CR Blog: Inside churches, inside ministries, inside politics—if it’s happening, it’s here

The media frenzy over the last week involving Spongebob touched off a chain reaction of events that brought into light several other cases of messages that our children may be receiving.
Take the case of Buster the Bunny. This PBS produced (our tax dollars at work) cartoon features a lesbian bunny couple going on a trip to Vermont (remember, same sex marriage is legal here). It was to begin airing on PBS in March, but as of Thursday, thanks to our new Secretary of Education, Margaret Spellings, this cartoon will no longer be airing. However, the local PBS affiliate responsible for producing the cartoon has said it will air on WGBH in Boston.
In another related story, the creators of the Simpsons, that famous cartoon character from Springfield, stated that they were going to be introducing the same sex marriage topic in an upcoming March episode. DOH!

The storm began when Dr. James Dobson of Focus on the Family commented about Spongebob being featured in a video to be sent to over 61,000 public and private elementary schools across the country. The video, sponsored and produced by the We are Family Foundation, founded by Nile Rogers after 9-11 was purported to teach the message of acceptance. However, one of the pillars of the acceptance theme involved "sexual identity". Dr. Dobson's comments were not focused on the cartoon character, rather, the spoiled opportunity that parents were loosing the right to choose when and where they would have such an important converation with their children.

Spongebob, The Simpsons, Buster the Bunny....while these messages are disturbing, even more disturbing is having these messages delivered to our children by characters they recognize and adore. I, for one, do no think that the target demographic of Spongebob, purported to be ages 2-11 can understand the message that is really being sent. It is these types of messages that are the most scary of all.

I remember being a child and watching cartoons on Saturday morning. I don't recall Scooby Doo going on a gay cruise. I don't recall the Jetsons attending a same sex marriage in space and I sure don't remember having my second grade teacher telling me about sexual identity being discussed after recess!

Below, you will find an article from the local paper in Montgomery County, Indian. Earl Myler is negotiating with the counyt to purchase a 5 foot by 6 foot parcel of land to put back the 10 Commandments in front of the court house in Montgomery County.
As the ACLU and the Americans United for a Separation of Church State continue to press the anti-religion agendas throughout the country, I am impressed by the persistence of Mr. Myler and his efforts to bring the monument back to the county (at his own expense).
In a coming issue, The Church Report will be publishing a cover story on the many issues of how the ACLU and organzitions like the Americans United for a Separation of Church and State are trying to create a religion free zone, know as the government.
If you know of other instances of such actions in your hometown, please send me an email, I would be interested to hear about it!

County eyes Commandments, again
Rob Lee Reporter
The chief executive officer of a local company knows his proposal to return the Ten Commandments to the lawn of the Montgomery County courthouse may turn into a battle. But he does not seem to mind.

"On private property one may use his or her right of freedom of speech," Earl Myler told county commissioners Tuesday.

The CEO of Myler Church Building Systems proposed a purchase of land outside the courthouse to display a monument which the county removed to avoid a legal battle. The patch of land is owned by the county and would be the same one the marker was taken from in 2001.
"If the people of Montgomery County would sell us a portion of the courthouse lawn, through the normal legal bid process, and if we should win the bid, then we would be free to display a monument of the Ten Commandments under the protection of the Constitution," Myler said.
The portion of the lawn would be 30 square feet. Myler would place a newly designed monument there. "We are submitting a design which we feel would complement the courthouse decor," Myler said. "The land would be strictly used for the monument." Myler also would cover the cost of surveying and ongoing maintenance as part of the condition of the sale.
"Obviously, this will present commissioners with complicated issues," County Attorney Dan Taylor said.

The commissioners took the proposal under advisement until their next meeting Feb. 1.
Taylor was instructed to look into the logistics of the proposal. "I’ll try to have at least an initial report," Taylor said. "If we’ve learned anything from history, there may be new developments before the next meeting."

Yesterday, the ELCA announced their opinion on gay clergy and gay clergy relationships. This issue seems to be one that many denominations feel caught between in a rock and hard place. While trying to minister to the needs of all the entire congregation and bring more people to Christ, their seems to be a conflict within many churches.

I am not casting my own opinion. I am curious and would like your input as to your thoughts, how your church handles the issue of what happens when a member of their staff acknowledges being gay or in a same sex relationship. This issues appears to be one that many churches (other than the more conservative denominations) do not want to handle clearly.

Please share with me your thoughts on this. I am in process of securing an interview for the magazine with Rev. Beth Stroud, the Methodist minister in Philadelphia to hear the story from her viewpoint as well.

I have been emailing an ELCA church in Sri Lanka since the tsunami disaster occurred. Pastor Mike, has described the disaster and the effects it has had on his community and his church. I have begun fundraising for his church and the community and Pastor Mike will be sending more picture and contributing a column to the magazine as we go forward.

I am sure, like you, when you heard the news yesterday about Indonesia asking to leave by the end of March that you were as greatly taken aback as I was. Apparently, while they want our money, the Muslim majority feels very uncomfortable about having Christian relief groups and the US military on the ground.

I have posted some pictures here of Pastor with some members of his congregation (a thriving ELCA congregation) and will also post his email. Please feel to send him your well wishes and prayers and they begin the difficult task of rebuilding their lives, their church and their community.

Pastor Mike's email is: mikesiva2003@yahoo.com