Kerby Anderson

The popularity of the latest Disney movie, Beauty and the Beast, has once again caused Christians to reconsider whether they want to watch and support the cinematic features of the Walt Disney Company. Even critics acknowledge there are positive elements in every one of the Disney films, but many of them have one or more scenes that are troubling. Some have called for a boycott of the latest Disney film. Others have asked, “Is it Time to Kiss Disney Goodbye?” Christians have come to different decisions concerning the content and message of the films. But I find it very encouraging that other social commentators also have some concerns. Attorney Joseph R. Murray calls himself “a proud member of the LGBT community.” But in an op-ed in the Orlando Sentinel he disagrees with Disney’s decision to promote homosexuality in films designed for children. Murray observed that Walt Disney’s vision was clear: “Entertain children. Disney characters were about hope, optimism and, above all else, making sure children were able to enjoy their innocence for as long as the outside world would permit.” He says: “Somewhere along the line, Disney went off course. No longer did it see itself as a defender of children’s innocence. Instead, it saw itself as a conduit to social change. Walt Disney became Harvey Milk.” (Harvey Milk was the first openly homosexual person to be elected to public office in California and was later assassinated.) He spends some time in his op-ed reminding us of Disney’s promoting of “Gay Days” at the children’s theme park and the attempt by Disney executives “to infuse its brand with political activism” towards the gay agenda. He even rejects the idea that homosexual kids need reaffirmation. He says: “I was gay and grew up without gay Disney and made it just fine.” Disney went off course when it decided to put a social and political agenda in children’s entertainment.