Local church shows SpongeBob solidarity
By: Stephanie Kiszczak
Issue date: 2/3/05 Section: News
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Jeff Davis, his wife and four daughters, ages seven to 20, have been church members for about eight years. After reading stories about SpongeBob's questioned sexual orientation in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Davis said the hanging of sponges seemed a natural thing for his parish to do. Davis also said he disagrees with Dobson's claims.
"He is saying there is something wrong with exposing children to anything but the traditional family," Davis said.
The Rev. Dr. David Greenhaw, Eden Seminary president, said many churches don't live up to the "All are welcome" signs outside their doors. In 2001, the Evangelical United Church of Christ voted to adopt a welcome statement that included sexual orientation.
Children and adults alike were invited to bring their favorite toys to church and the majority seemed excited about SpongeBob's presence.
Twelve-year-old Katie Arnold, an avid SpongeBob fan, said there is almost always a lesson to be learned, diversity being one of them.
"It shows you can have friends that are different people," Arnold said. "It doesn't show any religion or race or ethnicity. It just sets everybody at the bottom of the sea..."
"He is saying there is something wrong with exposing children to anything but the traditional family," Davis said.
The Rev. Dr. David Greenhaw, Eden Seminary president, said many churches don't live up to the "All are welcome" signs outside their doors. In 2001, the Evangelical United Church of Christ voted to adopt a welcome statement that included sexual orientation.
Children and adults alike were invited to bring their favorite toys to church and the majority seemed excited about SpongeBob's presence.
Twelve-year-old Katie Arnold, an avid SpongeBob fan, said there is almost always a lesson to be learned, diversity being one of them.
"It shows you can have friends that are different people," Arnold said. "It doesn't show any religion or race or ethnicity. It just sets everybody at the bottom of the sea..."
