Church & Ministry
D-List Slander Of Jesus Sparks Grass Roots Campaign
By The Miracle Theatre
CBN.com – PIGEON FORGE, TN, Sept. 18, 2007 – “Enough is enough!” is the headline of a full-page USA Today ad purchased by a consortium of Christian actors, singers, dancers, crew and managers sending a message about hurtful and insensitive attitudes toward the Christian faith coming out of Hollywood.
Kathy Griffin’s blasphemous Emmy Award acceptance speech—that slandered Jesus Christ and was bleeped out during the national awards show telecast on E!—provoked action from The Miracle Theater of Pigeon Forge, TN that ran the almost $100,000 ad on Monday, September 17.
That evening before millions of viewers, Larry King on his nightly CNN broadcast held up the ad and bantered with the “D-List” star about growing public discontent.
Most recently, The Miracle Theater’s cast and management have expanded the campaign to give the public a voice on the matter, and thousands of concerned Americans have already responded by signing the “One Million for Christ” petition.
It states, “The name of Jesus Christ should not be mocked, nor should those who love Him be slandered for their beliefs. It is time for people of faith around the country to stand firm against religious slander, bias, and bigotry of all types including Christianity.”
Russ Hollingsworth, The Miracle Theater General Manager, says, “It seems like Christianity is the only religion that it’s acceptable to persecute. It made my heart sick to see people in the audience at the Emmy's laughing at Griffin's remarks. It should not be acceptable to mock anyone's faith. We have to start changing the hearts and minds of people on this subject!”
“We believe that every American has the right to worship freely and to speak freely,” Hollingsworth continues. “We believe, however, that as Christians, we should not accept mockery of our Lord quietly. When word reached our cast that a Hollywood celebrity had stood before TV cameras and said such vulgar things about Christ, they were moved to do something. It's just not okay anymore to mock Christians and Jesus with impunity.”
The idea for the “One Million for Christ” petition came about after the theater’s ad appeared Monday morning in USA TODAY; many people were looking for a way to speak out on the matter. Those interested in standing alongside the theater to defend the Christian faith can sign the petition online at the theater’s website, or they may call at 1-800-768-1170 to be added to the petition. In the end, the petition will be presented to the media.
“Over 2,000 years ago, Jesus was mocked and few stood up for him,” begins The USA Today ad that launched the grass roots campaign. “We, at the Miracle Theater, consider it an honor to stand for Jesus today. We may never win a national award. We may never be household names. We may never be seen in Hollywood. Although others may choose to use their national platform to slander our God, we are honored as professional entertainers to stand for Christ.”
The Miracle Theater produces wholesome family entertainment and faith-based live theatrical productions.They launched the “One Million for Christ” petition drive on Sept. 16.
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