by Allie Martin
The American Family Association is blasting an animal rights group for its use of nudity in a promotional calendar.
The 2003 calendar for the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) features models and movie stars in the nude urging the support of animal rights. Photos in the calendar are available on the Internet to anyone, regardless of age.
Randy Sharp, director of special projects for the American Family Association, says PETA is sending the wrong message with the calendar.
“I believe PETA has crossed the line with this calendar,” Sharp says. “Rather than being sensitive to the fact that children will be exposed to their suggestive photos, they are using the shock factor as a way to draw attention to their agenda.”
Sharp believes parents who support PETA will be outraged over the fact that nude photos are available to their children on PETA's website. He says the group needs to be more responsible.
“It seems that PETA has more respect for animals than they do for children, in that they would allow children to go to their website and see pictures of nudity and very graphic photos of women,” he says. “That's not the message PETA should send. If they want America to respect animals, they need to first respect the human race.”
A PETA spokesperson told a Christian radio station in Pittsburgh that children are smart enough not to be ashamed of nudity.
(This update courtesy of Agape Press.)