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The popular PBS Kids series "Arthur" has fooled the parents who trust PBS's kids programming to be "safe."
On Monday's episode, PBS inserted a same-sex wedding plot, as Arthur and his friends learn their male teacher, Mr. Ratburn, is marrying a man.
Coincidentally, the US House of Representatives is scheduled to vote on the "Equality Act" today. The "Equality Act is a blatant attempt to further redefine human sexuality and gender in America.
Be informed.
Parents who thought PBS Kids cartoons were safe to leave your kids with in the family room for a while, were wrong.
Monday of this week, PBS inserted a same-sex "wedding" into the plot.
Several organizations who follow these things say it is the first ever so-called "gay wedding" to air on PBS Kids.
In the episode---"Mr. Ratburn and the Special Someone"---the kids discover their teacher, Mr. Ratburn, is getting married. Believing their teacher is marrying a woman, the kids try to find out who their teacher is marrying.
Arthur and his friends falsely believe Mr. Ratburn is marrying a woman named Patty, who they consider to be mean. So they set a goal of trying to stop the wedding because they like Mr. Ratburn. He's nice.
When the wedding day arrives---with the students in attendance---they are shocked to learn that Patty is not the bride.
Viewers see Mr. Ratburn walking down the aisle with another man, Patrick, arm in arm.
Patrick winks at the kids. Arthur smiles.
The episode skips the "wedding" ceremony and goes directly to the reception, where Mr. Ratburn and his "husband" are dancing to an upbeat song.
One of Arthur's friends say, "It's a brand new world."
Glenn Stanton, with Focus on the Family, says the episode will frustrate most parents.
I would hope so.
Stanton says,
"Parents are very tired of their kids' cartoons engaging in radical political messaging rather than teaching universally held values such as kindness, hard work, cooperation and friendship. These elites who think they know what is best for the rest or us wonder why their is shrinking. It's not hard to figure out."A PBS spokesperson is now trying to defend the program. Maria Vera Wheel, the senior marketing director, says, "PBS Kids programs are designed to reflect the diversity of communities across the nation."
Sarah Kate Ellis, the president of the LGBTQ organization GLADD, is praising the show. She told the New York Times, "You know at a very young age if you are trans and gay or bi-sexual and lesbian. To be able to see yourself reflected is critical."
These activist organizations are not interested in "reflecting the culture," they are obsessed with redefining the culture and making it into the image of their own confused lives.
This is not the first time "trusted" PBS has tried this.
More than 10 years ago, the PBS series "Postcards From Buster" introduced a gay couple into the plot. However, that episode got a quick and strong reaction and was finally not distributed nationally by PBS.
This week, PBS is getting another "strong reaction" from a Christian organization that is no stranger to boycotting organizations who do such things.
Monica Cole with One Million Moms is criticizing the episode. She says,
"PBS Kids should not introduce this to young children. Just because an issue may be legal or because some are choosing a lifestyle doesn't make it morally correct. PBS Kids should stick to entertaining and providing family-friendly programming, instead of pushing an agenda."
Yes, they should. But it may be naive to think that we will ever go back to those days. The resolve of those who seek to kill unwanted unborn babies is equally obsessed with indoctrinating our children and stealing them from under the roof of their parents.
I hope Stanton's right about their shrinking influence.
We'll learn a bit today about the homosexual influence in America.
The US House of Representatives is scheduled to vote on the "Equality Act" today.
More than 21 prominent conservative Christian leaders, including Franklin Graham, James Dobson, Pastor Jack Graham, and Oklahoma Wesleyan University President Everett Piper are calling on Congress and congressional leaders to oppose the pro-LGBTQ Equality Act because of its "threats to religious liberty."
The Equality Act, known as H.R.5, has been labeled by critics as the "most extreme LGBTQ bill ever written, that at the same time is " the largest expansion of taxpayer-funded abortion this country has ever seen."
The Act would expand the 1964 Civil Rights Act to not only protect on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity but also protect on the basis of "pregnancy, childbirth, or a related medical condition."
These Christian leaders are saying:
"The Equality Act is unacceptable because it is anti-life and creates a right to demand abortion from healthcare providers. The termination of human life in the womb is unacceptable to any biblically and historically faithful Christian. The responsibility to care for the "least of these" (Matt. 25:40) is a fundamental responsibility of Christ's church, and any proposal that undermines a culture of life must be rejected."
The "Equality Act" falsely equates one's sexual conduct with immutable characteristics like skin color and ethnicity in open contradiction of Scripture.
The "Equality Act" would gut religious freedom protections---even the freedom currently enjoyed by houses of worship.
The leaders warn that women who identify as men would have to be accepted as men and be "potentially eligible to serve in positions reserved for men such as a Catholic priest or Jewish rabbi."
The "Equality Act" would expressly do away with the Religious Freedom Restoration Act's application to its provisions, thereby precluding any religious freedom claims which clergy or others might bring. Under such restrictions, the pathway for the gospel would slowly be closed.
There's more, but you can get a glimpse of what the Left is trying to do with H.R. 5.
This bill, introduced by Speaker Nancy Pelosi, if passed, would compel speech and coerce Christians to violate their conscience and deeply held religious beliefs---or be punished.
Last Saturday, VP Mike Pence spoke at the Liberty University Commencement. I wrote about it in this column.
His words should still be echoing in our minds.
"Easy Christianity in America is Gone."
1 Thess. 4; 3-8 reminds us we cannot remain silent and allow this lie to harm countless men, women, and children.
Be Informed. Be Discerning. Be Vigilant. Be Bold. Be Prayerful.