Hollywood piles on Kirk Cameron for gay comments; Roseanne calls ‘accomplice to murder’
Kirk Cameron (Image via RottenTomatoes.com)HOLLYWOOD, California, March 16, 2012 (LifeSiteNews.com) - After actor Kirk Cameron refused to back down on statements criticizing the societal effects of homosexuality, a deluge of angry retorts poured in from others in the entertainment industry, with some calling Cameron “a complete tool,” a “douchebag,” and “an accomplice to murder,” among other slurs.
Cameron, formerly the child star of the sitcom “Growing Pains,” was steered into a discussion on homosexuality by CNN’s Piers Morgan during an interview on Cameron’s new movie “Monumental.” In response to a question about his beliefs, Cameron called the practice of homosexuality “unnatural.” “I think that it is detrimental, and ultimately destructive to so many of the foundations of civilization,” he said.
In response to an initial blowback accusing him of “hatred,” Cameron said in a statement that that was “not true. I can assuredly say that it’s my life’s mission to love all people.”
“I should be able to express moral views on social issues, especially those that have been the underpinning of Western civilization for 2,000 years — without being slandered, accused of hate speech, and told from those who preach ‘tolerance’ that I need to either bend my beliefs to their moral standards or be silent when I’m in the public square,” he said.
He concluded, “I believe we need to learn how to debate these things with greater love and respect.”
Nonetheless, a host of entertainers, particularly those identifying as homosexuals, responded on Twitter and in Youtube videos criticizing Cameron. Many joked or insinuated that Cameron is a closet homosexual, and still more criticized his remarks as “un-Christlike.”
“I know that’s not what your Jesus wants ... he would never spread that kind of hate,” actor and comedian Michael Cornacchia said in a video message. Gay comedian Randy Rainbow issued a mock video portraying Cameron, whom he identified as “a complete tool,” as his homosexual lover.
In a discussion with comedian Lewis Black, Piers Morgan reflected on being stunned by what he saw as the total incongruity of being Christian and “so calmly” expressing Biblical beliefs about homosexuality. “I just don’t think you can sit there with a straight face and say I’m a Christian, God fearing, all around good person, but by the way I hate these people who were born the way they were,” said Morgan, who called Cameron’s comments “transparently offensive.”
Comedienne Roseanne Barr branded Cameron an accomplice to murder for opposing homosexuality. “Kirk or kurt or whatever Cameron is an accomplice to murder with his hate speech. So is rick warren. Their peers r killing gays in Uganda,” she tweeted.
Talk show host Rosie O’Donnell, who identifies as a lesbian, also issued a monologue against Cameron’s “hatred.” “It’s very un-Christlike Kirk. Really. If you want to follow the Jesus model, man, don’t go shamin’ people like that for who they are!” she exclaimed.
In a subsequent segment, however, O’Donnell toned down her criticism, saying that after she had invited Cameron onto her show, he politely declined and asked the host to come to dinner.
O’Donnell said that Morgan had “kinda baited” Cameron with the question and, although she shied away from the prospect of “Biblical ping-pong” over dinner, thanked Kirk for the show of charity. “This is how fences get mended,” she said.
