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BULLETIN
BOARD
Email
your response
BOGUS
GAY JESUS FILM
Subject: Newsletter_24
Date: Fri, 15 Feb 2002
From: Peter
Dear Sirs,
I received this email about the Jesus film in which Jesus and His
Disciples are supposed to be gay. It did say word for word what
you had on your news letter - The fact that there was no film name
mentioned led me to question the validity of this email and also
led me to your site.
It is not my
intention to get into any sort of debate about Homosexuals. I certainly
am not a "gay basher and hater" as you say however, The Bible is
very clear to me that relationships that the Lord desires are those
of Male and Female. The Bible also states that sexual acts with
members of the same sex is detestable in the eyes of the Lord. I
am sure that a God who believes in the Male/Female relationship
would not in fact be Himself Homosexual.
Nowhere in the
Bible does it give anyone the right to hate or judge anybody else
- It is not the Homosexual that Christians reject it is the act
of Homosexuality. My sister is one of my best friends and she is
in fact a Homosexual.
Why is it that
Christians get such a hard time about their conservative beliefs.
Surely in a world where Equal rights are so predominant everyone
is entitled to their say and their beliefs. In the same way that
I will not force my opinions on others without being asked I deserve
the same respect towards me in regard to issues such as Homosexuality.
It is clear from
your section of article below: "It is having amazing results. People
tell me that Pastors are sharing this from their pulpits as though
it were true. Christian organizations are sending this out to all
their members. It is a nightmare. This stupid piece of despicable
trash is being signed by Christians who are letting the world know
how little tolerance they have for homosexuals. This is really a
very cruel joke designed to identify gay bashers and haters". that
you write this article with frustration towards Christians - Let
me just say as we should not judge others so you should not judge
us. We have our opinions and beliefs based on the Bible which is
the word of God. Maybe instead of calling us "Gay Bashers and Haters"
thus making yourself out to be a "Christian basher and hater" in
some degree you could be a little more impartial.
We all don't
fall for bogus emails.
Response:
Christian basher and hater? Hmm, I think not. -David
IN
RESPONSE TO THE SO CALLED GAY JESUS FILM
Subject: Newsletter 24
Date: Mon, 14 May 2001
From: "Wendy"
Hi! I have
been briefly reading some of the comments about the recent so
called 'gay Jesus film, and not really knowing alot about it,
I have decided to share my feelings on homosexuality, rather than
on the film itself.
As a Christian
I believe God's Word is 100% accurate. And as I read several verses
regarding homosexuality, I do believe that it is not part of God's
plan and homosexual behaviour is a sin.
However, I
do feel that our attitude towards people battling this sin, needs
to change. I sometimes wonder what goes through our mind when
we think of someone who is gay. Do we think of some guy with a
feminine voice, wearing leather and hanging around all-male brothels?
Or do we think of the guy dress up in a suit, going about the
everyday normal activities, but at the same time battling with
his sexuality? I think sometimes we see homosexuals as I have
first describe, and sadly those who are like the 'everyday man
in the suit' gets catorgorise into the latter.
I feel this
isn't fair because, for those of us who are hetorsexual, we have
no idea what it's like to battle with homosexual feelings. The
same as those of us who are clean and sober, have no idea what
it's like to battle with an alcohol or drug problem.
You know we
can go on and on about the sins of the homosexual lifestyle. But
until we know what it's like to really battle that sin, and conquer
it, maybe we should start practicing the "love the sinner" part
of "God hates the sin, but loves the sinner."
Sometimes
I think we've become to focus on the hatred of the sin, rather
than the love for the sinner.
God Bless, Wendy
GAY
MYTH
Subject: Newsletter #24
Date: Sat, 9 Jun 2001
From: Alex Storm
Censorship
frightens me too. Just a thought about where this might be coming
from. The play Corpus Christi by Terence MacNally is a fantasy
about a gay Jesus. It's very popular, playing at theaters all
over the country. Maybe that was the basis of the bogus email
about a film being produced. For all I know there may be plans
to make a film version. It infuriates me when people make up crap
about Jesus and try to make people believe that it is based in
some sort of scholarship. But, censorship is not the answer.
Alex Storm (actor)
WHY
ARE CHRISTIANS SO SUSCEPTIBLE?
Subject: Newsletter_24
Date: Wed, 30 May 2001
From: BellaDom
I don't feel
that Christians are any more susceptible to falling for hoaxes,
especially email hoaxes, than the rest of the world. However,
I do feel that when Christ is in danger of being disrespected,
Christians do tend to jump quickly to the defense without thoroughly
investigating what they are against. And for many Christians,
the threat of denying God by not sending the message is all they
need to feel their message is at stake - "What if someone finds
out I got this and didn't send it along?!?!?" We must all be aware
of falsehoods, and also be willing to stand up when and where
it will matter.
BellaDom
CHRISTIANS
CAN BE SO INSECURE
Subject: Hollywood Jesus Newsletter #24.
The Good, Bad and the Ugly
Date: Mon, 7 May 2001
From: Rev. Linda Middelberg
Just a word
of thanks. As a pastor and Christian Educator I enjoy your letters
and web page very much. I have used information from your web
page in classes and in our Contemporary Worship. I especially
appreciated your comments in this new letter about the bogus email
claiming a gay Jesus movie. I wish I knew why Christians are so
insecure about their own faith that we see anything that we disagree
with as a direct threat to God. I suspect that God is not as easily
offended as we are. Thanks again for an alternative voice of reason.
Rev. Linda Middelberg
CHRISTIANS
ARE NOT GAY BASHERS
Subject: Christians are not "gay bashers".
Date: Mon, 7 May 2001
From: Debra Johnson
Please delete
me from your e-mail list. You are too liberal for me. You have
said things before that I did not appreciate but ignored it. I
won't this time. I am offended by the fact that you call Christians
gay bashers and haters. I am a Christian. I do not hate gay people.
I do not believe in the homosexual life style simply because it
is what my Bible teaches. However, that does not make me a gay
hater, and I certainly do not condone any type of violence whether
it be against a homosexual, an abortion clinic, or any other person
who has different beliefs than I do. The people of my church body
feel the same way. If the e-mail in question was true (and I have
never seen or heard of this e-mail before) then, yes, I would
have a problem with it. Homosexuality is a sin according to the
Bible, and Jesus was not a homosexual. I would not want that filth
in my country, and, yes, I would sign a petition to ban it. You
have a warped view of Christians. We are not psychos, crazy, or
fanatics....we are trying to live according to what the Bible
teaches.....that's all.
Sincerely, Debra Johnson
Response:
I did not say that Christians were "gay bashers and haters."
However, Christians, like anyone else, can be gay bashers
and haters. I am sorry that you would encourage artistic censorship
--especially concerning Jesus. If enough signatures could prevent
a movie in this country about a gay Jesus, could it also be true
that some group could get enough signatures to prevent a film
with a non-gay Jesus? Personally, I cherish the religious freedom
we have in this country. Free speech, and free press are important
to me. How would you feel it you were arrested because of your
publicly expressed views of homosexuality? Aren't you glad you
can freely speak your mind. Why would you undermine that wonderful
privilege be restricting others? -David
KEEP
IT UP
Subject: Keep it up Hollywood Jesus Newsletter #24.
Date: Mon, 7 May 2001
From: "The Florilegia Institute -- Keeping Faith & Breaking Ground"
You're doing
fine work, David, and making an important contribution. Keep it
up.
Gil Bailie
BOGUS
GAY JESUS FILM
Subject: Newsletter 24
Date: Mon, 7 May 2001
From: "Mike Parnell"
David,
I think that people respond to this because they feel guilt for
their lives and it is an easy way to take a stand without taking
a stand. Many people claim Jesus as savior, but they do little
for Jesus in their lifestyle. When something like this comes down
the pipe they rush to respond in a manner that makes them feel
like they have done something for Jesus. It is the same mindset
that is at work in the petition that is supposedly before the
FCC to remove religious broadcasting from the airways. Another
aspect of this is to try and regain the loss of position that
has come in the shift in the culture. Many authors are declaring
that the age of Christendom is over. The church now is out of
the center of the culture and its role has fallen by the wayside
as the moral director of the culture. This is a way to try to
regain that. Mike Parnell
GAY
JESUS AND TUNNEL VISION
Subject: Newsletter_24
Date: Thu, 4 May 2001
From: Heather Gerber
It is VERY refreshing to hear a Christian man speak out AGAINST
gay bashing. I am a firm believer that being Christian means that
we are called to love. Period. Not called to love those whose
lifestyles and/or choices we agree with - although I don't believe
that our sexuality is a choice, but that's a whole other subject.
I may not understand how a person falls in love with someone of
the same sex - although being married, sometimes I can understand
the appeal :-) Some very dear friends of mine are gay - both men
and women - and they are some of the most beautiful, giving, loving,
and yes, CHRISTIAN people I know. Sexuality is such a small portion
of who we are - it's not ALL we are.
Thank
you for your brief, but eloquent words. To answer the question
posed, I think many Christians are susceptible to these bogus
messages because they have tunnel-vision. Many Christians are
on the defensive about their faith, and therefore will take anything
printed or spoken against their faith to heart, because they believe
that's the way most people think. It is possible to be a Christian
AND live in the real world. Jesus hung out with prostitutes and
tax collectors, not in the temple. Being a Christian and only
associating with other Christians is easy. Being a Christian isn't
supposed to be comfortable. It's about reaching out to those who
aren't aware of God's immeasurable love and mercy. It's about
showing love to those whose ideas and behaviors differ from our
own or even upset us. Jesus himself said that he came to call
SINNERS - which is ALL of us. If anyone reading this feels justified
in passing judgment on homosexuals, please remember Jesus' words
"Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to cast
the stone." ONLY GOD CAN JUDGE. Why don't we let God do His job,
and not try to do it for Him.
Heather Gerber
GET
THE CARTOONS OUT OF HOLLYWOOD JESUS
Subject: Cartoons Newsletter_24
Date: Thu, 3 May 2001
From: Gordon Stromberg
May
I respectfully suggest that you move out of the cartoon area under
the title Hollywood Jesus. The word Hollywood only conjures up
primarily Films. Any cartoons would be animated. A lot of the
cartoons seem less than the cleverness of a New Yorker cartoon.
Start a new site for good/excellent cartoons, whether they're
done by Christians or not. I'm glad someone is dealing with 'Christian'
cartoons, but it's a different media. Please stick with reviewing
films in some quick-check way, then allow me/us to click for a
more 'in-depth review'. "Crappy' films can be given some kind
of rating without using that word. I'm looking for a web site
that will review films in a 3 or 4 sentence mode, give it some
type of rating artistically, message-wise, etc. Who cares how
much it made? Let the coins fall on the courtyard plaza, as in
Jesus time.
P.S.
Rather than use the abbreviated HJ, HJ like you're IBM or some
conglomerate/corporation, just use the two words, and stick to
those issues: faith in Christ and films with serious value. Thanks
for all your work. How do I find out how the Nov. seminar that
limited itself to ?120 players turned out?
Gordon Stromberg
Response:
I like cartoons. I like visuals. I would never do three sentence
artistic reviews. I like visual reviews. Every newspaper in the
world has three sentence reviews. Hollywood Jesus has the hits
that it has because it does more. HJ with out cartoons and just
3 sentence reviews without visuals would not be Hollywood J. But,
hmmm, perhaps a 3 sentence spiritual review would be good as a
link to the visual reviews. You maybe right -David
GAY
JESUS PLAY IN AUSTRALIA
Subject: Gay Jesus film. Newsletter_24
Date: Fri, 4 May 2001
From: Greg Carrick www.roomwithaview.cjb.net
Hi,
Yes, even in Australia we are bombarded with the emails that are
based on 10 year old rumours. However, over here in Melbourne,
a stage play is in process depicting gay themes among the disciples.
So, no, it's not a hollywood film. No, it's not depicting Jesus
as gay. No, it's not a rumour. No, I didn't hear this via email.
(I live in Melbourne) Yes, it is really on stage. All the same,
it caused a brief sensation, then it has been ignored. After all,
very few people are seeing it, and many more people are damaging
there position with God by simply not believing Jesus is His Son
at all. The whole 'gay Jesus' concept is making very small waves
here. (Possibly because we're the nation that put "Priscilla,
Queen of the desert" on the big screen).
Greg Carrick www.roomwithaview.cjb.net
CENSORSHIP
Subject: Newsletter_24
Date: Thu, 3 May 2001
From: Rev. Dennis Ticen Brushwood United Methodist Church
I
totally agree with you--censorship also gives me the chills. I
believe good people with good intentions sign this type of petition
not because they are bashing gays, but, rather, because they regard
this as a form of "blasphemy" or "slander" and definitely Lies
against our Lord and Savior and His apostles. I, personally, know
a few homosexuals and the ones I know are fine people. Some of
them are my friends; others are acquaintants. Yes, I consider
myself a Christian and try to practice Christian principles. Rose
Marie "A Resistance starts with one, then a few, then many." --
Cade Foster, as portrayed by Sebastian Spence on the TV series,
First Wave.
David,
As a pastor, I constantly get such e-mail petitions like the Gay
Jesus Film one from church members and others I know. E-mail has
only served to fuel a paranoia that seems to be taught in many
churches (it always seems to be tied to a particular vision of
eschatology as well). The problem, perhaps, is that we have failed
in the church to teach people to THINK. We have taught too long
in a "lecture" (i.e., "don't question me") format rather than
allowing the congregation as a whole to open the Scriptures. So
we accept whatever comes in our e-mailbox, without checking out
the facts. (There seems to be a direct correlation between how
fundamental the church/Christian is and how many such e-mails
they forward.) I have been engaged for the last few years in a
one-man war against e-mail forwards such as the one you mentioned.
I refer people to the "Urban Legends" section of About.com
or to TruthorFiction.com.
There is also a good article addressing just what you talked about
on the Focus on the Family (Citizen)
website (family.org). Thanks for your words and your works.
Rev. Dennis Ticen Brushwood United Methodist Church
I
DON'T SEE A PROBLEM
Subject: Newsletter_24
Date: Thu, 03 May 2001
From: Valarie
I
don't understand what the problem is with a movie depicting Jesus
and his disciples as gay. That's really just saying that there's
a problem with the human mind and creativity. I don't feel that
such a movie is disrespectful of God. Rather, it shows the beauty
of God within our creativity. It is the repression of imagination
and feelings rather than the expression of such things (as long
as it does not inflict harm upon yourself or others) that causes
many of the present problems of the world. I feel that any type
of movie that challenges the normal way of thinking is good. It
allows us to view a new perspective, and then to reevaluate our
own perspective, and perhaps to make one's faith even stronger.
I feel that people should be open to viewing new perspectives
rather than banning them. We should open doors to knowledge, not
close them.
Valarie SageWind cheshyremoon@hotmail.com
http://www.geocities.com/cheshyremoon/
SCRIPTUALLY
IGNORANT
Subject: my thoughts...why are Christians susceptible... Newsletter_24
Date: Thu, 3 May 2001
From: PHIL
David,
...I've been a long time subscriber...never written, til now...why
I think Christians are so susceptible is most Christians of this
generation and my generation..(I was born in 1960) is we are scripturally
ignorant...we know less about scripture and the "truth" than 5
year old kids were taught back in the 40's and earlier...so when
idiotic email go around like this people are too lazy to think,
or check scripture to really evaluate that what they are reading
is really wise to send on etc...I think because the name "Jesus"
is mentioned and gay in the same breath it's bad...so we will
march on and defend his name!!! But even the Crusades were done
in Jesus name, but it was man's ignorance and NOT Jesus teaching
to "spread the Gospel" so this ignorance is an ebb and flow, up
and down kind of situation...more Christians need to be more scripturally
sound, so if they got an email like that they could send on the
message of Jesus and his sacrifice for us and not worry about
some stupid movie...actually all that email would be doing would
be a grass roots advertising for the movie, if the movie existed...
and David you also mentioned "hate filled" email, I feel there
was no hate, there was concern that somebody thinks there is a
movie out there depicting Jesus as a homosexual...if you are not
offended by that , that should be a concern...the maker of Heaven
and Earth, Jesus that sacrificed,died on the cross and rose again
for us, which we do not deserve...wow , if we got what we deserved,
scary, but I digress, my point is a movie depicting "God with
Us" as a sinner is revolting....and it's not Gay bashing....if
it was a movie about Jesus being a adulterer, murderer, thief
, any thing that falls short of Gods glory is wrong...and I am
not adultery bashing, murder bashing, thief bashing, but I think
you get my drift...It does not matter if your gay or a killer
or just a straight,never strayed from your wife/husband kind of
person, we are all sinners, period, and by the grace of God we
are saved....and yes they used the scripture quoted in the email
out of context, so out of fear and ignorance "I better send this
or I am not a good Christian" but thats why we as Christians should
be more educated and knowledgeable in scripture...and me, for
one, is the first to admit I have got a long long way to go....please
take this in a loving way, if I sound too harsh, it's because
you have a responsibility , though it is on the net, you are being
read by lots and lots of people...
thanks and peace <><,
Phil Eastham
IT
ALL BEGAN WHEN...
Subject: response
Date: Thu, 3 May 2001
From: Pat
I think it all began in the garden with someone saying "Did God
really say . . . " and it's been down hill ever since. We will
follow everything and anything but truth.
-Pat
WHY
ARE CHRISTIANS SO SUSCEPTIBLE TO BOGUS STUFF?
Subject: Newsletter_24
Date: Thu, 3 May 2001
From: Jimmy Chalmers
I
have thought about this very question for more than six years.
My email box is constantly filled with these petitions along with
every other urban legend. I have seen the same information come
from the same person in a two year period. Here are a few thoughts.
Written
words have great power, they linger in the mind and can be referred
to again and again.
We
as believers are taught that God's written word is TRUTH.
Believers
get written words and the truth of God's written word confused.
Many
of the urban email have some "truth" in them. Believers are taught
to believe written words, they are not taught to seek truth.
Many
christians believe in a conspiracy society. For that reason they
can beleive the stories in the urban emails.
Most
christians are honest and gullible all at once. They tell the
truth...all people do.
The
enemy's greatest weapon is deception. While we are all sending
urban email petitions around it keeps us from true friendship
time/musing with DADDY.
blessings2u,
Jimmy Chalmers
VERY
LITTLE CRITICAL THINKING
Subject:
Date: Thu, 3 May 2001
From: BD
Mr.
Bruce, In my *opinion,* the reason Christians are so susceptible
to bogus urban legends is that there are very few people trained
in critical thinking anymore. If more of us were, we might be
much closer to the New Testament form of Church intended by Christ
and his apostles.
Too
many people, not Christians alone, just sit and accept whatever
they read, hear or see. Somehow if it made it to the public forum
it's got to be true!! If something strikes one's heart they should
do all they can to investigate the issue, from every angle, before
spreading any opinion on that topic as factually based...this
goes especially for Christians who are supposed to be the example
to the world.
Too many of us as Christians just sit and accept whatever our
pastors tell us. No matter how well meaning the pastors, or how
submitted a disciple is to spiritual authority, we all need to
be able to search the scriptures and think for ourselves to see
if these things are really so. We need to be free to question,
politely/non-accusingly/non-policingly, what we hear from the
alter, TV and radio. We should further investigate those things
that move us in the newspapers. There is nothing like public discourse
to challenge one's sacred cows or pet peeves.
The
United States has become a land of advertising and soundbites.
"Everyone" is packaging their ideas and opinions in forms that
are traditionally meant for objective factual display. We used
to be able to trust the character of the people we learned from.
Today unless we know a person really well...
Public
education has not helped us either.
Soooo...this
lack of skill of Critical thinking, listening, reading, and researching
for factual information combined with 80-90% of the Church that
believes "things will get worse and worse and then the end will
come," you get a cynical ignorant "Bride" (that is supposed to
be without spot or wrinkle)waiting to be rescued from evil people
destined to burn -- like the filmmakers of a homosexual Jesus
of Nazareth.
B.D. Los Angeles, CA
WHY
ARE PEOPLE INTERESTED IN THIS BOGUS STUFF?
Subject: Newsletter_24
Date: Thu, 3 May 2001
From: Kim Wenger
Just
a few thoughts on why people forward on these stupid, bogus emails
regarding gay Jesus films, Madeline O'Hare banning Christian television
and radio, etc...
It
makes me angry when I get messages from my fellow Christians with
messages across the bottom that say Jesus said, "Deny Me before
men and I will deny you before the Father" Show respect for our
Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who died for us! Please help! PLEASE
SIGN AND SEND TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW! PLEASE... IF WE WORK TOGETHER..."
I
get many different types of messages from people that proclaim
them to be Christians. The end of the message will say that if
you don't pass it on, you are denying Christ and aren't a true
Christian. This plays on people's fears and superstitions. Many
people live in total fear of making God angry with them. They
don't want to do anything to jeopardize the balance beam they
think they're walking on.
Another
reason that I think people pass this type of message on is that
they really believe it! I have gotten messages telling me not
to eat bananas, not to drive with my car windows down, not to
use certain beauty products that people have been using for years
- all on the threat of sudden, violent death. People are so gullible.
They actually believe that it could be true and want all their
friends to know. As for Jesus and his disciples being gay, I got
that one too. My response was to write the person back who sent
it and inform them that if a movie was coming out like that, I
would worry about it when it hit the theaters - but no Hollywood
studio cares about a massive email forwarding campaign. It's just
free publicity for them!
I never forward the paranoid messages about the possibility of
my kidneys being stolen and waking up in a bathtub full of ice.
If a good forward comes along that I would pass along, the first
thing I do is delete the part at the end that says "forward this
to 10 people for good luck" or "if you truly love Jesus, forward
this 10 of your friends". And I have let my friends know that
it would be nice for them to do the same.
One
day, when I have a lot of time on my hands, I might make up something
totally nuts - you know, aliens have landed in my back yard. Pray
for me as I try to win them to Christ! if you don't pass this
along, they'll land in your yard too! - and just see how many
people really do believe it and forward it along. :-)
I
appreciate your newsletter and website. I always try to check
it out before I see a movie so I can have something positive to
discuss with my friends on the way home. When they tell me how
smart I am, I tell them to check out your website. You have a
wonderful ministry.
God bless you,
Kimberly Wenger
Cokesbury Seminars Administrator (615) 749-6127
I
HATE THIS CRAP
Date: Thu, 03 May 2001
From: Andrew
Hey David, It's Andrew Postma, you spoke for our college group
and at our church (Hilmar Covenant).
I liked the note about the "Gay Jesus" chain mail. I hate it when
I get that crap. Way to be a light and point out the truth.
Take care! --Andrew
YES
AND NO
Subject:
Date: Thu, 3 May 2001
From: Joyce Chasteen
I
understand where you are coming from EXCEPT to call it gay bashing
if Christians are against Jesus and his disciples being homosexual.
The
Jewish outcry if someone wanted to make a film that showed Moses
and Aaron were lovers, or Abraham had sex with sheep or the Muslim
outcry if a movie was to be made that portrayed Mohammed was a
transvestite.
However
when someone doesn't want Jesus blasphemed it's intolerance. Give
me a break! THAT is intolerance right there! Okay to blaspheme
Jesus in art and elsewhere, but all hell breaks loose if anyone
touches other faiths. What a load!!!
Joyce Chasteen
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