Double Standards - NBC Airs Veggie Tales

They exist everywhere in the world, no matter what group of people you are looking at. The women's rights movement screams for equality. As a feminist in the purest form possible, I am appalled at some of the more extreme elements that seem to believe the only way to protect women's rights is by snuffing out the rights of men in the process. Or take perchance some of the grants and funding that are made available solely to minorities. However if there were ever a "Caucasian College Fund" it would be racist. Double Standards are evident in almost every place where there are conflicting views on a topic. People are willing to defend what is right and just, until it is no longer advantageous to the goal they have in mind, and that seems to apply to almost every group of people out there. In fact I think double standards are the only thing every member of the human race achieves equality in, aside from death and taxes. But the biggest double standard of late has nothing to do with gender or race. No… this one in particular happens to touch on religion; religion in correlation with the First Amendment.

Big Idea studios some years ago came up with a really BIG IDEA. They invented two characters… Bob the Tomato and Larry the Cucumber, and began telling stories in a format children could easily identify and comprehend. As more characters were added, and their 3-D animation began catching on and becoming more popular, more and more families became interested in Veggie Tales for their good morals. In my personal experience, I found Veggie Tales by checking a few videos out of the public library almost 5 years ago. My children from infancy up have grown up on Veggie Tales, intrigued at first, I believe, by the easily defined shapes and bright colors… and as they grew older grasping an understanding of how they are supposed to treat other people in the world we live in. Hearing the words, "God made you special, and loves you very much." I always felt was a wonderful way for the creators Mike Nawrocki and Phil Vischer to end the show. It was an affirmation for the children that they are indeed unique human beings, and that they are loved. With their Bible stories, verse at the end, and the closing affirmation, Big Idea Studios sold over 50 million copies of their Veggie Videos and DVD's to families through large chains such as Target, Wal-Mart, and chain Christian bookstores. There was no large marketing campaign, and these retailers took on the Big Idea products quietly. They've now expanded out into Larry-boy, a traditional 2-D animation cartoon, and 3-2-1 Penguins, as well as having a line of plush toys, games, coloring books, and other Veggie gear.

The producers in Hollywood and the larger networks made a mockery of Veggie Tales for it's Christian theme and traditional morals, even going so far as to exploit mock-ups of the characters on their animated reality show "Drawn Together". But recently NBC seems to have seen the advantages of taking on Veggie Tales… or have they?

NBC is the network that will justify the airing of a burlesque dancer costumed as Snow White in their "America's Got Talent" show during prime time, when families are coming together to spend time watching something entertaining. And they will defend the repeated use of expletives during an awards ceremony, as being protected but the First Amendment. NBC is also the network that seems to feel that mention of God and the Bible doesn't fall under the same protection. I mean… heaven… errmmm… political correctness forbid that families be allowed to promote good morals and family values to their children. As it stands Big Idea has had to slice off any references to the Bible… and has been told to discard the affirming conclusion of, "Remember kids, God made you special, and he loves you very much!"

People who are dissatisfied with having to send their children out of the room for what they deem inappropriate content during prime time… programming they pay for, I might add… are told that if the programming does not suit them, they have a remote control, and there are other channels to watch, or are encouraged to get a V-Chip. However it seems that does not apply to people who are uncomfortable with the mention of Christianity, God, or the Bible. Tell me THAT is not a double standard… and I will hold up a mirror to show you what a hypocrite looks like.

However some good may yet come of this, because after all it does allow Big Idea and Veggie Tales a chance to gain some exposure. Phil Vischer has expressed the hope that children will see Veggie Tales on Saturday mornings, fall in love with the characters, and then will want the full length videos and DVD's, which still presents an avenue for positive affirmation and Biblical teachings. In this regard, this can be a very good thing.

For those interested in allowing their children to watch Veggie Tales, it will be airing on Saturday mornings at 9 am CST.