Religion: Love the Film, Hate the Sin? Christians Debate.

[Skinner]

I just saw this while I was thumbing through Newsweek. Utterly ridiculous.

Religion: Love the Film, Hate the Sin? Christians Debate.

Feb. 6, 2006 issue - Chad Allen: former drug-using teen heartthrob, lapsed Roman Catholic, gay activist and ... Christian missionary. The choice of the openly gay Allen as the lead actor in "End of the Spear," a new Christian-made movie about the real-life story of a son who makes peace with an Amazon tribe that killed his missionary father, has created a dilemma for moviegoers who want to support the movie's message, but not its messenger. "This story is perhaps one of the most precious, well-known mission stories of the last century," says Jason Janz, an assistant pastor in Colorado who brought attention to the issue on his fundamentalist blog, SharperIron.org. "I believe it was bad judgment to cast one of Hollywood's foremost gay activists in the leading role." But, at the same time, other religious leaders—including Jerry Falwell, who has publicly preached against homosexuals—are encouraging their congregations to see the movie.

The schizophrenic response from the Christian community is a blow to the movie's producers, who were hoping for a unified "Passion of the Christ"-type turnout. "It's disappointing," says Jim Hanon, the film's director and co-writer. "Especially because the message of the story is that you should reach out in love to people you disagree with."

When the movie's producers offered the part to Allen, who currently attends a Christian congregation, they didn't know he was gay. (The producers aren't exactly the target audience for The Advocate, which put Allen on the cover when he came out in 2001.) Ultimately, the decision to leave Allen in the role was left up to the man the movie is based on, Steve Saint, since Allen was set to play Steve—and his slain father—in the film. "My dad was my hero, and the thought of someone playing him that advocates that lifestyle made me very uncomfortable," says Saint. "But I realized it wasn't for me to condone or to condemn what Chad does or doesn't do. That is God's prerogative. And I feel that God had his hand in setting up this complex scenario for Chad to play this part."

Not everyone agrees that Allen is God-sent. Janz recently got more than 100 pastors to join him in signing a letter to the movie's producers saying that they couldn't in good conscience support the film. There is, however, one upside to having Allen in the movie. "I'm absolutely sure we're having people check it out that never would have gone to a 'Christian' movie," says Allen. "I went with 30 of my close friends, and we walked away having these amazing spiritual conversations together." Which is exactly what both Saints were trying to do in that Amazon jungle.

—Elise Soukup

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11078560/site/newsweek

[William769]

1. It just boggles the mind.

Thanks for the find.

[mike_c]

2. life is becoming one protacted WTF moment....

Sheesh.

[Don_1967]

3. I love it

If they will not support a Christian film because it's star is a gay Christian that makes thefundies look like idots

[terrya]

4. I don't know what to say.

So, if you live "that lifestyle", you can't portray a Christian in a film? Is that the meesage I'm getting here?

This is just plain irrational hatred. I can't deal with this kind of bigotry.

[dsc]

5. I haven't seen the film

though I may go see it if it comes near me. I had wondered about the decision to cast him in a movie aimed at that audience. Allen had a tough go of it and I am glad he seems to have settled down and gotten his life together. He is a great spokesman on gay issues BTW.

[xchrom]

6. hoisted on their own spear?

i hate that they proselytize the indigenous people to begin with.

that they are conflicted about this and not about the damage they create with their missionary work is simply a bonus for me.

[Meldread]

7. I love this.

I hope the movie flops, nothing against Chad Allen, but seeing the movie flop sends a strong message to the radical right. The message is this: A gay-themed movie is more acceptable than a Christian-themed movie. It tells them that they are, in fact, in the minority and not in the majority as they like to believe.

Having the movie flop also ensures that Hollywood will be reluctant to make other such Christian-themed movies in the future, whereas the success of Brokeback will encourage them to make more gay-themed movies.

[NMMNG]

8. If the fundie wingnuts avoid this just because of Allen,

And the movie flops, then they have no reason to complain when Hollywood makes no more religious based movies because they don't draw crowds. If they are going to get their knickers in a twist over every little detail of the cast, crew, advertisers and even the doilies used under the water bottles then they can expect disaster like the control freaks that they are.

[BR_Parkway]

9. Some people say the make up artist on Passion of the Christ was

one of those gays. And the cameraman's sister's brother-in-law's niece is part of that homosexual agenda too.

OMG, do you think they'll all start asking for refunds and mailing back their DVD's? Cause if they do and PotC's revenues start falling and BBM's revenues increase, it would just be further proof how strongly under our control Hollywood really is. AFA and Focus on everyone else's family would have to issue ANOTHER fundraising email. Will it ever end?

[TechBear_Seattle]

10. Typical Talibangelical response

The message itself is entirely irrelevant; only appearance matters. Form is everything; who gives a rat's tail about substance?