Southern Baptists end eight-year boycott of Disney

Southern Baptists ended an eight-year boycott of the Walt Disney Co. for violating "moral righteousness and traditional family values" in a vote on the final day of the denomination's annual convention Wednesday. "We believe for the boycott to be effective, it had to have a beginning and an ending," said Gene Mims, chairman of the Southern Baptist Convention committee that put the Disney resolution before 11,000 delegates. At SBC's 1997 convention in Dallas, a resolution was passed calling for Southern Baptists to refrain from patronizing Disney theme parks and Disney products, mainly because of the entertainment company's decision to give benefits to companions of gay employees. "We felt like it was time to end it. We're hopeful Disney will do what the resolution calls for," Mims added. Tuesday's resolution states that Disney should serve "families of America by providing only those products that affirm traditional family values." Southern Baptists should also continue to monitor the "products and policies of the Disney Company," according to the resolution, which also urged members to "practice continued discernment regarding all entertainment products from all sources." Disney officials in California did not immediately have a comment.(AP)