Speaking of "Culture War," Sean Kinsell links to a remarkable piece of anti-gay advocacy by one Linda Harvey, who claims that "homosexuality is a faith issue" and that people expressing tolerance for homosexuality ("views supporting homosexuality" she says) "should not be involved with youth in any way, period." That's because, she asserts, homosexuality is caused by people who accept it -- and prevented by militant theological opposition to it. A remarkable view -- and one which is belied by Sean's experience:

Not a week went by at church when the threat homosexuality posed to society was not held up as a reason America was in deep trouble. From the moment AIDS was first identified in the early '80's, my parents reacted to news stories about it by saying that it was God's punishment for sinful behavior;

...

....I do very much mind having my biography rewritten by ignoramuses--or rather, people can think whatever insulting things they like about me, but I mind the implications for the people I grew up around. You can't say that irresponsible parenting leads to homosexuality in the abstract without, necessarily, saying that the individual parents of individual homosexuals fell down on the job. Well, my parents did not.

As to the statement that "homosexuality is a faith issue," I guess it is. But aren't there Christians on both sides of that issue? Or is there an emerging class of Christians who claim the right to declare other Christians to be "un-Christian"?

Linda Harvey also runs a website called "Mission America," which is primarily devoted to homosexuality. But she doesn't like Barbie dolls either -- or Halloween:

It had to happen. Riding the commercial wave of Harry Potter, Buffy and Sabrina, Mattel has launched Secret Spells Barbie, just in time for Halloween. Appropriately adorned in a pink brocade cape-gown, the all-American schoolgirl figurine is now empowered with a wand, cauldron, spell book and "magic" potions.

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Today's modern witches, who tend to be anti-Christian, continue to commemorate Halloween - called Samhain - as their highest holiday, holding moonlight ceremonies and attempting to contact spirits that are said to be more accessible at this time of year.

As an adult, I learned the origins of Halloween. I also read passages like Galatians 5, which tells us sorcerers will not inherit the kingdom of God, and it became clear that God takes this stuff very seriously. And it's not like Christmas or Easter heathen traditions that have been eclipsed by the big events of Christ's birth and resurrection. God trumped those holidays, and still does in spite of pagan trappings like Christmas trees and Easter eggs. But Halloween, God has let stand alone, perhaps as a test.

Look, I have no problem with advocacy for or against anything, as it's a free country. If only they'd be content with advocacy, and the right to voice their opinions.

Vegans have a right to be vegans. My problem begins when vegans seek to prevent me from eating meat . . .

Linda Harvey has as much right to say Barbies are bad as she does to say homosexuals are bad. What I'm troubled by is her stated goal of preventing those who disagree with her away from being "involved with youth in any way."

(There are plenty of people who disagree with her who have children, for God's sake.)