O.K. let me see if I understand this.

NBC has standards. It will broadcast ‘universal’ religious values, but nothing sectarian, nothing that supports or promotes a particular denomination or religion. (And what precisely would those values be?) On this basis, NBC is busily editing and then broadcasting Veggie Tales, perhaps one of the most creative Christian children’s shows in years. One of the original creators and producers of the show, Phil Vischer has publicly protested the denuding of Veggie Tales of some of its more overt Christian material– to no avail. Here is the link from the NY Times so you can read all about it.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/23/arts/television/23vegg.html?th&emc=th

And then there is Madonna. She has been busily touring the world and producing all sorts of protests by Christians all over the place for a particular scene in her performance in which mounts a cross and sings from the cross.

Of course Madonna herself thinks Jesus would have no problem with this. The article says “Madonna also issued a statement on Thursday saying that the performance was “neither anti-Christian, sacrilegious or blasphemous.” “Rather,” it went on to say, “it is my plea to the audience to encourage mankind to help one another and see the world as a unified whole. I believe in my heart that if Jesus were alive today, he would be doing the same thing.”

NBC still hasn ‘t decided whether to air this part of the concert, which it will be airing at least some of during November sweeps week. No problem and no debate about editing Veggie Tales, but they’re still debating about that crucifixion scene involving Madonna.

Now I know a lot of very conservative Christians who would love to see Madonna crucified, and if it was on national TV, all the better, but let’s just imagine the debate in the NBC editing room for a moment:

Editor One:
” We’ll you have to admit the crucifixion scene is known world wide, and there are millions who find religious value in it. I suppose that makes it a universal religious value.”

Editor Two:

“Yeah, and Madonna has personally told us it passed the WWJD test! That ought to count for something.”

Editor One:

“On the other hand, a cross is a symbol of Christianity, which is a particular religion, I’m thinking we had better edit this scene out of the concert.”

Editor Two:

“Yeah but, Madonna on the cross is not the same as Jesus on the cross, and there is no religion that believes Madonna died for our sins— is there??? I’m just asking…”

Editor One:

“O.K. you’ve got a point there. But I’m holding firm on that Veggie Tales decision. We can’t be having Christianity leaking into our children’s programming.”

Editor Two:

“Certainly not!”