After the fog of the election cleared, many wondered what the religious right would do with its influence now that its favored son, George W. Bush, was secure for another four years. Would they lobby for the Same-Sex Marriage Amendment? Would they fight against the perceived moral depravity in the media? What about Creationism, school prayer and abstinence-only sex ed? No. No. And No.
Instead of these fights, Dr. James Dobson, leader of the ultra-conservative group Focus on the Family, declared war on SpongeBob SquarePants, a harmless cartoon character.
Yes, that's right, Dr. Dobson declared SpongeBob a "pro-homosexual" cartoon because the sponge appeared in an educational video for schoolchildren that promotes the obviously wicked and un-Christian values of tolerance and acceptance. Personally, I think Dobson became suspicious because SpongeBob has been known to hold hands with Patrick the starfish and watch a television show called "The Adventures of Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy."
Thanks to Dobson's insane rants, you can now officially classify SpongeBob with Barney the pink dinosaur and Tinky-Winky the Teletubby as tools of the radical homosexual agenda that is looking to brainwash our innocent children.
For the record, Dr. Dobson was not recklessly speaking off-the-cuff when he made his remarks, and since making them his office has stood by them.
Now, before I totally dismiss Dr. Dobson's claims, let's examine the video in question. It was created by Nile Rodgers, who wrote the 1970s disco hit "We Are Family." In the video, SpongeBob, along with Barney (see "tool of homosexual agenda" above) and Jimmy Neutron, promote multiculturalism. According to The New York Times, "nothing in [the video] or its accompanying materials refers to sexual identity." Dr. Dobson, what exactly is so offensive about accepting those different from you?
Perhaps Nile Rodgers said it best when he was quoted in The New York Times saying: "The fact that some people may be upset with ... other peoples' lifestyles, that is O.K. We are just talking about respect." Translation: you don't have to agree with homosexuality, you should just tolerate those whom you disagree with.
Mr. Rodgers was doing the Christian thing by reaching out to his irrational critics and promoting acceptance, and Mark Barondess, his foundation's lawyer, went a step further by saying that the critics "need medication."
I'd argue that Dr. Dobson not only needs medication, but also a lesson in the Christian values that he spouts 24/7. I may not be a Biblical scholar, but as far as I understand, Christianity teaches a message of love, acceptance and forgiveness, not judgment, exclusion and ridicule. I am in no position to judge a homosexual as a sinner and neither is Dr. Dobson. The Christian thing to do would be to accept all of those who disagree with him and to leave any judgments up to God.
For every Biblical passage like "Man shall not lie with man," I can find dozens like, "Judge not, lest ye be judged," "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone" and "Love your enemies."
Wirte to Steve at NawaraInTheDN@hotmail.com
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