From American Progress
RELIGIOUS RIGHT – STOP SPONGEBOB: Alas, five years after Jerry Falwell threw down the gauntlet and demanded Tinky Winky stop "damaging…the moral lives of children," a new threat to America's youth has risen. "Does anybody here know SpongeBob?" James Dobson, the founder of Focus on the Family, asked members of Congress and fellow conservatives at a black-tie dinner on Tuesday. Conservative culture warriors say SpongeBob Squarepants, the popular children's cartoon character, has been enlisted in a "pro-homosexual video" that seeks to "indoctrinate children to accept homosexuality." The video maker's lawyer says the critics "need medication." The New York Times reports that the movie, which will be distributed to public and private elementary schools nationwide through a partnership with FedEx, doesn't even mention sexual identity, though there is a music video to teach children about multiculturalism.
Related links:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/276677.stmMonday, 15 February, 1999, 12:13 GMT
'Gay Tinky Winky bad for children'
Is the purple Tinky Winky a bad influence on children?
The innocent world of the Teletubbies is under attack from America's religious right. The Reverend Jerry Falwell, a former spokesman for America's Moral Majority, has denounced the BBC TV children's show. He says it does not provide a good role model for children because Tinky Winky is gay. more..........
http://www.theconservativevoice.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=1771Researcher Says Children's 'Tolerance' Video Promotes Homosexuality
Posted by Senior Editor on 2005/1/4 19:36:39 Latest Version Going Out to Public and Private Schools Nationwide
By Jim Brown and Jody Brown
A pro-family group is accusing homosexual activists of using popular children's TV characters to indoctrinate young children into their lifestyle. Specifically, the group is questioning the intention of a new children's video featuring those characters. SpongeBob SquarePants, Barney the Dinosaur, Arthur, Dora the Explorer, JoJo, Clifford the Big Red Dog, Big Bird, Bob the Builder -- those and many others are among the characters starring in a music video remake of the 1970s song "We Are Family" that is designed to promote diversity and tolerance in the classroom. more........
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/01/20/politics/20sponge.html?ex=1107245126&ei=1&en=4e89a43dfb650f14Conservatives Pick Soft Target: A Cartoon Sponge
By DAVID D. KIRKPATRICK
Published: January 20, 2005
WASHINGTON, Jan. 19 - On the heels of electoral victories barring same-sex marriage, some influential conservative Christian groups are turning their attention to a new target: the cartoon character SpongeBob SquarePants.