Re: OT: Praise from Christianity Today? - Buffy but not B/W related

[danspector@xxxxxxxxx]

Interesting read, and a reaffirmation that Buffy at its core is (or at
least was) one of the most moral shows around.

However, while Hertz seems to have basically based his thesis on the
applicability of Angel's speech about the Slayerettes in "Consequences"
("But then I came here. And I found out that there are other types of
people. People who genuinely wanted to do right. And they make
mistakes, and they fall down, but they keep caring, keep trying") as
representative of the innate goodness of humanity, and the show's
uplifting message therefore, there is one problem.

You guessed it, season Sux.

Not only does in contradict this positive, pro-human view (despite the
article's predictable hosanna for CrayonChristXander saving the world),
but it gives ammo for one of the less pleasant aspects of Christianity,
lack of tolerance.

In a paragraph that introduces his main theme, the author praises the
show's "honest portrayal of consequences", including beer turning people
in to cavemen in "Beer Bad" (ah, yes, that "Very Special Buffy" episode)
and--

"Witchcraft seduces good characters into evil"

Oh, the W/T fans must just be thrilled to know **that's** the message
the show is putting out. And given what the "magic" was a metaphor for
in that relationship (at least before it became a metaphor for crack),
I'd think that any fan of Willow's sexuality and the show's portrayal of
same now has their fears confirmed: what the craptacular "Evil Willow"
arc says to viewers, even generally tolerant, BtVS-friendly viewers, is,
basically, "lesbians bad".

Hell hath no fury like a psycho-dyke scorned, and all that.

Can we get back Joss's award from GLAAD? And brain him with it,
repeatedly?

*sigh*

Dan