Posted on 02/02/2006 7:52:20 AM PST by 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."
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
I have not yet seen the movie. But I don't think the concern is that a homosexual actor will "influence" Christians. There would be similar alarm if Teddy Kennedy were to star in a Driving Instruction film.
You guys really know how to kill a good, wholesome movie.
If this movie is not good enough for you, which ones are?
"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."
I thought the Christian view is that everyone's a sinner, and that we shouldn't cast stones?
Forgive me if I misunderstood, since I'm not a Christian.
"You guys really know how to kill a good, wholesome movie.
If this movie is not good enough for you, which ones are?"
Once again you fly off in another world, I have not once said go or do not go see this or any other movie. You and everyone else chooses what to see and not see, and you owe me no explanation.
My own reaction comes when the "PERVERT" actor gets a whitewash, as though his acting is from on high.
I wonder, if Christ were here, do you think He'd have an issue with a gay male pretending to be straight? I doubt that He'd see it or approve of a homosexual male. Sure there are other sins but this one is a slap in His face - denying who you are to marry or be united with.
Seriously, if they do not check out the backgrounds, personal lives, tax evasions, sexual histories of all cast/crew in any movie, TV show, or band (music) they ever listen to (which I am certain they don't) then making such a fuss over this movie is inconsistency.
"Thus, the idea that you can casually live side by side with homosexuality and that it has no effect is really wrong."
People don't want to hear that timeless truth.
Their hearts are hardened and indifferent.
No kidding!
Just curious.
Have you ever seen a movie. Any movies you CAN recommend?
"I respect your right to choose not to see the film. You must act as your conscience leads you. In this choice, my brother (or sister), we must respectfully disagree."
Herein lies the problem. As a Christian, I don't follow my conscience. Neither am I interested in the consensus of men. I also don't care about what you believe. I follow the Word of God. That's what Christians do.
Your deconstruction of God's Word to bolster the god you have created in your mind - from your worldly thoughts, desires and tender notions - is the sin of idolatry - an offense against God's 2nd Commandment.
Now lets look at what the Bible actually says
The Bible says:
"Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers; for what fellowship does righteousness have with lawlessness? And what partnership does light have with darkness? And what agreement does Christ have with Belial? Or what part does a believer have with an unbeliever? And what agreement does a temple of God have with idols? For you are the temple of the living God, as God has said, "I will dwell in them and walk among them; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people." Therefore come out from among them and be separated, says the Lord, and do not touch the unclean thing. And I will receive you and I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty" (2 Corinthians 6:14-18).
The Bible says:
"And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. Therefore he says, "Awake, sleeping ones! And arise from the dead, and Christ shall give you light." See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil" (Ephesians 5:11-16).
The Bible says:
"having a form of godliness, but denying the power of it; even turn away from these. For of these are those who creep into houses and lead captive silly women loaded with sins, led away with different kinds of lusts, ever learning and never able to come to the full knowledge of the truth. But as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so these also resist the truth, men of corrupt mind, reprobate concerning the faith. But they shall proceed no further. For their foolishness shall be plain to all, as theirs also became" (2 Timothy 3:5-9).
The Bible says:
"But now I have written to you not to associate intimately, if any man called a brother and is either a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such a one not to eat. For what is it to me to also judge those who are outside? Do you not judge those who are inside? But God judges those who are outside. Therefore put out from you the evil one" (1 Corinthians 5:11-13).
God's Word is clear. Obey it if you truly fear God and are a Servant of the Lord.
"Have you ever seen a movie. Any movies you CAN recommend?"
http://www.gospelofjohnthefilm.com/
I know a Good book you might want to read instead. :)
With the money you save from not patronizing the works of ungodly men, you can clothe, feed and educate a child in a third world country.
Gospel Films?
Do you know anything about Billy Zeoli, the founder? For starters, he divorced Wife Number 1 to marry his secretary.
After finding him in an affair, Number 2 dumped him.
I hear he has remarried again.
I suggest you take your own advice.
What does Billy Zeoli have to do with Visual Bible International Inc - the producers of The Gospel of John?
My mistake.
I thought you linked me to Gospel Films, in Muskegon, Michigan.
No problem. Thanks for the heads-up on Gospel Films and Billy Zeoli.
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