Posted on 01/20/2006 6:34:17 PM PST by Esther Ruth
Controversy swirls over 'gay' playing missionary in movie
Producers of 'End of the Spear' respond to chattering over homosexual activist
Posted: January 20, 2006 1:00 a.m. Eastern
© 2006 WorldNetDaily.com
Chad Allen on the set of 'End of the Spear' A weblog has stirred chatter across the Internet and talk radio over a homosexual actor's role as a famous missionary in the newly released film "End of the Spear," which opens tonight in 1,200 theaters nationwide.
Chad Allen – whose activism has been celebrated by 'gay' media – plays Nate Saint, one of five missionaries killed in 1956 by a notoriously murderous tribe they were trying to reach with the Gospel. The compelling story doesn't end there, the film shows, as relatives of the slain men continued the seemingly impossible venture, leading to the tribe's remarkable transformation.
The film is winning raves from reviewers, and thousands of churches and evangelical organizations are promoting it, but Jason Janz, through his weblog Sharper Iron, has sparked debate among some potential viewers about whether it was appropriate for producer Every Tribe Entertainment, or ETE, to portray a missionary martyr using an activist who blatantly promotes anti-Christian values and could use the film to further his agenda.
ETE President Bill Ewing told WorldNetDaily he was not even aware of Allen's homosexuality, let alone his activism, when the actor was chosen for the part.
However, he said, the bottom line is that "Chad gave, by far, the best audition."
"We know character and actor are not the same," he said. "The story is the star."
Ewing said Allen was impacted favorably by his experience with the film.
"We have all grown by being part of this story," the filmmaker said, adding, "We're glad our lives are not being compared to these [missionaries], because we wouldn't stack up."
Ewing said he became acutely aware the entire process of making the film was led by God and that he was just being carried along.
But ETE's office in Studio City, Calif., has been receiving calls about Allen, he said, and the reaction has been mixed.
In a statement provided to WND, director and writer Jim Hanlon explained that, "If as a film company we could only work with people who were completely sanctified then the film would never have been made."
Allen on cover of homosexual magazine.
"We do not agree with Chad over homosexuality," he said. "'End of the Spear' is not about Chad Allen, but rather it's about remarkable people who lived their faith against all odds, and dared to reach out at the cost of their lives."
Nate Saint's son Steve Saint, who served as a producer, a stunt pilot and had a bit part in the film, believes it was God's plan to have Allen in "End of the Spear," according to Agape Press.
Saint admitted, however, he was shocked when he learned Allen was homosexual.
"I could feel physical pain," he recalled, "thinking [that] somebody that lives a lifestyle like that is going to depict my dad."
But after further reflection, he began to see Allen's involvement might be God-ordained.
Some Christians might be offended by Allen's role, Saint realized, but "I thought, 'What happens if I stand before God someday and He says to me, "Steve, I went out of my way to orchestrate an opportunity for Chad Allen to see what it would be like to live as your father did."' And then I could picture Him looking at me and saying, 'Steve, why did you mess with my plan?'"
The blogger Janz, whose site is a forum for theological discussion, said he recognizes homosexuals have figured prominently in other films embraced by evangelicals – including "Chariots of Fire," which starred Ian Charleson, who died of AIDS – but says this one is different because Allen is such an outspoken activist and can't help but use the film to further homosexual activism.
Janz insists Every Tribe Entertainment was aware of Allen's activism when he was picked for the part, citing an excerpt from the Advocate newsletter that appears on the actor's website.
Ewing denies that, and insists Steve Saint also was not aware. Furthermore, he said, Allen made a gentleman's agreement with Every Tribe Entertainment to not use his association with the film as a platform for promoting homosexual rights.
Some bloggers have expressed concern about Allen's appearance this week on CNN's "Larry King Live" in which the subject of same-sex marriage came up in a discussion with Southern Bapist Theological Seminary President Albert Mohler.
The Advocate excerpt cited by Janz says:
When Chad Allen was first told by his agent that he was being offered a pivotal role in an independent film called End of the Spear, Allen asked point-blank, "Do they know who I am?" Allen went into his first meeting with the film's producers and director with real trepidation that they and the Saint family-for whom, he stresses, he had great respect would not want a gay man representing their legacy. After he aired his concern, however, the filmmakers produced, of all things, the November 25, 2003, issue of The Advocate with Allen on the cover, in which the actor spoke of his faith and the importance of doing good works for the holidays. They had showed that issue to Steve Saint, the filmmakers told Allen. "And this man Steve Saint said that the same things that I talked about in The Advocate are the same things he fought his whole life for," Allen beams, "and it would wrong for them not to ask me to do it. That's an amazing story, right?"
No kidding. Allen's casting as Saints father, Nate-and, later in the film, as Steve himself-did not pass without further controversy, especially after a contentious Larry King Live appearance with minister John MacArthur the day President Bush announced his support for a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage. But by the end of production Allen was invited along with Saint and a select group of actors and producers from the film to live with the Waodani for several weeks, three days' journey from any working telephone. "When it was over," Allen says quietly, "both [Steve Saint] and I were in tears, hugging each other saying goodbye, because so much love had developed between us. It was an amazing experience:"
Janz has posted a letter of protest to producer Mart Green and Every Tribe Entertainment, expressing "deep disappointment in your selection of a gay activist to play the role of Nate Saint in the movie."
"We believe it is our biblical responsibility to confront a fellow believer when he is overtaken in a fault," writes Janz, who says more than 100 pastors have signed the letter.
Janz points out that according to a story in the January edition of the homosexual-themed magazine Out, Allen toured the country with "gay outreach" programs. In an interview last year, Allen was asked if he had been to many "gay pride" celebrations around the country.
"I love it," he replied. "Everyone gets so uptight about people marching down the street. … I mean who cares, these people have been doing this before we could even talk about being openly gay and stuff. These people have pushed the community so (expletive) far forward, excuse my language that who cares about the shock."
A story in the November 2003 issue of Advocate magazine says Allen "began pouring his energy and time into myriad causes, including the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund, which helps elect openly gay candidates nationwide, and the Trevor Project, which sponsors a toll-free, round-the-clock suicide hotline for GLBT teens."
In 2001, Janz notes, Allen starred in the controversial play "Corpus Christi," which features a hard-drinking homosexual named Joshua, who is considered a Christ figure.
Ingrid Schlueter, co-host and producer for the Christian radio show "Crosstalk," heard on 85 stations nationwide, says listeners are upset about Allen's role.
She said it wouldn't have been as much of a controversy if Allen had been a "quiet actor" like Charleson of "Chariots of Fire," but "he was an activist years before this movie came out."
If you would like to sound off on this issue, participate in today's WND Poll.
Exactly!!! Thank you so much, bulldozer. Well said!
Satan seems to be in control of that whole situation.
Of course the film is moving and beautiful, so is a full grown lion or tiger. The producers know they can't do a sloppy job.
About 18 yrs ago, I was an aircraft mechanic, working on small planes. I remember seeing a used Cessna show up one day that look just great.......on the outside. We were to inspect it for the sales department. After removing a few wing access panels, the reality was obvious. Corrosion, and lots of it. We showed it to the sales rep. He turned pale, mumbled something I won't repeat, and walked away, shaken. He had just flown that thing over 800 miles. It was grounded, wings removed, and sent away to be rebuilt.
If ANY aspect of the film is corrosive to Christianity, then why see it?
From what I understand, the book tells the story quite well.
Is that what most Americans do? Look up actors on the internet so that the actor can influence their life? Doubtful....Isn't this the same argument lefties use when talking about gun control or any other "control"? If we could save "one" life, it's worth banning it.
Your argument is that because some "minority" of people who look this guy up on the internet, who might also have some problem, might be effected by the information on his website. Sorry, but that kind of person could probably be effected by bad weather. The movie has nothing to do with this...and the message is always more powerful than the messenger.
No aspect of the movie is corrosive to christianity. It portrays the story accurately, but I would always agree that a book tells the better story.
There are a lot of teenagers and such who are apart of fan clubs of actors, actresses, musicians, etc. How can you deny there isn’t such a thing. Why does Chad Allen’s website address his fan base if it didn’t exist? Chad Allen has a following of fans.
One was a porn star.
All they had to do was hire Kirk Cameron or Stephen Baldwin, give ;em a crew cut and call it a day.
Now they have a very active sodomite who promotes sodomy as the star of the film.
YES teens will look him up on the net.
YES they will now be opening portans to a satanic world of homosexuality.
The film will not get my money.
Who's throwing stones? The guy is a sodomite and that is something that I don't want my children exposed to, no matter WHAT the movie is supposed to be about!!!
No viewer, not even your children, would have any idea from seeing the movie that one of the actors is a homosexual. It's not like a) Chad Allen's going to attack them; or b) he could do it through the movie screen.
Do you keep your kids locked up in the house, too, so they never will come into contact with any sinners anywhere? Oops, I guess that means they couldn't go to church, either.
Chad's fans are probably gay guys...he's not exactly an "A" list actor. No one in this film is a celebrity, I'd be surprised if they even knew his name. My 12 year old certainly didn't talk about "who" was in the film...we talked about the impression the film had left. This film is about a story, not a celebrity.
Kirk Cameron? No idea who that is...probably someone you deem an appropriate Christian. How christian of you!!!
Stephen Baldwin, is the crazy, albeit now born-again christian Baldwin....yeah...he really looks the part(sarcasm), and frankly isn't a terrific actor unless he's playing a whack job.
Chad, who prior to this movie was unknown to me, actually prior to FR postings on his sexuality, both his name AND sexual preference were unknown to me...Did a terrific job portraying the father.
You have to wonder....What would JC do?
"You can't ask whether a person is gay when you hire them for a movie role."
True. But spending 10 second on Google can provide this info about this actor. That's how long it took me.
Ephesians 5:11 And have no fellowship
with the unfruitful works of darkness,
but rather reprove them.
12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.
Yeah, he looks the part more than some sodomite.
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