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from Theological Issues
Hank Hanegraaff Responds to TV Caricaturing of Old Testament Moral Law
by Rev. Dr. Russell G. Waldrop, Chairperson
NARTH's Interfaith Committee on Theological Concerns
Millions of people watched an episode of
television's The West Wing, entitled "The
Midterms" in which the President of the United
States (portrayed by Martin Sheen) denounced a
blonde female character for her Orthodox Jewish
beliefs about homosexuality. In that episode, the
President made specific references to Old
Testament laws and was able to make them appear
ludicrous in light of his gay-affirming
philosophy.
That character, a blonde female who had a
doctorate, was apparently a caricature of Dr.
Laura Schlessinger, the radio and television
personality, author, and accomplished professional
counselor known as "Dr. Laura" to millions.
The character on The West Wing, a Dr. Jenna
Jacobs, was not allowed to respond to the
presidential diatribe. Rabbinic Judaism was thus
silenced--at least on that television show, which
has been re-aired at least once.
Similar methods have been used to ridicule the
Holy Scripture of at least three faiths (Judaism,
Christianity, and Islam) for prohibitions against
homosexual behavior and for such religious
practices that are held sacred in Orthodox Judaism
(e.g., the sacrificial system, purification
rituals, Sabbath worship, and dietary laws).
A response to both The West Wing episode and the
email diatribes that followed it has been made. It
is entitled, "President Bartlet's Fallacious
Diatribe" and was written by Hank Hanegraaff,
president and chairman of the board of Christian
Research Institute. CRI has graciously allowed us
to provide a direct link to that article. By
clicking http://www.equip.org/free/DP801.htm, you can arm
yourself now for future re-runs of that West Wing
episode and for that email, should it come near
you.
Updated: 3 September 2008
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