Stephen Baldwin and America's Culture War

Der Spiegel ^ | 08/04/2006 | Alexander Osang

[Republicain]

A battle over a sex shop in a small town near New York shows how a local problem can quickly turn into a culture war in America. At the center is a famous actor who became a born-again Christian after the Sept. 11 terror attacks.

[2banana]

ke his three older brothers, Alec, Daniel and William, Baldwin is an actor. He played his best-known role 11 years ago in the film "The Usual Suspects," which won two Academy Awards. He has also starred in a host of insignificant films, has done a few sex scenes, has been featured on reality shows, has smoked, gambled, and gotten drunk. Like his brothers, he's always been considered a bit rough around the edges -- and a Democrat. But on Sept. 11, 2001, Baldwin became a born-again Christian. He gave up smoking, stopped drinking and started showing up at US President George W. Bush's campaign events.

"There isn't enough police presence, drugs are permitted and tolerated and there are bums all over the place. If you allow lawlessness, it'll lead to decay. Ever since I became a religious person, I've noticed how much our country is deteriorating. We're more worried about trees and rivers than about people. How can people who are so concerned about the environment allow a porn shop? The answer is easy. We stare at our constitution, which is so full of rights that everything gets mixed up and there are no more limits. For example, if one state after another allows gay marriage, maybe it'll be legal for a father to marry his daughter in ten years. What'll happen next? Can a woman marry her German Shepherd dog? Twenty years ago, the US mainstream considered gay marriage just as wrong and misguided as a woman marrying her dog. Where is all this going?"

Wow - talk about a 180 degree turn around.

[EagleUSA]

The Baldwins -- need we say any more??

[napscoordinator]

Must make for an interesting Christmas get together. They must leave politics at the door.

[stands2reason]

Apparently so.

It helps to read before you post.

[EagleUSA]

Apparently so.

It helps to read before you post.
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I did -- and my post stands.

[ModelBreaker]

But anyone looking into Baldwin's eyes could see that there was more on his mind than just a sex shop.

Ah. Der Spiegel can see the madness and the agenda in a Christian's eyes. I'm so glad they are protecting the world from Christians.

[stands2reason]

So you judge Stephen by his brothers?

[daku]

He IS his brothers keeper

(sorry, I just had to )

[ariamne]

Why though? I admire him for his courage in turning against the left..maybe because I can relate to it so well!

[EagleUSA]

I admire him for his courage in turning against the left..maybe because I can relate to it so well!
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Yes, but I have had alot of dislike for that family for many years -- and have friends that know them. They are not respectable. Hence my opinion. Everyone else can have their own.

[orionblamblam]

There's only one Baldwin worth watching as an actor, and he ain't from this family of losers.

[Campion]

Ever since I became a religious person, I've noticed how much our country is deteriorating.

Grace is a beautiful thing.

[ariamne]

I understand. We have a family like that in our neighborhood; it is a beautiful neighborhood except for this one crew, especially when they've had a few too many on Friday and Saturday nights.

[expatpat]

Usual Suspects, huh? Which one was he?

[conservative blonde]

I don't care for the Baldwins either but Stephen has taken a giant step away from family ties and how they function and I think he deserves support. Not everyone in a family thinks the same way nor behaves the same way. Everyone deserves to be judged individually not as group think.

[Vote 4 Nixon]

This guy wants to be Prez some day.

[TXBlair]

Thanks for posting. I've seen any number of pieces on/ interviews with Stephen Baldwin in the last few years and I am always struck by his unabashed enthusiasm about his conversion to Christianity. He's been very diplomatic when asked about Thanksgiving dinners with the family! I admire his seemingly genuine commitment to his faith, particularly given the heat he quite likely takes from his brothers. He makes me realize how very fortunate I am to have been raised in a Christian home; living my faith isn't an oddity nor an invitation for mocking by my loved ones, as I suspect it may be for him. He has to take a greater risk to proclaim Christ than I do.

Baldwin certainly seems to have taken the Great Commission to heart, and I applaud him for that. My brother teaches a high school Sunday School class and he and a few other chaperones took their youth group to a big rally in Dallas a couple of years ago where Stephen Baldwin was one of the featured speakers. He told me later that it was pretty obvious to the adults that Baldwin was a new Christian (I gather that his talk wasn't terribly in-depth), but that he was very enthusiastic and was a big hit with all the kids there.

Unless he gives me reason not to, I'll always give Stephen Baldwin the benefit of the doubt. You just never know how God may be working through him to reach his family.

[Valin]

Wow - talk about a 180 degree turn around

That sort of thing has been known to happen...Saul of Tarsus...St. Paul.

[shield]

Stephen is also a big supporter of President Bush. Stephen's ministry is actually pretty amazing.

Stephen's testimony: Wife hired a housekeeper from So America, a born again Christian. The housekeeper prayed for yrs for both Stephen and his wife. First, his wife received Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour within that yr so did Stephen.