In what appears to be a desperate bid for another 15 minutes of fame, several child “stars” from such notable forgettable 1980s sitcoms like Mr. Belvedere and Charles in Charge have made a “Funny or Die” video (those easily offended should probably not watch it) about fellow ’80s child star Kirk Cameron of Growing Pains. The video, which is supposed to be humorous, takes aim at Cameron’s controversial views on homosexuality. Cameron reportedly was not offended by the video, even finding it funny.
Did Cameron really find the mock video funny or was he exhibiting grace toward those who were intentionally ridiculing him? As a born-again Christian, Cameron may have been applying Biblical principles to the situation:
“To the contrary, if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:20-21, ESV)
Nothing like pouring heaping coals on celebrities who are trying to be relevant and edgy. While the video caused me to smirk a few times — the bit about homosexual stylists was slightly amusing — I found the whole thing rather the opposite of funny. Maybe that’s where the die part comes in. You would think that videos on a website called “Funny or Die” would be required to be at least somewhat comical. Instead of poking fun at Cameron through smartly written and well-acted satire, this video fell flat. It may get a ton of hits from leftist sycophants (not to mention conservative bloggers like me who had to watch it in order to write a post mocking it), but the video serves to further illustrate the complete disconnect between so many in Hollywood and the rest of America. For every conservative in Hollywood like Adam Baldwin, there are at least twenty liberals or liberal-wannabes. Unfortunately, not only do liberals and leftists outnumber conservatives in Tinseltown, but the big time lefties spout complete and utter nonsense.
Enter stage far left, Keith Coogan. Best known as the grandson of the late Jackie Coogan — Uncle Fester on The Addams Family — and for starring in the 1987 movie, Adventures in Babysitting (perhaps Elisabeth Shue can get him a guest spot on C.S.I.), Mr. Coogan gives us a glimpse of the limits that leftists would place upon the First Amendment and free speech in this country were they to have unfettered power (a truly scary thought). The irony in Coogan’s statement is simply breathtaking:
“I’m supportive of Kirk Cameron and his right to say anything he wants to say within the limits of our First Amendment, but there’s a line, and I think he came close enough to the line of hate speech.”
That’s some pretty narrow limits there, don’t you think Mr. Coogan? So, let me get this straight (no pun intended). When Kirk Cameron was asked — he did not offer his opinion until pressed by Piers Morgan during one of his famous drive-bys — about his view of homosexuality, Cameron gave a respectful and truthful answer based upon his sincerely held religious beliefs:
MORGAN: Would you tell them that gay marriage is a sin?
CAMERON: I would tell my children, as — I tell them what I believe myself. And dealing with these social issues, whether it’s abortion or gay marriage —
MORGAN: What do you believe?
CAMERON: I believe that marriage was defined by God a long time ago. Marriage is almost as old as dirt. And it was defined in the Garden between Adam and Eve, one man, one woman, for life, till death do you part. So I would never attempt to try to redefine marriage. I don’t think anyone else should either. So do I support the idea of gay marriage? No, I don’t.
MORGAN: Do you think homosexuality is a sin?
CAMERON: I think that it’s — it’s unnatural. I think that it’s — it’s detrimental and ultimately destructive to so many of the foundations of civilization.
Is stating your opinion or belief — particularly if it is based upon your religious convictions — now considered “close enough to the line of hate speech” that it should be outlawed? Is all speech that Mr. Coogan and the other self-righteous leftist ’80s has-been child actors now deem “hate speech” likewise unacceptable in public discourse? Contrary to Josie Davis’ (Charles in Charge) assertion that, “It’s (the video) just a good message promoting love and it’s not slamming people for being gay. It’s not anti-Christian,” how is this not supposed to be seen as a chilling attack on the principle of the free speech of Christians like Cameron who believe homosexuality is a sin?
Hollywood, and their leftist counterparts in the media, academia, and government, cannot stand people like Kirk Cameron. For all of their blather about “tolerance,” leftists are some of the most intolerant people who roam the earth. Not only are they themselves intolerant, but they are the epitome of hypocrisy. Hollywood daily spews forth filth that they want protected by the First Amendment. Even if I strongly disagree with the content of what comes out of New York and Los Angeles in any given week, I would nevertheless defend the right of those who wish to spend their money producing such drivel.
Why? Because the First Amendment gives them that right. Just because it’s legal doesn’t mean that it’s always right or mean that I endorse the “entertainment” that Hollywood offers, but people are entitled to make music, movies, television shows, web videos, or otherwise express opinions that I may find personally distasteful. That’s freedom! The men and women of our Armed Forces put their lives on the line every day to protect these precious freedoms, both for Kirk Cameron and his fellow ’80s child stars. That’s not funny, but real people have died so that a bunch of former “stars” could be free to make an unfunny video that would get them thrown in jail in many countries around the world. You gotta love it!
Great article. And to think that my teen idol whose posters were plastered all over my walls was not Kirk Cameron but Chad Allen. Talk about irony!
Angela,
I think this is the first time you have commented 🙂 I should have known a post on the ’80s would be just the ticket! Alas, Chad Allen has made other choices in life, as has Kirk Cameron. That those choices are diametrically opposed is ironic, indeed. Hope you have a great day and God bless. Love ya,
Howell
Why do you say it’s an attack on freedom of speech?
Adam,
Thanks for reading and taking the time to comment. As to your question, what the ’80s child stars did with their video was not a literal attack on free speech, but I think the intent is the same — chill certain speech and so stigmatize certain views (in this case, a conservative interpretation of the Biblical view of homosexuality and/or homosexual marriage) that these views are no longer acceptable in the public square. Only the government can truly attack freedom of speech by passing laws to suppress certain views. Of course, what these stars did was well within their own First Amendment rights (which I acknowledged) and I would defend their right to say whatever they want. But, when Keith Coogan (and he is not alone in his views) starts talking about “hate speech” and perhaps what Cameron said being over the line, one can reasonably conclude that Coogan would, if given the power, make what Cameron said illegal. That’s why I would characterize it as an “attack.” Many times these attacks start small. But, just like the slippery slope, there is a starting point. Hope that helps. Thanks and God bless,
Howell
It being keith coogan says alot. That guy is a little out the. He wont look anyone in the eye.Like a man and make a stupid comment.
Opposing same-sex marriage is not hate speech. But saying that homosexuality destroys civilizations, that it is an abomination, disgusting, immoral, and its practitioners depraved, unbalanced, and mentally ill in need of therapy and conversion—that is hate speech. If you think it isn’t, substitute “Christianity” for “homosexuality,” and see what you think of it then. That’s the problem; people speaking out against same-sex marriage usually do so by spreading hatred of and lies about gay people, which is hate speech.
Now, that doesn’t mean it should be outlawed. Contrary to your article, I don’t think anyone’s calling for that—but if they are, they’re un-American. We all have the right to say what we believe, even if it is vicious hatred against a group of Americans. But the First Amendment only protects us from the heavy hand of the government, not from the criticism, ostracizing, or derision of our fellow citizens.