Life as a Spectator Sport

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Saturday, January 21, 2006

Yet another example of "Christian" love

ABC has killed the reality show "Neighborhood," in which a couple could win a new house by convincing their prospective new neighbors that they deserved to live in the neighborhood. It appears that some religious right groups threatened ABC with the witholding of support for the movie "Narnia" (made by ABC's owner Disney) if ABC went ahead with the series.

Why? Apparently because the first winner on the show was a gay couple who were embraced and accepted by their "real Christian" neighbors after some early homophobic reactions.

The producers said it was "worth noting that a show that exists mainly to dispel people's tendencies to prejudge strangers was itself a victim of prejudgments."

The New York Times article quotes a Southern Baptist offical:
In a recent interview, Richard Land, an official with the Southern Baptist Convention involved in the negotiations with Disney last year to end the group's boycott of the company, said he did not recall any mention of "Neighborhood." He added, however, that had the show been broadcast - particularly with an ending that showed Christians literally embracing their gay neighbors - it could have scuttled the Southern Baptists' support for "Narnia."
Evidently the only thing worse than a gay couple is a Christian who shows real Christian love.

And by the way, can anyone explain to me why Southern Baptists need the approval of their denomination before they decide whether to attend a movie? What ever happened to the "priesthood of the believer?" The ability, nay the right, of all Christians to read scripture and make decisions for themselves? Martin Luther must be turning over in his grave.

Not to mention the hypocrisy of giving approval for something based not its merits but on whether its producer is toeing the line in another area. No, wait a minute, that's not hypocrisy. I think that's called extortion.
posted by Liz @ 11:37 AM     |


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