Christian Filmmaker Forced To Make Gay And Lesbian Films
If the above headline were true, would it outrage you for having lost your freedom of speech?
We all remember the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) membership controversy with numerous lawsuits attempting to force BSA to put avowed homosexuals into leadership roles against their Scout Oath, Law and Values. While the state and federal courts have continued to uphold their rights, BSA continues to spend large sums of money to defend themselves in court.
Not only has the country’s largest private youth organization continued to be pulled into battle, but eHarmony was added to the mix. Constant lawsuits forced the dating giant to succumb to pressure and create the site “Compatible Partners” for the gay and lesbian community. Once the foothold was in place, eHarmony found itself in more legal battles until their settlement last week causing them to merge subscribers of their gay and lesbian site with their Jewish, black, Christian, and senior sites.
eHarmony's Compatible Partners Site
I find it amazing, in a time when companies need to separate their customers into niche markets for better manageability, a court settlement would call for such a consolidation. Nor can I imagine being forced to create something you are opposed to, and paying for it out of your own money. What happened to our freedom of choice and free trade?
Will the next step in legal battles force Christian Filmmakers to make one film for the gay and lesbian community out of every four films they produce?
Scales of Justice
CJ Powers Guest Blogger for HOSFU
The National Religious Broadcasters have fought numerous battles in Washington, D.C. on behalf of its membership. Most of the battles surround the controversies of “religion” being broadcasted on “public” airwaves. It is a core battle dealing with the first amendment that seems to be an ongoing conflict that takes a tremendous effort to defend.
…
Are Christian filmmakers united enough to jointly defend their free speech rights?
…
If not, what will it take to unite Christian filmmakers?
Phillip Gibb
Erik
Mike Parker
Jean-Pierre
cjpowers7
Clarice Johnson
Dave
David Martin
David Twitchell
E. J. Irish
Well, if Christian Film is a valid genre and the FilmMaker is a Christian making a Christian Film then surely the FilmMaker should make sure that his/her creation is line with his/her beliefs, values and principles. Otherwise forget the genre and make ‘non Christian’ films that rather adhere to those principles and values. Thereby circumventing such potential and ridiculous potholes.Can you see the failed diplomacy in my comment lol.
Not to put too fine a point on it, while I agree with the argument about our freedoms, I doubt that this will ever happen for a few reasons:
Gay and Lesbian folks won’t want Christians to make them movies because by and large Christian films are poor quality, have very little audience and only reach people who agree with them.
There is no organized Christian filmmaking industry – let me explain. It’s one thing if they target Lion’s Gate or Miramax or Walden or even Cloud Ten Pictures. It’s another to target an entire industry that is made up of a loose configuration of filmmakers that make a variety of completely different and differently focused films and who don’t even often agree with one another…
eHarmony was targeted because they are the top of the game. How dare they only cater to heterosexual couples in this world where alternative lifestyles are okay.
Boy Scouts was targeted because it is not only a huge organization, touching and influencing thousands of boys’ lives every year, but also because it has a quasi-religious (albeit undefined and open to interpretation) foundation. If an organization as powerful as BSA, that uses respect for God and reverence as two of their most powerful tenets is forced to allow Homosexual scout masters to influence the boys, then a large barrier to infiltrating religious organizations is removed. Not that Gays and Lesbians aren’t deeply entrenched in our religious society as well, but this would be an endorsement of the alternative lifestyle, not just an acceptance or ignorance of it.
Sadly, until a majority of Christian films rise to the caliber of To Save A Life, Passion of the Christ, or even Fireproof, they don’t even know we exist, let alone care to force us to see their way of life, twisted as it may be.
And, no, sadly, Christian filmmakers are FAR from united. Cloud Ten has in interviews, all but said, if you don’t work for us, you don’t make Christian films. As for everyone else, we’re all out, doing our own thing — which isn’t a bad thing!!
The question is, what is the purpose for a Christian filmmaker? Is it to make movies for Christians? To make movies that present the Gospel story? To make movies that influence culture?
The problem is the way we approach the question. None of those are the answer. The purpose of a Christian filmmaker is the same as a Christian butcher, a Christian baker, a Christian chandler… to BE a Christian. To influence a fallen world by living an excellent life of devotion to Christ.
Christian filmmakers just happen to have the talent for presenting a visually stimulating story that can emotionally effect you and possibly provide a message that influences. Or at least they’re supposed to.
I would rather be making that influence and creating movies in an environment that influences and interests people beyond those who go to my church or Bible study. Reaching the lost, rather than insulating myself within the body – that is exactly what we are NOT called to do.
And I would rather work on a film like Book of Eli or Titanic, that gives people hope, presents a story of truth and sacrificial love (hmm, I wonder where we came up with that idea?) and touches lives while I touch lives within my sphere of influence for Christ.
If we did that, you never know what could happen!
It would have been a very tough decision, but E Harmony should have still refused to compromise. In doing so they have shown that they don’t trust God fully, and that they put their business and making money, above God and his word.
God’s word tells us to follow him and do right. He didnt say “Unless it gets really, really tough”…
No, E Harmony was not “Forced” into anything. They CHOSE to give in.
If Shadrach. Meshach and Abednego had bowed to the king, wwould the bible say they were “Forced” to that decision?
We will never know what would have happened if E Harmony had not bowed, but what an incredible example they would have been if, even if it meant losing their business, they, like Shadrac Meshac and Abednego, had said, “We will NOT bow”…
Again, the bible is very clear that our commitment will be tested.
When I was in Hollywood, CA, I was told by fellow “Christian” actors, that I should not make the liberal run film industry aware of my Christian conservative beliefs, or I may find myself “Blacklisted”….
However, I knew that it was the Lord you had called me out to Hollywood, and he called me there to be a witness.
Indeed, it seemed the more I made my beliefs known, the less I got called in to audition, but that made me even more bold.
Eventually, when the economy went sour, and the auditions dwindled to nothing, I had to move my family back to Kansas City, MO.
It was soon after that God opened a door to the most incredible acting gig of my life, the starring role in a full length feature film with Oscar winner Louis Gosset Jr. (Gracecardmovie.com)
I can tell you for certain that if I had not been faithful to my Christian convictions while in Hollywood,God would not have blessed me with that awesome role.
My prayer is that Christians everywhere will stop caving in to political correctness and anti Christian liberal politics, and remember that the enemy has NO power, Jesus Christ has the power… to open and close doors…and if we will stand still and know that he is God, he is able to part the Red Sea for his faithful ones….
Since when was any filmmaker forced to make any movie?
This is a hypothetical discussion about eroding freedoms and the possibilities of the future.
Calix 8,
Your comparisons are lacking scriptural sense.Nobody here is saying we ought not help the homosexual in the same way we would help an adulterer. And you are right in putting homosexuality and adultery in the same category, although God’s word has a much harsher word for homosexuality, calling it, not only a sin, but an “abomination”…
However, you do err in calling the church hypocritical in that they reach out to one and not the other. The difference is in the one they are reaching out to. Homosexuals, for the most part, do not even admit that they have a problem. They are not looking for help, but are looking for everyone, especially Christians, to “justify” their behavior. That person cannot be helped. The scriptures command us to have no fellowship with such a one that insists on continuing in their sin, and especially the one who encourages others to do so. On the other hand there is hardly an adulterer found who will not admit that adultery is wrong. And, if this person is repentant and seeking help, we, the church, are commanded to minister to such a person until they are walking according to Gods word, and hopefully save a marriage and a family, if that is the case.
It’s like this, before I was a Christian, I was running TO sin…Now that I am a Christian, I am running AWAY from it, and although I may fall now and again, As I get back up, I repent, and with Gods help, I go forward. But, if I was still running TO sin, there would be, and there shouldn’t be, NO such help….Only strong REBUKE until I would repent, from both God and Christians
Calix, first let me say that I pray you don’t avoid being publicly associated with sites “like this.” When I first read your comment it actually hurt my heart because I felt you had missed the point of this Guest Blog post by HOSFU’s friend Mr CJ Powers. I think you are an incredibly perceptive and intelligent man. I’ve read many more of your posts than you know on CF.org, and I have been blessed by your thoughts, your insight and your thought provoking posts and comments.
Let me start by saying that to CJ’s credit, he asked me to review the post and prayerfully make a decision as whether or not to post it, and he wouldn’t be offended if I decided not to. I want you to know that I did pray about it, and prayerfully I did feel led to post it. The way I see the post, it really has little if anything to do with the homosexuality issue and more to do with the unification of the body of Christ (church) to stand up for principles that are outlined in the Scripture should the day come where the government forces private parties to “embrace” something that they faithfully in opposition to.
Sin (hamartia) which is to fall short of God’s perfection is something that we ALL fall into and no one is righteous, no not one. But through the new covenant, through the relationship with Christ that we personally have, we are indwelt by the Spirit of the Living God and through this new covenant we are led to respond as He directs us Only He is perfect.
Personally I have friends, colleagues and the like that are homosexual. People that I pray for and love dearly. I hope they pray for me as well. I am no less a sinner than they, they no less than I.
But the purpose of me deciding to authorize this post for the site, is most certainly NOT to promote bigotry and hatred. It was really to discuss the issue of the potential of a private filmmaking company being forced to embrace something that they are faithfully opposed to in their Spirit and if there is enough unity in the body to stand up for our outlined beliefs in Scripture.
This is a forum of sorts to talk about these issues and share all of our hearts. If not here, where? Should we shelve them? Should we discuss them? The government continues to put more and more on private enterprises impinging on our freedoms. Take it off of filmmakers for a moment. What about the bar owner in Oregon who has had a “smoking” bar for 20+ years. The government decides to make all bars “non-smoking” and in effect tells the private business man what he can and can’t do with his own resources. Where does it stop? Surely the argument can be made that it is a health issue for the patrons, but the argument could also be made that those who choose not to smoke could choose to go to a non-smoking establishment rather than have the government erode the freedoms of the private business owner no?
What about the State Of The Union address given by our President? Did you hear that “within this year” he will do everything within his power to mandate that the military services allow openly homosexual individuals to serve in our nation’s services? I thought that was interesting. None of the Joint Chiefs seated in the front applauded or rose to their feet. Overwhelmingly in the military the feeling is still that this is quite dangerous for the morale, and working situations in our military service units. Right or wrong, that is the general consensus of the majority.
Bottom line being, there might come a day.. not too far from now where any word against a homosexual lifestyle is not an opinion, but considered a “hate crime”. It already is that way in Canada. So I think CJ posts a hypothetical situation here. What if this were a true headline?
I want you to know that I agree with you adamantly that if the Christian film company received public funding of ANY kind and refuses to hire a PA, gaffer, director, actor etc solely on the basis of their sexual orientation then it is WRONG and illegal and unconstitutional. Why? Because they are receiving PUBLIC funding. Companies who take this stand against hiring homosexuals because of their beliefs should not be awarded public money. Fair enough. But what about the completely private company? Should they be allowed to make that decision? Should that decision be a crime?
These are the issues that I think CJ was hoping we discuss. I think it is an important discussion, hence my decision to post it. I have personally been in military service for 20 years. I have taken an oath which states that I’m willing to die to protect an individual’s right to burn our Nation’s flag although I am STRONGLY opposed to the burning of our nations colors, I’m willing to die to let my countryman burn it. Why? Because of freedom!
I really hope that you don’t honestly consider this “site” to be foolish because I felt we should have a place to discuss these issues as well. I welcome you with open arms, I also welcome the comments of my gay and lesbian friends, as well as adulterers, and other sinners. We all fall short.
But can we stand united?
E
Calix8,
I knew that when I wrote the article, some would get hung up on a given example rather than focus on the core idea of the article. I also knew that some would gloss over the first sentence and not understand the article was hypothetical. So, to clarify, the article is about us slowly losing the first amendment – Freedom of Speech. There are several lobbyists in Washington, D.C. who are pushing to take away free speech from those who share “religious words” in the name of “separation of church and state.”
I won’t take time to debate or prove that the words “separation of church and state” are no where to be found in our founding documents, but only appeared in a letter by Thomas Jefferson who feared a day coming when someone might attempt to take freedom of speech away from “Christians.” That is a discussion for another day.
The point of this article started a few years ago when I asked a young man in the IT department at eHarmony if they received any complaints from gay and lesbian political activists attempting to infiltrate their program. I sighted the BSA experience as the launching pad for numerous political attacks and he laughed at me. He told me they had nothing to worry about and asked why any sane homosexual would want to be involved in a heterosexual website. It wasn’t long afterwards that eHarmony was under political attack. Who would have thought or even extrapolated out the possibility? But it happened to them twice and they gave in twice.
My point was not about individual gays and lesbians, but about politics, losing our freedoms and uniting Christian filmmakers to join forces should attacks come to take away our freedoms of speech. Today, Christian filmmakers are not united and therefore can’t come under a direct attack as a group. However, we are all aware of the various bills over the past few years that if passed would force Christian organizations to hire non-Christians. Thankfully there are some organizations that are fighting to maintain our freedoms, even if Christian filmmakers don’t unite or do a single thing.
I’ll never forget, back when I worked for ABC, standing side-by-side with my gay and lesbian co-workers as we fought together for our free speech rights. Regardless of what opposing viewpoints each one of us wanted to shout out, we were all in agreement that our freedom of speech was precious. It was advanced citizenship at its best – fighting for the freedom to speak about my opinions while giving my friends the right to share diametrically opposing viewpoints. It was a time when everyone wanted to hear all sides of an issue. Unfortunately, those days gave way to politically correct viewpoints with no tolerance for opposing views – Restricting our freedoms of speech.
Today, we still have freedom of speech that allowed you to swing the discussion to one about homosexuality instead of following my thoughts on unity in order to protect our art form against political agendas. I’m thrilled that our constitution still allows for such freedoms and I hope the filmmakers reading this blog will contemplate building relationships with like-minded artists and fight to protect our right to make Christian films.
I’ve visited some two dozen countries in the past decade and can clearly tell you that several countries do not have the freedom to make Christian films. I’ve also talked with numerous Christian filmmakers who don’t have a clue how fragile our ability to make Christian films is. The day may come when Christian films will not be made in our country. Remember, last year saw President Obama state on his international tour that we are not a “Christian” nation. Last year also saw several attempts at “hate crime” bills contending that any subjective talk that might be interpreted by homosexuals as being offensive could become punishable.
With such serious issues on the forefront, it would be prudent for Christian filmmakers to stop fighting among themselves and prepare to work side-by-side for the protection of our free speech rights. Maybe we should partner with the NRB or any other organization that believes in allowing all people groups to have a voice. I’m a proponent that if people hear all voices, they can discern which ones to follow. But, when only certain voices are heard, there is a bias that can manipulate the hearts and thoughts down a path the individual may not have ever chosen for themselves. Let’s get back to hearing all voices, including God’s.
To the core issues of CJ’s post:
Are Christian filmmakers united enough to jointly defend their free speech rights?
Christian Film makers have decided within their business framework to adopt a faith centered focus. Are they obligated by any constraint other than their own business model in the pursuit of that focus? My answer would be no. The mission and vision of the Christian film maker may vary based on the business model; the core is the message of Christ in our lives and how we all walk it differently. If I was adhere to that singular factor, where would I as a Christian, refer back to for the message? Our book of God’s message and life guidance is the Bible. Interpretations of the Bible and Gods message are from the far left to the right. Ultimately, it is our own personal meter that will determine how you and I are to stand in that message. The point is the message and God’s word is the mission of the film maker. We’ve all got that point here.
I feel the issue is ultimately in the creative art of film making and in our walk we have the ability, the God given ability, to question and explore personal feelings for Earthly behavior. Right or wrong, and thank God, we have that opportunity. How I stand on a position will be guided by my moral framework whether someone agrees or not. How I express that position is my freedom and ultimately will be embraced by people who feel and participate in the same framework or not. Do I position myself for the acceptance and accolades of the world are the question Christian Film Makers must examine. Does any entity have the right to vehemently disallow expression of certain view points when they don’t mesh with their construct? Of course they can but to label a Christian film, or company, as not appropriate is generalization and unfounded until the position of the film is understood. Then and only then can one say yes, the message is appropriate for this situation or no this singular film would not be. The Christian Film making industry as a whole needs to get that message. Your film, your message will always speak to the struggles of God’s people which are varied and messy. Choosing not to depict certain gratuitous sex, violence and other images on screen for promotion of a non-faith based focused is what I personally hope to see from this industry. Challenging the non-faith based movie industry’s branding of faith based films as wimpy issue avoiding happy ending stale films is the advocacy that I would love to see. My challenge to you, the industry. Speak the struggles our people deal with and how through faith they walk those struggles to the end, whether pretty or not. Happy endings are not guaranteed in life and as human’s we fail in our walk. Truth and honesty are paramount in the movies I hope to continue to witness from this wonderful industry!
Specifically in this comment and with any blog, I feel the ability to descent is appropriate and must be with the respect and dignity that Christ afforded to His people. Christ’s love embraces even the sinners and I’m so glad it does because I would not be as loved today as I am without that grace. Can we and are we allowed to have strong opinions and belief – YES! Should be denigrate another because they do not mesh with ours – NO. Through the message and the example of Christ – AND the way in which he delivered the message will we ever be able to unify.
In reference to Eric’s post:
I will respectfully descent to promoting or disallowing any type of sexual preference in the workplace or militaryas a generalization. When you focus on typing and silos, you miss the point of doing the job as an individual person and not a labled group. Patriotism is not exclusive to men or women and not exclusive in ethnicity or sexual preference. I will not, like the President, cave into the liberal agenda which does not fit my framework and support the labializing of our soldiers who are gay as “gays in the military”. I love my many many friends who are gay and would have their back as a former Marine. I accept them for their personal walk and choice.
Can they do the job and be gay? Yes I believe certain people can, but with the label and the branding as the media depict GAY to be, we have established a framework around them that is broken. Many gay men and women are Christians and their walk in this should be one we honor. Do they struggle with their sexual choice in reference to God’s message? I believe that is their personal conversation with God. Dishonoring them as God’s creation for that struggle would contrary to my framework. That is a separate issue from the military and the rules established in this setting. Its about professional conduct and adherence to laws.
The expression of sexuality in the military is guided by the Constitution not the liberal agenda. The Uniform Services have professional behavior rules, if not adhered to then you will not serve. As a woman Veteran, I adhered to those rules which were not altered for my gender.
Do these rules disallow gays from serving? I’m not legal expert and from that perspective can’t speak to that point. The Federal Government will wrangle this out in full view of the world and media. The messages, like the Presidents public statement, intentionally used to gain more people to his political gain, should be focused on people and the value we all bring. Why does the politician always have to create division among a nation in their pursuit of votes? Another topic hopefully to be discussed some where out there, but off the point of this post.
On this principle I do stand: our country was built upon a God centered focus. Was that focus inclusive when established and has it evolved, of course look at the civil rights and women’s movement as stellar examples of that evolution. Our COUNTRY will have to wrangle through this and unity will be the ultimate goal. I will support and defend the constitution and all those who have supported and defended our constitution, women, and men, gay or straight. I will also defend and support the message of Christ to bring his people to the same light filled walk.
God Bless you all for having the courage to speak up here and I hope to see Christian film maker’s rise to the challenge of showing a movie that has this struggle and every struggle that God’s people face. It’s our walk to wrestle through the briars to the Glory. No one said it would be pretty or easy.
My apologies to CJ for my own form of discussion hijacking. I believe that there is some need for filmmakers with a certain faith-basis to join together in many ways. Like CJ, I worked in the “secular” media for many years and choose to continue doing so – especially after being burned by other Christians in media and arts.
While we should be connected and help each other out, we should do our work in the open marketplace, so that everyone may be edified and hopefully pointed to Christ by our actions, not sheltered. That’s why I support BIOLA, the Hollywood Prayer Network, Act One, Premise, Mosaic (Erwin McManus) and the like that offer connections and support to fellow believers, but allow us to keep our vocation public and affirming.
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by CrackerClips, Howard Rose and faith-based film, Mike Cornerstone. Mike Cornerstone said: Christian Filmmaker Forced To Make Gay and Lesbian Film …: If the above headline were true, would it outrage you… http://bit.ly/cL8ft1 [...]
Interesting that this topic should be addressed since I’m currently in the middle of post production on a documentary aimed at the church market AND the gay & lesbian market! WHAT?!?! How can that be possible?
Actually it’s aimed at the faith-based market with spill over into the G&L market.
It’s called Stained Glass Rainbows and it examines the bed-wrestle between homosexuality and faith. As you know, this issue is tearing families, churches, and denominations apart. The backbone of the film is an interview with Robert Gagnon, a conservative biblical scholar who has written extensively on this subject from a biblical perspective. I’ve also got an interview with Lisa Miller who is in a very high profile case related to the custody of her daughter who was born into Lisa’s lesbian relationship. Lisa has left her lesbian lifestyle and returned to her faith in Christ, but is currently in hiding, because a liberal Vermont judge has ordered full-custody to the non-blood related ex-lesbian lover!
I also have interviews with homosexual pastors and ministers as well as folks from the God Hates Fags movement. Needless to say it may cause quite the stir. It’s in post right now and we are seeking distribution (ideally with someone who will help promote the church resource materials that will go with the film… things to help churches starting ministries to the homosexual population, study guides, etc.).
Anyhow, if you want to learn more about the film look for Stained Glass Rainbows at http://www.PaladinPictures.com or join us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=252591418402&ref=ts