James Dobson says popular cartoon sponge used to brainwash children
Washington, D.C. -
On the heels of electoral victories in 11 states banning same-sex marriage, some influential conservative Christian groups are shifting their focus to a new target, only this time it’s a popular cable television cartoon character.
SpongeBob SquarePants needs no introduction to fans of a certain age. He is popular with kids and grownups alike for living in a Pineapple under the sea in his show of the same name. SpongeBob has also become something of a camp classic for gay men, largely because he regularly holds hands with his sidekick, Patrick.
Wherein lies the problem. Focus on the Family founder James Dobson started in on the cartoon character at a recent black-tie gala for members of Congress and other political allies to celebrate the election results.
Dobson said SpongeBob’s creators had enlisted him to appear in a “pro-homosexual video” alongside other recognizable cartoon faces including Barney and Jimmy Neutron. The video’s makers planned to mail the video to thousands of elementary schools this spring to promote a “tolerance pledge,” including tolerance for differences of “sexual identity.”
Dobson urged attendees at the dinner to stand against it as part of a “spiritual battle” for our country.
The video’s creator, Nile Rodgers, suggested that Dobson and his organization may have gotten his video confused with another organization.
Rodges said he founded the We Are Family Foundation after the September 11 attacks to create a video featuring 100 cartoon characters to teach kids about multiculturalism. The video, which has appeared on Nickelodeon and other networks, makes no mention of sexual identity.
Rodgers said that the company “We Are Family,” which hosts an unrelated Web site supporting gay youth, may have caused the confusion. That company is based out of Charleston, S.C.
Mark Barondeso, general counsel for the We Are Family Foundation, said that anyone who says the video promotes homosexuality “needs to visit a doctor and get their medication increased.”
Still, the We Focus on the Family foundation is standing by its assertions.
“We see the video as an insidious means by which the organization is manipulating and potentially brainwashing kids," Paul Batura, Dobson’s assistant, said.
Written By Ross von Metzke
SpongeBob SquarePants needs no introduction to fans of a certain age. He is popular with kids and grownups alike for living in a Pineapple under the sea in his show of the same name. SpongeBob has also become something of a camp classic for gay men, largely because he regularly holds hands with his sidekick, Patrick.
Wherein lies the problem. Focus on the Family founder James Dobson started in on the cartoon character at a recent black-tie gala for members of Congress and other political allies to celebrate the election results.
Dobson said SpongeBob’s creators had enlisted him to appear in a “pro-homosexual video” alongside other recognizable cartoon faces including Barney and Jimmy Neutron. The video’s makers planned to mail the video to thousands of elementary schools this spring to promote a “tolerance pledge,” including tolerance for differences of “sexual identity.”
Dobson urged attendees at the dinner to stand against it as part of a “spiritual battle” for our country.
The video’s creator, Nile Rodgers, suggested that Dobson and his organization may have gotten his video confused with another organization.
Rodges said he founded the We Are Family Foundation after the September 11 attacks to create a video featuring 100 cartoon characters to teach kids about multiculturalism. The video, which has appeared on Nickelodeon and other networks, makes no mention of sexual identity.
Rodgers said that the company “We Are Family,” which hosts an unrelated Web site supporting gay youth, may have caused the confusion. That company is based out of Charleston, S.C.
Mark Barondeso, general counsel for the We Are Family Foundation, said that anyone who says the video promotes homosexuality “needs to visit a doctor and get their medication increased.”
Still, the We Focus on the Family foundation is standing by its assertions.
“We see the video as an insidious means by which the organization is manipulating and potentially brainwashing kids," Paul Batura, Dobson’s assistant, said.
Written By Ross von Metzke
Article provided in partnership with GayWebMonkey.com.
