Conservative Christians are now targeting Spongebob

[QUOTE=Undertow][URL=http://www.nytimes.com/2005/01/20/politics/20sponge.html]http://www.nytimes.com/2005/01/20/politics/20sponge.html[/URL]

What. The. Hell.[/QUOTE]

Goddamn, now i have to sign up.

[QUOTE=mikandrewz]Goddamn, now i have to sign up.[/QUOTE]

Yeah, forgot to mention that. Subscription is required, but just make an email account on Yahoo or Hotmail, it takes five minutes.

After that, discuss.

[QUOTE=Undertow][URL=http://www.nytimes.com/2005/01/20/politics/20sponge.html]http://www.nytimes.com/2005/01/20/politics/20sponge.html[/URL]

What. The. Hell.[/QUOTE]

Well there are far too many sexual deviants in childrens programs, always has been. Look at sesame street, my sister started sharing her bed with a banana after seeing that.

Southern Poverty Law = A group of extremists that get way too much credibility in the press.

I saw the Spongebob movie and I didn't feel like goin' gay. At least not any more than I normally do.

can you just summarize that for us? I really don't want to sign up.

[QUOTE=dzudzu]can you just summarize that for us? I really don't want to sign up.[/QUOTE]

spongebob holds hands with his friends and somebody is using him for a tolerance cartoon. The xians are saying that its encouraging kids to go gay, the makers of the cartoon say that it's actually about cultural tolerance and that sexual identity is not mentioned.

Best way to put an end to this sort of nonsense:
Sterilize everyone on the planet and in less than 100 years, problem solved.

[QUOTE=dzudzu]can you just summarize that for us? I really don't want to sign up.[/QUOTE]

Basically, some conservative Christian groups are showing concern over Spongebob Squarepants, because he walks around holding hands with his partner and they think it implies homosexuality. I guess the show's creators included Spongebob in some sort of pro-homosexuality video, along with Barney and Jimmy Neutron, to be sent to elementary schools to promote a "tolerance pledge." Basically, the groups are targeting Spongebob simply because of guilt by association.

[QUOTE=mikandrewz]spongebob holds hands with his friends and somebody is using him for a tolerance cartoon. The xians are saying that its encouraging kids to go gay, the makers of the cartoon say that it's actually about cultural tolerance and that sexual identity is not mentioned.[/QUOTE]

Whoa there killer.
It's not Christians. It's the Southern Poverty Law Center. Just because they happen to be Christians does not mean that all Christian are against Spongebob or homosexuality. Lets try not to condem an entire group by the actions of a tiny minority.

(ps. Islamic = terrorist)

[QUOTE=rkdaley]Whoa there killer.
It's not Christians. It's the Southern Poverty Law Center. Just because they happen to be Christians does not mean that all Christian are against Spongebob or homosexuality. Lets try not to condem an entire group by the actions of a tiny minority.

(ps. Islamic = terrorist)[/QUOTE]

I was summerising. Also I'm not really familiar with the SPLC, I kinda skipped over that bit and kept to the thread title.

I included another one from BBC's website, in case you haven't looked at the first post yet.

Wow. That's all I can say about that. And besides, we all know Mr. Rogers was gay but noone said anything when I was a kid against him.

Actually, now that i think of it, I remember hearing about a year and a half ago that Spongebob merchandise is consumed largely by gays. They apparently make up the largest percentage of Spongebob merchandise owners. Interesting tangent.

[QUOTE=rkdaley]Whoa there killer.
It's not Christians. It's the Southern Poverty Law Center. Just because they happen to be Christians does not mean that all Christian are against Spongebob or homosexuality. Lets try not to condem an entire group by the actions of a tiny minority.

(ps. Islamic = terrorist)[/QUOTE]

Thank you.

[I]WAFF spokesman Mark Barondeso told the newspaper that anyone who thought the video promoted homosexuality "needs to visit their doctor and get their medication increased". [/I]

^ Agreed. ^

Let me just reitterate, I'm a Christian and I dig this little spongey guy. Unfortunately, I get thrown into the midst of broadstroke statements every time some news source blames something on Christians. It seems only wacko Christians make the news these days. There's plenty of normal ones with good taste that dig cartoons and literature and drink alchohol and dance and live real lives.
But the latter just isn't newsworthy I guess.

[QUOTE=ireLocus][I]WAFF spokesman Mark Barondeso told the newspaper that anyone who thought the video promoted homosexuality "needs to visit their doctor and get their medication increased". [/I]

^ Agreed. ^

Let me just reitterate, I'm a Christian and I dig this little spongey guy. Unfortunately, I get thrown into the midst of broadstroke statements every time some news source blames something on Christians. It seems only wacko Christians make the news these days. There's plenty of normal ones with good taste that dig cartoons and literature and drink alchohol and dance and live real lives.
But the latter just isn't newsworthy I guess.[/QUOTE]

I second this.

[QUOTE=ireLocus][I]WAFF spokesman Mark Barondeso told the newspaper that anyone who thought the video promoted homosexuality "needs to visit their doctor and get their medication increased". [/I]

^ Agreed. ^

Let me just reitterate, I'm a Christian and I dig this little spongey guy. Unfortunately, I get thrown into the midst of broadstroke statements every time some news source blames something on Christians. It seems only wacko Christians make the news these days. There's plenty of normal ones with good taste that dig cartoons and literature and drink alchohol and dance and live real lives.
But the latter just isn't newsworthy I guess.[/QUOTE]

I agree, and by no means was I trying to imply all Christians are bad. I'm realizing the thread title might be indicating otherwise, but I was just summarizing what the NY Times article labeled the group as. The people involved in this article are morons, in my mind, but it's not because of their religious views. I'd still be posting this if it were just some random grassroots group who hate gays.

[QUOTE=ireLocus][I]WAFF spokesman Mark Barondeso told the newspaper that anyone who thought the video promoted homosexuality "needs to visit their doctor and get their medication increased". [/I]

^ Agreed. ^

Let me just reitterate, I'm a Christian and I dig this little spongey guy. Unfortunately, I get thrown into the midst of broadstroke statements every time some news source blames something on Christians. It seems only wacko Christians make the news these days. There's plenty of normal ones with good taste that dig cartoons and literature and drink alchohol and dance and live real lives.
But the latter just isn't newsworthy I guess.[/QUOTE]

Actually, what Barondeso SHOULD have said was...anyone who thinks their video promotes homosexuality, "can suck my dick."

Now that would have given them something to get offended about.

I no longer worry about offending people. Everyone is offended nowadays about everything. Rude, obnoxious conservative people always give me dirty, I'm-better-than-you looks, (I'm bald and stocky and look like a small wrestler, and I'm prone to stick out like a sore thumb) and I've grown to the point when I tell them to Fuck Off, right to their arogant, close minded faces. Give the offended something to really get offended about, that's what I say. These stupid fucking cows are so fucked up to think that we are brainwashing children to be homosexual. That's like the stupidest thing I've ever heard in my fucking life.

Quit telling people how to live their lives, and maybe, just maybe...everyone will get along a little bit better.

[QUOTE=Undertow]I agree, and by no means was I trying to imply all Christians are bad. I'm realizing the thread title might be indicating otherwise, but I was just summarizing what the NY Times article labeled the group as. The people involved in this article are morons, in my mind, but it's not because of their religious views. I'd still be posting this if it were just some random grassroots group who hate gays.[/QUOTE]

ditto.. no worries. I know you well enough.. I just posted all that for any other culties out there, just to clear the air.

I second [I]that![/I]

Please note no mention of Jimmy Neutron being targeted by the same group. Sounds like a publicity stunt, which I guess I fell for by posting this. Fuck. Oh well, it's making us read the news, right?

[QUOTE=Undertow]Please note no mention of Jimmy Neutron being targeted by the same group. Sounds like a publicity stunt, which I guess I fell for by posting this. Fuck. Oh well, it's making us read the news, right?[/QUOTE]

Damn the news.

I heard on the TV that Focus on the Family was throwing there weight around on the issue also. They, unfortunately, have a bit of clout especially amoung the middle-class 'normal' christians.

[QUOTE=ireLocus] It seems only wacko Christians make the news these days. .[/QUOTE]
Do you mean "wacko" as in crazy or "way-co" as in texas?

Personally, Spongebob has not influenced my sexual proclivities nor my desire to live under the sea. But I DO hold hands with all my best friends now. And I wear square pants when I go clubbing.

reminds me of one of my favorite fallback jokes: how can you tell when your roommate is gay? his dick taste like shit.

[QUOTE=vigorous puppy]Do you mean "wacko" as in crazy or "way-co" as in texas?

Personally, Spongebob has not influenced my sexual proclivities nor my desire to live under the sea. But I DO hold hands with all my best friends now. And I wear square pants when I go clubbing. ;)[/QUOTE]

You must have the weirdest looking ass ever.

quick question to all that have posted... do all your peers/friends/fam's share the same attitude as you do?

[QUOTE=marte]quick question to all that have posted... do all your peers/friends/fam's share the same attitude as you do?[/QUOTE]
This qiestion is directed at everyone? Then...

"Yes and no."

[QUOTE=DecoyRobot]Best way to put an end to this sort of nonsense:
Sterilize everyone on the planet and in less than 100 years, problem solved.[/QUOTE]
that would be a good sci-fi movie....

[QUOTE=marte]quick question to all that have posted... do all your peers/friends/fam's share the same attitude as you do?[/QUOTE]

(checks post count of marte)

Oh God, where's this heading?

[QUOTE=marte]quick question to all that have posted... do all your peers/friends/fam's share the same attitude as you do?[/QUOTE]

I don't know any Christians who have a problem with Spongebob. Actually, we were at this white elephant Christmas party (in a Christian group) and the item of choice was some Spongebob thing.

PS And I'm sick of whacko extremist Christians giving us all a bad name.

[QUOTE=rkdaley]Whoa there killer.
It's not Christians. It's the Southern Poverty Law Center. Just because they happen to be Christians does not mean that all Christian are against Spongebob or homosexuality. Lets try not to condem an entire group by the actions of a tiny minority.

(ps. Islamic = terrorist)[/QUOTE]
it's also Dobson, of Focus On The Family, a company respected by thousands upon thousands of christians in this country. trust me. they are located right here in the city i live in; the reason i live here is because they are here, because 12 years ago my mom got a job here so we moved to town.
every time a new cartoon comes out, Focus on the Family looks hard at it and then accuses it of promoting something immoral.
every time i came home, my mom would look hard into my eyes and then accuse me of smoking something illegal.
coincidence!!!??????/

[QUOTE=izen]it's also Dobson, of Focus On The Family, a company respected by thousands upon thousands of christians in this country. trust me. they are located right here in the city i live in; the reason i live here is because they are here, because 12 years ago my mom got a job here so we moved to town.
every time a new cartoon comes out, Focus on the Family looks hard at it and then accuses it of promoting something immoral.
every time i came home, my mom would look hard into my eyes and then accuse me of smoking something illegal.
coincidence!!!??????/[/QUOTE]
Yea, I have no respect for Dobson or anyone else that decides their brand of morality is superior and needs to be followed. Unfortunately, most of my immediate family (two uncles, my grandparents, and an aunt on my dad's side) all agree with him and see nothing wrong. Oh, the discussions we have.

To put it concisely... when they're wrong, they're wrong. Dobson sticks to his guns though.. I'll give him that. My parents are into them so much that they honestly believe watching scary or even psuedo scary movies is bad for you... they won't rent or watch scary movies cause they're scared of what it brings into the house.

Now honestly.. I'm a Christian, and I believe this is just wrong, running around being "really" afraid of fake things like movies or TV shows. I have a moral limit to the things I'll enjoy, but I just can't see knocking something as funny as Spongebob for gay-ness. I mean... aren't most cartoons of thta caliber pretty "gay" anyways.

Seriously, there should be a show.. [B]Queer Eye for the Conservative Elitist[/B]. I can just picture it in my head, some lady running around her house holding out a Bible between her and they gay guys, yelling at her kids [I]"Turn off that Spongebob, he's a servant of the devil. Or do you want to be Satan's Incubus? Do like mommy says and we can play Bible trivia later."[/I]

[QUOTE=marte]quick question to all that have posted... do all your peers/friends/fam's share the same attitude as you do?[/QUOTE]
Absolutley not on my behalf. And that question is not relevant, regaurdless of who people associate with doesnt take away their right to give an opinion.

But on the same page as everyone else is, its all these die-hard bible beaters who have been mentally deformed for life either by some bible camp, birth, fellow bible-gun-ho-person, paster (sp), or the book itself, just, ya know, something of the like....
I'm not Christian, i'm not anything, i'm a mixture of most religions all rolled in with some self made beliefs to create my beliefs....but i know not all christians think this... (raised with the worst.. the catholics... 6 damn years of catholic schooling)

anywho... gay, straight, whatever... we all know it needs to just stop. I try to ignore the news, newpapers, online news, what-fucking-ever, all together. I'm sick of hearing all this homophobic, prejudice bull shit. Publicity stunt or not.... people need to let people just fucking live. Yes, we even gotta let the damn bible-beatin'-jesus-hypocrites live too.

i dont know what my point was/is. ignore me. = )

I'm just going to blame all Xians for this because they haven't done shit to silence these fucking nuts, thnx.

[QUOTE=Ozymandias]I'm just going to blame all Xians for this because they haven't done shit to silence these fucking nuts, thnx.[/QUOTE]
And you would listen to [I]them[/I]? right....

Eh?

I'm saying.. I'm a Christian, and I have said that most, if not all, Christians I know don't feel this way. But what can I do to "silence these fucking nuts" anyways? I wouldn't make headlines, and neither would any other sane Christian, because that's not what makes headlines. It's fanantics. Same with any other group, Liberals or Republicans... things are only newsworthy if they support a stereotype that the media subscribes to. The viewers have a well formed idea of what a Christian is, and that is a right-wing-homophobic-rock-and-roll-causes-suicide-fire-and-brimstone type of person.

Who would listen to a normal, balanced Christian saying that this isn't a popular view? Few people.... very few. I mean, look at this thread. We're all saying we don't agree (the Xians here I mean) but you still say you want to lump us all together. How would the rest of the world be any different?

Either way, Spongebob is still cool in my book.

I blame all Italians for the mafia, it's only fair.

[QUOTE=Ozymandias]I blame all Italians for the mafia, it's only fair.[/QUOTE]
touche'

(Yeah, I'm Italian..... and my name is Tony even. I have some family members that we just "don't talk to"... or so my parents think. But uncle Vito is cool.)

[QUOTE=Ozymandias]I blame all Italians for the mafia, it's only fair.[/QUOTE]
Yea, but to be fair all of us Italians have some connection somewhere down the line. I've got cousins that disappear for a couple of weeks and come back with tons of cash. Besides, we usually dig the stereotype of the old world Italian mafioso members.

[QUOTE=Ozymandias]I blame all Italians for the mafia, it's only fair.[/QUOTE]

They have a long history of it, just look at the Medici, they were a mafia family and there were two Medici popes.