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The AFA defines itself as "a Christian organization promoting the biblical ethic of decency in American society with primary emphasis on TV and other media"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aclu-wa.org/detail.cfm?id=149|title=The Religious Right in Washington|date=]|accessdate=2007-06-24|publisher=]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://media.afa.net/newdesign/about.asp|title=afaMEDIA, About AFA|publisher=American Family Association|accessdate=2007-06-24}}</ref> They pursue their views and other issues through a number of activism efforts, including boycotts, "action alert" e-mails, publications on the AFA's web sites or in the AFA Journal, broadcasts on American Family Radio, ],<ref>"". ]. ]. Retrieved on ].</ref> and legal efforts by the AFA Center for Law and Policy. The AFA defines itself as "a Christian organization promoting the biblical ethic of decency in American society with primary emphasis on TV and other media"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aclu-wa.org/detail.cfm?id=149|title=The Religious Right in Washington|date=]|accessdate=2007-06-24|publisher=]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://media.afa.net/newdesign/about.asp|title=afaMEDIA, About AFA|publisher=American Family Association|accessdate=2007-06-24}}</ref> They pursue their views and other issues through a number of activism efforts, including boycotts, "action alert" e-mails, publications on the AFA's web sites or in the AFA Journal, broadcasts on American Family Radio, ],<ref>"". ]. ]. Retrieved on ].</ref> and legal efforts by the AFA Center for Law and Policy.

Revision as of 05:14, 2 October 2007

American Family Association
File:Logo-American Family Association.jpg
Founded1977 by Rev. Donald Wildmon
TypeChristian right organization
Location
Key peopleTim Wildmon, President
Websitewww.AFA.net

The American Family Association (AFA) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that promotes conservative Christian values. It was founded in 1977 by Rev. Donald Wildmon as the National Federation for Decency and is headquartered in Tupelo, Mississippi. Wildmon serves as AFA chairman; his son, Tim Wildmon, is AFA president.

The AFA defines itself as "a Christian organization promoting the biblical ethic of decency in American society with primary emphasis on TV and other media" They pursue their views and other issues through a number of activism efforts, including boycotts, "action alert" e-mails, publications on the AFA's web sites or in the AFA Journal, broadcasts on American Family Radio, lobbying, and legal efforts by the AFA Center for Law and Policy.

Background

The AFA was Founded in Tupelo, Mississippi in 1977 and has been a leading player in social-conservative fights against pornography and gay marriage. Run by the Rev. Donald Wildmon, the association has a yearly budget of about $14 million and owns 180 American Family Radio stations in 28 states, (Stone and Vaida 2004:3599).

According to Stone and Vaida (2004:3599), the group's central meetings have mushroomed from about a dozen leaders at the start to more than 70, and the association has used its Internet lists to urge hundreds of thousands of voters in states with gay-marriage ballot questions to go to the polls. In 2003, Wildmon was instrumental in organizing the founding meeting of the Arlington Group, which has proved to be an effective networking vehicle for social conservatives on the gay-marriage issue. According to Mitchell (2006:1) the American Family Association (AFA), now has more than two million members.

The AFA has a long history of activism by organizing its members in boycotts and letter-writing campaigns aimed at promoting socially conservative values in the United States. The AFA has promoted boycotts of a large number of television shows, movies, and businesses that have promoted what the group considers indecency, obscenity. or homosexuality. In addition to promoting activism via mail to AFA members, 3.4 million subscribers receive AFA "Action Alerts" via e-mail regarding AFA sponsored activism.

According to Mathewes-Creen (1997:9), the AFA provide precise information about antiChristian comments, promotion of homosexuality, profanity (and how many profanities were uttered), "politically correct" treatment of an issue, sex, substance abuse, or violence, to the level of precision that “parents whose values overlap only partly with those of the AFA will have ample information to make their own decisions”.

Sherkat and Ellison (1997:958) say that the American Family Association have been instrumental for coordinating collective actions, mobilizing resources, and providing leadership for the fight against pornography and what they, as Conservative Protestant force, see as the link between pornography and sexual crimes such as pedophilia and rape.

Boycotts

It has been suggested that List of American Family Association boycotts be merged into this article. (Discuss) Proposed since September 2007.
Main article: List of American Family Association boycotts

AFA has boycotted multiple organization for various reasons, most often relating to Christmas controveries, pornography, support of pro-choice activism, and support of LGBT activism, including same-sex partner employee benefits. Organizations the AFA has boycotted include: 7-Eleven, Abercrombie & Fitch, American Airlines, American girl dolls, Blockbuster Video, Burger King, Calvin Klein, Carl's Jr., Clorox, Crest, Ford, Kmart, Kraft Foods, Johnson & Son, Movie Gallery, Microsoft, MTV, Mary Kay, NutriSystem, Old Navy, IKEA, Sears, Pampers, Procter & Gamble, Target, Tide, and Walt Disney Company.

Legal activism

On October 19 1998, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, led by Leslie Katz, wrote a letter to the AFA in response to an advertisement placed in the San Francisco Chronicle by the AFA regarding homosexuality and Christianity. The letter stated:

Supervisor Leslie Katz denounces your rhetoric against gays, lesbians and transgendered people. What happened to Matthew Shepard is in part due to the message being espoused by your groups that gays and lesbians are not worthy of the most basic equal rights and treatment. It is not an exaggeration to say that there is a direct correlation between these acts of discrimination, such as when gays and lesbians are called sinful and when major religious organizations say they can change if they tried, and the horrible crimes committed against gays and lesbians.

During the same time, the City and County of San Francisco passed two resolutions. Resolution No. 234-99 “calls for the Religious Right to take accountability for the impact of their long-standing rhetoric denouncing gays and lesbians, which leads to a climate of mistrust and discrimination that can open the door to horrible crimes such as those committed against Mr. Gaither.” and Resolution No. 873-98 was specifically directed at "anti-gay" television advertisements. AFA unsuccessfully challenged these actions as violating the Free Speech and Free Exercise clauses of the First Amendment in American Family Association v. City and County of San Francisco.

In March 2004, the AFA filed suit in an attempt to prevent the city of Seattle, Washington from recognizing same-sex marriages.

Political activism

The AFA has repeatedly lobbied Congress to eliminate funding for the National Endowment for the Arts. For example, in 2000, the AFA issued a press release condemning the NEA's funding of One of the Guys, a controversial book by Robert Clark Young described by a senior AFA official as "scatological." The complaint from the AFA was that the book included sexually explicit material, in particular, a description of a young woman extracting razor blades from her vagina during a performance in a sex club. In a Washington Post editorial in response to the complaint, Young stated, "I find it strange that an organization that claims to uphold family values and to oppose the federal funding of obscenity is not protesting the part of the military budget that goes to support pederasty in the Far East."

On November 28 2006, following the election of Keith Ellison, the first Muslim elected to the United States Congress, the AFA released an "Action Alert." The Action Alert, entitled "A first for America...The Koran replaces the Bible at swearing-in oath: What book will America base it's values on, the Bible or the Koran?", requested subscribers write their Congressional representatives and urge them to create a "law making the Bible the book used in the swearing-in ceremony of representatives and senators."

On July 13 2007, the first Hindu prayers were conducted in the U.S. Senate. Rajan Zed, director of interfaith relations at a Hindu temple, read the prayer at the invitation of Senate majority leader Harry Reid, who defended his invitation based on the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi. AFA sent out an "Action Alert" to its members to e-mail, write letters, or call their Senators to oppose the Hindu prayer, stating it is "seeking the invocation of a non-monotheistic god."

Published media

On April 16 2007, following the Virginia Tech Massacre, the AFA released a video in which "God" tells a student that students were killed in schools because God isn't allowed in schools anymore. The video claims that the shootings at Virginia Tech, Columbine, and many other locations, are the result of, among other things, decreased discipline in schools; no prayer in schools; sex out of wedlock; rampant violence in TV, movies, and music; and abortions.

This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it.

Homosexuality

The AFA expresses public concern over what it refers to as the "homosexual agenda." They claim that the Christian bible "declares that homosexuality is unnatural and sinful". The AFA actively lobbies against the social acceptance of homosexual behaviour. The AFA also actively promotes the idea that homosexuality is a choice and sexual orientation can be changed through religious teachings in "ex-gay ministries".

In 2000, Vice president Tim Wildmon spoke out against gay-straight alliance clubs in schools, stating, "We view these kinds of clubs as an advancement of the homosexual cause." In 2004, the AFA raised concerns about the movie Shark Tale because the group believed the movie was designed to promote the acceptance of gay rights by children.

On the October 11, 2005, AFA broadcast, Tim Wildmon agreed with a caller that cable networks like Animal Planet and HGTV featured "evidence of homosexuality and lesbian people" and added that "you have to watch out for children's programs today as well because they'll slip it in there as well."

In 2007, the AFA spoke out against IKEA for featuring homosexual families in their television ads.

Criticism and controversy

In 1989, AFA boycotted WaldenBooks to persuade Walden Books from selling Playboy and Penthouse magazines and as a result, WaldenBooks launched an advertisement campaign against censorship, asserting First Amendment rights. WaldenBooks, American Booksellers Association, Council for Periodical Distributors Association, International Periodical Distributors Association, and Duvall Bibb Services launched a lawsuit against the AFA in October 1989, under the Federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) and the Florida State RICO Acts, which protect an organization’s right to conduct business without harassment or threats.

In response to Hurricane Katrina, AFA Journal released a controversial news story, which praised the hurricane's destruction because the AFA believe it was instrument of God's mercy and "wiped out rampant sin."

Homophobia

Southern Poverty Law Center has stated one of AFA's goals is to "help drive the religious right's anti-gay crusade." Organizations, such as Human Rights Campaign, GLAAD, Southern Voice, People for the American Way, The Advocate, CNET, Edmunds American Humanist Association, AfterEllen.com, 365 gay, and QSanAntonio.com have labeled the AFA as an "anti-gay" organization.

In 1998, the popular Internet filtering software CyberPatrol blocked the AFA's web site, classifying it under the category "intolerance," defined as "pictures or text advocating prejudice or discrimination against any race, color, national origin, religion, disability or handicap, gender or sexual orientation..." AFA spokesman Steve Ensley told reporters, "Basically we're being blocked for free speech." CyberPatrol cited quotes from the AFA for meeting its intolerance criteria, which included: "Indifference or neutrality toward the homosexual rights movement will result in society's destruction by allowing civil order to be redefined and by plummeting ourselves, our children, and grandchildren into an age of godlessness"; "A national 'Coming Out of Homosexuality' provides us a means whereby to dispel the lies of the homosexual rights crowd who say they are born that way and cannot change"; and "We want to outlaw public homosexuality...We believe homosexuality is immoral and leads ultimately to personal and social decay."

Personnel

Individuals in the media industry have criticized Donald Wildmon, the founder of AFA. Gene Mater, Senior Vice President of CBS Television, has stated, "We look upon Wildmon's efforts as the greatest frontal assault on intellectual freedom this country has ever faced" and Brandon Tartikoff, former NBC Entertainment President, stated that Wildmon's boycott campaign was "the first step toward a police state."

Operations

AFA Foundation, a foundation providing “charitable giving and estate design tools” oriented towards Christian charities.

AFA Journal, a monthly publication with a circulation of 180,000 containing news, features, columns, and interviews. In addition to the publication, AFA Journal articles are made available online.

American Family Radio (AFR), a network of approximately 200 AFA-owned radio stations broadcasting Christian-oriented programming. AFR has stated "AFR has built more stations in a shorter time than any other broadcaster in the history of broadcasting."

Center for Law and Policy, the legal and political division of AFA. The Center for Law and Policy lobbies legislative bodies, drafts legislation, and files religious-discrimination lawsuits on behalf of individuals.

Internet operations

OneMillionDads.com, a web site regarding activism for fathers.

OneMillionMoms.com, a web site regarding activism for mothers.

OneNewsNow.com, the AFA news division web site, which provides news articles, AP stories, and opinion columns. Formerly AgapePress and the news division of American Family Radio.

ValuesVoters.com, a voter registration and information web site.

NoGayMarriage.com, a web site promoting the Marriage Protection Act.

BoycottFord.com, a web site promoting a boycott of Ford Motors.

References

  1. "Put On The Virtual Armor". AFA Journal. May 2001. Retrieved on 2007-09-15.
  2. "CyberPatrol Blocks Conservative Christian Site over Anti-Gay Content". American Library Association. June 1998. Retrieved on 2007-09-15.
  3. ^ Still Cranky After All These Years". Media Transparency. 2007-04-19. Retrieved on 2007-06-15
  4. "Conservative Christian group calls boycott of automaker, charging it has pro-homosexual agenda". CNN. 2006-06-01. Retrieved on 2007-11-15.
  5. About us: General Information. American Family Association. Retrieved on 2007-06-17.
  6. "The Religious Right in Washington". ACLU. 1995-06-01. Retrieved 2007-06-24. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  7. "afaMEDIA, About AFA". American Family Association. Retrieved 2007-06-24.
  8. "'American Family Association' Attacks Ford's Family-Friendly Policies After Failed Disney Boycott". GLADD. 2005-06-01. Retrieved on 2007-06-17.
  9. ^ "AMERICAN FAMILY ASSOCIATION, INC.; DONALD WILDMON; KERUSSO MINISTRIES; FAMILY RESEARCH COUNCIL V. CITY AND COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO; LESLIE KATZ, in her capacity as a member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors" (PDF). United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Retrieved 2007-06-24.
  10. On February 19 1999, in Coosa County, Alabama, Billy Jack Gaither was beaten to death with an axe handle and his body was burned because he was homosexual.
  11. Hansen, Suzy "Our wolves in uniform". Salon.com. Retrieved on 2007-08-20.
  12. Argetsinger, Amy and Roberts, Roxanne. But It's Thomas Jefferson's Koran!. Washington Post. 2007-01-03 Retrieved on 2007-01-04
  13. A first for America...The Koran replaces the Bible at swearing-in oath. American Family Association. Retrieved on 2007-06-17. (archived link)
  14. Sacirbey, Omar. "Ellison not first to forgo Bible for oath". Christian Century (published on LookSmart FindArticles). 2006-12-26. Retrieved on 2007-06-17.
  15. "Hindu Prayer in Senate Disrupted". Associated Press (published on MSNBC). 2007-06-12. Retrieved on 2007-06-15
  16. "ActionAlert: Hindu to open Senate with prayer". American Family Association.
  17. "The Day They Kicked God out of the Schools". American Family Radio (American Family Association). Retrieved 2007-06-25. {{cite web}}: External link in |publisher= (help)
  18. "Gingrich Says Liberals And Lack Of Religion Sparked Va. Tech Killings". Church and State. June 2007. Retrieved on 2007-10-01.
  19. Erzen, Tanya. "Straight to Jesus: Sexual and Christian conversions in the ex-gay movement". National Sexuality Resource Center. Retrieved on 2007-09-30
  20. "Alliances: Ground Zero for School Tolerance". www.educationworld.com. 2000-12-19. Retrieved on 2007-04-30
  21. Vitagliano, Ed (2004-11-17). "Something's Swishy About Shark Tale". Agape Press (American Family Association). Retrieved 2007-06-24. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  22. "American Family Association's Tim Wildmon backed caller's warning of 'evidence of homosexuality and lesbian people on programs like HGTV and Animal Planet'", Media Matters for America. 2005-10-13. Retrieved on 2007-09-24.
  23. "IKEA's gay family ad upsets conservatives". Pink News. 2007-02-09. Retrieved on 2007-09-29.
  24. Liebeck, Laura (1990-05-07). "K mart, Waldenbooks to face AFA pickets - American Family Association". Discount Store News. Retrieved 2007-07-15. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  25. "New Orleans still in turmoil, criticizing administration" Canadian content Retrieved on 2007-09-23.
  26. "Tempers flare over New Orleans tragedy". Wikinews. 2005-09-04. Retrieved on 2007-09-23.
  27. Hall, Randy (2005-06-30). "Christian 'Hate Groups' Accused of 'Anti-Gay Crusade'". Cybercast News Service. Retrieved 2007-06-25. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  28. "American Family Association' Attacks Ford's Family-Friendly Policies After Failed Disney Boycott". Human Rights Campaign. 2005-06-01. Retrieved 2007-06-26. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  29. "Anti-Gay Groups Target NBC's The Book of Daniel". GLAAD. 2006-01-06. Retrieved on 2007-09-04.
  30. Bagby, Dyana (2005-06-03). "Efforts of 'anti-gay industry' chronicled in new report". Southern Voice. Retrieved 2007-06-25. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  31. "Anti-Gay Group Attacks Commemoration of End of Bans on Interracial Marriage". People for the American Way. 2007-06-01. Retrieved 2007-06-25. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  32. Han, Angie (2005-08-16). "Procter won't gamble on gays?". The Advocate (published on LookSmart Find Articles). Retrieved 2007-06-25. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  33. Henneman, Todd (2006-01-31). "The Right tries to steer Ford: the antigay American Family Association nearly changed the course of Ford Motor Co.'s commitment to equality. The feud with the country's number 2 automaker is not finished". The Advocate (published on LookSmart Find Articles). Retrieved 2007-06-25. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  34. ^ Festa, Paul (1998-06-03). "Antigay group blocked by filter". CNET. Retrieved 2007-06-25. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  35. "Anti-Gay Activist Group Initiates Ford Boycott". Edmunds. 2005-06-01. Retrieved on 2007-09-11.
  36. "Action Alert: Use a Religious Right Poll to Support Gay Marriage". American Humanist Association. Retrieved on 2007-09-15.
  37. "Best. Lesbian. Week. Ever." AfterEllen.com. 2005-12-30. Retrieved on 2007-09-15.
  38. "Anti-Gay AFA Now Targets Sears". 365gay. 2006-12-08. Retrieved on 2007-09-23.
  39. "McManus and twelve anti-gay disciples picket H.E.B." QSanAntonio.com. 2007-07-08. Retrieved on 2007-09-11 (archived link)
  40. "Censorship in a Box, Why Blocking Software is Wrong for Public Libraries". American Civil Liberties Union. 2002-09-16. Retrieved 2007-06-25. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  41. About Don Wildmon. American Family Association. Retrieved on 2007-06-16. (archived link)
  42. "Right Wing Organization: American Family Association". People for the American Way. Retrieved 2007-06-25.
  43. "News Operations Merge to Create OneNewsNow.com" AFA Media. 2007-02-23. Retrieved on 2007-06-25
  • Mathewes-Green, Frederica. (1997) While TV moguls dither, parents' guides deliver Policy Review. Washington: Mar/Apr 1997. Iss. 82; pg. 8, 4 pgs
  • Mitchell. P. (2006) US family group to protest over bloody ad "profanity" AAP General News Wire. Sydney: Mar 22, 2006. pg. 1
  • Sherkat. Darren E , Christopher G Ellison (1997) The cognitive structure of a moral crusade: Conservative protestantism and opposition to pornography Social Forces. Chapel Hill: Mar 1997. Vol. 75, Iss. 3; pg. 957, 24 pgs
  • Stone Peter H , Bara Vaida(2004) Christian Soldiers National Journal. Washington: Dec 4, 2004. Vol. 36, Iss. 49; pg. 3596, 8 pgs

See also

External links

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