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 roxanna

Vote down Vote up Report this

Religion - keep it to yourself!

By sally kirk

way to go kirk cameron. we need to stand for our heavenly father. remember know matter what. he loves you. do you know anybody else who would say that when you are down?i"m proud to be a heavenly father follower!

By L R Adams

Some people worship a supreme being* others worship nothing and some worship the penis or vagina. Whatever you believe in stop being critical of everyone else.

By weetieone

I'm Wiccan. Do all you good Christians applaud when I stand up for my beliefs?

By Jim

The one thing I'm sure of aside from my own faith is that if he had spoke from the atheist viewpoint no-one would have said a thing.

By Kelli

High Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

As a child of the most High God, I know that a great big part of who I am through His grace and mercy is someone who can not and should not "keep it to myself". I find it so ironic that people who are not believers always act as if they feel we will listen to that "command" from them and suddenly not feel compelled and led to do as Christ said and go and tell the Good News. One thing for sure is that Christians will never stop proclaiming the love and salvation that is available, with a spot tht is ready and waiting for all that would come to Jesus with a repentant heart. For another to come into His arms that are already wide open waiting for them to come home. I commend Kirk Cameron and Stephen Baldwin and any other well known person because even as we all have struggles coming into our faith from spiritual battle and others who would shun us, they have to deal with the public eye overlooking and commenting which I am sure makes it quite interesting. I wouldn't say difficult because there's no obstacle too large and no struggle too great to keep us away from our Savior or honoring our Savior by serving Him once we feel His call in our heart. As for myself, I don't always step up to the plate in witnessing, although there are times I do. I'm rather new at that and have some difficulty in social situations - but improving! :)I can imagine that even tho the platform is more readily available for these celebrities, I am certain the task of stepping forward doesn't come easier. But to want others to come to salvation is greater than any case of nerves or reservations as to what reaction you will get. See, Christians want to share the living water of Jesus Christ as much as they want another breath of fresh air. Especially the on-fire Christians who's joy is felt only in doing the will of Christ. I pray for so many things in this country today, but a lot for the falling away from God that has happened. I pray for the vast numbers of people that are spiritually blinded. Although if you are a person of faith you know all too well that this is not a surprise at all and in the end all will be right and well! AMEN! So, thank you to the celebrities and well known people who are being a witness and standing up for your beliefs and spreading the word of God!

Wednesday 30 September

By Amber

I admire him for speaking about his faith, it would be much easier to keep his mouth shut.

Friday 16 October

By Jamie

I'm amazed that there are nut cases out there praising Kirk Cameron for his belief in creationism.
Though we knew they were out there, it is still a shock to hear (possibly) sane individuals refute evolution with such absolute assurance.

All because they believe that their stubborn 'faith' will get them to heaven before the 'non-believers'.
If there was an all-powerful, all-knowing deity who judges us, I would imagine the greatest sins would be ignorance, arrogance and dogma and the worst kind of selfishness-the selfishness that causes them to deny truth and rationalize the illogical, mainly because they want to believe it will put them at a spiritual advantage compared to the rest of the world.

Saturday 17 October

By Tom Snyder

If really true, naturalistic evolution would undermine the rational basis for science itself. The laws of logic are eternal, transcendent, immutable, rationally inescapable, non-material, omnipresent, and comprehensible. Thus, they must be rooted in an eternal, transcendent, immutable, rationally inescapable, non-material, omnipresent, and comprehensible Creator, or God. Also, since the physical world of the universe and the mental world of the Laws of Logic have an Order to them, it is because God is the source of both worlds. Also, science has not proved that later species actually "evolved" from earlier species naturally over long periods of time. Common designs reflect a Common Designer, not a common ancestor.

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