Christian parents - what's your opinion of older homosexuals in popular fiction?

Question

What was your opinion of the placement of gay actor Ian Mckellen as Gandalf in the film adaption of Lord of the Rings, and the recent announcement by Jo Rowling that Dumbledore from the Harry Potter series is gay?

Do you consider these people to be detrimental to your children's heterosexuality?

Jeez, can you answer the question without insulting gay people?

Answer 1

it is sin

vile sin

they are the only group that flaunts their sin

murderers hide in the shadows

thieves steal at night mostly

sodomites wear t-shirts taunting God

Answer 2

I do not have any problems with people that are gay or with gay people acting in the camera.

Ian Mckellen did an excellent job in Lord of the rings. Certainly he did not portray Gandalf as gay. Now people who are not interested with an actors background would never have guessed that Ian is gay. Even if a thousan children is watching Gandalf, they won't even know that Ian is gay. Children don't care about the actor but with the character.

Dumbledore is another issue. He is gay as the author have said but nothing in the books portrayed an act that made you think he is gay. Many fans were shocked when Rowling talked about Dumbledore's sexuality. Dumbledore being gay will usually not affect any OPEN-MINDED people.

I have nothing against gay people in fiction as long as they do not do anything that I might find disgusting. Gay people have suffered enough under the pressure of the society not accepting them.

People should not treat other people because of gender but because they are human. A woman can usually do things that are only things of Men but most choose not to. Everyone has a feminine side and a musculine side. We express one of the sides from time to time even straight men.

Answer 3

I consider my self culturally Christian, very liberal and questioning. I can't quite 'give it up' per se, having been raised in the church though I keep an open mind. I understand the concept of mythos and just because a 'myth' may not be literally true does not negate the spiritual gems and truth contained within it. My children believe and they are free to believe whatever they wish. I'm not worried about their sexual preference due to fictional characters or those that portray them. I have never understood why some Christians have this one pet sin they love to wail about and condemn above all others. The Old Testament lists many 'abominations' including eating pork and shellfish, improper sacrifice, a woman wearing man's clothing, etc. The New Testament does say those who engage in homosexual acts will not inherit the kingdom of God. It also says, the: envious, drunkards, idolaters, fornicators, prostitutes, adulterers, liars, thieves, murders, greedy, orgy goers, unbelievers, etc. The punishment for all these sins is the same -- separation from God. The definition of sin is to 'miss the mark.' Does the bible not say there are none perfect, not one without sin? Is Jesus not the way to God, washing our sins away for those who believe? If the bible is all litterally true as these often judgemental types proclaim then those same imperfect people spewing forth condemnation will find themselves sharing eternity with the ones they hate so much.

Answer 4

I do not view homosexuality in and of itself as a sin.

On Ian McKellan as Gandalf - I loved his performance, he nailed it so thoroughly I cannot see anyone else in that role.

On Dumbledore - what most interests me about this is that we already see the relationship he had with Harry and had we hetero folks known from the outset he was gay we might have been quick to question his motives. Dumbledore is one of the most endearing characters in the whole of English lit and will remain so.

Are gay characters and actors a detriment to my kids' heterosexuality? No. To the extent that homosexuality can be a choice (which is unknown), I imagine that their relationship with me is the biggest determining factor for their sexual orientation.

Answer 5

Of course not. You apparently have a very distorted idea of Christian parents. Where did you get such an ignorant and arrogant view? Can't you see how this is so? Do you think that Jesus would have thought the same way you misperceive Christian parents do? What would Jesus think and do? Of course, to Him, everyone is worthy in His eyes. However, just as He did with the moneychangers at Herod's temple, He would at least not support and promote any occult practices in movies and books, such as wizardry, nor publicizing sexual immorality, if not take a stand against any promotion of such in the arts. However, I'm sure it wouldn't matter to Him what kind of sinful lifestyle any actor came from though. He would judge the actor in the movie by His performance, not by his private life and character!

For example, it is why I'm glad that "End of the Spear", which came out in 2006, was not boycotted by Christians, just because the leading actor, Chad Allen, made public his chosen sinful lifestyle. Why would they? He did such an excellent job playing not only Norton, the father, who was murdered by a particular tribe of indigenous people in the Amazon in the 50's, and then also played his son, Norton, Jr., who returned to the region in the 70's and gradually won the whole tribe, starting with the man that killed his father, to the Lord. It's the message that's at issue, not the private life of people who just so happen to play the part.

Answer 6

Homosexuality is not a disease and is not catching. The people who are,simply are; they were likely born that way. Gay is a reality and the sooner we stop focusing on people's differences (whatever they might be) the better. Jesus said:(and I paraphrase) "Love is the answer." No where in the new testament did he castigate gays. He loved everyone. As for Rowling announcing that Dumbledore is gay...I hadn't heard that and anyway, Dumbledore is a fictitious character. Rowling's series is very human on that level and that is part of the charm. Teach your children the truth. Try a little tolerance, why don't you?

Answer 7

Yes luckily the famously heterosexual Richard Harris and the unarguably straight Michael Gambon play Dumbledore otherwise I would take my child out of Hogwarts. Phew.

I am also offended by Gielgud playing a heterosexual Hamlet and Angelina Jolie playing Lara Croft.

Derek Jacobi narrating In the Night Garden. Clearly this is a gay conspiracy to compare with Tinky Winky's handbag.

Answer 8

I'm not afraid to expose my child to different lifestyles, especially in fiction. We have reared him to be a Bible believing Christian, so he knows right from wrong.

He thought the announcement just ruined the book and lessened the character in his eyes. Even at age 12, he (like me), believes that such things should be left to the READER to decide, not necessarily the author.

Let us use our own imagination, please!

Answer 9

My son does not read Harry Potter anyway, so that doesn't affect him one way or the other. We are not into witchcraft and all that mess. We teach our son that homosexuality is an abomination against God and any contact with literature that reflects that is detrimental to any child's well being.

Answer 10

Absolutely not.

In fact, I think people are coming to realize in the real world this is just a part of it.

I do not think anyone is influenced to the degree that they will switch their sexual preference by learning someone is gay.

Answer 11

I fail to be amused by the fact that 2% of the population is being showcased as a majority. Especially when that "majority" is highly damaging to decency. These people would better serve morality by either staying in the closet, or by getting mental health aid.