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BULLETIN
BOARD
HART
FAN
Date: Thu, 26 Apr 2001
From: kim
The Columbia
(MO) Daily Tribune published the Easter Menorah "B.C." strip in
its entirety. I'm glad you made note of it's controversy as I
was unaware of that. I hadn't given it much thought at the time,
and I trust Mr. Hart's response that he intended nothing negative.
However, the subject matter was in bad taste when you consider
that Easter is historically a time of anti-Semitic violence (the
pogroms in turn-of-the-century Russia were conducted on Easter,
for example). This violence is generally conducted by "Christians".
I have been
an admirer of Johnny Hart's forthright, honest Christian comic
strips and consistently sought them out in the paper following
a Thanksgiving "B.C.." strip several years ago that was a pro-life
double-whammy: The first square was a Q and A by the Ants. The
baby ant asks, "Daddy, what does planned parenthood mean?" and
the daddy ant replies, "It means every child has a chance to be
a fetus." Then the main strip has B.C. sending a letter out into
the sea. He asks, "Dear Friend, How do your people feel about
the issue of abortion?". After a time, a letter comes back, "What
people?"
DANIEL
SENDS A LOT OF THOUGHTS ABOUT BC COMIC
Subject: Johnny Hart and BC Newsletter #22
Date: Sun, 22 Apr 2001
From: Daniel
David, I am
a journalist in Taiwan and just read yr interview with BC Johnny
Hart, which completely contradicts what he told the media about
his Easter strip. I am now sending yr q and a around to other
news outlets so the truth can be told. Not only does Hart see
his strip as his ministry (his words) but Mr Newcombe his boss
is the brother of Mr Kennedy. WOw. Thanks for spilling the beans.
I am writing to the LA TIMEs editorial board and all the other
newspapers which carry BC and all the reportes who are following
this. WHY? Becausae i hate hypocrites and liars. Terrible, he
says one thing to the media and even his synidctae lies (due to
the family connection) and then he says something else to yOU.
Wow. Thanks for being so honest. RSVP if you like. I am not against
religion, I am against liars and hippocrits. You know alot of
them, too, I am sure.
Cheers DAN BLOOM in Taiwan Q.
AND
ANOTHER FROM DANIEL
I
am glad you printed some pro and anti HART letters. This shows
you are a fair man. Must say, I agree with those who say Hart
is a hypocrite. He told you in an interview that he uses his strip
NOT AS A COMIC STRIP but as a ministry. And that is fine with
me, but not in family newspapers read by people of many differing
faiths. Hart should publish his ministry strips in a religious
newspaper, that's okay. But the public prints are for all people
and should be sensitive to all people's tastes and religious backgrounds.
You don't agree with me because you are a triumphalist, you think
your religion is number one, but it's not. The sooner you realize
this, that your religion is but one of many in the world, and
in no way the best or highest or most Godly or most true, then
you will really know God. Right now, you only know your programming,
like a robot. Try to see our POV too, sir. It will make you a
better man, and maybe even a better Christian.
Love you. DAN
AND
ANOTHER FROM DANIEL
Those of us who didnt like the Hart cartoon were not trying to
erase Christ from Easter. That's your tradition, and it's good.
Pls understand that. Nobody is trying to "erase Christ from Easter."
AND
ANOTHER FROM DANIEL
A menorah morphing into a cross? Wonder what Hart would say if
someone did a cartoon of a cross morphing into a swastika? Harmless
cartoon?
AND
ANOTHER FROM DANIEL
The sad thing is that Johnny Hart is a liar and a hypocrite. He
is 70 and he was bored doing BC before. So he conciously turned
it into a ministry. Why didn't the syndicate tell that truth to
the media, and why didn't the syndicate boss Mr Newcombe say that
his brother works for Jack Kennedy, full disclosure, as we say
in the trade? I have emailed all this to the LA TImes and the
Wash Post and other media outlets, in hopes to getting the truth
about J Hart out. We already know the truth about J Christ, well,
one version of it. But what about the truth about J Hart? When
will he tell reporters his true agenda, as he told you in that
interview. Huh? You are a good man, I know, and you are doing
your best to be a better man, but try to see things from my POV
too. Hart's Easter panels went overboard, and that is what he,
and you, wanted. But he then backtracked and tried to cover up
to the media. THis is his sin. You know that, too. Can you get
back to him on this and have him contact me, thanks?
Dan Bloom in Taiwan reporter
WAKE
UP CALL
Subject: Easter Controversy
Date: Fri, 20 Apr 2001
From: Sharon
Our newspaper
here in Albany, NY did publish the Johnny Hart cartoons and I
was thrilled to see them. Especially the BC cartoon. I also was
a little "shocked" by it which made me realize that we have been
persecuted for so long now that I'm "surprised" when I see a public
figure take a stand in favor of Christianity. A very sad commentary
indeed! May this serve as a wake up call for all of us.
Sharon
CLEAR
AND TRUE
Subject: Johnny Hart Comics
Date: Fri, 20 Apr 2001
From: Rose Marie
My newspaper,
The Tampa Tribune, carried both the B.C. and Wizard comics. I
love Johnny Hart. His messages ring clear and true. Rose Marie
I'D
BE UPSET
Subject: Controversy
Date: Thu, 19 Apr 2001
From: Gordon Stromberg
Well, if I
were Jewish, I certainly think I'd be upset to find a cross in
the Menorah. But why would it be shown in a comic strip? I thought
comics were for humor and lightness, not sermonizing, followed
by 'Don't censor me.' The following is not a comic strip idea,
but it is a more worthy concept to promote than a cross in the
Menorah. A branch of Myrrh taken from a bush, (related to the
gifts of the Magi) has an implication of the form of death Jesus
would die. It was probably given to the holy family in a ground
form, but in the original it has thorns on the branch. The Bible
mentions nothing of this, and it is not humorous, but would be
more authentic to show at Christmas than a Menorah with a cross.
I would have to see an image of the Menorah with a cross, but
it doesn't sound like anything intentionally put in the Menorah.
More important is the enormous Menorah originally at the Temple
of Jerusalem. It's probably what Jesus was gesturing to when he
said "I am the light of the world." I'm sorry to say I have not
seen any of the films listed. Though I have seen snippets of some
as I've heard Ebert review them. I am impressed with 'Butterfly'
to see Christ in symbol in several ways as the lead actor/teacher.
Gordon Stromberg
I
APPLAUD HART
Subject: Easter "Cartoon"
Date: Thu, 19 Apr 2001
From: John Cook
Dear Hollywood
Jesus,
I live in
Tallahassee Florida, the home of the Presidential Election. The
Tallahassee Democrat did publish the cartoon but with an apology
to the Jewish community and anyone else offended on the FRONT
PAGE! I loved the cartoon that Hart came up with for Easter! I
believe it is absolutely ridiculous for those who say it is imflammatory
to try to censor this. Marilyn Manson can do all that he does
and they are worried about this cartoon. I applaud Hart for his
cartoon and any paper that carried it without an apology. It is
funny that the Christian community is the only one in America
without freedom of speech.
Sincerely, John Cook
MAJORITY
WERE PRO BC
Subject: Johnny Hart and B.C.
From: Mrs. C. Warren
I
wrote a letter to the editor of the Arizona Republic and also
a note to Johnny Hart to show my support. The Arizona Republic
received the most letters ever from the B.C. controversial. The
majority are pro B.C.
Mrs. C. Warren
Phoenix, AZ
HALLELUJAH
Subject: BC
Date: Thu, 19 Apr 2001
From: Judith Hamilton
The
Sunday Oklahoman printed Johnny Hart's Easter BC and I was thrilled
when I saw it. I love the Lord Jesus so much, and to see a cartoonist
openly and boldly share the true meaning of Easter caused my heart
to rejoice. With all the violence, perversion and apathy in our
society today, people need to know that they can have LIFE by
surrendering to the love of Jesus Christ. I say "Hallelujah!".
Keep up the good work, Johnny Hart!
Judith Hamilton
BIGGER
IMAGES?
Subject: cartoon
Date: Thu, 19 Apr 2001
From: Jerry
Thank
for your news letter. Sorry but the print is way to small to read
any of the cartoons. Is it possible to view it on another site?
Thanks God bless. Jerry
Response:
I had to keep them small due to copyright laws. I have them recognizable,
but unreadable. Sorry for that. The sites for the publishing companies,
no doubt have them posted. Try a search engine. -David
HE
ANTICIPATED THE BACKLASH
Subject: Hart
Date: Thu, 19 Apr 2001
From: Christy Allen
While
Hart's explanation of his intentions makes everything more clear,
he and his syndication company should have anticipated the backlash.
The problem with a cartoon of that nature is that everything is
symbolic and open to interpretation. He might have expected everyone
to interpret it one way, but he should have known that no one
ever interprets anything the same way. With an issue this touchy,
he should have been more straightforward and eliminated the need
for much interpretation. I know that is limiting the creativity
of an artist, but if his chief goal is to reach people for Christ
then he needs to make some concessions. As it is, I fear that
more people were alienated than enlightened.
MADE
MY EASTER
Subject: Johnny Hart
Date: Thu, 19 Apr 2001
From: Jimmy
David,
Easter Sunday is busy here. The day started at 0400a and did not
end until 1730p. In between was a sunrise service, sunday celebration,
church/community BBQ, egg hunts for all the kids and pictures
with the family. The Sunday paper was not opened. Monday was also
busy with planting of lettuce and nursing a sick daughter.(to
much party) The Sunday paper was not opened. Tuesday was busy
helping a member replace a door in there old house and dinner
with a church elder. I came home at 2200p and set down with the
family to watch "The Missing Link". Wife and kids went to bed
while I finished email for the day. I climbed in bed about 2315p
and the Sunday paper was spread out on our king size bed. I ALWAYS
go for the comics first. Since Calvin & Hobbs are now history
Johnny Hart is a light in the middle of fog. I read the strip
and looked at it again. I looked and counted. I was blown away
with the simplicity and the beauty of the picture. It made my
Easter!!
I
can see why "sensitive-religious-folks" would object. If looked
at the wrong way it could appear that the flames of the menorah
going out could communiacte the end of Judaism. But Jesus kinda
did that in reality.... It was a Pro-Jesus strip. It made me proud
that there was a man who would stand up for his faith. I knew
in my heart that it had cost him on some level. Your email just
confimred it.
blessings2u,
Jimmy Chalmers
Lead Pastor The Carpenter's Shop PO Box 1558 Oxford, NC 27565
919.690.8487
jchalmers@gloryroad.net
http://www.woodshavings.net
WE
LOOK FORWARD TO BC
Subject: RE: Hart's Message
Date: Wed, 18 Apr 2001
From: Tanya Seattle, Washington
Every
Easter, my family and I look forward to the BC cartoon. We can
always be sure it's going to contain a blatant message of truth.
I am happy to report the Seattle Times DID print the cartoon in
question. I am part Jewish, but am a Christian by faith. I take
great pride in my Jewish background, and appreciate the symbols
of the people God chose. Jesus was born of a Jew, and said that
He did not come to abolish the Law and the Prophets, but to fulfill
them. I'm not sure what Replacement Theology is, but I do believe
that many of the symbols the Jewish tradition uses were instructed
by God as pointers to the Messiah that was to come. Maybe the
menorah wasn't meant for that, but I think it's commendable that
Hart saw a way to connect Christians with their faith's Jewish
roots. I think it's something we often forget.
Tanya Seattle, Washington
CRUCIFICATION STUFF HERE
Subject: Hart's comic
Date: Wed, 18 APR 2001
From: J. W. Dudgeon
Hi
! I'm not a comic reading sorta person but, this article is so
common place. It looks like some more Crucification stuff here.
Let's look at what they did to Jesus...accussed - condemned -
hung on the Cross. Mr. Hart will have to know he'll probably escape
the hanging, but the accusing and condemning definitely comes
with the territory. The territory of seeing the 'Light' and professing
the truth. I think Mr. Hart has done well clarifying his position.
Maybe this will be Mr. Hart's new mission in life: helping others
see the 'Light".
Thanks God Bless, J. W. Dudgeon
IT'S
A CARTOON FOR PETE'S SAKE
Subject: Johnny Hart's Cartoon
Date: Thu, 19 APR 2001
From: "Penney Rahm"
The
Times-Leader of Wilkes-Barre, PA ran an article on Saturday acknowledging
that the cartoon was controversial. However, they said that they
were going to print it. The article ended with words something
to the effect that, "If you are offended, wait until the next
day. It's a cartoon, for Pete's sake." Those weren't quite the
words, but they seemed to say to me that the controversy wasn't
worth pursuing. I was glad they published it. The managing editor
of the paper is Jewish, so I am very pleased that she refused
to censor it.
Penney Rahm
pmrahm@prodigy.net
a friend of Jesus
I
CAN NOT SEE WHY IT WOULD BE OFFENSIVE
Subject: Religious Cartoons
Date: Wed, 18 APR 2001
From: Angeline
My local newspaper
(The Cleveland Plain Dealer) carried most of these. I thought
they were great and I loved BC. It seems that public display of
" the Christian Faith" is always the one that is being restricted.
I cannot understand why some Jewish people thought the cartoon
was offensive. I thought it a beautiful crossover between the
two faiths, since Jesus was born, raised and died a Jew. I am
glad the majority of newspapers did publish the cartoons. It is
too bad we always have to fight to protect our freedom of speech
under these conditions. All through history religious intolerance
reared it's ugly head. You would think by now with all the past
history that has gone before, that we would learn to be more tolerant.
HART
IS A HYPOCRITE
Subject: Re: BC controversy
Date: Wed, 18 APR 2001
From: "Paul/Valerie"
I don't believe
my newspaper ran the Easter strip; I do remember seeing the Palm
Sunday strip and, frankly, I'm surprised that you're supportive
of it while giving Dogma the review you did. The point of the
strip, to me, was that Christianity is the ONE TRUE faith, a message
that Hart has taken up every Christmas and Easter as long as I
can remember. This is especially odd to me, when his two strips
feature a magician and, um, Before Christ characters.
I don't think
that newspapers should be pulling the strip solely because of
the religious nature of its content; on the other hand, it's hardly
First Amendment censorship, as Hart refers to it, since freedom
of the press only applies to governmental intervention. Newspapers
are free to not publish whatever they choose not to publish.
I think that
Hart's holiday strips have ranged from the inspirational to the
self-righteous, but as he's been given more rein to do as he pleases
on the Christian holidays, he's ranged farther into the realm
of tastelessly intolerant (as in the Palm Sunday strip). It would
also be different, in my opinion, if he had acquired his pulpit
as a "spiritual" cartoonist, or even as a "family-oriented" cartoonist
(as in the case of Family Circus and For Better or Worse); instead,
his strip features pagan (by definition) characters and jokes
involving such things as overt sexism and animal cruelty... except
at Christmas and Easter, when he needs to dryclean his soul.
In other words,
while Keane presents a consistent albeit naive cartoon universe,
and Johnston presents an even-handed view of an American family,
including their spirituality, Hart is a hypocrite and a proselytizer
who's abusing his secular popularity.
-- Paul Kershaw
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