PBS recently released a new episode of the kids’ show “Arthur” with a gay character in it. The episode is called “Mr. Ratburn and the Special Someone,” and has predictably caused quite a stir when it comes to public opinion.
One of the prominent voices who decried this choice of content targeting children is conservative commentator Sebastian Gorka.
“This is a war for our culture, and that’s why we exist here,” Gorka said about the “Arthur” episode during a segment on his Salem Radio Network show “America First,” according to the Washington Post.
The episode premiered earlier in the week, on Monday.
Didn’t catch the ARTHUR Marathon yesterday? No worries! Catch today’s encore on the @PBSKIDS 24/7 channel or on the PBS KIDS Video App and watch your favorite ARTHUR episodes! #ArthurMarathonPBS pic.twitter.com/NBgj4FdOTe
— Arthur Read (@arthurpbs) May 12, 2019
According to Fox News:
Former White House aide Sebastian Gorka reportedly raged on his radio show Thursday over an episode of the PBS Kids’ show “Arthur” titled “Mr. Ratburn and the Special Someone.”
“This is a war for our culture, and that’s why we exist here,” Gorka proclaimed about the show on his Salem Radio Network show “America First,” according to the Washington Post.
The premiere episode of “Arthur” on Monday featured cartoon aardvark Arthur’s third-grade teacher Nigel Ratburn (a cartoon rat) getting married to an aardvark named Patrick who sells gourmet chocolates.
Some hailed the news of the new episode and the presence of the gay character:
Congratulations, Mr. Ratburn! 🎂 🎉
Arthur's teacher is gay, he just got married in the season premiere of the PBS classic, and everyone is super excited: https://t.co/bAkVs4N5eW pic.twitter.com/Bz9VBLpde8
— Complex (@Complex) May 14, 2019
Even MSN posted a clip of the scene with the title: “Fans Go Wild for ‘Arthur’ Character in Mr. Ratburn’s Gay Marriage.”
Others, like Mr. Gorka, and prominent Christian voice Franklin Graham, decried the news.
The Evangelist pastor took to Twitter to voice his concern at the targeting of our youth with ideas that he sees as more understandable by adults.
Graham said, “The PBS series ‘Arthur’ is promoting the LGBTQ agenda. In a new episode, Arthur’s male 3rd grade teacher gets married — to another male.”
The @PBS series “Arthur” is promoting the LGBTQ agenda. In a new episode, Arthur’s male 3rd grade teacher gets married—to another male. 1/2https://t.co/lMelgXl0zv
— Franklin Graham (@Franklin_Graham) May 16, 2019
Why should our gov't be financing @PBS programming that promotes what the Bible calls sin? Many viewers may be surprised & disappointed in this content decision & I hope they will let PBS know they don’t want this kind of programming for their children & grandchildren. 2/2
— Franklin Graham (@Franklin_Graham) May 16, 2019
According to the NY Daily News:
Franklin Graham is getting animated.
The outspoken evangelist expressed his outrage on Wednesday night for the gay wedding presented on the long-running PBS cartoon series “Arthur.”
The season-opener on Monday night, entitled “Mr. Ratburn and the Special Someone,” featured the nuptials of the third-grade teacher and fellow aardvark Patrick.
One of the students can be heard saying “It’s a brand new world!” during the wedding. Clearly, Graham prefers the “old world,” and he made that clear on Twitter.
“Why should our gov’t be financing @PBS programming that promotes what the Bible calls sin?” he wrote to his 2 million followers. “Many viewers may be surprised & disappointed in this content decision & I hope they will let PBS know they don’t want this kind of programming for their children & grandchildren.”
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