It has been truly fascinating to watch the recent controversy over James Dobson’s complaints about the video being put out by the We Are Family Foundation. What makes it even more fascinating is that I’m currently working through a book with my kids on identifying logical fallacies called “The Fallacy Detective”. The counterattack against Dr. Dobson’s concerns has been impressively effective even though it’s based on two simple fallacies.

First, a straw man fallacy is set up to change Dr. Dobson’s concerns from “I’m concerned that they are pushing a pro-homosexual agenda” to “Dobson hates SpongeBob.” (Notice that they are not the same statement.) Then that straw man is being used as a red herring to drag the discussion away from the core issue, which is, “Is it really appropriate to be teaching six year olds that all kinds of behavior is acceptable?”

Serge at Imago Dei has an excellent take on why the video is so dangerous. He also has an excellent followup here where he posts an alternate “Tolerance Pledge” which is biblical:

Tolerance is a personal decision to value every individual based on the fact that every human being is made in the image of God (Imago Dei). I believe that our value does not come from our abilities, beliefs, cultures, race, or behaviors. Although some human beings may choose to behave in ways that are against their moral nature and divine design, I believe we should show them love and sensitively share with them the truth while respecting their value as human beings. 

Since marriage between a man and a woman fulfills God’s design and provides the best environment for human flourishing, I pledge for myself and to encourage others to restrict sexual activity to within the bounds of a covenant marriage. Not only will I tolerate others with a different point of view, I pledge to engage them in dialogue in order to respectfully speak the truth to them in love.

Go, Serge, Go!

Alan Levering added a comment pointing to this web page which discusses the pro-homosexual agenda of the We Are Family Foundation and their removal of content from their website in an attempt to cover up that agenda.

I will definitely have more to say on this subject in the future. Stay tuned…