the AFA is at it again....

[keltic63]

http://www.afa.net/petitions/issuedetail.asp?id=175 the American Family Association is threatening a boycott of NBC and any sponsors of the new program "The Book of Daniel". The show is about an Episcopal minister and his family. The characters include a gay man, and a lesbian.

from AFA's news release about the show: "The writer for the series is a practicing homosexual." I don't know about any of you, but I don't really need any more practice; I think I'm pretty good at it! On the serious side, this is the kind of language that leaves a negative impression on the minds of people. It sounds a lot like saying "practicing cannibal" or "practicing satanist" or even "practicing Catholic" when the unspoken part of that phrase is the implication that the speaker would rather be saying "former homosexual, former cannibal, former satanist, and former Catholic."
I have already sent an email to Bob Wright at NBC nbcshows@nbc.com to thank him for his support of this show (good or bad, it's refreshing to see that the network is willing to confront these issues in their programs) and to ask for his support in speaking out against the AFA. You might do the same thing.

[SolInvictus]

Thanks for posting this info. I'm writing & sending an email now to NBC.
Honestly, the AFA is becoming so homophobic that it is beginning to become more and more like a sponsored hate group (i.e. the religious right's version of the KKK, but ag. LGBT community too).

[pnggrad79]

I don't know about any of you, but I don't really need any more practice; I think I'm pretty good at it!

I don't know how to do part of a quote, so I just copied this part and pasted it. Keltic, I laughed so hard when I read this, I cried. Hilarious!!!

These people like the AFA, I wish they would quit majoring on the minors and shut up. I don't think we are the only ones tired of listening to this mess.

[NathanATX]

I went to the AFA link and sent a letter to NBC on their behalf, like they ask people to... but since they said we could edit it... Here's my version!

Dear Chairman Wright:

I am disappointed that NBC has decided to oppose the airing of "The Book of Daniel." I know that AFA will keep us posted on which companies desire to undermine this program and I will be happy to boycott those companies.

We are told in Hebrews that "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." The problem is that fundamentalist Christians, like the AFA, have little interest in discovering who Jesus really was. In the Scriptures, we are given MANY names and descriptions for God and most of them are feminine and few support the hateful "fly-swatter in the sky" deity that the AFA purports to worship. Jesus left us two primary commandments: To love God and to love our neighbor as ourselves. Obviously they don't believe that or take any of the words of Jesus seriously. It would be beneficial to all if NBC showed a little more bravery in exposing "AFA Christians" and the ugliness of their true beliefs.

I ask you to inform all NBC affiliates, in writing, (according to your testimony before a Congressional hearing last year) they are not required to air this program if they choose not to, but that you strongly encourage them to do so.

[ksjr362]

Nathan ATX. Great idea. It was fun and challenging. I have encouraged all I know to to the same. In their own words of course.

[jessicadavis]

Thank you all for you information. I regular the AFA network as well, just to see what they are up to and I have used their service before also to congratulate or express disappointment to a company for either their vision or lack there of.

If you do not mind I plan on doing a little plagarism of your letter Nathan, with a few changes for myself.

Again, thank you!!

Jessica

[Jamie McDaniel]

Originally Posted by SolInvictus

Honestly, the AFA is becoming so homophobic that it is beginning to become more and more like a sponsored hate group (i.e. the religious right's version of the KKK, but ag. LGBT community too).

No doubt. I find it interesting how these groups that hate the idea of LGBT people achieving equality in America (and thus, in my opinion, hate LGBT people since equality is a basic human right) use positive language in their group's name. Words like American Family Association, or Focus on the Family, or Christian Coalition.

Hatred hasn't been completely cast out, rather it has mutated into something smarter in order to survive. Whereas before hardened segregationists had organized and branded themselves the White Citizens' Council, now they would call themselves the Coalition for Heritage and Racial Harmony.

[SolInvictus]

Hey Jamie,
yeah, its sad of the hatred of these groups & adoption of positive names.
For example, there is also a rascist sect of Christianity known as the Christian Identity Movement. By the name, it sounds like another denomination, but in reality its a discrimatory belief system using Christianity as a means to promote its doctrine of hate (see www.religioustolerance.org for detailed info).

I remember sitting in my dad's church years ago as a preacher was speaking of the "evils of homosexuality," and, of course, the recent statement from my dad (the pastor) essentially saying the same thing. It is no wonder I hated myself for so long... Fortunantly, God was there for me & all of us, but what of those who do not find inner acceptance in time. It really worries me. Suicides, mortification, depression, and anxiety result from the hatred, these homophobic & rascist groups promote. They claim its about love - well, I know what love feels like, and they are not sharing any love; more like spreading the illness of hatred in the name of religion.

Anyway, lets pray & continue to work that others will realize they do not have to believe the propaganda of the Religious Right.

[ksjr362]

I find it interesting that this discussion has pointed out the religious rights use of the Bible to justify the hatred of homosexuals. Yet what is being missed is the actual term "homosexual" did not exist in biblical times.

References in the old testament to men laying with men, or what today is being propagandized to equate homosexuality with sin, had actually nothing to do with people of the same gender actually falling in love with each other. The old testament was more about laws regarding rape and aristocracy, Leviticus was a set of laws regarding the survival of the species (i.e. the Hebrews).

No where in the New Testament does Jesus condemn homosexuality. Though in his time it was common place for the Roman elite to have sex with boys. So much of the homophobia we see today is because simple passages were taking both out of historical and biblical context to be exploited.

It is sad when those who claim to be Christian use Christianity for harm. But historically the organized church has been a male dominated organization assuring continued male domination. Homesexuality is a threat to this concept because by nature there is a demonstration of male vulnerability.

Alas, the words of the Lord throughout history have been altered and exploited to the ends of evil.

And it is true we must continue to pray and understand that the Lord, in whatever form you believe in the Lord, is a true and just being and that truth and justice will prevail over the evil that is being done using the Lords name and word.