Posted on 01/23/2009 1:16:53 PM PST by joinedafterattack
Tom Hanks is rethinking his comments about Mormons who supported Proposition 8.
Last week, the star, who is an executive producer for HBO's controversial series Big Love about a group of polygamist Mormons, spoke out about the religious group's involvement in passing the California law, which bans same-sex marriage.
"The truth is a lot of Mormons gave a lot of money to the church to make Prop-8 happen," Hanks said at the show's premiere in Los Angeles last Wednesday. "There are a lot of people who feel that is un-American, and I am one of them."
A spokesperson for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Kim Farah, took offense at Hanks's comments, telling FOX News, "Expressing an opinion in a free and democratic society is as American as it gets."
Now, in a exclusive statement to PEOPLE through his representative Leslee Dart, Hanks is softening his stance.
Last week, I labeled members of the Mormon church who supported California's Proposition 8 as "un-American." I believe Proposition 8 is counter to the promise of our Constitution; it is codified discrimination. But everyone has a right to vote their conscience – nothing could be more American. To say members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints who contributed to Proposition 8 are "un-American" creates more division when the time calls for respectful disagreement. No one should use "un- American" lightly or in haste. I did. I should not have. Sincerely, Tom Hanks.
Last week, the star, who is an executive producer for HBO's controversial series Big Love about a group of polygamist Mormons, spoke out about the religious group's involvement in passing the California law, which bans same-sex marriage.
"The truth is a lot of Mormons gave a lot of money to the church to make Prop-8 happen," Hanks said at the show's premiere in Los Angeles last Wednesday. "There are a lot of people who feel that is un-American, and I am one of them."
A spokesperson for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Kim Farah, took offense at Hanks's comments, telling FOX News, "Expressing an opinion in a free and democratic society is as American as it gets."
Now, in a exclusive statement to PEOPLE through his representative Leslee Dart, Hanks is softening his stance.
Last week, I labeled members of the Mormon church who supported California's Proposition 8 as "un-American." I believe Proposition 8 is counter to the promise of our Constitution; it is codified discrimination. But everyone has a right to vote their conscience – nothing could be more American. To say members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints who contributed to Proposition 8 are "un-American" creates more division when the time calls for respectful disagreement. No one should use "un- American" lightly or in haste. I did. I should not have. Sincerely, Tom Hanks.
Tom Skanks is dead to me.
“No one should use “un- American” lightly or in haste. I did. I should not have. Sincerely, Tom Hanks.”
Stupid is as stupid does...
Unscripted Remarks Syndrome afflicts Hollywood elites with highschool level educations once again.
The Horror of it all....
It does not seem like a genuine apology. It sounds more like "what I said could be taken...".
Tom Hanks must have done the math.
Hollywood revenue is dropping like a stone in these tough times. Tom Hanks is motivated by self service, pure and simple.
Screw you, Tom and all your lib friends in the business. I won’t put a dime in your pockets and hope you all enjoy the next few years. People won’t have the money to pay your exorbitant fees, maybe you’ll have to take less than 10-20 million for your next flick.
Hanks is an executive producer for HBO’s controversial series Big Love about a group of polygamist Mormons?
I didn’t know that. He is just tied in knots inside isn’t he.
Tom Hanks is worried about Mormons?
Let’s see...
California blacks voted 75%-25% against Prop 8.
California Hispanics voted 70%-30% against Prop 8.
California whites voted 55%-45% in favor of Prop 8.
There are more Muslims in California than there are Mormons.
Hey, Tom.
How do you think the Muslims voted on Prop 8?
Got anything clever to say about the Muslims, Tom?
Nah, didn’t think so.
What a Gump!
The Man With One Red Shoe...in his mouth.
Tom Hanks and his Hollywood butt buddies can think and say whatever they want.
My thoughts on Tom Hanks are that are that he is an “un-intelligent American”.
Wonder how Hanks feels about the blacks who voted against it
Somebody should ask him
Hey Tom - Gay Marriage wasn’t even talked about 20 years ago. In the Stonewall Riot - and in the gay lib fight of the 60’s and 70’s marriage was not even considered, nor sought after. It happens to be in vogue right now. You act as if this struggle has been going on for 400 years with utterances to the effect of “promise of the Constitution”. (People who are polygamists can make the same argument and have far greater historical validation - I do not see you questioning the ‘promise of the Constitution’ for them.)
Elton John scoffed at this ridiculous gay marriage request - Britain found a solution in the law as we have, and be satisfied with it. Stop this foolish, ‘acceptance’ game.
Do you wonder why Africa-Americans react when their real life and death civil rights struggle of over 400 years gets compared to that San Francisco gay freak show?
We need a 100% tax on movie tickets. Uber-rich Hollywood needs to share the wealth.
Hah! Get on the left-wing blogs and see how they're struggling over that one. Pretty entertaining.
There is nothing unconstitutional concerning marriage. Gays have just as much a right to marry anyone of the opposite sex as I do. Equal opportunity and all that.
Tom Hanks is just jealous that he could never become legally married to Wilson. He must think that gay marriage is a start.
Actually, I think that was a pretty impressive apology. He said he was wrong and that’s WAY more than most libs would ever do.
He’s still a Left wing kool aide drinker, but I think he was a better person for the apology.
For years I’ve been saying Hanks is going to run for office one day. I won’t be surprised if they elect him president one day.
If they elected an empty suit like Obama, I certainly think Hanks has a chance.
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