Extremists React to Gay Actor in Evangelical Film
by TChris
Gay-hating evangelicals usually makes themselves look silly. Occasionally, they make themselves look dangerous.
The silliness comes from critics of "End of the Spear," a film that tells the story of American missionaries in Ecuador. Some Christian fundamentalists are appalled that the film's lead actor is gay. (Mel Gibson was apparently unavailable.)
More than 100 pastors of churches across the country signed a letter drafted by [Rev. Jason] Janz and addressed to Every Tribe [Entertainment] expressing their disappointment in the casting of Mr. Allen. ... "Does anyone really believe that Chad Allen was the best possible actor for Nate Saint?" Mr. Janz asked in his Jan. 12 Web log entry, referring to one of the characters in the movie. "That would be like Madonna playing the Virgin Mary."
Casting Madonna to play the Virgin Mary would actually be an inspired choice, but let's not digress. Here's where the danger surfaces:
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."
Probably?
Also dangerous is Will Hall's fear 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' ..." How awful it would be if young people kept an open mind, thought for themselves, and questioned their preconceptions. Will Hall isn't having any of that, and other extremists in the evangelical movement share his silly fear that a gay actor might influence young people to renounce their heterosexuality.
But the film's director, Jim Hanon, takes a less judgmental (and what many might deem a more Christian) view.
"If we make films according to what the Bible says is true, it's incumbent upon us to live that," he said. "We disagree with Chad about homosexuality, but we love him and worked with him, and we feel that's a Biblical position."
Hanon thought it might advance Christian ideals to show that people can work together toward a common goal while respecting their individual differences. Imagine that!
Hanon also takes a more practical position: ""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." Amen, brother. Let he who is without sin cast the first firebomb.
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