Pharyngula

It is a good thing that they are not using IMPLICIT, open-mouth homosexual kissing in their soap opera!

That would be too much.

Posted by: Anhomoioi | April 28, 2008 11:50 AM

Hawt! I've got to start reading the AFA website more.

Posted by: carovee | April 28, 2008 11:54 AM

Good thing they don't watch Torchwood.

Posted by: SteveM | April 28, 2008 11:59 AM

Shocking! why I've never seen anything like this. Well except for my date last night when I was kissing another guy, but still shocking open mouth homosexual kissing! Think of the children!!!

Posted by: Alex | April 28, 2008 12:00 PM

BlueIndependent: Oh there was a ruckus about it. Jedziah Dax wasn't actually female.

That said, I guess a some wet, sloppy fellatio would make the people at AFA's heads explode. Some how someone should get them to the Gay Video Awards show.

Posted by: Tony P | April 28, 2008 12:06 PM

BlueIndependent, based on this (http://www.sexinchrist.com/threesome.html)
didn't you realize that lesbianism--within the proper Christian context, of course-- is not even close to being as offensive to sweet Jeebus' eyes as the dude on dude? One is okay so long as you follow god's playbook for threesomes, one is a mortal sin that will place your non-existent soul in danger of hellfire for eternity.
Get it?

Thanks to PossumMomma for the link!

Posted by: Chris | April 28, 2008 12:09 PM

Traditional values in a nutshell:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vQvKpj5ThQ

Posted by: Steven Alleyn | April 28, 2008 12:14 PM

craig @ 11

What series was that? It sounds like Queer as Folk (written by the same guy who relaunched Dr Who in 2005, and is also responsible for Torchwood, no big surprise there), but that was in 1999.

Incidentally, there was quite a bit of criticism for QaF, but mainly around the depiction of a minor having homosexual sex.

Posted by: Confused | April 28, 2008 12:21 PM

Since this is a "soap opera" that I assume is about a 95% female audience, seems that this is just trying to introduce (translate) yaoi into the american market. maybe? I don't know. just a thought.

Posted by: SteveM | April 28, 2008 12:30 PM

Why is so easy to get zealots to watch gay porn, but so hard to get them to read a science book?

Posted by: StupidityAssimilator | April 28, 2008 12:32 PM

ZOMG TEH GEHYNESS BURNSES!!!!!11!!!!1one1!!1!!!11! WHERS MEH BIBULL?!?!?! NEEDS ME JESUS!

Posted by: zer0 | April 28, 2008 12:36 PM

Confused, I don't really remember the name. It was about several of 20-something lawyers sharing a house.

Posted by: craig | April 28, 2008 12:37 PM

re: Craig @ #24

Are you thinking of This Life?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/This_Life

Posted by: R | April 28, 2008 12:42 PM

I sent my email through the AFA system. Anyone else?

"As the WOrld Turns is Great Again!

Dear Mr. Lafley,

I am happy that Procter & Gamble has decided to side with human rights activists in promoting a healthy lifestyle represented by a loving homosexual relationship. I would suggest that P&G continue making the best products possible while also embracing the spectrum of human diversity.

Please keep up the great work!"

Posted by: Jay | April 28, 2008 12:50 PM

If you think the AFA's reaction to this is bad, just wait until they find out one of the characters is wearing a cotton/polyester blend!

And PZ's comment about 'tingly feelings' driving one to 'embrace Jesus' reminded me of a fridge magnet proudly displayed by a friend of mine. It says, "I love Jesus, but I still make Him wear a condom."

Posted by: Brownian, OM | April 28, 2008 12:52 PM

I love the way youtube suggests other related content after you watch a vid... I wonder how many super-concerned Xtian males will find themselves helplessly following a sordid link trail of sin.

Posted by: Liam | April 28, 2008 12:55 PM

Well, since "real men love Jesus," wouldn't it be entirely appropriate to express that love?

Posted by: Hans | April 28, 2008 1:02 PM

R #26, yep that's it.

Posted by: craig | April 28, 2008 1:02 PM

I don't get it - does P&G have its own soap opera? is this some play on words video making the rounds on the internet or is it a real how on tv? im so lost!

Posted by: andrew | April 28, 2008 1:05 PM

I am totally going to start watching that show. I am also going to write Proctor and Gamble and tell them that if they just show a tiny glimpse of one of those ravishing young men's asses, I will buy a LIFETIME supply of Prell or whatever crappy-assed shampoo they sell.

Posted by: Lisa | April 28, 2008 1:07 PM

If you are so inclined, you can change the wording of the email form on their website to let P&G know you approve of them promoting the homosexual lifestyle. Let's give them a headache.

Posted by: Jere | April 28, 2008 1:09 PM

Dobson's organization, Focus on the Gays and Coral Ridge have both been losing members and revenues. My guess is some people get tired of paying exorbinant fees to wear a tinfoil hat and run around acting like a moron.

Besides, the Prosperity Ministry hacks will make you rich instead of costing you money and the faith healers will reduce your doctor bills.

Posted by: raven | April 28, 2008 1:17 PM

You can watch it until those strange, funny feelings drive you to embrace Jesus.

Posted by: llewelly | April 28, 2008 1:24 PM

Procter & Gamble has resumed using explicit, open-mouth homosexual kissing in their soap opera, "As the World Turns."

P&G has been targeted by Xian wackos before. Their old logo was a cresent moon with stars, an old folk motif. The fundies kept claiming that this proved that P&G was a corporation controlled by satan.

P&G kept suing them for lies and slander and winning. But they never stopped spreading that "fact" and I'd be surprised if the logo is still in use. IIRC, it dated back to the 1800's.

Posted by: raven | April 28, 2008 1:44 PM

Hm, the video page has this text:

"As the World Turns" is totally owned and controlled by Procter & Gamble.

How can they turn a simple copyright statement into a sinister conspiracy hint?

Or is it just me?

Posted by: Masks of Eris | April 28, 2008 1:55 PM

Maybe my conceptions about "open-mouth kissing" are wrong, but this looked pretty tame to me. Last time my girlfriend and me went to visit her family, we had more passionate moments than that in front of her grandma.

Posted by: KV | April 28, 2008 1:57 PM

With sincere apologies to Mel Brooks -- "Dobson straight!"

Posted by: Jim Ramsey | April 28, 2008 2:10 PM

I remember all the times I used to get mad over AFA's reports about people being denied religious freedom in classrooms in schools despite having the Constitutional 1st amendment granting us religious freedom and reports about them complaining about today's television showing offensive shows like NYPD Blue saw them calling for boycotts of Proctor and Gamble, Disney and other cooperations supporting gay and lesbian, sexual immorality, Porn, and graphic violence which often times lead me to have people pray in my church for people to boycott the shows and the people endorsing them. Back then, I didn't really know what separation of of church and state is all about let alone what's the real history behind Christian movements and what really happened in society prior to the 1960s' and all the social movements that went on back then.

So, when I said to the church folks about not knowing what separation of church and state is all about and asks could someone please tell me what's it all about, one of them explains that it's all about a promise made to a church group by Thomas Jefferson to have the government never interfere with their church activities only to have the promise broken in the 1960s' when the Supreme Court voted to ban prayer and bible reading in public areas.

That explanation somewhat satisfy me until I came across sites like this one that clearly explains to me what separation of Church and state, which is preventing religious zealots from proselytizing people into embracing religion against their will, and the real motives behind certain Christian movements is really all about.

Nowadays, when I see AFA doing their reports in church brochures, instead of getting mad, I would stand there and wonder if these people do all the things they openly get appalled by in secret or are they just making some of it all up just for personal gain and money.

Posted by: Crazyharp81602 | April 28, 2008 2:46 PM

Procter and Gamble, aren't they the ones with the occult trademark and tithes to the Church of Satan?

Posted by: zy | April 28, 2008 3:22 PM

I used the AFA form to submit a letter commending Proctor & Gamble for showing the two men kissing, and then sent the same message using the e-mail link to the P&G Chairman(comments.im@pg.com), in case of AFA filtering.

Posted by: Gary Roberts | April 28, 2008 3:29 PM

Checked out their past action reports to see if they find violence or torture scenes repulsive. Nope. Guess it's just displays of affection they can't stand.

Posted by: watercat | April 28, 2008 3:34 PM

My guess is some people get tired of paying exorbinant fees to wear a tinfoil hat and run around acting like a moron.

There was some discussion of that on Pandagon a little while ago; if my search-fu were better, I'd be able to find and link the relevant comments.

Anyway, I think it was one of Pam's posts, referring to how leaders on the religious right like Dobson and Kennedy were bemoaning the lack of leadership in the younger generation. A commenter observed, quite on target, I think, that the problem is not the lack of *leaders*. After all, there will always be competition beating down the door of Liberty University, et al, in order to step into the shoes of the grifters at the top.

No, despite their rhetoric, their problem with the younger generation is going to be a lack of *followers*, to fund them.

Posted by: thalarctos | April 28, 2008 3:48 PM

I may agree with them on this one. I also don't like seeing gay couples kissing on television. Although i don't like seeing straight couples kissing on television. Only lesbians should be allowed to kiss in public.

Posted by: Brian W. | April 28, 2008 3:59 PM

As the World Turns without Christian Fundies who feel they have nothing better to do. Har har.

Two guys kissing? Mmmm.

Posted by: LP | April 28, 2008 4:03 PM

All I have to say on the matter: http://www.explosm.net/comics/904/

Posted by: Alex | April 28, 2008 4:34 PM

"Helpfully, AFA includes a link to the "repulsive" video, so if you're a good Christian you can also watch these two attractive young men being affectionate with one another. You can watch it over and over."

This is the same phenomenon that inspired the extended "Assassination of Buckwheat" skit on SNL back in the day: "For those of you who just joined us, let's take another look" repeated about 10 times and showing the shooting in increasingly slower motion and higher resolution.

Posted by: kemibe | April 28, 2008 4:48 PM

This rumor has been spread by Amway among others. A competitor of P&G whose head was a rabid fundie head case whose claim to grace is that he is now dead. Leaving some of his loot to a creationist research group.

as evidenced by a forwarded email that showed up in my inbox just last week:

PLEASE MAKE A DIFFERENCE
The President of Procter & gamble appeared on the Phil Donahue Show on March 1, 1994. He announced that due to the openness of our society, he was coming out of the closet about his association with the church of Satan. He stated that a large portion of his profits from Procter & Gamble Products goes to support this satanic church. When asked by Donahue if stating this on t.v. would hurt his business, he replied, "THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH CHRISTIANS IN THE UNITED STATES TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE."

Posted by: raven | April 28, 2008 5:06 PM

So if you're a xtian fundy nutjob, the on/off control or channel changer on your TV no longer works?

Posted by: Larry | April 28, 2008 5:17 PM

Here's what I sent via the AFA Actopn Alert:

Dear Mr. Lafley,

I am very concerned that Procter & Gamble will be swayed to give up their programming because of a religious, intolerant and homophobic group called the "American Family Association".

I viewed the offending telecast from their website (even though it had the warning "content is repulsive"). I found it to be a sensitive portrayal of love between two people, regardless of their sexual preference.

I would have found the content more repulsive if both of them had pulled out 357 magnums and brutally murdered each other. The American Family Association would probably approve of this.

Apparently, the American Family Association doesn't know how to change the channel if they see something they don't like.

I am sending this from their website to see if you get it intact. Of course I'll never know if you got it or not.

Keep up the good work.
Ted Clark

Posted by: Ted Clark | April 28, 2008 5:28 PM

"If it wasn't for you, I would not have known about this and I have done my part so that homosexuality isn't forced down everyones throat."

Its funny... I've seen a number of men like Kenny complain about tolerance of homosexuality, and they always seem to use the phrase "forced down everyone's throat."

Secure heterosexuals don't worry about gays because it doesn't affect them. But then there's closet cases like Kenny who can't stop worrying about gay sex, who can't tolerate public reminders of it, because they're having such a hard time trying to not always imagine things being forced down their throats.

A man and a woman kissing on TV apparently isn't forcing anything down Kenny's throat, but two men kissing on TV does, it threatens him right down to his deeply closeted soul.

Posted by: craig | April 28, 2008 6:01 PM

I used their email link to send P&G a note thanking them for their support of gay rights. Way to go, AFA - I never would have bothered otherwise.

Posted by: Evan | April 28, 2008 6:15 PM

Oh man this stinks. I own P&G stock and they've been doing better than any of my other stocks.

Posted by: Miles | April 28, 2008 6:34 PM

ATWT also socked it to Fundies back in the 80s, by having an openly gay character on the show. One of the storylines involved a woman who was a fashion designer, and, honey, there's no way you can do a realistic portrayal of the fashion industry without some gay men! The show had him come out, and had some rather realistic reactions from the community, including the feeling of anger, confusion and betrayal of a teenaged boy who had looked up to the gay character. The character's name was Hank Elliott. No kissing for him, but, hey, it was a start.

I don't get it - does P&G have its own soap opera?

You do realize that it's not ironic for these shows to be called "soap operas" and have P&G (Ivory soap) as a sponsor? They're called soap operas because outfits like P&G provided the funding to put them on the air, with an understanding that their products would receive prominent advertisement placement. During the intro (at least in the old days), when the title came up, an announcer would state, "As the World Turns, brought to you today by Proctor and Gamble." I don't know if they still do this. I doubt it, since the shows have many other sponsors (advertisers) now.

is this some play on words video making the rounds on the internet or is it a real how on tv? im so lost!

As the World Turns is a real show. It's one of the oldest continuously running shows in America, starting in 1954 (another soaper, Guiding Light is the oldest--1951 for TV, 1937 for its radio show). ATWT was started by the "queen" of soap operas, Irna Phillips, who also originated Another World, Guiding Light, and others. Not long after its premiere, it skyrocketed to the top of the Nielsens, and was the most-watched soap opera for at least 20 years.

Soap operas are very common throughout the world. They're romantic serial shows geared toward women, and have a primary focus on relationships--lovers, enemies, family, friends. If I understand it correctly, EastEnders is a British soap.

American soap operas have a deservedly bad reputation for 1) lousy storylines and acting (although some of our top actors learn the ropes in soaps) and 2) coming up with some crazy scenarios: long-lost children, long-lost parents, disrupted weddings, questionable paternity, people coming back from (presumably) being dead (retconning), astonishing maturation of children, characters going upstairs to get a book but never appearing again (did the attic swallow him???), people dying from falling UPstairs--the list goes on and on.

Soaps in America experienced a surge of mainstream popularity in the 80s, thanks to the Luke and Laura phenomenon on General Hospital, but that quickly dwindled. The ratings have been steadily dropping for years, and are in really bad shape now, with the top shows garnering numbers that got other soaps cancelled in the 80s.

Yeah, I know a lot about these damned soaps. My grandmother watched them every single weekday when I was living with her. So I watched them too. Some of my earliest memories are of 1) Julie Banning having her son David on Days of Our Lives and 2) Mrs. Russell Matthews (Rachel) announcing at the engagement party of her sister-in-law that the groom-to-be was the father of her unborn child (Another World).

Posted by: Aquaria | April 28, 2008 7:26 PM

"As the World Turns" is totally owned and controlled by "Procter & Gamble"

What! Are these two f***ing playing Unreal or something?

Sheesh!
^_^J.

Posted by: gyokusai | April 28, 2008 8:28 PM

Next up for Daytime TV: The Proctology Gamble.

Posted by: Kseniya | April 28, 2008 8:49 PM

You can watch it until those strange, funny feelings drive you to embrace Jesus.

Is it just me, or did this phrase give anyone else an urge to start using "Jesus" as a euphemism for "my genitals"?

"Why, yes, thank you, I embrace Jesus regularly. And so do many of my friends. We often have gatherings in which Jesus touches each of us quite profoundly What did you say? Children? No, that's horrible!"

Posted by: Dave | April 28, 2008 9:54 PM

#63 (shame, it was almost #69)

I have done my part so that homosexuality isn't forced down everyones throat.

Fundies say the darnedest things...

Posted by: Charlie Foxtrot | April 28, 2008 11:26 PM