Alabama church hosts wedding-themed screening of banned ’Arthur' episode: ‘That’s what Jesus would do’

While Alabama Public Television’s (APT) refuses to air an Arthur episode featuring same-sex marriage, an Alabama church will host a wedding-themed party to celebrate the characters’ nuptials instead.

Sidewalk Film Festival, Shout LGBTQ Film Festival and First Church Of Birmingham are welcoming people of all ages on June 15 to watch the PBS episode titled “Mr. Ratburn and the Special Someone,” in which Arthur’s teacher, Mr. Ratburn, marries his partner.

Attendees will celebrate with “wedding cake, sparkling apple juice and more surprises” as they watch the Mr. Ratburn tie the knot, according to the Facebook event page.

“The truth is you can just watch the episode, it’s on streaming services,” Rachel Morgan, the creative director of Sidewalk Film Festival, tells Yahoo Lifestyle. Morgan, 48, helped secure the screening rights for the Arthur episode so the organization could host the celebratory screening. “We thought let’s not just screen the episode, let’s screen it and celebrate it and have some wedding cake to celebrate.”

While the screening intends to celebrate two characters coming together in holy matrimony, the event has left the local Birmingham community divided due to the location of the festivities: a church.

“Weddings frequently take place in churches, so I can't think of a better place to screen the cartoon and celebrate union, diversity and inclusion,” Morgan tells Yahoo Lifestyle of the decision to host the screening at First United Methodist Church in Birmingham. The church emphasizes that it is an “open place for all,” including those of all sexual orientations and gender identities— which why its leaders are happy to host the Arthur episode.

“First Church's mission is to be an OPEN place for ALL and for many years we have been advocates for the full inclusion of LGBTQ persons not only in the life of the Church, but in all of society,” reads a statement from First United Methodist Church Birmingham. “We have seen the good that can come from sharing our space with our partners who seek to elevate conversations about justice in our community. First Church sees this screening as another opportunity to raise awareness for justice, equality, and liberty for ALL persons.”

While First Church Birmingham seemed a natural fit for Morgan, some online decried the decision to celebrate the same-sex wedding vows at a Christian place of worship.

“Absolutely disgusting. It’s one thing to love the sinner but to condone the sin is unbelievable!” one Facebook user commented in reaction to an AL.com story about the news.

Another Facebook user, who was married at the church decades ago wrote that she was dismayed by the event. “I am so sad that this is happening in the church where we were married almost 59 years ago! I am sure God is sad also. He said it was a sin and His Word does not change. I love people, but hate sin!”

Another user added, “Don’t believe God is happy with this church.”

However, many more online praised the church’s “awesome decision” to be inclusive. “A church that embraces all of its members? Yay! That’s what Jesus would do,” one Facebook user commented.

Another person added, “Love everyone. I am proud of this church.”

APT, which is a state network of PBS member television stations serving Alabama, sparked a heated national debate after pulling the episode in which Arthur and his friends watch their beloved teacher exchange vows with his partner.

While the groundbreaking episode that premiered on May 13 was meant to kick off Arthur’s 22nd season, APT decided to broadcast a re-run of the children’s show instead. Mike Mckenzie, the director of programming at APT, cited Alabama parent’s trust in APT as one reason for banning the episode.

“Although we strongly encourage parents to watch television with their children and talk about what they have learned afterwards – parents trust that their children can watch APT without their supervision,” Mckenzie told AL.com, adding that APT had no plans to broadcast the episode at a later date. “We also know that children who are younger than the ‘target’ audience for Arthur also watch the program.”

However, Morgan believes the decision to censor the same-sex marriage episode is not representative of the diverse community in Alabama. For this reason, she and her colleagues at Sidewalk Film Festival knew they needed to screen the episode to give the Alabama LGBTQ community and its allies the opportunity to show their support.

“We’re just as diverse as every state in this country and not everyone stands behind the censorship of LGBTQ content. There are a lot of folks that want to see themselves, their friends, and their family reflected in this show and allies want to see representation,” Morgan tells Yahoo Lifestyle.

Morgan adds that in screening the Arthur episode, they hope to send a message that inclusive representation of everyone is important in media. “We’re making a statement to say that everyone deserves representation— we all do. Everybody’s stories matter.”

Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle:

• Valedictorian says school wouldn't allow him to speak at graduation because he wrote about being gay

• Progressive Christian church goes viral for inclusive signs: 'End Islamophobia'

• Utah commissioner Nathan Ivie comes out as gay in Facebook video: 'I need to be honest'

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