Evangelical Filmmakers Criticized for Hiring Gay Actor

NY Times ^ | 2/2/06

[Mr. Brightside]

Evangelical Filmmakers Criticized for Hiring Gay Actor

By NEELA BANERJEE

Published: February 2, 2006

WASHINGTON, Feb. 1 — Christian ministers were enthusiastic at the early private screenings of "End of the Spear," made by Every Tribe Entertainment, an evangelical film company. But days before the film's premiere, a controversy erupted over the casting of a gay actor that has all but eclipsed the movie and revealed fault lines among evangelicals.

/snip

Many evangelicals are concerned that young people inspired by the movie will look up Mr. Allen on the Web and "get exposed to his views on homosexuality, and that would cause some of them to question Biblical views of homosexuality and every other sin," said Will Hall, executive director of BPNews.net, the news service of the Southern Baptist Convention, which has published articles critical of Every Tribe's decisions.

/snip

One Web log, nossobrii.blogspot .com, written by Kevin T. Bauder, president of Central Baptist Seminary in Minneapolis, stated in a Jan. 13 entry: "Granted, we must not overreact. And it would probably be an overreaction to firebomb these men's houses. But what they have done is no mistake. It is a calculated strategy."

/snip

"Has Focus on the Family made a strong statement against homosexuality? Absolutely," he said. "But what is the message of the product? And do we at Focus feel compelled to check on the sexual history of everyone in a movie? Did they have a D.U.I.? Did they pay their taxes?"

Mr. Hanon echoed: "If we start measuring the sin of everyone in a movie, we would never be able to make a picture because none of us would be left."

[Search4Truth]

"And this is the condemnation, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than the Light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who practices truth comes to the Light so that his works may be revealed, that they exist, having been worked in God" (John 3:19-21).

I am not the Reverend Cloud. We should be so fortunate to have a Godly man such as he grace our discussion. I am a student of his.

It is certainly obvious to anyone in this discussion, who claims to name of Christ and follows the Word of God, that you loathe the Word of God. It threatens your idolatry.

You obviously think that God is found in your tender thoughts and feelings. You appear to know nothing of the Word of God. Yet you claim to be a Christian.

You obviously think that God is found in big ornate churches.

You obviously think that God is found in the popularity of the church.

I have attacked no one. I quote the Word of God and its application. If one is offended by the Word of God, then they should take that up with God. Or, as in your case, just try to slander the messenger.

Idolaters are so easily angered. All you have to do is threaten their idolatry with the Word of God and they come unglued and make personal attacks.

This thread has become a good example of how those in the darkness, love their darkness, and revile the light of the Word of God.

The Lord Jesus Christ is the Word of God made flesh. If you don't know the Word of God, you don't know the Lord.

I know what I have stated here will anger you further. As it should. It was my hope that the Word would break through your self righteous idolatry. I take comfort in knowing that the Word of God is never returned void and that the power is in the seed of the Word and not in the sower.

I have given you the Word of God, yet you still want to worship your thoughts and feelings. You obviously think God is found there. You are woefully wrong and will be condemned on the day of judgment to eternal damnation for your idolatry.

Turn from your idolatry before its too late. And submit yourself to the Word of God. Humble yourself before Christ and repent of your idolatry.

In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray.

[Politicalmom]

It was in one of the first articles posted on FR about this, I believe. I will try to find it, but no guarantees, because it could have been a link someone provided mid-thread.

[Search4Truth]

Muchos Gracious.

I'm not questioning the veracity of your claim. But it is good to be able to source all claims that one is building a case on.

[Politicalmom]

I wasn't building a case. I had no idea I would need a "source" for such a thing.

[Search4Truth]

You made the claim that Chad Allen is a Christian and attends church. I was simply asking that you substantiate the claim. I can not quote something unless I can substantiate it. Your help is appreciated.

[Politicalmom]

This isn't it, but it is interesting reading.

http://www.sharperiron.org/showthread.php?t=2244

[I'm ALL Right!]

How very bitter and hateful. That's not of Christ. The Gospel of Search4Truth is all about condemnation, death and hell. Christ died to free us from that, but you apparantly don't understand that.

There is no love in your heart, only bitterness and anger. Here's an excerpt from 1 Corinthians, Ch 13. I encourage you to read the entire chapter.

1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.
2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned,[a] but have not love, it profits me nothing.

I am sickened by the hatefulness that comes from you, and I will not be continuing any kind of conversation with you, as it is pointless. You want to condemn others...and you enjoy it. I hope you learn how to love--life is much better that way.

[Search4Truth]

Nice find. Thanks mom. :)

[Politicalmom]

"Allen, who says he's a Christian and attends Pasadena's gay-friendly All Saints Church, says he doesn't know what those plans might be. "But," he says, "I know God does have great plans for me. And I ask him every single morning to reveal those plans to me."

http://www.christianitytoday.com/movies/news/chadallen.html

[Search4Truth]

Nice work Mom. I'll read it latter. My son is coming over. He's recently back from his 18 months in Baghdad. When he left for Basic Training he was only 19, still a child to my eyes. I'm so glad to have him back. He has given me lots of pictures and some video of his experiences, which I will post on an appropriate thread.

Thanks again and may the Lord be with you always.

[Politicalmom]

Tell him "Thank you" for me. :)

[Search4Truth]

Everytime I see him, I give him three kisses, on alternating checks. One for the Lord, one for Love, and one for me. I'll give him an extra one just for you, with a thanks for his service. :)

Thanks again for your research. It was a great help.

"Blessed are the poor in spirit! For theirs is the kingdom of Heaven. Blessed are they that mourn! For they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek! For they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they who hunger and thirst after righteousness! For they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful! For they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart! For they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers! For they shall be called the sons of God. Blessed are they who have been persecuted for righteousness sake! For theirs is the kingdom of Heaven. Blessed are you when men shall revile you and persecute you, and shall say all kinds of evil against you falsely, for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for your reward in Heaven is great. For so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. You are the salt of the earth, but if the salt loses its savor, with what shall it be salted? It is no longer good for anything, but to be thrown out and to be trodden underfoot by men. You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do men light a lamp and put it under the grain-measure, but on a lampstand. And it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in Heaven. Do not think that I have come to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to destroy but to fulfill. For truly I say to you, Till the heaven and the earth pass away, not one jot or one tittle shall in any way pass from the Law until all is fulfilled" (Matthew 5:3-18).

[Dr. Eckleburg]

The producers probably couldn't find a straight actor to play the part.

I guess their hands were tied.

[Dr. Eckleburg]

Was Dobson asleep when this project was cast?

From the NYT article --

"He (Chad Allen) said that Mr. Hanon had told him there would be people on both sides who would be unhappy with the decision but suggested that they talk through the matter and show that they could respect one another's differences and work together."

So FOTF now "respects" that "difference?" Truly pathetic.

[Dahlseide]

You were correct in posting Matthew. Better to be a hidden sinner, as to lack of effect on others, than to espouse & affect life style that is sin. I say that realizing it is not our sin that is the problem but our sin nature & only God can solve that problem for us.

Every post that criticizes you thus far has missed your point. So far as I can tell you have never suggested that temptation is sin but the criticism goes in that direction.

Post #17
Homosexuality is not in itself a sin. The homosexual behavior is the sin.

In reply to 17

Post #18
Please tell me how you can be a “homosexual” in your mind and not be a sinner? The idea that behavior is the sin is not correct. Jesus said thoughts were just as bad.

In reply to #18

Post #23
I'm a sinner in my mind on occasion - I break some commandments in my mind all the time. I don't act on it. Do you think God can't distinguish between a passing thought and an action?

So post #23 attempts to confute sins of the mind by claiming they are mere passing thoughts, temptations, not a thought savored in one’s mind; that by asking the rhetorical straw-man question, a question that is simply a false confutation; skirting the point of your reference to Matthew 5:27-28. To me a most infuriating criticism completely ignoring your Matthew reference & claiming the opposite by attempting to say sins of the mind are mere temptations, not actual, directly at odds with your reference to Matthew. In short Jesus has clearly stated that there is such a sin as homosexual behavior in the mind.

Jesus makes it very clear in your reference in support of God failing to distinguish between sins carried out & sins carried out in the mind – both are carried out & actual, not imagined, not mere temptation.

But the real issue here is that there are sins that have an effect on others; Jesus says as much, Matthew 18:6; espousing the subject life style falls into that category. Another post has reported that the actor does in fact espouse that lifestyle.

[Search4Truth]

Thanks for your contribution - firmly rooted in the Word of God.

All sin originates in the heart.

"You have heard that it was said to the ancients, "You shall not commit adultery." But I say to you that whoever looks on a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart" (Matthew 5:27-28).

[Mr. Brightside]

But the real issue here is that there are sins that have an effect on others

The real issue here is whether or not this is a good movie. I think it is and will take my family to it.

If we avoid every movie, concert or sporting event in which an immoral person is involved, you might as well stay home.

[Dahlseide]

Well if he really was a child then he certainly is not now. God bless & protect that young MAN. Any chance he is in the 82cd?

[Dahlseide]

I did not say don't go; I will not; but I told no one on this thread to not go. I will not see a movie with Rock Hudson even if Doris Day is in it; I saw everyone before he died; then the truth was “outed”; not one since even though I used to enjoyed them.

I hope you & your family benefit from it; I would not.

But you simply did not get my point - show me where I said that & you will have my apology. Here is/was my complaint/point:

I referred to the actors espousing a life style; I complained about others who could not seem to differentiate between God counting as sin temptation, temptation ineffectual or at least resisted, and thoughts whether acted on or "merely" enjoyed.

I said our sins are not the problem; our sin nature is the problem & only God can solve that problem.

I did not say you or anyone else would espouse that life style by your attendance; but now I add, on the other hand if Christian folks you know are as weak as I am they may very well see your attendance as anything from approval to acceptance to ...; what if one of them has that particular sin latent within his sin-nature?

Until I tuned into this thread I was going to the movie, remember you started the thread; now for sure I will not - it would turn my (very weak spiritual) stomach.

I asked my wife & a son if they were going; both said yes - I said not a word about it. Neither has the benefit of your thread.

I mentioned & supported as strongly as I could the applicability of truthingod’s post relative to Matthew & then added Matthew 18:6,

“but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a heavy millstone hung around his neck, and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.”

[Search4Truth]

Thanks.

He's back home now in the Louisiana Army National Guard. I think he said that he served with both an Airborne division and then a Mountain division, I think. He wants to go back. But I figure that if they really need him, they'll call him up again. He received some ribbons and medals. He told me what they were but I wasn't really paying attention. I was engrossed in the look on his face as he explained to me what he had done.

I'll ask him specifically who he served with next time I see him.