Fallacy or Poison?
I have yet to see the "End of the Spear" movie, but from the looks of the trailers, it seems to be very promising.
I did learn in the last few days that there is no shortage of controversy over the actor Chad Allen who plays Nate Saint in the movie. He is openly gay and seen by many in the homosexual community as a role model. On learning this information, the initial reaction by some goes something like this:
1. Chad Allen (who plays Nate and Steve Saint) promotes the homosexual agenda
2. Chad plays a leading role in the movie "End of the Spear."
3. Therefore, the movie promotes the homosexual agenda (maybe indirectly) and is poisoned.
To some degree, this particular reasoning seems to be an instance of the 'composition fallacy,' which is the idea that a particular property of a part must be a property of the whole.
Greg Koukl and Al Mohler point out that both the actor who played Eric Liddell in "Chariots of Fire" and Sir Ian McKellen who played Gandalf in Lord of the Rings are homosexual actors in movies with Christian themes. With that new informatoin, thinking back on those movies, my impression is unchanged. We usually judge movies on the quality of the acting and storytelling, not the sinful personal lives of the actors.
That said, others argue and I agree that it was a very poor choice on the part of the producers. Chad Allen's role causes unnecessary distraction and confusion at a time when there is an ongoing fierce cultural battle between Evangelical Christians (at whom the movie is aimed) and those promoting Homosexual acceptance.
The risk is also there that some will see this as a validation of the Gay lifestyle by the Christian community. Chad's face, at the moment, is associated with both Christian Missions and Homosexual rights. Because Homosexuals are looking for inclusion in Christianity and not vica versa, this is certainly more detrimental to Christian causes than Homosexuals'.
I'll go watch the movie, but it is disappointing to have such controversy surround a seemingly great film project.
Al Mohler wrote a very good analysis of the debate on his blog.
I did learn in the last few days that there is no shortage of controversy over the actor Chad Allen who plays Nate Saint in the movie. He is openly gay and seen by many in the homosexual community as a role model. On learning this information, the initial reaction by some goes something like this:
1. Chad Allen (who plays Nate and Steve Saint) promotes the homosexual agenda
2. Chad plays a leading role in the movie "End of the Spear."
3. Therefore, the movie promotes the homosexual agenda (maybe indirectly) and is poisoned.
To some degree, this particular reasoning seems to be an instance of the 'composition fallacy,' which is the idea that a particular property of a part must be a property of the whole.
Greg Koukl and Al Mohler point out that both the actor who played Eric Liddell in "Chariots of Fire" and Sir Ian McKellen who played Gandalf in Lord of the Rings are homosexual actors in movies with Christian themes. With that new informatoin, thinking back on those movies, my impression is unchanged. We usually judge movies on the quality of the acting and storytelling, not the sinful personal lives of the actors.
That said, others argue and I agree that it was a very poor choice on the part of the producers. Chad Allen's role causes unnecessary distraction and confusion at a time when there is an ongoing fierce cultural battle between Evangelical Christians (at whom the movie is aimed) and those promoting Homosexual acceptance.
The risk is also there that some will see this as a validation of the Gay lifestyle by the Christian community. Chad's face, at the moment, is associated with both Christian Missions and Homosexual rights. Because Homosexuals are looking for inclusion in Christianity and not vica versa, this is certainly more detrimental to Christian causes than Homosexuals'.
I'll go watch the movie, but it is disappointing to have such controversy surround a seemingly great film project.
Al Mohler wrote a very good analysis of the debate on his blog.
posted by Vijay Swamidass at
5:02 PM
7 Comments:
On further thought, it seems that this may be a clearer statement of the argument against "End of the Spear":
1. Christians should not support movies that cast an openly homosexual actor (or any other advocate of a sinful lifestyle) as a Christian Character.
2. "End of the Spear" casts Chad Allen as Christian missionary Nate Saint
3. Chad is openly homosexual
4. Therefore, Christians should not support "End of the Spear."
This argument doesn't seem to be fallacious, but the debate centers around premise #1.
By
Vijay Swamidass, At
12:06 PM
Premise #1 needs to be demonstrated. At this point it is a highly suspect assertion (which likely no objective person will grant without demonstration of its validity and soundness).
As always, thanks for the post.
Cheers!
By
DrewDog, At
3:21 PM
I also believe this argument also commits the four-term fallacy. Aaron, do you concur?
By
DrewDog, At
3:23 PM
I also believe that I also use the word also too much, also.
By
DrewDog, At
3:24 PM
Just to clarify my position - I'm not arguing that the movie's producers have an agenda.
The arguments I wrote out are my attempts at understanding the reasoning of those opposed to Chad's role in the movie.
I completely agree that premise #1 (in my first comment) needs to be proven, but it seems to be an assumption that opponents to the movie seem to hold. That premise seems to be the real debate here.
Thanks for your comments, Aaron and Andrew.
By
Vijay Swamidass, At
4:08 PM
Vijay, thanks for the clarification. And for the record, I knew this was not your position- I was just pointing out the need for demonstration of the vality of the premise.
And Aaron, thanks for cleaning up the second argument. I think that we all agree that in its most recent form, the second premise is the questionable one.
Looks like this post should have found its way onto the front page of the bird and babe. I can imagine us all discussing this in a warm, dark, pub; over a couple good brews.
By
DrewDog, At
4:45 PM
You guys can clean really well. I appreciate it.
Hey, my car could use a washing too...
By
Vijay Swamidass, At
5:16 PM
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