Non-Christian actors in Bible based (voiceover) movie

[Curious]

I know the subject line is odd..I didn't know what else to title this. So earlier this morning, I was looking up an actor and I noticed he was in some new Noah's Ark movie or something and it was just marked as (voice). For some reason I clicked on it, I guess to see if it was a cartoon or 3d animation or what (I still don't know because there was no information about the movie) and I glanced at the cast list and it was quite impressive.

So I was scrolling along and I noticed the forum at the bottom and people were losing their everloving MINDS over the fact that the casting for this movie had non-Christians in it.

Specifically, Jason Lee, a *gasp* Xenu lover!

Now, I have a couple actors that I really, really like that are Scientologists (NOT Tom Cruise) and I have to kind of go lalalala about the whole Xenu thing because if I thought too much about it, I would have a hard time watching their movies and that makes me sad.

However, I've never really thought about it on a deeper level than that. I mean they are ACTORS and it's a MOVIE. In this case, it's not even a "real" thing, it's an animated or 3d animation or something since they are just voice actors. Does it really matter if someone playing Noah is a Scientologist or not (Jason Lee isn't cast as Noah, btw I just used that as an example).

I don't get the problem here. Are we suggesting that everyone that has ever been in every bible based movie ever made has been Christian? If they aren't Christian they are somehow being dishonest to play one on tv? What am I missing?

Edit to add link to the movie: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1091821/

[bea]

This has nothing to do with this particular movie (though Jason Lee is a Scientologist? How depressing.), but watching the batshit ensue when Chad Allen was cast in what was it, The End of The Spear or some other fundie-missionary-movie, was highly entertaining.

GAY ACTORS! MY GOD, WHAT WILL THOSE WORLDLY NON-CHRISTIAN HOLLYWOOD TYPES COME UP WITH NEXT?!?

[FlorenceHamilton]

Just sorta wanna throw out there that the Noah's Arc story was in the Old Testament. So that includes more than Christians anyway. I am not sure where the scientologists stand on the ancient texts. They may have a place in that theology, such that it is....

[mirele]

Just sorta wanna throw out there that the Noah's Arc story was in the Old Testament. So that includes more than Christians anyway. I am not sure where the scientologists stand on the ancient texts. They may have a place in that theology, such that it is....

It all leads to L. Ron Hubtoad. Let me see if I can find a "classical" Scientology picture on that...

ETA: The pic is from an old version of "What is Scientology." It shows a bunch of religious leaders on a mountain leading up to a Scientology auditor. The old religious leaders look particularly Christmas pageantish (fake beards, etc.). Unfortunately, I can't find it right now, still looking. HOWEVER, the only word that matters in Scientology is the word of Hubbard. Everyone else, not so much or not at all.

Turns out the picture is Photoshopped to replace the auditor with someone from Anonymous. Still, you get the whole Sunday School cheesiness vibe from it.

[ChunkyBarbie]

I have no problem with nonChristian actors in biblical acting roles, but then I am not a fundy asshole. However, I am really sad about Jason Lee. So much so, that I have to laugh at myself. I just don't understand the appeal of such obvious BS and surrender of self!

[bea]

I know, right? I loved "My Name Is Earl" with a ridiculous passion - and stupid as "Alvin and the Chipmunks" was/is, it's still a favorite in my house.

Oh, Jason. *sigh*

[EllieCee]

I think it's silly those people are losing their minds over a non-Christian being in a Bible-based film. I don't see it as being dishonest at all. They're playing a role. I don't think there's any reason to go berserk over it unless said actor/actress played the role inappropriately.

Has anyone here seen the Chronicles of Narnia movies? The actor who plays Edmund Pevensie is an atheist. I know some fundies like those movies. I wonder what they'd think.

[Curious]

I think it's silly those people are losing their minds over a non-Christian being in a Bible-based film. I don't see it as being dishonest at all. They're playing a role. I don't think there's any reason to go berserk over it unless said actor/actress played the role inappropriately.

That was my thinking, so I was really surprised to see all the ZOMG!!! in the threads on the forum there. It seems like such a duh kind of thing. They are actors, after all.

Do they freak out that Hugh Laurie isn't REALLY an incredible Dr. as well? or that he's not really American?

I have no problem with nonChristian actors in biblical acting roles, but then I am not a fundy asshole. However, I am really sad about Jason Lee. So much so, that I have to laugh at myself. I just don't understand the appeal of such obvious BS and surrender of self!

I feel your pain. This is what happens to me any time I find out one of my favorite actors is a Xenu Kool-aid drinker. I try to just send it to the back of my mind and forget about it. I'm thankful I've never been a Tom Cruise fan because that one would be hard to deny.

Two of my favorites are, unfortunately, fairly vocal (John Travolta and Kristie Alley), but I have come to terms with it over the years. I was REALLY thankful that Kristie didn't talk about it on her reality show, though because I wouldn't have been able to watch it if she had. When I find out about newer people (like I've heard Will Smith is dabbling), I don't understand how someone seemingly intelligent can get involved.

Even with Kristie Alley, after all these years why has she had so many struggles if Xenu can do all the shit that he(?) supposedly can do. At what point do you go hmmm..maybe they are just taking my money and this is a crock of bologna?

[dawbs]

I'm not quite sure what would be Christian about making everyone non-Christain be unemployed. That has never quite made sense to me.

(that being said, I try to avoid outspoken scientologists--or at least giving them my money. I know I can't always 'vote with my dollar' on every issue but subjects relating to mental heath and it's perception are to near and dear to my heart. I find it reasonable to think that TOm Cruise's ranting against help for PPD and normal, 'everyday' depression killed people. why would I give him $ ?)

[Curious]

I'm not quite sure what would be Christian about making everyone non-Christain be unemployed. That has never quite made sense to me.

(that being said, I try to avoid outspoken scientologists--or at least giving them my money. I know I can't always 'vote with my dollar' on every issue but subjects relating to mental heath and it's perception are to near and dear to my heart. I find it reasonable to think that TOm Cruise's ranting against help for PPD and normal, 'everyday' depression killed people. why would I give him $ ?)

I agree, which is why I am conflicted about the stars that I do like. As I said, never been a TC fan. Since his rant on depression, I would say I now actively dislike him and go out of my way *not* to support him. I'm not sure I've heard other Scientologists come out on the issue of depression quite so strongly. They may have, I can't think of any off the top of my head. I'd be interested in links if anyone has any on other stars who have though.

I also have a hard time with John Travolta, who I have really liked since I was a kid, because I think being a Scientologist effected how he treated his son, Jett. I have watched him less and less as the years have gone on because it's harder for me to ignore the Xenu in the background.

[mythoughtis]

I think it's silly those people are losing their minds over a non-Christian being in a Bible-based film. I don't see it as being dishonest at all. They're playing a role. I don't think there's any reason to go berserk over it unless said actor/actress played the role inappropriately.

Has anyone here seen the Chronicles of Narnia movies? The actor who plays Edmund Pevensie is an atheist. I know some fundies like those movies. I wonder what they'd think.

Wait - fundies enjoy non-animated movies with majic and talking lions, etc? OMG, that's just one step over from going to H*LL with Harry Potter.

If the actor was adamant about his disbelief, he wouldn't be taking a role that went against it. So, really, fundies should give the guy a pass because he's at least open minded.

[Lainey]

I also have a hard time with John Travolta, who I have really liked since I was a kid, because I think being a Scientologist effected how he treated his son, Jett. I have watched him less and less as the years have gone on because it's harder for me to ignore the Xenu in the background.

Wotsis? What do you mean? I like John Travolta, minus the crazy creepy cult thing. I despise Tom Cruise. I just feel the need to point that out whenever he's mentioned. I guess I'm glib. ;)

[clibbyjo]

Wotsis? What do you mean? I like John Travolta, minus the crazy creepy cult thing. I despise Tom Cruise. I just feel the need to point that out whenever he's mentioned. I guess I'm glib. ;)

I think she means because Jett was autistic and John refused to have him treated because scientologists don't believe in mental illness. (or it can be treated with some kind of audit or something, I forget, its been a while since ) John refused to admit he even had autisim until Jett died and he finally said it once in an inquest to the death or something. I agree with Curious.

[mirele]

I think she means because Jett was autistic and John refused to have him treated because scientologists don't believe in mental illness. (or it can be treated with some kind of audit or something, I forget, its been a while since ) John refused to admit he even had autisim until Jett died and he finally said it once in an inquest to the death or something. I agree with Curious.

Scientology can't do jack shit for autism and Kelly Preston claimed consistently that Jett had Kawasaki disease. However, it doesn't appear that Jett had the symptoms of Kawasaki AND it's not a chronic disease either. Travolta finally stated that Jett had autism at a criminal trial in the Bahamas (it was a multi-million dollar extortion scheme). It's really sad that Preston and Travolta were so wedded to their religion that they were unable to get their son the treatment he really needed for autism (and no, Scientology "auditing" ain't it).

[CanadianHippie]

One thing I learned, working in a video store for over two years, is that people can go batshit crazy over the stupidest things in movies.

[Lewis]

Fundamentalists give themselves spiritual wedgies over all kinds of nonsense. A lot of fundie people don't like the fact that I, a person of faith, would, as a musician, play on a secular record. Seriously. I've been a part of sessions where the client has asked the studio/producer specifically for ONLY Christian studio musicians - I guess out of fear of whatever voodoo non-Christian musicians might contaminate the tracks with.

There are probably some who won't buy milk unless they know the cow was a Christian.

[Curious]

Wotsis? What do you mean? I like John Travolta, minus the crazy creepy cult thing. I despise Tom Cruise. I just feel the need to point that out whenever he's mentioned. I guess I'm glib. ;)

Clibbyjo and Mirele have pretty much covered this already. Their refusal to just acknowledge the ACTUAL problem and hide it behind another disease, which he really showed no symptoms of, really disappoints me. I want to think that behind closed doors, at least, they treated him well, but his death really makes me wonder about that even.

That being said, I think John truly loved Jett, because you can see it in the few pictures that are out there of him. I was kind of hoping that his death would shake them out of the Xenu BS, but I guess once you are in it for that long and are so high profile that isn't going to happen.

They have a new baby now and I truly hope it's healthy.

[VintageJen1984]

I think it's silly those people are losing their minds over a non-Christian being in a Bible-based film. I don't see it as being dishonest at all. They're playing a role. I don't think there's any reason to go berserk over it unless said actor/actress played the role inappropriately.

Has anyone here seen the Chronicles of Narnia movies? The actor who plays Edmund Pevensie is an atheist. I know some fundies like those movies. I wonder what they'd think.

Yeah, and Edmund is the one who takes the Turkish Delight and follows the White Witch. They would probably say that was appropriate.

[VintageJen1984]

Wait - fundies enjoy non-animated movies with majic and talking lions, etc? OMG, that's just one step over from going to H*LL with Harry Potter.

If the actor was adamant about his disbelief, he wouldn't be taking a role that went against it. So, really, fundies should give the guy a pass because he's at least open minded.

That is because the Narnia series is a Christian Allegory written by a Christian theologian. As opposed to Harry Potter, which was just plain old good vs. evil (instead of Good vs. Evil).

And some fundies are anti-Narnia. Some because all magic, even fictional magic intended to represent the things we don't understand about God, is bad. Some because C.S. Lewis was an evil Anglican (even though this is pre-women pastors and gay members, etc).

[FaustianSlip]

Hold onto your hats, but that film The Nativity had Alexander Siddig as... the Angel Gabriel, I think it was. His beliefs range somewhere from humanistic to Muslim, from what I've read. Honestly, who cares? This obsession with only hiring other fundie Christians to make any and every kind of entertainment allowed for the other fundie masses is part of why they end up with dreck like Courageous.