) on :
Without seeing the video it's difficult to know if he's out to lunch or not, don't you think? He didn't say that Spongebob is a gay character. He said that the character was being used on a promotional video with others like Barney to promote a value he thinks is inappropriate for public schools.
Posted by Dagonee (Member # 5818) on :
What bait and switch?
He lives in a pineapple under the sea. We knew he was into fruit.
Dagonee
Posted by bunbun (Member # 6814) on :
I think it's fair to say that Dobson's out to lunch--Spongebob is a cartoon character being used to promote tolerance of all types of people. It really bothers me that in this context, Dobson is able to single out a "pro-homosexual" agenda.
Apparently, the problem is that Spongebob and Patrick were holding hands. As has been pointed out, this is not a new or even an exclusively gay concept.
I find Dobson's criticism really profoundly disturbing.
Posted by digging_holes (Member # 6237) on :
Methinks alot of people are jumping to alot of conclusions in this thread.
Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
Mmm. Virile young men holding hands...
I am not too fond of Dobson. He needs to chill. There is nothing wrong with men holding hands. That doesn't always equal gayness.
Posted by Dagonee (Member # 5818) on :
The real travesty is forcing quality programming such as Sesame Street to associate with Barney. That should be a felony right there.
Plus the subversive Linux propaganda. I saw those penguins!
Dagonee
Posted by digging_holes (Member # 6237) on :
Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
Ok, it's corny, but the message is rather nice. What's the big deal about that?
Posted by bunbun (Member # 6814) on :
I am really glad you posted the link, Bookwyrm.
The Bear in the Big Blue House is in this thing. You have got to be kidding me!
Posted by Dagonee (Member # 5818) on :
I like a lot of Dobson's older work, but some of his stuff since gay marriage became an issue has been a little out there.
Posted by bunbun (Member # 6814) on :
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
This is what he's objecting to. But singling out Spongebob is nuts.
Clearly it's Barney who's gay!
And there's something going on with Kermit and Whoopi . . . Posted by mothertree (Member # 4999) on :
I was gonna say, who do they think they are reaching with Barney?
Don't get me wrong, I actually like Barney. I don't really have a choice.
Is saying they need medication supposed to offensive, or merely stupid? I thought that was the pro-tolerance side.
Posted by James Tiberius Kirk (Member # 2832) on :
Whoa, Mothertree.
You and I must have been watching (er, in my case, hearing as I was here in front of the compie) the same thing.
--j_k
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Actually, I think the funniest thing is the name of the We Are Family Foundation -- or, more accurately, their acronym.
In another fandom I belong to WAFF (most commonly used as an adjective, WAFFy) is used to describe stories that give you a "warm and fuzzy feeling." Posted by mothertree (Member # 4999) on :
Is there a negatory missing in your post somewhere JTK? 'Cuz you lost me. Though the paragraph breaks in my post do signal changes of track.
I'm agreeing that the anti-Sponge Barney critics probably suffer from OCD, but the way that the critic of the critics said they need medication did not reflect the respect that his side apparently advocates.
But it's entirely possible that I don't identify correctly which side he is on.
Posted by Dagonee (Member # 5818) on :
I'm pretty sure the guy who made the medication crack is on the video's side, and I agree, it's quite rude.
Posted by James Tiberius Kirk (Member # 2832) on :
MT: Er, that did sound weird. O_o I mean, your post appeared as right after I heard someone say that the critics of the video needed medication.
--j_k
Posted by jeniwren (Member # 2002) on :
*sigh* I've always thought highly of Dr. Dobson. His pediatric works are very helpful and compassionate.
But if what this article is saying is true, then he's nuts. That video isn't a problem, though I do think it's dumb if they think it will help reduce bullying. Or naive. Whatever.
Posted by Lupus (Member # 6516) on :
I think he is right to condemn spongebob...he just has the wrong reason.
Bash the show because it is dumb...not because of the sexuality of a sponge (besides, sponges are asexual anyway). Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Yes. The purple one.
I told you about Barney!
Posted by Icarus (Member # 3162) on :
I dislike Spongebob, and I despise Barney . . .
. . . but that video is freaking awesome!
I enjoyed it thoroughly. My only complaint is Barney got way too many lines.
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
![[ROFL]](graemlins/rofl.gif)
![[Monkeys]](graemlins/monkeys.gif)
![[Eek!]](eek.gif)
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)