Flip-side News: Children's Video "One Man, One Woman" Not 'Homophobic'

Note: the following article does not address the entire homosexual community, as we believe there are many homosexuals who are not so judgmental as the indivduals under discussion here who may or may not be homosexuals themselves, but addresses spcecific so-called fighters for social justice who are proving themselves to be anything but.

Every single day, our obsessive opposers relentlessly scour our websites and publications hoping to find something to lie about and twist until it is unrecognizable. Unfortunately for them, many people, after seeing the organization's video, One Man, One Woman, have come to the conclusion that, far from being the "homophobic propaganda tool" they claim, it takes a refreshing approach to the issue of homosexuality that our children will undoubtedly face in today's world, and teaches children to not only defend their beliefs, but to offer a hope to those looking for hope. (1 Peter 3:15; Romans 15:4)

The short video is a part of the series "Become Jehovah's Friend" featuring Caleb and Sophia and their parents, aimed at teaching children to respect people, to be patient, and not to lie or steal along with other morally upright things. You would think most people would applaud our efforts. However, our opposers prefer to find fault. So we think it necessary to counter the fault-finding by comparing it to actual homophobic rhetoric, highlight the heterophobic rhetoric of our opposers, and demonstrate how the video's message promotes peace with homosexuals and those with whom we have differences of opinions.

Anti-Witness Propaganda

For years, the gay community has largely ignored our publications in regards to our opinion of homosexuality and same sex marriage because there has never been any cause for alarm. But now that we produced a video helping children learn how to deal with the issue, we are suddenly villainized.

Simply put, the term "homophobic" is a pejorative term thrown around to ridicule anyone who disagrees with same-sex relationships and marriage no matter the reason for it. By definition, a "homophobe" is a person with an irrational fear of or aversion to homosexuals, or who discriminates against homosexuals.

Contrary to the reactionary rhetoric bandied about regarding this video, Jehovah's Witnesses preach to and teach homosexuals in their ministry, so they do not loath, fear, discriminate against, or avoid homosexuals. (Acts 10:34,35)

Those who have spoken out against the video on websites and in news reports have claimed that the video teaches children to:
  • "Speak out" against same-sex marriage.
  • Try to "change" homosexuals.
  • Oppose same-sex parents when they come to the school.
  • Tell homosexuals that they will not go to heaven.
  • Believe that tolerance is wrong.
  • Tell LGBTQ people that they are flawed and damaged.
  • Hate gay people.
  • Convince same-sex parents to change their orientation.
  • Tell gay people they are like criminals.
  • Be judgmental and bigoted.

...and much, much more.

That is a lot to communicate in just two minutes and twenty seconds. We have itemized this list so that readers can see precisely how our opposers twist and forcefully interpret our publications to the point that the picture is so inaccurate that it is unrecognizable to the actual video and causes people to make up their minds before anyone ever sees the video.

Who Started the Propaganda?

Interestingly, it was not the homosexual community that started the propaganda against the video. The propaganda started with our apostates who saw an opportunity to strike out against their former religion. Then from our apostates, it was picked up by the homosexual community at large and then by public media outlets. And out of all of them, not one gave the video an honest look. This demonstrates how savvy our apostates have become in manipulating public opinion against us since 2002. So now let's take an honest view of the video, not colored by apostate rhetoric.

"Homophobic" or Helpful?

This short video is a good teaching tool because of its positive focus on God and his Kingdom, not on homosexuality and gay marriage. How so? At the beginning, Sophia comes home and tells her mother about a classroom project that involved students drawing pictures of their families. A classmate of hers drew two moms, and said they are married. Sophia's teacher told her that all that matters is that two people love each other and are happy for them to be married. Did Sophia's mother then tell her daughter to go back to school the next day to berate the teacher and condemn her classmate's parents, tell them that they are flawed and damaged and advise that they change their sexual orientation or face the wrath of God?

On the contrary, Sophia's mother immediately puts the focus on Jehovah and how He wants everyone to be happy and live forever. However, she also points out that just like someone attempting to bring banned substances on an airplane, people will be denied entry into God's Kingdom if they bring unscriptural conduct along with them.

Let's consider that more closely. Does anyone condemn their Government for having standards of conduct that potential citizens must abide by if they are to be granted citizenship? Does having such standards mean that your Government hates potential citizens because of their former conduct?

Far from being the negative, homophobic message claimed, it is simply stating what the qualifiers are for being part of God's kingdom. There is nothing in the video that can be pointed at as "hate speech". It is a positive message illustrating that once you remove the banned substances from your luggage, you are welcome on the plane. One is not condemned because of what they once practiced.

Neither is anyone in the world condemned or harassed in the video or by our members, which, by the way, are also banned behaviors, but our apostates won't tell you that. They're happy communicating the image that we are hatemongers. Likewise, once you leave bad conduct behind, any bad conduct, such as fornication, thievery or killing, you are invited to enjoy the fullest extent of the blessing of God's Kingdom.

That being said, did Sophia go back to school the next day and preach a message of hatred and opposition to her classmate and their parents? No. In fact, by her mother encouraging a positive message of hope, even for homosexuals, Sophia said that she would tell her classmate about the Paradise, animals, and the Resurrection! This means that both her classmate and her parents are potential citizens of God's Kingdom!

This message does not alienate people, but encourages love and tolerance, and shows respect for people who live a different lifestyle. As a result, many people, including some homosexuals, have made positive changes specifically because of this message we share.

The Glass House

Contrast this with the homophobic and intolerant message Christendom has preached toward homosexuals for centuries, even down to this day. They have long used the false teaching of eternal torture in hellfire for homosexuals to scare them into obedience, but only succeeded in alienating them. Christendom has passed laws and financially contributed to campaigns specifically intended to eradicate or suppress homosexuals.

Have Jehovah's Witnesses been a part of such campaigns or given verbal support to them? No. Christendom has even incited violence against homosexuals, resulting in lynchings, murders and even serial killing. Nowhere in the history of Jehovah's Witnesses were such heinous actions committed or encouraged.

Jehovah's Witnesses have spoken against the mistreatment of homosexuals and people in general. The December 8th, 1997 Awake! p 13 states:
"Christians do not make homosexuals, or anyone else, the target of ill will, ridicule, or harassment. True Christians view their fellow humans as potential disciples of Christ, treating them in a respectful and dignified manner."
On that same note, Jehovah's Witnesses do not spend their time condemning homosexuals, but are ready to support them. That same article states:
"Christians are ready to offer the needed spiritual support, even to those who are still struggling with homosexual inclinations. This is in harmony with God’s own manifestation of love, for the Bible says: “God recommends his own love to us in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
Far from being what our opposers accuse us of, we are happy to assist anyone who wants to reconcile themselves to God, even homosexuals. In regard to homosexuals, the apostle Paul wrote: "that is what some of you were, but you have been washed clean." (1 Corinthians 6:9-11) Thus, in order to be Christian, they, along with fornicators, idolaters, thieves and others, renounced those lifestyles.

Something more revealing than the contempt for our video and message is the mob mentality that has been roused against us for a video that does not say a single hateful thing. Those claiming to promote acceptance, love, tolerance, and freedom, are showing zero acceptance, love, and tolerance toward individuals and groups who have the right to hold views contrary to theirs. These ones who have taken an uninformed, militant stand against the video claim to be advocates for rights and freedoms, but only so long as those rights and freedoms are not in contrast to their own. They have attempted to encroach on Jehovah's Witnesses freedom of speech. They complain that homosexuality is a crime in some countries, yet, tried to make our views a criminal act. They have thus taken the role of the persecutors rather than the persecuted.

These are not mere opinions that they have about our views. They are deliberate attempts at suppressing our message. So who are the ones actually performing judging and bigotry? Is it us, who approach and have friendly dialog with homosexuals without judgment, seeking to help them repent from what we believe to be behavior that would disqualify them from getting into the kingdom? Or is it those who verbally harass us over differing opinions of right and wrong? We believe sex outside of marriage is wrong too, but you don't hear those people rising up against us, do you?

You Decide

What do you think? Are Jehovah's Witnesses what our opposers say we are? Or are we a peaceful people sincerely interested in helping anyone who wants a relationship with God regardless of their former conduct?

Comments

Robert said…
Something amazed me about us is that we do not lash out at people who promote lies like this. I think this has actually embolden opposers because of our general non-confrontational approach.

Really, a lot of untrue and negative things are said about us in the media. Imagine if we took it upon ourselves to rebut everything said and printed. We'll not only indirectly help promote those lies, but we'll become so distracted from our primary work and Satan would love to have the organization's time tied up with arguing with people in the media about something they're not willing to change their opinion on anyway.

I recall on the Sept Broadcast where brother Splane explained how Genesis 3:15 applies to the media. He mentioned that even if someone says something nice about Witnesses in the media, there is still that "hatred" between Satan's seed and the Woman, so we should expect them to display that hatred. Its still alive and well in the media as fair and balanced reporting on anything Witnesses related is almost non-existent.

I am glad that they're primarily occupied with championing God's Kingdom, while picking opportune times to set the record straight.
Tom Harley said…
The video is Jehovah's Witnesses teaching their own children a moral view that has prevailed worldwide since the beginning of time until the last 40 years, and still does in most places.
Robert said…
Yep. That's how we know that the alleged "homophobic" message is nothing more than an smear campaign.
J.N. said…
OK, first of all. [Expletive] all JW who had any association with both delivering and publicating this video. And how dare you you state that the video isn't homophobic. It clearly [is]. It doesn't understand homosexuals, and goes so far to teach children an extrmely dangerous message. It's because of religions like JW that we are still in a society that allows other people to get hurt and discriminated.

[Edited for content.]
Dismythed said…
Hi,J.N.

I'm sorry you feel that way. Our organization attempts to be fair towards homosexuals. We do not view homosexuals as any greater sinners than anyone else. Nor do we treat them any differently or promote any kind of prejudice or bad behavior toward them. Homosexuals are people too. We only highlight that one needs to make changes to their life if they want to become one of us. The same things said about homosexuality in the video are the same things we would say about the practice of any sin. The sin must be discontinued.

If you can manage to keep your expletives to yourself, we would like to find out what specifically you think shows a lack of understanding about homosexuals? And what specific statements in the video constitute "an extremely dangerous message"? And if you don't mind, if you could present an example of where JW's have ever threatened or posed a direct threat to any homosexuals anywhere, it might help us understand your concern a little better. Because, certainly, if our message is "extremely dangerous", it would be evident in the attitudes and actions of our members toward homosexuals.

If, in your comment about us not understanding homosexuals, you are referring to the gay gene, I recommend our post "Failure of the 'Gay Gene' Argument. It is straightforward and does not beat around the bush, but it promotes peace toward homosexuals and promotes viewing them like anyone else.

I am looking forward to an open and civil discussion with you on this subject. I hope you will treat us with the same kind respect that we have always shown towards homosexuals.

Since I have become one of Jehovah's Witnesses, I have never seen any of us speak a harsh word to a homosexual, and I have seen homosexuals come into the organization for the very reason that they were respected. We would not want to promote any negative attitude towards homosexuals beyond recognizing that our God has said that it is a sin that should be left behind. (1 Corinthians 6:9-11)

Since no government has tagged our videos as hate speech, it might be a bit of an uphill battle to prove it. But we would not prevent you from establishing that fact here, if you would like to try, as long as you are not a former member, which your choice of words seems to indicate otherwise. We only ask that you refrain from expletives, qouting our own former members or stating your own hate speech toward JW's. A quick review of our posting guidelines for this site may help you get your message across unedited.

The only reason that homosexuality had the death penalty in the law was to keep the nation itself clean. If someone wanted to be a homosexual back then,they could have left the nation where they could do anything they want outside the boarders and they would no longer be subject to the law. But inside the borders, such behavior would have been a threat to the spiritual cleanliness of the nation. Today, true Christians do not hold any animosity toward homosexuals. Only pedophiles get negative comments from us. (Mark 9:42)
Opposers Dismythed said…
The message in the video did not even focus on homosexuality or gay marriage. It was more about the benefits of the Kingdom.

Focusing on that causes a person weigh their individual lifestyle against what God promises faithful human beings.
Jesse Hendricks said…
If by saying JWs don't understand homosexuality,ones implying that some people are just born that way one would be limiting the power of holy spirit.

In 1Cor 6:9-11 Paul says these brothers once WERE,among other things,"men who practiced homosexuality".What I'm saying is,maybe JW ADVISOR addresses this in the Gene blog I didn't check,when someone allows Jehovah God to mold him,like clay,and one allows holy spirit to work in you then,even deep rooted traits/emotions like these CAN be overcome.

One just need to be willing to put in the work to glorify the one who deserves all the glory and honor
Dismythed said…
Here is the correct address to the gay gene article: https://dismythed.blogspot.com/2013/08/failure-of-happy-gene-argument.html?m=1