CYBERPATROL DEEMS CHRISTIAN SITES OFFENSIVE TO CHILDREN
<a href="../98/10/nochris.txt">\doc\web\98\10\nochris.txt</a>


Date sent:      	Mon, 30 Nov 1998 17:10:09
To:             	idzrus@earthlink.net
From:           	"Lynn M Stuter" <lmstuter@icehouse.net>
Subject:        	ADL/SPLC Censors Christ


Subject: ADL/SPLC Censors Christ


Learning Co. and ADL Censors the Bible for "Hate Speech" against
Homosexuals The ADL/Bnai Brith, working with Morris Dees' Southern Poverty
Law Center (which identifies "HATE" websites), recently assisted in the
creation of CyberPatrol, an internet screening device that blocks access
to various websites. 


In 1997, The Learning Company, the nation's largest supplier of CHILDREN'S
EDUCATIONAL SOFTWARE, announced it was adding CyberPatrol to it software.
Later, it was announced that CyberPatrol "screener" not only blocked
access to "hate" sites, but AUTOMATICALLY LINKED those attempting to
access such sites to the ADL website!  (The Learning Company recently
purchased Bruderbund Software, another major  CHILDREN's education
software developer. ) Attached is an alert noting that CHRISTIAN websites
are being BLOCKED by Learning Company CHILDREN'S EDUCATIONAL SOFTWARE
because the Bible and Christianity and the Bible are "intolerant" of
HOMOSEXUALITY ------- I suggest EVERYONE BOYCOTT ALL LEARNING
COMPANY/BRODERBUND SOFTWARE.  Do NOT purchase either product as a
Christmas gift.  Purchasing these products is anti-Christian.






Date sent:      	Wed, 02 Dec 1998 14:40:23
To:             	idzrus@earthlink.net
From:           	"Lynn M Stuter" <lmstuter@icehouse.net>
Subject:        	Fwd: Learning Co. Bans Christ's "Intolerance"


Please distribute far and wide . . . 


BOYCOTT The Learning Companys PRODUCTS for Christmas and beyond....


The Learning Company (TLC)*, one of the worlds largest publishers of
childrens education software, is now blocking internet access to
Christian and pro-family websites, claiming Christianity is intolerant of
homosexuality.  TLCs is denying access to sites featuring the Bible and
the teachings of Jesus Christ via its internet screening software Cyber
Patrol.**


Put CHRIST Back in Christmas. 


BOYCOTT all Learning Company products during Christmas and beyond,
including software, CD, and multimedia products for children and adults.  


Tell your local retailers why you will NOT buy any of these products.  


The Learning Company and its subsidiaries products include *ReaderRabbit, American Girls Premiere, Sesame Street,  Carmen Sandiego, Trail


series, Madelines Classroom, Schoolhouse Books, Print Shop, Printmaster,
The Munchers, Myst, Riven, American Heritage Talking Dictionary, Compton
Encyclopedias, Encyclopedia Britannica, etc.  Also genealogy, clip art,
tax products.


*The Learning Company also sells products under its subsidiaries names:
BOYCOTT THEIR PRODUCTS.   Broderbund Software, Comptons Learning,
Comptons New Media, Creative Wonders, Future Vision Holding, Inc.,
Learning Services, Inc., Microsystems Software, Inc., Mindscape, Minnesota
Educational Corporation, SoftKey Software (Canada), Spinnaker, Springboard
Software, Inc., TEC Direct, WordStar International,  ZSoft .  


**[Note:  The Sacramento Bee (12/17/98) quoted the Jewish Anti-Defamation
League (ADL) as saying the ADL and the Learning Company  were developingfilters to screen out hate sites on the World Wide Web, using Cyber


Patrol.  See (2) below]


The Learning Co. Inc. HQ is in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.  Toll free
number:  800/377-6567.  


www.learningco.com    Cyber Patrol:  Toll free number:  800/828-2608.
www.cyberpatrol.com


REFERENCES:
1. Christian Group Feels Net Filters Wrath by Pamela Mendels. New York


Times, 6/11/98, p. D3. 
2. Filter to block Web sites, Sacramento Bee, 12/17/97. (see below)




3. Letter from The Learning Co. customer service department (10/23/98)
acknowledging that a Christian website is blocked by Cyber Patrol becauseits suggests discrimination of individuals based upon sexual


orientation. [The American Family Association web site [www.afa.net] is included on
the CyberNOT [of Cyber Patrol hate] list under the Intolerance category


due to information on the site that suggests  discrimination of
individuals based on sexual orientation. TLC]  Full text below.


4.  Letter from American Family Association (AFA)10/15/98 to Learning Co.President  Michael Perik . I just read an article that claims Cyber


Patrol has blocked the websites of the American Family Association ...and
other Christian and family groups on the Internet based on your
committee's assessment that the selected websites are intolerant of
homosexuals, of homosexuality, or of the homosexual rights movement. Full
text below. >-----------------
(2) Filter to block Web Sites - Sacramento Bee, (Sacramento, California,


USA - 12/17/98) www.sacbee.com
The Anti-Defamation League and a software company will develop filters to


screen out hate sites on the World Wide Web, the ADL said. Tuesday.  The

league will compile a list of hate sites for the Learning Company, a
Cambridge, Mass., software firm that makes Cyber Patrol, a filtering
program for the Web.  Once a parent installs it on a computer, it blocks a
childs access to any sites on the leagues list.  SNIP.  


(3)  Letter from The Learning Company Acknowledging Cyber Patrol Ban on
Christian website 


From: cust_serv@learningco.com
Date: Fri, 23 Oct 1998 11:11:34 -0400
To: chldcare@startext.net 
Subject: Re: Please Confirm or Deny


Dear Sir or Madam:


The Learning Company strives to provide the best educational, reference
and productivity software to our customers. Recently, it has been brought
to our attention that some computer users are unfamiliar with a major
feature of our "Cyber Patrol" program.
   Cyber Patrol is used to manage Internet access, limit the total time
spent online and restrict access to Internet sites that you deem
inappropriate. In addition to web pages selected by the administrating
user (for example, the head   of a household), Cyber Patrol offers a
CyberNOT list. This list can be manipulated to suit the need of any family
or business. The administrator of Cyber Patrol has the ability (with the
password) to add or block any site, news  group, or chat room for ALL
users of that program.
   The Learning Company openly solicits feedback from its customers
regarding the CyberNOT list (http://www.cyberpatrol.com/cp_site.htm). The
Learning Company has used what we believe to be reasonable means to
identify and categorize CyberNOTs, but we cannot guarantee the accuracy or
completeness of our screens and we assume no responsibility for errors or
omissions. The criteria are   published on the web page for public review,
as is the site appeals process   for   requesting a re-review of a site.
   The American Family Association web site [www.afa.net] is included on
the CyberNOT list under the ****Intolerance category due to information on
the site that suggests  discrimination of individuals based on sexual
orientation.****
   At the CyberNOT Oversight Committee meeting held on June 9, 1998, the
Committee voted to uphold the decision to include the web site www.afa.net
on the CyberNOT list under the category of ****intolerance.**** The AFA
presented its appeal to the meeting via conference call, after which the
Committee discussed and voted on the matter. The Committee recommended the
following additional actions:
   1.In light of suggestions made by the AFA and committee members, the
Internet   Research team will be reviewing additional web sites on both
sides of this   issue to ensure that Cyber Patrol is categorizing similar
expressions of   intolerance   in the same way.
   2.The Research Team will re-review the AFA site in one month.


If you have any further questions or comments, please feel free to contact
us.


Thank you.           Customer Service   _______ Reply Separator
 --------
(4) Letter from Christian Group re: Learning Co. Blocking Access to its
Website


Subject: FYI: Cyber Patrol Intolerance of Intolerance
Date: Sun, 29 Nov 1998 19:25:36 +0000
From: chldcare@startext.net  


Last month, I received notice that Cyber Patrol had blocked the American
Family Association and other Christian and family websites.  It seems
that, in accordance with Cyber Patrol criteria the American Family
Association, this Christian ministry as well, is intolerant of
homosexuality.......imagine that!


Attached for your information is their response to my query.  It is
interesting to say the least.  My letter follows the Cyber Patrol
response. -- Thomas A. Carder , ChildCare Action Project: Christian
Analysis of American Culture (CAP) P. O. Box 177 Granbury, TX  76048-0177
A 501(c)(3) nonprofit Christian Ministry Email:
mailto:chldcare@startext.net             Website Address:
http://www.startext.net/homes/chldcare/
  -------
Dedicated to investigating and reporting on the impact of the American
culture on the integrity, self respect, and coping skills of youth, and
inherently on family values and unity, using the teachings of Jesus as
Investigation Standards.
  -------
for <chldcare@startext.net ; Fri, 23 Oct 1998 10:25:40 -0500 (CDT)
Subject: Please Confirm or Deny
Author:  "Thomas A. Carder" <chldcare@startext.net  at Internet
Date:    10/15/98 1:46 PM


October 15, 1998


Mr. Michael Perik , President
Learning Company/Cyber Patrol
To: custserv@learningco.com
Subject: Please Confirm or Deny


Mr. Perik:


I just read an article that claims Cyber Patrol has blocked the websites
of the American Family Association "...and other Christian and family
groups on the Internet" based on your committee's assessment that the
selected websites are intolerant of homosexuals, of homosexuality, or of
the homosexual rights movement.


  Can/will you confirm that Cyber patrol has indeed blocked Christian and
pro family websites?
  --
  Thomas A. Carder, President
  ChildCare Action Project: Christian Analysis of American Culture (CAP)
  P. O. Box 177 Granbury, TX  76048-0177 A 501(c)(3) nonprofit Christian
  Ministry Email: mailto:chldcare@startext.net      Website Address:
http://www.startext.net/homes/chldcare/
  -------
Dedicated to investigating and reporting on the impact of the American
culture on the integrity, self respect, and coping skills of youth, and
inherently on family values and unity, using the teachings of Jesus as
Investigation Standards.