PBS, The Church and Same Sex Marriages

Postcards from Buster has an episode that involves same sex marriages....but it will not be aired.

By Ben Feller
Associated Press
Published January 26, 2005


WASHINGTON -- The nation's new education secretary denounced PBS on Tuesday for spending public money on a cartoon with lesbian characters, saying many parents would not want children exposed to such lifestyles.

The not-yet-aired episode of "Postcards From Buster" shows the title character, an animated bunny named Buster, on a trip to Vermont, a state that recognizes same-sex civil unions. The episode features two lesbian couples, although the focus is on farm life and maple sugaring.

A PBS spokeswoman, Lea Sloan, said late Tuesday that the non-profit network has decided not to distribute the episode, called "Sugartime!," to its 349 stations. She said the Education Department's objections were not a factor in that decision.

"Ultimately, our decision was based on the fact that we recognize this is a sensitive issue, and we wanted to make sure that parents had an opportunity to introduce this subject to their children in their own time," said Sloan

Post cards from Buster is a spin off of the popular Arthur show.

The USA TODAY also had a story on this called Education secretary blasts children's show
By Greg Toppo.

WASHINGTON — Public TV stations that don't mind an animated bunny breaking bread with a same-sex couple have the option of airing a show that the U.S. secretary of education finds objectionable.
The as-yet-unaired episode of Postcards from Buster, an animated children's travelogue, takes place in Vermont, which recognizes same-sex civil unions. Buster, a bunny who also appears in PBS' long-running Arthur series, meets real children and sends "video postcards" back home. In the Vermont episode, a girl introduces Buster to "my mom and Gillian," and the group sits down to dinner.

PBS, which receives a federal literacy grant to produce the show, pulled it Tuesday amid criticism from Education Secretary Margaret Spellings, who blasted it for featuring lesbian parents. But the show's creator, Boston station WGBH, will air it anyway and can provide the show to other PBS stations. A WGBH spokeswoman said Wednesday that a dozen stations have asked to take a look and decide for themselves.

Spellings, a former White House domestic adviser whose first day as education secretary was Monday, wrote PBS president Pat Mitchell on Tuesday with "strong and very serious concerns."

She says the episode strays from the intent of the government program designed to prepare preschoolers for school: "Many parents would not want their young children exposed to the lifestyles portrayed in this episode."

Spellings was applauded by James Dobson's Focus on the Family, which has criticized the use of the SpongeBob SquarePants cartoon character in a video it says promotes homosexuality.

Karen Pike, one of the Vermont mothers, called the objections "disgusting." The show is "trying to show that kids are kids and that there are many kinds of families," says Pike, 42, a photographer who has done freelance work for USA TODAY.

Spellings also asks that PBS "strongly consider" refunding the federal money used for the episode. John Wilson, PBS's senior vice president for programming, says PBS will not refund the money but will shoot another episode.

Wilson says PBS officials already had decided to pull the episode before Spellings' letter arrived. The mention of same-sex parents, while "pure backdrop," was obscuring "what we had hoped would be a wonderful story about sugaring in Vermont," he says.

Asked how Buster reacted to the two moms, Wilson replied: "Buster is a very tolerant and accepting rabbit, and he sort of took it at face value."Education secretary blasts children's show
By Greg Toppo, USA TODAY
WASHINGTON — Public TV stations that don't mind an animated bunny breaking bread with a same-sex couple have the option of airing a show that the U.S. secretary of education finds objectionable.
The as-yet-unaired episode of Postcards from Buster, an animated children's travelogue, takes place in Vermont, which recognizes same-sex civil unions. Buster, a bunny who also appears in PBS' long-running Arthur series, meets real children and sends "video postcards" back home. In the Vermont episode, a girl introduces Buster to "my mom and Gillian," and the group sits down to dinner.

PBS, which receives a federal literacy grant to produce the show, pulled it Tuesday amid criticism from Education Secretary Margaret Spellings, who blasted it for featuring lesbian parents. But the show's creator, Boston station WGBH, will air it anyway and can provide the show to other PBS stations. A WGBH spokeswoman said Wednesday that a dozen stations have asked to take a look and decide for themselves.

Spellings, a former White House domestic adviser whose first day as education secretary was Monday, wrote PBS president Pat Mitchell on Tuesday with "strong and very serious concerns."

She says the episode strays from the intent of the government program designed to prepare preschoolers for school: "Many parents would not want their young children exposed to the lifestyles portrayed in this episode."

Spellings was applauded by James Dobson's Focus on the Family, which has criticized the use of the SpongeBob SquarePants cartoon character in a video it says promotes homosexuality.

Karen Pike, one of the Vermont mothers, called the objections "disgusting." The show is "trying to show that kids are kids and that there are many kinds of families," says Pike, 42, a photographer who has done freelance work for USA TODAY.

Spellings also asks that PBS "strongly consider" refunding the federal money used for the episode. John Wilson, PBS's senior vice president for programming, says PBS will not refund the money but will shoot another episode.

Wilson says PBS officials already had decided to pull the episode before Spellings' letter arrived. The mention of same-sex parents, while "pure backdrop," was obscuring "what we had hoped would be a wonderful story about sugaring in Vermont," he says.

Asked how Buster reacted to the two moms, Wilson replied: "Buster is a very tolerant and accepting rabbit, and he sort of took it at face value."

It is not PBS's job to teach my children that a behavior is acceptable that I do not find it to be. I will not let my children watch a show that promotes living together outside marriage because it is a sin. I do believe that homosexual acts are sins.

Earlier this week there was an article in the paper. The state of Illinois or Indiana....I forget. They said that churches could not deny homosexuals jobs based on thier sexual status. Well, the law was passed across the board. No job could deny based on a person being a homosexual. And legislators of that state said, well, we will not pursue the law in regard to churches. But there is no written exception.

How can the government make laws that govern religion? Isnt that the idea of how our Constitution was set up? That The government should not force anyone to follow one religion or denomination....and they would stay out of the churches bussiness since the church was not in thier bussiness? Only, apparently it does not apply when they want the church to find a sin as acceptable. What a sad statement about our nation.

Secret Get Aways

We are going on a not so secret get away this weekend. This is the first time since having children, we will be sneaking off without them. I feel guilty and at the same time....excited.

We have a church confrance to go to this weekend. I really could do without the confrance...but it is a good reason to be away. We will spend all day saturday learning how to serve the church.

But we get to go down on friday night. We will go dancing. We will go eat at resturants without kiddie menus. We will maybe catch a movie before we come home Sunday evening.

The kids are staying with Grandma. They are excited...and a little nervous. But this will be great for all of us. Couples need time alone together. My dear husband who has to be bugged a million times to do things like make reservations....has had these made for a month. I think he is pretty excited about our trip.

This is the furthest I will have ever been away from my babies. I know they are not babies anymore. My son will start school this fall. I will have a child in Kindergarden! This is a big step for this family. I know we are going to have fun. Now, If I would just get busy and get all of us packed to be gone from friday morning until sunday night!

Hymns of Praise

Last Sunday, As I sang the hymns during service and the choir anthem, I had to wonder what in the world Rev. Massey was thinking when he picked those hymns. They just did not seem to fit together.

The Choral Response to the Call to worship was "I shall call upon the Lord." This is a very upbeat tune. It has a real rocking beat to it and you just want to bounce to the music.

I shall call upon the Lord, Who is worthy to be praised. So, shall I be saved from my enemies. I will call upon the Lord.

The Lord liveth, blessed be the Rock and let the God of my salvation be exalted. The Lord Liveth and blessed be the Rock; and let the god of my salvation be exhalted.

Then the first hymn the congregation sang was an old John Wesley tune. "And Can It Be That I should Gain." This song is one LONG song. An old Traditional Hymn.

And can it be that I should gain an int’rest in the Savior’s blood?
Died he for me, who caused his pain? For me, who him to death pursued?
Amazing love! How can it be that thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
Amazing love! How can it be that thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

’Tis myst’ry all! Th’Immortal dies: who can explore his strange design?
In vain the firstborn seraph tries to sound the depths of love divine.
’Tis mercy all! Let earth adore, let angel minds inquire no more.
Amazing love! How can it be that thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

He left his Father’s throne above (so free, so infinite His grace!),
emptied himself of all but love, and bled for Adam’s helpless race.
’Tis mercy all, immense and free; for, O my God, it found out me!
Amazing love! How can it be that thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

No condemnation now I dread; Jesus, and all in him, is mine!
Alive in him, my living Head, and clothed in righteousness divine,
bold I approach th’eternal throne, and claim the crown, through Christ, my own.
Amazing love! How can it be that thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

The Choir then sang for its Anthem, "O the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus." This is a beautiful song. But the tune to the song can drag if you do not do it just right. One very beautiful piece of music. It is a slow traditional hymn.

O the deep, deep love of Jesus, vast, unmeasured, boundless, free!
Rolling as a mighty ocean in its fullness over me!
Underneath me, all around me, is the current of Thy love
Leading onward, leading homeward to Thy glorious rest above!

O the deep, deep love of Jesus, spread His praise from shore to shore!
How He loveth, ever loveth, changeth never, nevermore!
How He watches o’er His loved ones, died to call them all His own;
How for them He intercedeth, watcheth o’er them from the throne!

O the deep, deep love of Jesus, love of every love the best!
’Tis an ocean full of blessing, ’tis a haven giving rest!
O the deep, deep love of Jesus, ’tis a heaven of heavens to me;
And it lifts me up to glory, for it lifts me up to Thee!

The Congregation then sang for our Hymn of preparation "Pass It On." This is a modern Hymn and very popular.

It only takes a spark to get a fire going,
And soon all those around can warm up in its glowing;
That's how it is with God's Love,
Once you've experienced it,
Your spread the love to everyone
You want to pass it on.

What a wonderous time is spring,
When all the tress are budding
The birds begin to sing, the flowers start their blooming;
That's how it is with God's love,
Once you've experienced it.
You want to sing, it's fresh like spring,
You want to pass it on.

I wish for you my friend
This happiness that I've found;
You can depend on God
It matters not where you're bound,
I'll shout it from the mountain top - PRAISE GOD!
I want the world to know
The Lord of love has come to me
I want to pass it on.

And to finish off our sermon, We sang "Victory in Jesus." This is by far one of my favorite hymns. Something about that gospel sound. It leads your heart straight to the Lord and His love.

I heard an old, old story,
How a Savior came from glory,
How He gave His life on Calvary
To save a wretch like me;
I heard about His groaning,
Of His precious blood's atoning,
Then I repented of my sins
And won the victory.

Chorus
O victory in Jesus,
My Savior, forever.
He sought me and bought me
With His redeeming blood;
He loved me ere I knew Him
And all my love is due Him,
He plunged me to victory,
Beneath the cleansing flood.

I heard about His healing,
Of His cleansing pow'r revealing.
How He made the lame to walk again
And caused the blind to see;
And then I cried, "Dear Jesus,
Come and heal my broken spirit,"
And somehow Jesus came and bro't
To me the victory.

Chorus
O victory in Jesus,
My Savior, forever.
He sought me and bought me
With His redeeming blood;
He loved me ere I knew Him
And all my love is due Him,
He plunged me to victory,
Beneath the cleansing flood.

I heard about a mansion
He has built for me in glory.
And I heard about the streets of gold
Beyond the crystal sea;
About the angels singing,
And the old redemption story,
And some sweet day I'll sing up there
The song of victory.

Chorus
O victory in Jesus,
My Savior, forever.
He sought me and bought me
With His redeeming blood;
He loved me ere I knew Him
And all my love is due Him,
He plunged me to victory,
Beneath the cleansing flood.

I can not imagine what led our preacher to pick the songs he did next Sunday. But each touched me in such a special way. The combination of different styles of music. All praising God. Something, truly for everyone. How wonderful it is to be surrounded and touched by God's love.

Condi Gets the Nod from Panel

Fox.com ran the headline Senate Panel Confirms Rice today. Click the link for the article. By a 16 to 2 vote, it passed the senate panel. The two voting against it were Boxer and Kerry.

Barbara Boxer is a very angry women. First holding up the vote on certification of the electoral votes and now her personal attacks on Dr Rice. And I have to be honest. I wonder if Kerry is going to spend his time....when he actually shows up for work....voting agaisnt Bush at every turn. Will either win thier states seat next time they are up? And More then that....do they really represent the beliefs of those who elected them? And if they do, does the rest of America really understand these people's core makeup?

Obama's first vote and he gave the nod to Dr Rice. Of course Democratic Underground then had to belittle his decision to do so. In a thread titled, WTF is up with Obama??, they critize thier hero. The man they thought would save them, in his first congressional move played politics. They wanted this freshmen senator to stand up to 95% of washington? Someone is being unrealistic in thier understanding of politics here. Guess who?

truebrit71
What's the difference if the "democrats" we elect vote for republicans..

..and their policies all the time???

Seriously, what's the difference?

I would rather have 6 Senators that voted no, and went down defending our priniples and our beliefs, rather than the bunch we have now rolling over and getting their (pork-filled) bellies scratched for being good doggies....

If they don't vote as Democrats, for Democratic principles and Democratic ideals WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE

and

Tierra_y_Libertad
41. "Right" in what sense?

What was "right" with a vote for Secretary of State who believes

that the USA has the right to invade and subjugate countries

that won't bend over to it?

His lack of courage and conviction are evident. Either that or

he just another opportunistic politician doing what he think's

is going to keep his seat at the trough.

Democrats are turning on thier own. Dr Rice will probably get the position of SOS. She will do a wonderful job. I personally believe the fight against this comes in two issues. 1. The Democrats want to block anyone that Bush may actually want in any position because voting against the person is voting against Bush. and 2. It looks bad for the party who is suppose to be filled with racist to select a minority women to one of the highest offices our country has. The Democrats are suppose to be the party of minoritys but it is the Republicans pushing for an African-American Women for SOS.

For Information on Dr Rice go to this fast check facts on foxnews.com.

Including God in your marriage

Submitting To Your Husband
The last week, I have seen this topic brought up for debate on many boards. Not all, but many Christian couples work differently then the "norm."

A friend on a Christian board used a good analogy this week. She said, Her husband is the pilot and she is the co-pilot. Both can drive the plane....But only one can drive it at a time. Yet, Both are needed. That is a great analogy of marriage. Only one person can make the hard choices. In many Christian marriages, this is left up to the husband. The wife does submit, but only in the way that.... She gives her input, and then the husband prays on the issue and submits it to God. And then the husband makes the decision based on God's will.

I have no problem letting my husband decide the big things. What kind of new car we will buy. When were we really done having children. Where are we going to move and live. I gave my input. He took that into consideration. And then, after praying on it... Made the decisions. I have faith in his choices. And more then that, I have faith in his choices and walk with God.

My husband does not tell me what to do, for that would not be God's way. But God made us partners. We are help-mates. Man was not whole without women. So God created women. He gave man, women...So, that man should not be alone. We are partners in God's work.

Submitting to God
We are God's servants. It is our job as Christians to fall on our knees and beg to let us be worthy enough to be His servant. God has given us the ultimate gift, Eternal Life. And what do we give him instead? We beg Him to take our sin and make us clean again.

Last Sunday, our preacher preached on Jesus baptism. To be there. To run after Christ and start your life new again in His love and His teachings. But the wonderful thing about giving your life to God is you are made new again. The person you were, is no longer. You are a new person in Christ love. The chance to wash the slate clean and start over. Because God loves us that much.

But we have to serve God. We have to do as He commands. We have to do His work here on earth. And we have to give our lives to His service.

Everyday, I fall to my knees and beg God. "Please Lord. Today. Let me be Your vessel. Let me do Your will." I hope that people see God, through my acts. I hope they feel closer to Him, by my words.

It always amazes me, when people who call Christians names call us Sheep. God called us His Sheep first. God is our shepherd. Like dumb sheep, we would walk right off a cliff and into sin without God's loving hand to guide us. How wonderful it is to be one of God's flock. Those who use that to demean do not understand God's love or His gift of eternal life.