The Washington Post reported yesterday that a gay rights group called “Change.org” recently started a petition requesting PBS to marry Bert and Ernie on the long-running children’s program “Seasame Street.” As of this writing, there are 5,625 signatures. Here’s the text of the petition letter:
In this horrific age of LGBT kids taking their own lives, they need to know that they ARE BEAUTIFUL and their lives are worth living. Aside from those that are committing suicide, the bullies that facilitate these tragedies need to learn that homophobia is NOT okay. They need to know that acceptance of their fellow human beings would indeed plant a seed of peace that will reverberate throughout the world. We are not asking that Sesame Street do anything crude or disrespectful by allowing Bert & Ernie to marry. It can be done in a tasteful way. Let us teach tolerance of those that are different. Let Sesame Street and PBS Kids be a big part in saving many worthy lives.
I just read today that PBS has responded to the petition. Here’s the text of the notice that PBS posted on its Facebook page:
Bert and Ernie are best friends. They were created to teach preschoolers that people can be good friends with those who are very different from themselves. Even though they are identified as male characters and possess many human traits and characteristics (as most Sesame Street Muppets™ do), they remain puppets, and do not have a sexual orientation.
This may seem like an obscure footnote to the larger culture war that is going on right now concerning human sexuality and the meaning of gender. Nevertheless, it is a revealing flashpoint. Gender revisionists are not simply asking to be left alone. They are trying to influence the coming generation, and they are doing everything they can to make the case to our children that homosexual orientation and conduct is morally acceptable. For another recent example, take a look at the “It Gets Better Project.” This petition is just a piece of that larger effort.
In light of that, Christian parents need to be vigilant about teaching and modeling to our children what the Bible teaches about manhood and womanhood. The secular culture has drifted far afield from that norm and is presenting an alternate view loudly and clearly. More than ever, we need to bear witness to the truth by holding the line in our own homes and churches.
(HT: CT)
8 Comments
rachel
i am so glad that was their reply. you had me a bit worried with the title!
Kelley Kimble
I don’t know whether to laugh or cry. Have we reached a point where the concept of friendship WITHOUT benefits is foreign to some people? I am also thankful that PBS replied as they did.
Paul
You really should change the name of this post. I’m just sayin’…
Christianes
Oh good grief, after the far right and the far left get done with Bert and Ernie, those dolls won’t be worth the price of a purple tella-tubby!
People need to let kids be kids.
Extreme viewpoints want to place kids in the middle, but it is so very unfair.
Allie
Talk about politicizing a tragedy. Appealing to the suicides and deaths of kids to get cartoon characters to be gay, shows to tenacity of the LGBT movement.
Christianes
somewhere between the people who drove those gay teenagers to commit suicide
and those people who will take advantage of those suicides
are Christians . . . the ones who deeply want for people to live and be well
yankeegospelgirl
Sickening. Simply obscene.
donsands
Paul speaks of those who have a conscience seared with a hot iron. We need to be be aware. Thanks for the post. This sort of foolishness shows forth the truth in even a brighter light, doesn’t it. Sins that are so clearly henious should make the truth of God’s Word brighter still. The darkness is getting even darker, so our lights need to be brighter still.
“Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not become partners with them; for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord.” -Paul the Apostle, to the saints in Ephesus 5:6-10