Cameron's Got Company When it Comes to Religion-Touting Celebs

By Jo Piazza Posted Sep 29th 2009 04:02PM

Kirk Cameron is causing quite the stir with his controversial attacks on evolution and Darwin. The evangelical Christian actor best known as Mike Seaver in 'Growing Pains' has been in the line of fire for the past week after attacking the American higher education system for churning out generations of atheists because they teach Darwin's evolution theory. He has since been ripped to shreds on many internet message boards, derided in the press and fielded hate mail from furious fans. After the jump, we look at stars who've caused waves by speaking out about their faith and beliefs.

"We have a situation in our country where young people are entering college with a belief in God and exiting with that faith being stripped and shredded," Cameron told People magazine.

"Religion is a loaded topic to begin with," explained Professor Gary Laderman (www.religiondispatches.org) author of 'Sacred Matters: Celebrity Worship, Sexual Ecstasies, the Living Dead, and Other Signs of Religious Life in the United States.' "It can be seen as too much information in any context so when celebrities talk publiclly about their faith they risk alienating people who would rather not hear about it."

Of course everyone is entitled to their own opinions, but some experts say there is something unsettling about celebrities bringing God into the conversation.

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Capt. Kirk on the Scene

Kirk Cameron, right, hoses something down at the premiere of 'Fireproof' in NYC back in 2008. See what Kirk's been up to lately >>

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Kirk Cameron Snapshots

HOLLYWOOD - SEPTEMBER 25: Actor Kirk Cameron attends the premiere of Samuel Goldwyn Films' "Fireproof" at the Fire Museum on September 25, 2008 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Stephen Shugerman/Getty Images for Samuel Goldwyn Films) *** Local Caption *** Kirk Cameron

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HOLLYWOOD - SEPTEMBER 25: (L-R) Executive Producer Michael Catt, executive producer Jim McBride, President of Samuel Goldwyn Films Meyer Gottlieb, Provident's Ben Howard, actor Kirk Cameron, Sony's Bob Rubin, Sony's Lexi Wong, and filmmaker Alex Kendrick attend the premiere of Samuel Goldwyn Films' "Fireproof" at the Fire Museum on September 25, 2008 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Stephen Shugerman/Getty Images for Samuel Goldwyn Films) *** Local Caption *** Kirk Cameron;Alex Kendrick;Ben Howard;Lexi Wong

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HOLLYWOOD - SEPTEMBER 25: Actor Kirk Cameron autographs the movie's poster at the premiere of Samuel Goldwyn Films' "Fireproof" at the Fire Museum on September 25, 2008 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Stephen Shugerman/Getty Images for Samuel Goldwyn Films) *** Local Caption *** Kirk Cameron

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HOLLYWOOD - SEPTEMBER 25: President of Samuel Goldwyn Films Meyer Gottlieb (L) and actor Kirk Cameron attend the premiere of Samuel Goldwyn Films' "Fireproof" at the Fire Museum on September 25, 2008 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Stephen Shugermam/Getty Images for Samuel Goldwyn Films) *** Local Caption *** Meyer Gottlieb;Kirk Cameron

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HOLLYWOOD - SEPTEMBER 25: (L-R) Provident's Iyan Bruce, Provident's Michael Now, Sony's Steve Orkin, Sony's Bob Rubin, actor Kirk Cameron, Sony's Bob Rubin, Sony's Lexi Wong, Sony's Marc Rashba and Lisa Jean attend the premiere of Samuel Goldwyn Films' "Fireproof" at the Fire Museum on September 25, 2008 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Stephen Shugermam/Getty Images for Samuel Goldwyn Films) *** Local Caption *** Kirk Cameron;Steve Orkin;Ben Howard;Lexi Wong

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Psychologist and national radio host Cooper Lawrence said she understands a celeb's need to talk about their personal lives, including their religion, but instructs them to be careful what they preach.

"There is no end to fans' ability to see a celebrity as inherently flawless, and as such, a fan may do something that is not in their best interest, such as convert to their favorite star's religion," Lawrence, author of 'The Cult of Celebrity,' said.

Cameron isn't the first celeb to ruffle the feathers of fans by getting mouthy about his faith. Whether it be Kaballah, Scientology or Christianity there is a line between Church and State in Hollywood. That is clear from this list of boldfacers who haven't just crossed the line, they did a touchdown dance on top of it, landing with their foot squarely in their mouths.

1. In 2005 Tom Cruise used Scientology to slam Brooke Shields over her use of prescription drugs to combat her post-partum depression. Cruise, who claimed to have helped people fight drug addictions through his controversial Scientology religion, said the 'Lipstick Jungle' actress should have used vitamins to help her feelings of despair. His lucrative contract with Paramount Studios was allegedly canceled over his comments and he later apologized to Shields in person.

2. After toting around religious texts and affixing a symbolic red bracelet to her wrist Britney Spears dumped Jewish mystical faith Kaballah, claiming that the birth of her first child replaced her belief in the 13th Century study of the Zohar. Her former Kaballah guide, Madonna, in turn dumped her as a friend.

3. Mel Gibson has poured more than $15 million into the Holy Family Catholic Church, which follows an antiquated ideology of Catholicism dating back to the 16th century. He claims that God called on him to film 'The Passion of the Christ,' and has gone on record saying that he believes there is no salvation for those outside the Church. Over the years he has been called a bigot and anti-Semite by critics and former fans for his beliefs, and even made Jewish-bashing comments during his DUI arrest.

4. Raised a Catholic, Stephen Baldwin saw the light of evangelism after September 11 and has since gone on the road with his "Livin' It" mission, inviting tens of thousands of young boys to sign "decision cards" promising to join him in "the gnarliest thrill ride" with Jesus.

5. In 1992, singer Sinead O'Connor effectively ended her career by protesting sexual abuse in the Roman Catholic Church on an episode of 'Saturday Night Live,' ripping a picture of Pope John Paul II into pieces onstage.

6. In 1989, Madonna was condemned by the Vatican and dropped as a spokesperson for Pepsi after she debuted her video for 'Like a Prayer.' The video contained Catholic symbols like burning crosses and stigmata and suggested a sexual relationship between Madge and a priest.

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PopScene: Week's Hottest Pics

Jessica Alba wearing some dark shades with her new red hair is out in Los Angeles on September 27th.

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PopScene: Weeks Hottest Pics

Jessica Alba wearing some dark shades with her new red hair is out in Los Angeles on September 27th.

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Pamela Anderson and Richie Rich walk the catwalk on day four of Air New Zealand Fashion Week 2009 in Auckland, New Zealand.

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Dita Von Teese launches her second line of lingerie for Wonderbra called the "Party Edition" in Milan, Italy.

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Khloe Kardashian arrives at her wedding with her fiance, LA Laker Lamar Odom, on September 27th in Beverly Hills.

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Vanessa Hudgens and Hayden Panettierre attend the Neutrogena Fresh Faces Music Event on September 26th in Hollywood.

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Zach Braff looks surprised as he leaves a bar in Los Angeles.

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While out with her boyfriend Jesus Luz, Madonna covers her face with a Kabbalah book while trying to get through the frenzy of paparazzi on September 22nd.

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Amber Heard makes friends with a few zombies at the "Zombieland" Premiere on September 23rd in Hollywood.

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Elizabeth Banks and Radha Mitchell hit the red carpet at the Premiere of "Surrogates" on September 24th.

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Denise Richards walks the catwalk at Smashbox West Hollywood on September 24th.

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Tags: britney spears, BritneySpears, kirk cameron, KirkCameron, madonna, mel gibson, MelGibson, sinead oconnor, SineadOconnor, stephen baldwin, StephenBaldwin, tom cruise, TomCruise

Comments

(29)

Tuesday 29 September

By mrgmorgan56

Low Ranked Vote down Vote up Report this

Weak minded fools. Rather than "think", they follow. What sheep...

By J-Midg

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Crazy Christian celebrities make normal Christians look bad. There are a lot of people who are "friends with Jesus" who aren't racist or self-righteous or psychotic. Bummer that there are so many of those types in the public eye.

By Katie

To find some sort of religion automatically makes one weak? Because surely no one who is religious has any ideas of their own.

You could say the same for political parties, the ideas of mutual friends, etc. We all get our influences somewhere.

Friday 16 October

By Mary Coriaty

High Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

Please people, read the BOOK of LIFE, The HOLY BIBLE. It's all about JESUS and Salvation, not yourselves or any church or denomination. It's the WAY the TRUTH and the LIFE. Test it and see.

By Just Me

Highest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

Check your sources. Sinead O'Connor was protesting the church's stance on abortion. And she complained in interviews that she was upset because she couldn't abort her daughter b/c she was in Ireland and it is illegal there because of the church. Nice mom.

Wednesday 30 September

By phil

"There is no end to fans' ability to see a celebrity as inherently flawless, and as such, a fan may do something that is not in their best interest, such as convert to their favorite star's religion," Lawrence, author of 'The Cult of Celebrity,' said.
Pardon me, Mrs. Lawrence (Psychologist and national radio host), I have never heard of you till now. After the above comment, its very likely that I won't hear about you again. If someone converts to a religion because of their favorite "star", these people are idiots. No amount of psychology will help someone too brainless to think for themselves.
We do however, need those of weak mind. They provide the means of a lively hood for daytime tv programs (i.e. The View, etc.)

By Gonch

Lowest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

I guess I'll just take a page out of the Republican playbook here:

Kirk Cameron needs to just STFU. He's an overpaid celeb whose free speech rights ended the moment he became an overpaid celeb.

Because he's a celeb, he's automatically an idiot and doesn't know what he's talking about, and anyone who agrees with his point of view I'll just label as being a "Kirk worshiper" or whatever to discredit them. After all, since Kirk is moderately famous, his viewpoints on anything are automatically suspect.

By Janice

WTG Kirk!

By Kelli

Good for Kirk Cameron & for Ray Comfort and I think Stephen Baldwin is also doing a wonderful thing! God is our Father and Creator!

By Just My Opinion

Who is the bigger sheep.... Kirk Cameron for having the courage to stand up for his beliefs, or those who believe that something can be created from nothing?

By k

That's easy - Kirk is the bigger sheep. When he spouts long-disproven anti-evolution canards (so bad, in fact, even defendersof Creationism have abandoned them!), Kirk's 'stand' is les about courage and more about his lack of critical thinking skills, and his blind obedience to the illogical. People like that wind up singing to the righteousness of their worldview while bombing buildings.

By fmponce

Funny that on leftist, gays, scientologist and athiest can share their views

By Caitlin

I love Kirk :) And Stephen Baldwin too! Good for them. You know, it's really sad that the media cuts good people like them down for simply stating their beliefs. I hope that they don't let the world get to them, and that they stay strong in their faith. God is God whether you believe in Him or not. So you can cut down faith in Him all you want, but in the end, all will know the truth. Every knee will bow and every tounge will confess.

By Jose

WAY to GO Kirk !!!!!!!!! GOD BLESS YOU !!!!

By chris

way to go i agree wholeheartedly God still lives God bless anyone who stands up for what they believe

By clay

"For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." (1Corinthians 1:18)Kirk Cameron is right. Evolution is the "world is flat" theory of modern times that atheists worship at the alter of. Anyone who disagrees with it is ridiculed and ostracized, no matter how compelling the evidence. Thank God for people like Kirk cameron and Stephen Baldwin.

By cfl

I have no problem with Kirk Cameron because he's been upholding his views for a number of years, even when he was a successful "mainstream" entertainer. Stephen Baldwin, however, is another story. He is a no-talent brainless hack who suddenly found and publicized his religion when his C-list celebrity status was fading to D-list.

By Glen

The world of evolutionism has fallen apart. There is NO science in evolution. There is NO missing link. We did NOT evolve from monkeys. There was no pool of sludge that was hit by lightning that created life (after all....we would have been able to replicate the same thing millions of times over in the lab, especially since we have cracked the human genome). All this would be analogous to dropping a bomb on a junkyard and creating a brand new Bugatti. Creation doesn't result from destructive power. The saddest thing in the world is for God to lose one of his created beings to sin.

By andie

and the worse sin of all is a lack of faith

By TRusk2370

I applaud Kirk. If people are upset about somebody pushing his religious beliefs, why aren't they upset by Sean Penn, Susan Sarandon & other left-wingers pushing their politics?

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