Her.meneutics: The Battle for Bert and Ernie

back to Christianity Today

RSS Feed | Help

email to a friend

twitter updates

Follow Her.meneutics on Twitter

What Is Her.meneutics?

The Christianity Today women's blog provides news and analysis from the perspective of evangelical women. We cover news stories and books related to international justice and evangelism, pregnancy and sexual ethics, marriage, parenting, and celibacy, pop culture, health and body image, raising girls, and women in the church and parachurch.

Her.meneutics is edited by associate editor Katelyn Beaty and online editor Sarah Pulliam Bailey.

interests

books and media

church life

justice and politics

relationships and family

sexuality and health

spirituality

theology

women of note

writers

More ...

Free Newsletters

books we're reading

blogs we're watching

« Taming the Twitter Tongue | Main | Three Stories About Reproductive Technology »

August 16, 2011

The Battle for Bert and Ernie

As Change.org asks Sesame Street to 'marry' the roommates, our culture risks losing another archetype of non-erotic male friendship.

Caryn Rivadeneira

When I was 4, our local PBS station gave away stuffed Ernie dolls as part of its pledge drive. As soon as I saw the announcement, I did exactly as WTTW hoped I would: I ran to the other room and begged my dad to send money. Six weeks later, I got my very own Ernie doll.

Of all the Sesame Street characters I loved, Ernie was my favorite. The way he wore his hair. The way he snickered. The way he bothered Bert. I was crazy about him. And once I had my own sweater-striped Ernie, he became my favorite nighttime snuggle buddy. Unlike Bert, who had to sleep in the bed next to him, I got to hold Ernie right up in the crook of my elbow. I loved it.

Maybe it’s because I have these fond memories of bedtime with Ernie that I reacted so weirdly to a recent online petition at Change.org urging the folks at Sesame Workshop (the creators of Sesame Street) to marry Bert and Ernie, as well as to introduce a transgender character. While, of course, the rumors of their sexual orientation have been around for years, even in my childhood, those rumors have always seemed harmless enough and easy to brush off.

But this organized effort — which had over 9,300 signatures as of this writing — troubled me. I remembered the sway PBS had over me, and worried about what this sort of sway would communicate.

The petitioners believe that a married Bert and Ernie would somehow lessen the bullying toward kids who identify or are identified as gay. I certainly want less bullying of any children! Beyond that, even if most evangelical Protestants oppose same-sex marriage (74 percent), many of us can understand the impulse behind some members of the gay community to legally and publicly solidify their relationships.

No, a couple other things got under my skin. If Bert and Ernie were really secret lovers who had been waiting all these years for New York to legalize gay marriage, that means Ernie my childhood snuggle puppet is a sexual being old enough to marry his lover of 40 years. And that makes the idea of a 4-year-old me snuggled up to him kind of creepy for me. And confusing.

First the confusing: Translating a long-portrayed platonic friendship between puppets into a sexual one adds a heap of confusion to the already troubled world of friendships between boys. Having to explain to children why Bert and Ernie held hands on their way to City Hall to get their marriage licenses stands to harm kids more than help them — even with those with same-sex parents or those who might face bullying for presumed same-sex attraction down the road.

Instead of markedly decreasing the stigma attached to homosexuality, “outing” Bert and Ernie seems more likely to sharply increase the stigma surrounding friendships between boys. It would give credence to the lingering idea that boys with too close of friendships (i.e. where they sleep over and share their worries, a la Bert and Ernie) are really homoerotic in nature. One of the best-known, sweetest, and closest if fictional friendships in contemporary pop culture would be sexualized.

Which leads to the creepy part of the problem: A marriage between Bert and Ernie introduces sex into a place where it just has no business: the minds of preschoolers. I understand that there is more to a homosexual relationship than sex, but when it comes to offering explanations to preschoolers, it’s hard to get around the sexual dimension without totally confusing that friendship issue.

While I never seek to shun my kids from the realities of life, and try to answer my kids’ questions as honestly as I can, having to explain why two roommate boy puppets wanted to marry is simply beyond the pale.

While some families may have to have this conversation with their preschoolers, most of us don’t. And shouldn’t have to. 4- and 5-year-olds, of all people, should be allowed to understand friendship in its most basic and beautiful state. They are already bombarded with sex, on magazine covers in the grocery store checkout lines, on highway billboards, on the sassy clothing sported by some of their young friends. They don’t need it on Sesame Street.

The people at Sesame Workshop clearly agree. In their response to the petition, they wrote, “Bert and Ernie are best friends. They were created to teach preschoolers that people can be good friends with those who are very different from themselves. Even though they are identified as male characters and possess many human traits and characteristics (as most Sesame Street Muppets™ do), they remain puppets, and do not have a sexual orientation.”

Indeed. Saying no to the Change.org petition isn’t about homophobia or intolerance or passing judgment. Neither is my opposition to it. Rather, it’s about allowing preschoolers to love who they want to love without confusion, without it getting tangled up with sex. It’s about letting them see a good example of agape love — the kind that “always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres" (1 Cor. 13:7) — and keeping the more complicated eros at bay, since they will be bombarded by untrue claims about that kind of love for the rest of their lives.

Comments

Great commentary on this! While reading your article it reminded me that when I was growing up that I was taught that David and Jonathan - that if one of them had been a woman - they'd have obviously gotten married, etc (I was taught this many times!).... and as an adult I realized how awful that teaching was! It feels very much like the Christian "Bert and Ernie" version.

Society (and the church frankly) seems to have lost the concept of close platonic friendship (either same sex or cross gender). If two people of the same gender have a close friendship they can be accused of homo-erotic (bromance) relationship. And cross gender friendship cannot occur either because of the Harry Met Sally problem outside the church or the boundry problem (cannot ride in a car/eat lunch together/be seen anywhere without causing someone to stumble or question their 'wisdom').

God created friendship. If we want to change culture, preaching about, talking about and living deep friendships is a good way to do it.

Well put! I could not agree more.

Have you seen Avenue Q? A delightful and talented Broadway production, but watching muppets have (heterosexual) sex on stage was a bit traumatic, and I'm an adult. Creepy is right, even without politicizing around the gay marriage issue. Children's characters have NO business in these sexual matters, period.

Well said, Caryn!

Great article--I completely agree. The societal trend of sexualizing things related to children seems to be increasing and disturbs me very much.

It would make way more sense for them to add a gay HUMAN couple to their cast of characters then to sexualize two puppets. It was part of their mandate from the beginning to show different races and classes so that inner city kids could see themselves reflected on tv and be encouraged to learn. I would expect that depicting characters of other sexual orientations would be next - if they haven't dealt with it already. Sesame Street has a long history of pushing the envelope on issues around the world (think of the puppet in south Africa living with HIV). They have done a lot of good for our kids and I expect they will continue for years to come.

Thank you, thank you, thank you! Excellent article!

I may be wrong on this, but as far as I remember, none of the Sesame Street characters were married, correct?

YES!

Sesame Street characters are supposed to be CHILDREN, are they not? So basically what these people want is to SEXUALIZE CHILDREN.

I honestly don't have a problem with gay marriage being legal. But I have a BIG PROBLEM with the sexualization of children. Sex (in the sense of sexual relationships) shouldn't even be hinted at in a children's show.

One of the best parts about all this (as you noted) is that the Sesame Street folks adamantly said no. Even more important, though, is that it points out how diligent parents must be with what their children watch, read and listen to. Sesame Street, the Disney Channel, Nickelodeon, the Berenstein Bears, Dr. Seuss, Radio Disney, and so much more will influence our kids. For that matter, Sunday School will influence our kids. It's up to us to monitor those influences.

That said, I'm glad Sesame Street did not let us down on this one. Good for them!

Cheers,
Tim

Great article! I completely agree. Making them marry perpetuates the stereotype that two close males "must be gay." Why can't they just be best friends? Good on Sesame Street.

This was a well written article. I agree with the decision/justification of the makers of Sesame Street.

Great article, but Christians need to speak up even though we are being condemned for our belief. Homosexuals are Deviates, they push their agenda on everyone, and when you are even slightly opposed, you are called bigot, homophobic, hater, etc. They started to target school children years ago in order to twist a young mind into believing that their deviate behavior is "normal", California currently has more than half a dozen books in grade school classrooms that promote homosexuality. This needs to be resisted with as many as possible, and by exposing idiotic assumptions for what they are, idiotic! Why can't Bert and Earnie be cousins, or adopted Brothers, or ? Why do they have to be Homosexuals?

If we as Christians don't expose and educate people to the truth, who will?

Thank you for writing this article. I had no idea about the petition. But I am so glad to read that the Sesame Street Folks said no. As I think about it I don't think there are any heterosexual relationships between characters on preschool shows which is a very good thing. Kids don't need to be thinking about sexual junk. They will be bombarded by it. Kids need to be able to be friends with boys and girls their own age.

@author,Caryn Rivadeneira "...many of us can understand the impulse behind some members of the gay community to legally and publicly solidify their relationships." You parsed your words carefully, so I ask you: "Do you support gay marriage?

The Biblical standard for marriage is found in Genesis 2:21 "So the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and he slept; then He took one of his ribs and closed up the flesh at that place. 22 The LORD God fashioned into a woman the rib which He had taken from the man, and brought her to the man. 23 The man said,

“This is now bone of my bones,
And flesh of my flesh;
She shall be called Woman,
Because she was taken out of Man.”

24 For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh."

And this was reiterated by Jesus in Matt. 19:5 and Paul in 1 Cor. 6:16 and Eph. 5:31.

As a pastor, I must say that this is one of the wisest statements made regarding these issues that I have seen in print anywhere.

I watched Sesame Street with my family. It never occurred to me that there might be another way to look at the relationship between Bert and Ernie. As a male with male friends it is unsettling to realize that there are other people who see an erotic angle to these relationships.

Oh the agony & stupidity of this world! What's next Big Bird gets engaged to Snuffleupagas?!

In total agreement with your statement below. Thank you for this article. If only those trying to do this could see with their eyes open, they would see what harm they are actually doing for selfish reasons.

"Indeed. Saying no to the Change.org petition isn’t about homophobia or intolerance or passing judgment. Neither is my opposition to it. Rather, it’s about allowing preschoolers to love who they want to love without confusion, without it getting tangled up with sex. It’s about letting them see a good example of agape love — the kind that “always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres" (1 Cor. 13:7) — and keeping the more complicated eros at bay, since they will be bombarded by untrue claims about that kind of love for the rest of their lives."

If you have ever expressed your disagreement with the homosexual lifestyle you have likely had someone respond: “How does what a person does in the privacy of his home hurt you”? Answer: When what is done in the privacy of one’s home is sanctioned by the government it creates a legitimization for that action or lifestyle that inevitably invades the homes of others through the media – newspapers, TV, movies, the internet – through the schools – requiring students, regardless of religious or moral beliefs, to take classes with the purpose of indoctrinating them with the State’s values – through the law – criminalizing thoughts, words, or actions (Hate Crime Laws) the State deems offensive or intolerant. The truth of this statement is evident to all but the willfully blind.

The media has been in the vanguard of legitimizing the homosexual lifestyle. Homosexually has been so mainstreamed that episodes on the Home and Garden TV network regularly feature segments of same-sex couples buying or remodeling homes tucked in between segments of heterosexual couples. The intent is to equate homosexuality with heterosexuality – and it is working. The success of Brokeback Mountain, a 2005 movie about two homosexual cowboys in Wyoming, won three Academy Awards and was a “Best Picture” nominee. Such acclaim powerfully reveals the normalization of the homosexual lifestyle.

So, it was inevitable that advocates for the normalization of the homosexual lifestyle would desire to indoctrinate children with this sin by pressuring a company that is so closely identified with children to feature some of its characters as homosexuals. And while it’s commendable for the folks at Sesame Workshop to have resisted the pressure to so, this isn’t the end. The attack upon traditional morality and ethics, particularly marriage, is being waged by people under the influence of a relentless satanic spirit.

Whether it’s Bert and Ernie or cartoon characters or other fictional characters the homosexual activists will not rest until they infiltrate the minds of our children. So, the Church better stand up and teach/preach the truth concerning this sin. God help us if we don’t!

I'm astounded at the unkind judgements from some people here. @mike: gay people are NOT deviates- they are normal human beings with an inborn orientation towards the same sex. This is medically and psychologically proven.

The point of Sesame Street is to stop discrimination towards kids which has led to the suicides of kids. What is more important to you all? Your "childhood memories" or a world where people can be treated with equality? Gay people no more choose their orientation than do you choose the color of your eyes.

Any interpretation of scripture that excludes, demeans or trears another as less than, is not consistent with the character of God.

Since I teach a class call Pastoral Ministries and cover the day-to-day activities in which future ministers will participate, we have long covered things like how to maintain proper conduct with the opposite. We talked about open doors, doors with windows, eating with a member of the opposite sex, etc. We, of course, have added the same type of instructions about the conduct being maintained carefully with same sex individuals. We're in very changing times.

Years ago, I got in trouble for using Bert and Ernie with my children's church. One of our elders thought it was unholy to use puppets of any kind in church. As I said, times are changing.

Really? I wonder how many children who watch Sesame Street have committed suicide because of their sexual orientation? If most people would be honest, they would admit that there is a period of innocence where most little kids think the difference between boys and girls is the length of the hair. This is assuming they are raised in a normal household. Maybe only the children of homosexuals who think they must be taught every detail about sex at preschool age have suicidal thoughts. But most little kids at that age just care about playing ball, climbing trees, and having books read to them. It's the homosexuals and their agenda that want to take away their innocence and put the problems of the world on their little kid's shoulders. I do not think "gays" should be allowed to adopt. As the homosexuals who have posted here, claiming to be just your happy next door neighbor have stated, they are proud of their parades and the sickening displays of imitated sexual acts during them, and all the various perversions displayed. People who think that is "normal" and good for children to watch should never be allowed to adopt. It's too bad that Christians have been so beaten down by them have caved in to them. The Bible clearly says that in the end times, people will see evil as being good.

@barbara: I don't see jesus having your attitude. Your attitude reminds me more of a religous group known to many as the Pharisees.

You're taking scriptures totally out of context. And come across as an ugly, self righteous person. Remind us all not to attend your church. You can disagree and not display such a vile superior attitude.

Everything I said was true. And Jesus said it would be better to have a millstone tied around the neck than to hurt the little ones. The truth may hurt, but God's Word is truth, and I will take what the Bible says any day over what a homosexual says, believe me. God clearly said that homosexuality and sodomy are abominations. It would be impossible for God to contradict Himself or be illogical, and impossible to think that God would ok the parenting of little children by the homosexuals with their sick perversions. They are against God in every way. I see very, very few even try to say that they are Christians. As one person said, they just scan the various blogs, etc and fight their fight for their perversions to be accepted by society.

Contrary to popular opinion, some sins are worse than others. Sexual sins are always put in the "greater sin" category, which one could gather from God saying it is an abomination, because believers have the Holy Spirit inside of them. It's true that just one sin would send anyone to hell, if they don't believe in Jesus as their Lord and Savior. However, that does NOT logically lead to the statement that all sins are the same. They are not. Jesus made references to greater and lesser sins, and the Old Testament had various levels of punishment for the people who committed various sins.

Here is just one example from John 19:10-12: "So Pilate *said to Him, “You do not speak to me? Do You not know that I have authority to release You, and I have authority to crucify You?” Jesus answered, “You would have no authority over Me, unless it had been given you from above; for this reason he who delivered Me to you has the GREATER sin.” As a result of this Pilate made efforts to release Him, but the Jews cried out saying, “If you release this Man, you are no friend of Caesar; everyone who makes himself out to be a king opposes Caesar.”

And Jesus made it very clear about what would happen to those who hurt little children. The gay community does just that, and there was an article out just today about how the homosexuals would now like to legalize pedophilia. This is NO surprise. The slippery slope of sin is very real. They will fight for pedophilia, claiming it is "age discrimination" to not allow it. The homosexuality community is obviously one of satan's action groups. Satan knows what the Bible teaches about homosexuality and sodomy even if you don't. And people who want to hurt children are the sickest people. I think it's just unbelievable that gays think their parades are for the good of the public. They are sickening, they are perverted and disgusting. Their demonstration of the sex act, flaunting of the rainbow colored too-small speedo, is aberrent behavior. The very idea that they even get parades is disgusting. It should be for real heroes, like veterans, firefighters, and celebrating the independence of our country, real reasons for parades. Not for a sick group of people, made up of men who for the majority, never bonded with their fathers. And yes, I can say that every homosexual man I have ever met, they had a terrible relationship with their father, or no father at all, and/or an "off" relationship with their mothers, who treated many of them like the spouse rather than their children. People obviously don't like to talk to this, and nobody is going to do a study of it and lose their careers because it's so politically incorrect, but nevertheless, it's a huge majority of the homosexual men.

Jesus had this attidude for money changers, and Paul, whose words were not from himself, but from God, had very harsh words for sinners. Read 1Cor chapter 5, read Galatians. And certainly read Revelation, whoch is the revelation of Jesus Christ, not John, as some have said. Jesus will be returning with a wrath that you can't begin to imagine. I am praying that you will take the Bible seriously. Any book with hundreds of fulfilled prophecies, written over a period of 1500 years, and it all fits together like a hand and glove, is a book woth studying. I pray that you will pray about it, and read the Bible, and read all that God says about it. You are making your sexuality an idol above God. You are very much risking eternal wrath and condemnation. Read Revelation and about the trials that will come upon the whole world, except for the believers who will be taken out first (Rev 3:10). Then ask yourself, is it really worth it? Think about an eternity in the eternal lake of fire. This isn't some game. God is serious. He loves you and wants you to follow Him. God can help you overcome this, He never gives anyone more than they can handle. But you have to be willing to accept that it is a sin, like God says, and you need to repent of it. People may scoff, but things which are impossible by ourselves, are easily done when we turn our hearts and lives over to God.

Blake--I agree that Barbara's statements are unhelpful to say the least. She obviously has false stereotypes of LGBT folk.

I am interested in hearing more of your thoughts related to sexualizing the friendship between Bert and Ernie. The article is not so much about being against gay marriage for example. The point Caryn is making is that it doesn't make sense to sexualize a relationship that is for a show for pre-schoolers.

She also pointed out that it can be damaging--even to LGBT folk--when there is no room for platonic male friendship. When media decides to turn every close male friendship into a sexual one it creates more homophobia as young boys and men shun any form of affection for fear that it will be perceived as sexual.

So, I am interested in your thoughts on:

1) Do you feel it appropriate to sexualize a relationship for a show that is for pre schoolers especially when a lot of kids perceive Bert and Ernie as being their own age--children themselves (I agree with the commenter that having an adult human gay couple would make more sense if there are any characters depicted as married at all) and

2) Do you see value in the media showing strong platonic friendships between males that resists sexualizing them?

Thanks for your thoughts, everyone.

I am sad, however, by the remarks of some here that are just hurtful and unfair. While rushing to point out the "greater sins" (not saying I agree with this), it seems the "greatest commandments" have been forgotten: to love God and to love one another. Not to love only those with whom we agree or of whom we approve, but everyone. Not feeling the love in some of these comments.

Other thing: Sesame Streets HAS had married people: Luis and Maria got married when Maria was pregnant in real life. Among others, probably, Elmo has puppet parents--I think they're married. I believe there was a hospital scene when he was born. I had started to write about this--but it got too long. : )

Peace!

The best news in this whole dialogue up to now is that it took longer than usual for the Dan's and Barbara's of the world to show up. As a former pastor who has struggled with my own same-sex attraction for many years, I always find it disturbing that the only response some have to this issue is diatribe and vitriol. Dan wants to question the author's bona fides as an evangelical because she chooses to make a statement recognizing the plight of gay people who wish to marry, showing clearly that it is not the hurts and heeds of PEOPLE - the first priority of our Savior - is not part of his concern. And Barbara's bizarre exegesis on the idea of "greater sins" is a disservice to Bible readers everywhere. Have you never noticed Proverbs 12:22: "Lying lips are an ABOMINATION to the Lord, but those who deal truthfully are His delilght" (NKJV) - which would put lying in the same category as homosexuality, if the use of "abomination" is the guideline; and the term abomination is also used for offering an imperfect sacrifice, idolatry, the wearing of women's clothing by men and vice versa, the use of unjust weights in the marketplace, and my personal favorite, Proverbs 6:16

16 These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: 17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, 18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, 19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.

I would rate Barbara's post as violating at least two of those.

However, before someone gets to questioning MY bona fides as an evangelical as well, about the same time they showed up, so did Blake, with the usual "gay is inborn - it's a scientific fact" statement. Unfortunately, one cannot just state as "fact" the position they agree with, even if it has some apparent scientific support, when there is an equally valid body of evidence to refute that position. Blake also appeals to consistency with the character of God for deciding what Biblical principles to uphold and which to deny. In exegesis, we were taught that the consistency to be sought was within the text itself. Homosexual acts - not homosexual orientation, which is a different thing altogether - are explicitly forbidden in the Old Testament, and that prohibition is clearly reinforced in the New Testament. That seems to be the kind of consistency required for "proof" of the view of the Bible, and by extension, the God who wrote it.

So we wind up with this nasty and unpleasant war of words between people who claim to love the Lord and His Word and have no idea how to love people and people who have a beautiful and rightful commitment to the love of God as it should be expressed in our love for others, but who choose clearly non-Biblical bases for the application of these beliefs. When some Christians stop beating and berating those with whom they disagree, and other Christians stop trying to justify their works by reinterpreting the foundational principles of the Word, we might be able to get a reasonable discussion going on the subject. Until then, this kind of fighting, which I am sure breaks the heart of the God who loves all of us, is doomed to continue.

@Jeff: Vent your spleen! Okay, I hope you feel better now?

"Homosexual acts - not homosexual orientation, which is a different thing altogether - are explicitly forbidden in the Old Testament, and that prohibition is clearly reinforced in the New Testament." Well, I agree with this. But your rant has left me somewhat bewildered as I have always qualified my comments with "homosexual behavior" (not "feelings or psychological orientation")is prohibited by God. You appear to agree with this notion (tho it is hard to understand from your bombastic post.)If you do agree with the Bible that homosexual acts are an abomination to God then perhaps you should read (at least) my comments a little more closely before you have a hissy fit.

Terry-your words are excellent-so many great examples! Continue to "speak the truth"! blake-anyone who reads God's word has an idea of His "character" "Thou shalt not lie with mankind as with womankind:it is an abomination".Lev.18:22 The world can change and "evolve" as often and as much as it wants to but God's word never changes. It is no more natural for two females or two males to be together than it is for a human to pair up with a robot. God made man & woman for a beautiful relationship and to procreate. That can never happen "naturally" with the same sex. Another fact & truth: can a man be a real mother to a child or can a woman be a real father to a child? No question-absolutely not! Family is the "foundation". When you destroy that you destroy everything!

I think Jeff made some great points in his "vent."

Good article. How sad when a culture becomes so obsessed with sex that we see it everywhere - even with puppets who only exist from the waist up.

To Dan - My comments as directed to you - "vent" or "rant" if you prefer - were this:

"Dan wants to question the author's bona fides as an evangelical because she chooses to make a statement recognizing the plight of gay people who wish to marry, showing clearly that it is not the hurts and heeds of PEOPLE - the first priority of our Savior - is not part of his concern."

The English of that was atrocious - I edited the sentence midstream without reproofing - but I believe the point came through. My issue was that you "called her out" on gay marriage, because " You parsed your words carefully, so I ask you: "Do you support gay marriage?"

It appeared to me that you were suggesting that a person cannot offer understanding and even comfort to the spiritual and emotional plight of people trapped in the lie that homosexuality in general and homosexual marriage in particular tries to maintain - namely, that the lifestyle is as normal and acceptable before God is it is becoming in culture - without condoning the sin itself. If that is not your belief, I have misread your intentions and apologize. But if you ARE suggesting that we have to withhold loving concern in order to be faithful to the Word, I take issue strongly. How else except in love - alongside an unequivocal stand for Biblical truth - will we EVER reach those who today are the equivalent population to the church as the lepers were to the Pharisees of Jesus' day?

If my post in general seems like a "rant" or "vent", it is because, as I have said before, I struggle with same-sex attraction issues every single day of my life, and have since some of my earliest memories. I pastored for 20 of those years, and sought from Christian after Christian, including other pastors and superiors in ministry, for some understanding and those who would come alongside me for purposes of accountability and growth in grace. I don't think you want to know the statistics on how many offered me the help I sought and how many refused to ever communicate with me again after my revelations. By God's grace, I have walked in victory for a number of years, but I must honestly give virtually all of the glory to Him alone, for the great majority of those in HIS CHURCH who know the truth have done their best to avoid me and my problems.

Am I bitter? I would like to think not, but I would probably be deceiving myself by saying that was totally gone from me. But mostly I am sad. I am sorry for those in the church who can rejoice with the murderer, the drug addict, the adulterer (how seldom we even pay attention to THAT sexual sin today!) who returns to the Father's arms, but always look with disdain and mistrust on even the victorious same-sex attracted person, much less the struggling or seeking one. I am sorry for the thousands that, if God does not shelter us from this, will stare into our eyes on their way to the judgment wondering why this great love which we sing about was never directed by us to them. And I am sorry for those who have been led astray by the false teachers who, rightly understanding the amazing, overwhelming and everlasting love of the Father, have twisted and perverted His truth about sin - sexual or otherwise - in order to make him/herself and those who shared their struggle feel accepted.

Somewhere between "It is an abomination" and "You are loved" is a truth very, very few seem to have found.

Another "rant"? mea culpa...

@Jeff: You see, Jeff, I don't assume the author endorses gay marriage. That's why I forthrightly and politely asked her. I observed her word choice and questioned her belief - but I did not feel the need to be condescending. Asking questions politely is the way to gain understanding of what the other person believes. Then when you do understand, you may proceed to attack the issue - but hopefully not the person. I have learned to do this as I do not care to eat crow. I would encourage you to learn to do the same. I am sorry to learn that you have struggled with same sex attraction throughout your life. You have my sympathy but I am happy that you experience victory too. That testimony should give others who struggle as you do encouragement to fight the good fight. As for your rejection, I can understand a measure of it: I have family members who struggle with their emotions including depression. It is painful for me to watch them self-destruct in front of others, often in church or in public. They too face rejection, and sometimes loss of jobs, friends, opportunities that will never come around again. They hurt deeply and sometimes unconsolably. So I can empathize with your sorrow and frustration. But I am sure of this: we do live in a vale of tears and will one day pass away; but heaven will be different and in a good way and for eternity.

@ Dan - Then as I said, my apologies for misunderstanding your initial question. I found it hard to believe that you were confused as to her position concerning gay marriage if you had carefully read the article just because of that one phrase; I did not see the ambiguity you describe.

@ Dan - Having said that, the second part of your post is a complete mystery - particularly this passage:

"As for your rejection, I can understand a measure of it: I have family members who struggle with their emotions including depression. It is painful for me to watch them self-destruct in front of others, often in church or in public. They too face rejection, and sometimes loss of jobs, friends, opportunities that will never come around again. They hurt deeply and sometimes unconsolably."

It sounds like you saying you understand the reasons why others would reject my appeals for help, and justifying those rejections in some way. Of course, I misunderstood your earlier words as well, so that's a definite possibility here as well. I don't recall suggesting I had ever self-destructed, either publicly or privately, on some emotional level; I have gone to these individuals while living in victory asking for their help and wisdom to maintain that victory, and have been pushed aside on the basis of what they perceived I was. I am obviously not catching something on which your observation is based. If you wish to clarify, I would be grateful, but it's not necessary.

In the last, I often derive comfort from the twin facts that (1) my Father understands and loves me, even when it appears that no one in this world does and (2) it will aoo be over someday. Neither of those, however, either insulates me from the pain of today nor the desire to see God's will be done on THIS earth at THIS time because HIS people do HIS will rather than having to wait for that ultimate release. The whole problem, of course, is that other people are as faulty as I am, just in different ways, which means that expecting better from them is no more practical or "fair" than expecting it from myself. As Thomas a Kempis said it long, long ago: “Be not angry that you cannot make others as you want them to be, since you cannot make yourself as you wish to be.” Guess I'll just have to keep on working on that one, too...

@Jeff: I am not a subtle man (but I am sensitive to subtlety in print), nor I do obfuscate intentionally. I merely tried to express empathy with you. Now I have seen Christians reject others who were beset by various struggles, and I do not approve of that. Incidentally, you are one of the very few people struggling with same sex attraction who doesn't try to justify their behavior through wrenching the plain truths of scripture into interpretations that defy common sense and violate established hermeneutics. I admire that. Regarding my questioning the author: I noticed the way she worded the sentence in question and was curious. She certainly was against the sexualizing of Earnie and Bert, but it does not necessarily follow she is against gay marriage. I was curious.

Bottom line --- God created sex for married people. God created marriage to be between a MAN and WOMAN....not man and man or woman and woman. It sickens me that our government has agreed with those who think it's OK for two men to marry or for two women to marry. That's exactly why our country (and entire world) is on the road to destruction. When prayer was taken out of our schools, that started this whole mess. The Word of God is being fulfilled, because it speaks of this type of MESS going on during the last days. We Christians need to step up our game and fight the enemy on every hand. It's truly sickening!!

I appreciate this article. The issue is Not Gay rights, it is preserving the innocense of children and allowing them to learn how to have meaningful relationships with both sexes. It to intrude into the imagination and play life of children with adult issues is to corrupt and compromise the natural course of the child's development. Teens and tweens are not watching Seasame Street! The tween and teen years are the years of sexual identity and exploration, not the life of preschoolers. They are just learning how to be social beings. Seasame street already emphasizes the acceptance of persons who are different, look different, speak different and think differently. They are already advocating acceptance and tolerance. That is as far as it should go at that age. Lets stop being so selfish, let the children keep their childhood. Three and four year olds are not committing suicide because of sexual orientation or confusion. This issue is not found in Seasame Street's target audience!

Shari, great points. You have articulated the very reasons given by the folks at Sesame Street for refusing to cave in to the pressure. As I said above, good for them!

Rhonda S., I don't think "When prayer was taken out of our schools, that started this whole mess." Rather, the mess started with Adam, Eve, the Serpent and the forbidden fruit. Every single thing since then - including every sin you and I have committed - has merely been one more milestone toward Christ's ultimate victory. Also, history is clear that there has never been a Golden Age of virtue in America (the debauchery of the Roaring Twenties may ring a bell). Let's not blame this on whether kids in school are praying some generic prayer led by a government employee. The roots go much deeper and further back than that.

OK. Either way --- let's leave Bert and Ernie as they have always been --- two very good friends (puppets) who are both of the male gender. Whew....

...so if they got married do our kids need to next watch them go through a heart-wrenching divorce?

Thanks for addressing this. I personally liked Sesame Street's response that because Bert and Ernie were, in fact, puppets, they did not have a sexual orientation. Reminds me of a book that there is always a lot of flack about - "And Tango Makes Three" - about a penguin that was raised by a pair of male penguins. Not that penguins don't have sexual orientation but the authors truly took huge literary license in implying that because these male penguins took care of a penguin chick they were somehow gay.

I agree with the position the Sesame Workshop has taken, and I think their position is the best one all things considered. I also agree with the reasoning of this article's author...

As a transgender person, I must say that I also oppose the creation of a transgender puppet as well (something the petition suggested too). I am concerned that including a trans-puppet would elevate transgender issues above issues that are more important to children this age.

However, I do think that it would be in keeping with Sesame Street to have an *occasional* visitor who is transgender so that children can see that we are every bit as nice and human as other more conventional people. (Such could even be a useful example for parents because most trans people don't generally mind answering honest questions about themselves, and children, rather than adults, are more apt to ask what is on their mind.)

Thank you for this article. Growing up, and even now, I always thought that Bert and Ernie were brothers or friends like on "The Odd Couple". The way they bickered and bugged each other was like the antics me and my brother did to each other. I never in a million years thought they were gay. I also thought that they were kids, not grown ups. Why can't we just let kids be kids and let muppets be muppets instead of bringing in political beliefs?

Did anyone miss what one writer said about the sin that the church seems to overlook while maintaining its hard line again homosexuality, namely, adultery? Seems as if the church has adopted the view that as long as the sexual sin isn't same-sex, it's to be tolerated because, presumably, it's not the "greater sin." And is it any wonder that the Apostle Paul found it necessary to write not just Romans 1 but also Romans 2?

[Hi, CT. Recently spotted the following while webbing.]

The Jesus-Predicted Steamroller

Jesus warned that just before His return as Judge, there will be a strange, spontaneous, mind-twisting fad - a global steamroller notable for its speed, boldness, violence, and impudent in-your-face openness. In Luke 17 He called this worldwide craze the repetition of the "days of Lot" (see Genesis 19 for details). By helping to fulfill this worldwide mania quietly coordinated by unseen spirit beings, gays are actually hurrying up Christ's return to earth! What's really scary is the phrase "reprobate mind" found in Romans 1:28. One can ignore one's conscience so much that God finally turns that person over to the "reprobate mind" of the most diabolical leader of evil in the universe. When this happens it's almost as if the brainwashed human being has signed a statement saying "I don't ever want God and don't care if I end up in Hell!" The entire first chapter of Romans explains why God is forced to eventually and sorrowfully abandon certain individuals who constantly choose evil over good and ignore their conscience! If you're laughing at this message, you may have almost reached the point of no return. Be sure to keep on laughing when God allows entire cities to be suddenly destroyed. Revelation 16:18-19 describes the greatest earthquake of all time which will level the "cities of the nations" - a quake that's never achieved this in the past. There's only one thing that can destroy America - no matter who becomes President - and that's a four-letter word: EVIL. Change the letters and you can become totally VILE (and thus do your part to force God to send America even more disasters). Or better yet, you can turn to Christ (He's the "Creator" that America's founders referred to). And He's alive (after having been killed) and promises to reveal Himself to you if you will just pray to Him in your own words and tell Him what you need! If you decide to partner with Him, He can change the letters in EVIL and show you how you can really LIVE - and you'll kick yourself for not checking Him out sooner! Remember, He loves EVERY person and can forgive and erase from His records ANY sin - even murder - since He's the only Saviour who can do this! I write this in the spirit of love because I care for the part of you that will live forever in either Heaven or Hell!

I understand your point about platonic friendships and actually agree with it. Sometimes a roommate is just a roommate. I also am uncomfortable with child's television as an agent of social change - young kids are just too impressionable.

That said, I'm not sure why realizing that Bert and Ernie are sexual beings should be creepy. Would you have a problem sleeping with (say) a Barbie doll or a Santa Claus plushie? The latter is married, the former is in a romantic relationship. They are sexual beings. All adults are (well, except for asexuals, people who just aren't interested in sex.) But most adults don't relate sexually to children. That's called pedophilia, and homosexuals aren't any more subject to that tendency than heterosexuals.

Of course as an adult you would not view Barbie or Santa Claus as a sexual creature - but neither would a four year old exposed to a married Bert and Ernie today. At that age, marriage of any kind isn't about sex, it's about being the mom/dad of a family. I worry that saying we should be creeped out by a married Bert and Ernie feeds into the lie that gay marriage (or just homosexuality full stop) is somehow creepy, whereas straight-marriage and heterosexuality isn't.

*blushes* I posted the above comment too soon. (Aug-28-2011, 5:34 PM) The last paragraph should read: Of course as a adult child you would not view Barbie...

I also forgot to sign it. That was my post.

I wanted to make two points. I disagree with the petition, not least since a lot of the confusion stems from our culture's lack of much of a vocabulary for platonic friendship between men and tends to conflate all intimate relationships. But two points popped out at me.

"I personally liked Sesame Street's response that because Bert and Ernie were, in fact, puppets, they did not have a sexual orientation."

Miss Piggy doesn't have a sexual orientation, with her chasing of Kermit? Or would she have a sexual orientation if she chased after Janice, instead (too)?

"Reminds me of a book that there is always a lot of flack about - "And Tango Makes Three" - about a penguin that was raised by a pair of male penguins. Not that penguins don't have sexual orientation but the authors truly took huge literary license in implying that because these male penguins took care of a penguin chick they were somehow gay."

Inasmuch as the story deals with a pair of mated male penguins who raise a chick together, it's difficult to see how this wouldn't relate to a gay sexual orientation among penguins. Do we really need to read their minds to deduce that?

>Miss Piggy doesn't have a sexual orientation, with her >chasing of Kermit?
>

And Miss Piggy is NOT a Sesame Street character -- so Randy McDonald's point is moot.

Kermit the Frog is a "cross-over" character who for years appeared on Sesame Street while also starring as Emcee of the popular "The Muppet Show", a program aimed at the entire family and not just a pre-school PBS audience. Miss Piggy was introduced to most Americans in that long-running series.

To my knowledge Miss Piggy NEVER appeared on Sesame Steet. So whether or not the porcine puppet actually had a "sexual orientation" on a prime-time television program is irrelevant to Sesame Street and the Children's Television Workshop, which never employed the pushy porker.

Hermenuetics

twitter updates

What Is Her.meneutics?

interests

writers

Free Newsletters

books we're reading

blogs we're watching

The Battle for Bert and Ernie

Comments

recent posts

Archives

May 2012
Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat
		1	2	3	4	5
6	7	8	9	10	11	12
13	14	15	16	17	18	19
20	21	22	23	24	25	26
27	28	29	30	31

Hermenuetics

twitter updates

What Is Her.meneutics?

interests

writers

Free Newsletters

books we're reading

blogs we're watching

The Battle for Bert and Ernie

Comments

recent posts

tags

Archives