James Dobson, the founder of the social conservative organization Focus on the Family has taken aim at SpongeBob's creators, claiming that he has been enlisted in a "pro-homosexual" video. As is usually the case when people "out" a cartoon figure, there appears to be little substance -- as if it would really matter if SpongeBob was gay.
The video is said by it's creators to celebrate the general notion of "tolerance" and features a wide variety of characters (including Barney, Jimmy Neutron, more) -- and it also makes no reference to "sexual preference" in any fashion. But Dobson and company are really, really upset about this message of tolerance.
On Wednesday... Paul Batura, assistant to Mr. Dobson at Focus on the Family, said the group stood by its accusation.
"We see the video as an insidious means by which the organization is manipulating and potentially brainwashing kids," he said. "It is a classic bait and switch."
Yeah. Because it would be really bad if kids were brainwashed into thinking that people who are different from them might be O.K.
I can't find a link to the clip anywhere online. Post it in a comment if you can find it. I'd love to see this dangerous message.
The New York Times > Washington > Conservatives Pick Soft Target: A Cartoon Sponge
Just a footnote, here: Let me point out, that sponges are asexual. I don't want to be the one to mention this to Bob himself, but I'm not sure that SpongeBob could be gay, even if he... er... it wanted to. It's an equipment issue.
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