The issue is that cartoon characters are being used to teach tolerance of something that not everyone believes should be tolerated.

Oh, I definitely agree. I was just surprised at how so many of these topics are claiming that these groups are calling Sponge Bob gay even though they actually aren't.

I'm going to respond to a few comments because of what is said, and some do make valid points.

Thanks for the "Beautiful" word.

You are welcome Aeryck! (FYI - this is about a thread of Aeryck's that I commented on)

Like it or not, a major proportion of the anti-gay lobby are Christians, who actively use their religion as ammunition in their campaigns (such as the example above) against homosexuality.

Like it or not folks, Furry Canary is correct, they do use their christianity to pursue their ideal.

The words these groups spoke were words of condemnation, of division.

I agree with Dharma, it is condemming. They are using the video as an example. Remember the characters are singing a song. They (the characters) weren't used to speak these words. A statement is on the video. So, the fact that this controversy is being used to identify with the characters, particularly SpongeBob who is loved by many children, and some adults, is deliberate.

"Mom, are Christian Conservatives Christian?"

That is a good question Mano. I guess this is a topic that should be discussed further and clarify for everyone. It won't be my me, but it would be interesting to get others viewpoints on it.

It's sad that they choose to go after spongebob and barney when they could be focusing their efforts on actually doing some good in the world.

Doing some good in the world would be nice. But that's obviously not what these kind of groups have in mind.

Great article! A lot of people are posting about this, including myself and I think it's a great topic of discussion!

Thanks Alison. It is a topic to be discussed and hopefully the "daggers" that are being thrown will fall by the wayside and not pierce someone. All opinions are to be treated with respect.

I am not sure who this Barney chap is

Barney is a purple dinosaur and is a very popular character here in the US with kids 1-5 years, sometimes older kids too. This character sings and dance and teaches kids to know right from wrong, reading and stuff like that. But he's also been classified as being gay a long time ago.

It is true that there are some zelots in the Christian faith, but thats true in ever large group without exception. There are just as many homosexual zelots as Christian, one of them just got banned from my campus as a result of sexual harrassment towards another student. I think that before any of you trash talk an entire group again, you should meet every single person who places themselves under that banner.

It is true their are some who are zealots. It's their way or the highway. It's unfortunate when a group gets stygmatized by the few who are like this. And I do know how this feels because I'm lumped into two categories all the time, one because of my race, I'm black, second, because of where I'm from originally, the Caribbean island of Jamaica. I've seen and heard it all.

People are taught to be tactful regarding race, to take the feelings of the listener into consideration. They remain sadly ignorant otherwise, evidently

BakerStreet, it would be a truly wonderful world if this were the case all the time, but it isn't. Ignorance is sad.

There's a lot of mischaracterization going on about Christians, particularly on the "spongebog" issue. First of all, I don't see why anyone even watches that cartoon. It has not redeeming entertainment value.

This cartoon may not have any "redeeming entertainment value" to you, but it is enjoyed by a lot of children. I watch it with my 10 and 3 year old sometimes, and it's hysterically funny. Let a child be a child, and have a few laughable moments. Even if all the adults in the world don't find it to be amusing.

It is outrageous that some programs and/or other things that are enjoyed by children are often used as an example to prove that whatever is under fire at the moment, this time homosexuality is, is wrong and should not be allowed, in order to prove their point. These kinds of arguments are often used in reference to whatever children love because as parents our children are the most cherished and beloved parts of our lives. Therefore, if anyone is trying to or tries to hurt them, or any children, parents and anyone who love kids will be "up in arms" about whatever the argument is. Therefore they use examples such as these children videos as a "pawn” to meet their ideal. This is what's happening here.

Regardless of what the title is, it is so because these groups refer to themselves in this manner. I'm a Christian too, by my beliefs and what I was taught by my parents. A way of life I pass on to my children. I teach them to be liberal thinkers, open in their thoughts and their understanding. To love God and have him in their lives. To have opinions and freely state it. To not accuse without first questioning. If they're being "stepped" on in anyway to stand up for themselves. To not just accept another person's opinion and make it their own without questioning and looking at all the facts. To always listen to their hearts because they'll never go wrong if they do. Never to judge anyone, yes to have an opinion, but never to lable anyone. These are the things my parent taught to me and my brothers and sisters. This is what we teach our children today. So when I read of things like this, I have to question the reasoning behind it. I have to explain to my children so that they don't just accept what is being said by their friends who repeat what they hear from their parents, whose opinions might not be so enlightened.

Does this means I'm perfect or I'm in a dream world (as some may think)? No, it does not. It just means I take into consideration what's going on around me and I keep abreast of what will affect my or my children's lives. It just means that I too am opinionated and if you don't agree with my opinions, that's ok. We don't all have to think the same way. We all put our pants on the same way, one leg at a time. Unless of course there are those who do this lying down; or jumping in feet first! To this I say, more power to you - you're fitter than I am! (my sense of humor at play folks - me bad!)

My thing is...is that how many kids who are watching Barney or Spongebob are really paying attention to the characters' "sexual preferences." How can something that is imaginary and animated be homosexual? I mean really. People can be homosexual, but Spongebob can NOT be homosexual. Barney is a large, purple dinosaur that sings stupid songs. How can a large purple dinosaur be gay?Just let the kids be kids and enjoy the shows for what they're worth, and not add a whole bunch of sexual junk to it, you know?

Marcie, I wholeheartedly agree with you. This is all I'm saying too.

MasterWriter, that's horrible to have happened. I'm so sorry for the loss of your brother. Good luck in what you're pursuing.

People are taught to be tactful regarding race, to take the feelings of the listener into consideration

In other words, to be politically correct?