A Special Report

A Special Report:
James Dobson attacks Spongebob Squarepants

By Jah Mark

Focus on the Family founder Dr James Dobson made headlines this week, picking a speech in front of members of Congress to attack popular children's character, Spongebob Squarepants.

According to Dobson's website, an unnamed group has used Spongebob and other cartoon characters to promote a pro-gay agenda in a video to be sent to schools. Link

Dobson never names the group, nor gives more than the basic "information". My question is: Who is this group and where can we get more information? Certainly not from Dobson.

According to a story on MSNBC, there is such a video. It was made in 2002. There is no reference to sex, sexual lifestyles, sexual preferences or even Paris Hilton. Imbedded in the story, there is a link to a video. Unfortunately, it is not to the video in question, but an interview with the founder of the group who made the video. Surprise! It is Nile Rogers! In a suit and tie, no less! For those who don’t know, Nile Rogers wrote the ‘70’s disco hit “We Are Family” and he has gone on to be a producer of some reputation. Link

In a trip to the We Are Family Foundation page, we finally get to see the video in question. Guess what? A lot of dancing, singing cartoon and children's characters, but no gays, lesbians or sly references to a homosexual lifestyle, nor promoting tolerance of such. Link
I did watch the video, so this is my personal observation, not from any other source. Spongebob appears for a total of maybe 15 seconds in the entire video.

So why would such a prominent leader say such unfounded things? In a statement to the press, a spokesman for Focus on the Family stated that Dr Dobson hasn't even viewed the video. He was briefed by staff members. Oops. Foot in Mouth.

Dr Dobson has lost a lot of credibility with this attack. First by using a popular cartoon character that makes a brief appearance in this video, then by somehow connecting this video about tolerance within families (some families have step parents, step siblings, adopted children, etc.) to promoting homosexuality. While the Foundation's Tolerance page makes a reference to 'sexual identity', this doesn't make the Foundation "determined to promote acceptance of homosexuality among our nation's youth." It is a misleading, opportunistic way of making headlines and does nothing but undermine true Christianity and Christians credibility in the world's eye.

How many, without even knowing what they are talking about, will take the lead given to them by Dobson and make fools out of themselves, further making the rest of us look foolish and unknowledgeable to a already sceptical world?

It is time for believers to stop blindly following these 'leaders' and think for ourselves. Think. Look. Read. Research. Don't Be A Lemming. Pray. Free yourself from mental slavery.