Censorship of Veggies being curbed at NBC

VeggieTales creator Phil Vischer reported through the media recently that NBC has cut back on its editing God out of VeggieTales episodes. And, oddly, with no explanation back to Phil. This is probably a good thing since their initial explanation on why the cuts took place in the first place was a lie.

As of now, the last 5 episodes submitted will air in 2007 the way they were originally written. For you Veggie fans, that will include classics such as Madame Blueberry and King George and the Ducky.

Word has it NBC received more than half-a-million emails about the VeggieTales edits.

This shift by NBC comes on the heels of choosing not to air a mock-crucifixion during a Madonna music special, after multiple Christian groups flooded NBC and its affiliates with calls and emails. It's a shame there aren't people in NBC leadership that don't "get it" on their very own.

NBC: Madonna mocking Christians OK, Bob the Tomato saying "God loves you" NOT

I just want to make sure I have this straight. NBC is okay with airing a program where Madonna mocks Christians by stretching herself across a tacky, flashing cross covered with light bulbs while wearing a crown of thorns.

But, its stringent programming standards demand that any references to God be removed within the children's show VeggieTales, which NBC now airs every Saturday.

Kevin Reilly, an executive at NBC, told reporters that NBC did not see Madonna's mock crucifixion as "inappropriate." That very same week, NBC spokeswoman Rebecca Marks told the media that VeggieTales had to be edited "to comply with the network's broadcast standards."

So, the same standards that permit an individual faith to be flagrantly mocked, prohibit that same faith from being presented positively in any way. The network even insisted that the VeggieTales signature sign-off, "Remember kids, God made you special and he loves you very much," be edited out.

Just to recap, Madonna on tacky, glitzy cross OK. Cartoon vegetable telling kids "God loves you" not OK. On Monday of this same week, NBC debuted its new program "60 On The Sunset Strip" where the first plotline was built around a sketch called "Crazy Christians." All this, of course, from the network that brought the public it's short-lived, but wildly offensive "The Book of Daniel," a show that's whole premise mocked Christianity.

Call these just the latest signs that our culture -- and most certainly Hollywood -- is ever increasingly hostile to Christianity.

NBC has yet to air the Madonna program. Click here for info from the AFA on how you can tell NBC what you think of these nonsensical programming decisions. Or, drop Mr. Reilly a line at kevin.reilly@nbcuni.com, by phone (818) 840-6046, or by fax at (818) 840-6630.