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."

[mnehring]

Correct! If the movie is being made by Christians with the idea of projecting the christian lifestyle, then those working on the film should have a lifestyle that backs of the whole premise of christianity.

Let's be honest, can you name one person who would fit this bill other than Christ himself?
Do we know this actor's heart? We are labeling him based on one 'sin' yet, we are all sinners.
Do we know why this person is 'gay'? Is this a mental illness as some suggest? Is there genetic issues as others do? Is this purely rebellion against G_d as many accuse?
Would any of this effect the message of the film if he weren't put against the wall and stoned in judgment?

[Sloth]

Talk about mountains out of molehills. I bet some of these people complaining have hired adulterous plumbers or promiscuous roofers.

[HitmanLV]

Was Judas unrepentant when he got on the payroll?

[Mr. Brightside]

Most moviegoers would never have known the guy was a homosexual... if it wasn't for the SBC.

You and I both know that.

[HitmanLV]

OK. A passing thought and I escape temptation. Works for me.

[Mr. Brightside]

I never assumed Judas was saved. You do?

[Just mythoughts]

"Most moviegoers would never have known the guy was a homosexual... if it wasn't for the SBC.

You and I both know that. "


I think you need to do a little checking into the "movie-making" of this guy and what he lives his life about.

[Mr. Brightside]

Judas stole from Jesus over the years.

Jesus knew Judas would steal, and ultimately betray him. Yet he still hired him.

[kinsman redeemer]

yes.

[HitmanLV]

Doesn't mean he was unrepentant about the stealing. It just means he kept doing it. :-)

[HitmanLV]

Clarity is a wonderful thing.

[mnehring]

Judas stole from Jesus over the years.

This is a new one to me.. what reference do you have on this?
Note: Don't take this as an accusation, I really haven't heard this and I'm interested what I missed.

[Just mythoughts]

"I never assumed Judas was saved. You do?"


The devil (and a few of his main leaders, unnamed in Jude) are the only ones who have received the death sentence, the rest are in the Heavenly Father's hands. We are not told what standing Judas has, and whether his repentance was accepted.

[Pan_Yans Wife]

Jesus still LOVED Judas. And, if he can love the man that will turn against him, don't you think he can love any man that commits any sin? Aren't we all worthy of the redemption that we honestly seek when asking forgiveness and turning our lives to Christ? To think that we are "perfect" after doing so, is false. We will still commit errors, and yet, God will still love us.

[One Proud Dad]

Besides that, it was all planned by God. He knew Judas would betray Christ, without it Jesus would not have been arrested and crusified at that point.

[Sloth]

John 12:3-6

[Mr. Brightside]

I think you need to do a little checking into the "movie-making" of this guy and what he lives his life about.

I think I will NOT take your advice.

And if by some weird chance my kids ask, "I wonder what the Southern Baptist Convention thinks about this movie?" I am not going to tell them.

[Revolting cat!]

Sheesh, did he play an iceskater or a ballet dancer? Gotta have nancyboy to do a nancyboy's job!

[mnehring]

Thanks, I don't know why I've overlooked that before, especially since I know verse 2-3 very well.

[Chanticleer]

There is nothing in this film that denies the Creator. God will use whom He will to further His Kingdom. Sometimes it's an upright Christian, sometimes it's a prostitute, sometimes it's a heathen king, sometimes it's a donkey.

The Bible instructs us that our leaders and teachers in the church must live Godly lives to set an example. Although the topic is dear to Christians, this is not a Sunday School lesson. End of the Spear is a motion picture with a wonderful message, marketed as entertainment to the world at large. The great message is in no way compromised by the actors, whatever their sins may be.

Some non-Christians will be moved by this story and will explore further. In looking further, they may discover life-changing Truth. Unfortunately, they won't have much more time, because this film won't be in theaters too much longer, in great part because of hysteria caused by misguided Christians. Maybe they'll go see Brokeback Mountain instead.