SpongeBob Squarepants is one of the popular children's TV characters appearing in a new 'tolerance' video.
Posted on 01/08/2005 7:02:35 AM PST by NYer
In a new video to be distributed to 61,000 schools across the nation, homosexual activists are using popular children's TV characters such as SpongeBob SquarePants and Barney the dinosaur to surreptitiously indoctrinate young children into their lifestyle, a pro-family activist group charges.
SpongeBob Squarepants is one of the popular children's TV characters appearing in a new 'tolerance' video. |
Based on the 1970s hit song "We Are Family," the video will be distributed to public and private elementary schools nationwide March 11, along with lesson plans for teachers, points out the American Family Association.
The distribution, sponsored by FedEx, will coincide with the video's broadcast March 11 on Nickelodeon, PBS, and the Disney Channel in celebration of the proposed National We Are Family Day.
AFA researcher Ed Vitagliano sees the project as an "open door" to a secondary discussion of homosexuality, noting the the foundation has a "tolerance pledge" on its website that children and others are encouraged to sign, which includes sexual orientation. [Editor's note: This story previously linked to the website of a group that has the same name but no connection to the video. WND regrets the error.]
"While we want everyone to respect other people's beliefs, we do not consider it appropriate for children's television to be used in an effort to indoctrinate children to accept homosexuality," he said.
Vitagliano says the foundation is employing a bait-and-switch approach, with popular children's figures such as Arthur, Dora the Explorer, JoJo, Clifford the Big Red Dog, Big Bird and Bob the Builder.
The objective is to get children to the foundation's website "and there they're given the full pitch about homosexuality," he said.
Video producer Christopher Cerf called the video an "unprecedented event."
"For the first time characters from all of the important kids shows came together to appear in the same video," he said in a November news release. "The producers and performers from each show embraced the spirit and message of this project."
The We Are Family Foundation was founded by singer-songwriter Nile Rodgers, who wrote the hit song recorded in 1979 by Sister Sledge.
The video was financed by a grant from the Toni Mendez Shapiro estate.
"Cooperation and unity are the most important values we can teach children," Rodgers said. "We believe that this is the essential first step to loving thy neighbor."
The We Are Family Foundation says its partners in the production are the Anti-Defamation League, Crown Theatres, Disney Channel, FedEx, Nickelodeon, HIT Entertainment, Nile Rodgers/Sony Publishing/The Bernard Edwards Estate/Warner Chapel, Nelvana, PBS, Scholastic, Sesame Workshop, Toni Mendez Shapiro Estate, and WGBH-TV in Boston.
A Federal Express spokesman said the company is "proud" to provide shipping for the project.
"Promoting diversity is part of our corporate culture at FedEx," said William G. Margaritis, senior vice president, worldwide corporate communications.
Characters appearing in the video are from award-winning shows including "Arthur," "Barney," "Bear in the Big Blue House," "Between the Lions," "Blue's Clues, Bob the Builder," "The Book of Pooh," "Clifford the Big Red Dog," "Dora the Explorer," "Jimmy Neutron," "JoJo's Circus," "Kim Possible," "Lilo & Stitch: The Series," "Little Mermaid," "Madeline," "The Magic School Bus," "The Muppet Show," "The Proud Family," "Rugrats," "Sesame Street," "SpongeBob SquarePants," and "Zoom."
The video also features cameo appearances by entertainers Bill Cosby, Diana Ross and Whoopi Goldberg.
>>My children do this all the time. <<
Mine too!
That's why we don't watch network tv. My seven year old wants to visit every website and buy all that is there.
"right to be wrong" = "cannot be criticized for bad behavior"?
Does sending the kids out looking for gay publications NOT encourage them to explore the gay lifestyle? Certainly it is aimed at getting them to ACCEPT the gay lifestyle.
I think you misunderstand...I really don't care whether or not you think same-sex sex is okay. It is of no concern to me. I am concerned how you treat others and to be honest, on a personal level, you should give respect to all, even to drug users. Too often, "standing up for values" is nothing more than a cover for meanness or snobbery. I don't necessarily people who strut around like the "Church Lady" from the SNL skit to really understand, but it is possible to understand others without accepting what they do all the time.
"At some level, you almost have to talk about the issue with them, if only because everyone else is."
Yes, but like so many other issues, the people talking to their children about this should be the parents, not the commies of the NEA or outside agitators. ESPECIALLY at the grade school level.
One must be taught to treat others with respect, it is not required that one knows or understands that person's sexuality or religious beliefs.
This stuff is all of a piece with thinking we can be indoctrinated into "right thinking", but it doesn't really fool, or convince, anybody. The vast majority of people are NEVER going to think that homosexuality is normal; but that doesn't mean they won't, can't, or don't generally live in peace with homosexuals. For example, I think anyone who is an atheist must be extremely blind and stupid, but I'm not going around harrassing atheists. Except I'd make an exception for Michael Newdow, but I feel that would be easily documented as self-defense.
I couldn't find this at the site where I found the pledge. Please post the link where this info is originally found.
This is pathetic!! I'm sorry, but that crap won't be allowed in this house. WHo are these people to decide they have a right to try and teach children their crap about accpetance of homosexuality! This is up to mom and dad's, no one else! Disgusting, totally disgusting!
I don't teach my children to "respect" or "tolerate" sin.
We respect the good and worthy.
I teach my children kindness to everyone, but I will not minimize or downplay sin.
I also don't want to be forced to discuss sex with my six year old, or my other children for that matter.
*I* want to decide when they are ready for that information.
I think "standing up for values" TRUMPS "being nice." But it is not impossible to do both. From reading your posts on this thread, it seems to me that you want to end the right of anyone to have their own opinions on these matters. Nothing is more offensive than to take a persons CHILD and teach them that perverted behaviors are fine and should be respected. You can say you do not care if they think they are "fine" all you want. This video and curriculum is aimed at teaching the kids that it is fine, and that anything else is bigotry.
Yikes! I do. I saw a "Up with People" version performed at my grade school as a kid back in the 70s. What I didn't know then...
It's like forcing first-graders to watch Triumph of the Will.
""Promoting diversity is part of our corporate culture at FedEx," said William G. Margaritis, senior vice president, worldwide corporate communications."
Shouldn't their "corporate culture" be, like, delivering packages?
Do you know how many kids are molested? They need to think certain behaviors are wrong so they are not tricked. In the case of this video, we are talking about LITTLE kids. What about when the neighbor guy tells the kid he is gay and wants to show him all about it? SpongeBob told the kid to respect the neighbor for his sexual identity. The kid even signed a pledge to do so. IT IS MORE IMPORTANT THAT THE KID UNDERSTAND RIGHT AND WRONG BEHAVIOR THAN THAT THE KID BE TOLD TO RESPECT PERVERSITY.
Not mine. Not any more.
I miss Reggie White.
I agree. Kids are not going to care about what is being taught in this video, they are going to see it the same way they have already. Also when kids here "we are family" they think of a mom and a dad and their siblings, nothing else. My son has a mom, dad, and a step mom and dad. But, even know he sees the difference he doesn't accept that. He thinks of my home as his home and his step dad as his dad. Not because i want him to think this way, because it comes natural to kids to only have a mom and dad, not a dad and dad, not a mom and a mom, or other. Sure we can teach our kids differently, but in reality they are born with the knowledge that God put in them which is a family is a mom, dad, and child/children.
However, I still think this is crap and that parents shouldn't let their kids watch this stuff.
Well, thanks so much for the update. I have watched Sponge Bob, but not a lot. So, by you giving us a positive outlook on the character helps!
Thanks, spoiler!
Barney Frank/Barney the Dinosaur?I knew there had to be a connection.They act and talk alike.Could it be ol Bawney in dat poiple suit?
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