More people need to see this

[cnoocy]

So, James Dobson of Focus on the Family has been targeting SpongeBob Squarepants for being tangentially connected to an anti-homophobic webpage. On Monday, the United Church of Christ responded with an unequivocal welcome to SpongeBob.

"Absolutely, the UCC extends an unequivocal welcome to SpongeBob," the Rev. John H. Thomas, the UCC's general minister and president, said, only partly in jest. "Jesus didn't turn people away. Neither do we."

For that matter, Thomas explained, the 1.3-million-member church, if given the opportunity, would warmly receive Barney, Big Bird, Tinky-Winky, Clifford the Big Red Dog or, for that matter, any who have experienced the Christian message as a harsh word of judgment rather than Jesus' offering of grace.

Full press release (including pictures)

Comments

[in-parentheses.livejournal.com]

Jesus didn't turn people away.

I'm waiting for the argument that SpongeBob isn't a person.

[touchstone.livejournal.com]

Well, you know, neither were Gentiles :)

[jdm314.livejournal.com]

This is a much more sensible reaction.

[mildmannered.livejournal.com]

Oh my god, a church with a sense of humor! SIGN ME UP.

That picture they ran is hilarious.

[mildmannered.livejournal.com]

OH MY GOD, I just found their "photo diary" -- http://www.ucc.org/news/r012505.htm ---

ROFLMAO.

family != homophobia

[cramerica.livejournal.com]

"First they came for Bert and Ernie, and I said nothing, because I was not a Muppet.

Then they came for Tinky Winky, and I said nothing, because I was not a Teletubby.

Then they came for SpongeBob and Patrick, and I said nothing, because I was not a cartoon sea creature.

And when they finally came for lumpy, purple dinosaurs, there was no one left to help me."