Religion is, again, the forefront of a very important issue – Chaz Bono’s participation on the new season of “Dancing With the Stars.”
According to an article at ABCNews.com, Christian watchdogs are fuming about Bono’s participation. Monica Cole, director of OneMillionMoms.com, told “Inside Edition,” “We will not be able to watch the show with Chaz on there…This is going to be very confusing for children, and should not be included in their cast.”
Cole’s website went one step further, stating ABC’s casting of Bono is “unacceptable and Christians should not watch the show, no excuses!”
Hypocrisy
Bono, the daughter, now son of Sonny Bono and Cher, recently had surgery to become a man. This apparently is a big deal to Christians. However, the fact that an openly gay man, Carson Kressley from “Queer Eye,” is participating this season, as well, is not a big deal.
This is not the first time a Christian group has made waves about a television show. Most recently, the NBC show, “The Playboy Club,” was deemed as porn by the Parents Television Council.
I agree with Cole in the sense that Christians should not watch the show if they are offended. Again, just because it is on television does not mean you have to watch it. But to be appalled by Bono’s participation and not by Kressley’s makes you hypocritical. If Bono did not get cast on the show, would Christian groups attack Kressley? This just gives you something to complain about.
Cher Says, “I Got You Babe.”
Thankfully, Bono and mother, Cher, are not backing down to the backlash. Cher took to Twitter, where she has nearly 350,000 followers, and tweeted against the group, “I support him no matter what he chooses 2do… It took courage to do DWTS!”
Bono’s life has probably been a whirlwind since having the operation. He is trying to make it as normal as possible, having only succumb to the surgery at the age of 40. At that age, I cannot imagine the transition of going from a woman to a man.
Cole’s Validity
One thing Cole does have a valid point on is that children may be confused while watching “Dancing With the Stars.” But what Cole does not realize is children won’t be confused because they are trying to figure out what Bono actually is, but rather why in the world they are watching “Dancing With the Stars.”
What Cole should do is deter children from watching television and sending them outside to play tag, football or build a fort. I’d like to see that make headlines. “Christians mad about TV. Urge children to go outside and play.”