Kirk Cameron faces backlash over anti-gay remarks

Kirk Cameron speaks during the annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) on Feb. 9, 2012, in Washington.

/ Getty

(CBS News) Actor Kirk Cameron has come under fire following comments he made against homosexuality and gay marriage last week, which sparked reactions from his former TV family and other stars.

In an interview with CNN's Pierce Morgan that aired Friday, the actor-turned-evangelist called homosexuality "unnatural" and "ultimately destructive to so many of the foundations of civilization."

Tracey Gold, who played Cameron's sister Carol Seaver on "Growing Pains," is among the celebrities who condemned his remarks. She tweeted:

I am a strong supporter of the #LGBTCommunity, and I believe in equal rights for all. #NOH8 #LOVE

-- Tracey Gold (@TheTraceyGold) March 5, 2012

Alan Thicke, who played the Seaver family patriarch on the sitcom, also spoke out on Twitter:

I'll address kirk's comments as soon as I recover from rush limbaugh's.

-- Alan Thicke (@alan_thicke) March 4, 2012

I'm getting him some new books. The Old Testament simply can't be expected to explain everything.

-- Alan Thicke (@alan_thicke) March 5, 2012

Other tweets came from Neil Patrick Harris, Jesse Tyler Ferguson ("Modern Family"), Roseanne Barr, Debra Messing ("Smash"), Craig Ferguson, Josh Charles ("The Good Wife"), Martha Plimpton ("Raising Hope"), Dave Holmes and Michael Showalter.

That Kirk Cameron is hilarious!

-- Neil Patrick Harris (@ActuallyNPH) March 5, 2012

The only unnatural thing about me being gay is that I had a crush on Kirk Cameron until about 24 hours ago.

-- Jesse Tyler Ferguson (@jessetyler) March 4, 2012

kirk or kurt or whatever cameron is an accomplice to murder with his hate speech. so is rick warren. their peers r killing gays in uganda.

-- Roseanne Barr (@TheRealRoseanne) March 4, 2012

i want to thank Piers Morgan for his response to what he wud say to HIS child if (s)he came out:"Great, as long as you're happy"--

-- Debra Messing (@DebraMessing) March 4, 2012

The word "Equality" shows up too much in our founding documents for anyone to pretend it's not the American way. #usethe19th #equalitynow

-- Martha Plimpton (@MarthaPlimpton) March 5, 2012

Remember yesterday afternoon, when Kirk Cameron's views were none of our concern? Let's restore America to that golden age.

-- dave holmes (@DaveHolmes) March 3, 2012

Idea for movie: Human Centipede 3 starring Kirk Cameron and Rush Limbaugh.

-- Michael Showalter (@mshowalter) March 5, 2012

The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation also fired back at Cameron over his comments. "In this interview, Kirk Cameron sounds even more dated than his 1980s TV character," said Herndon Graddick, senior director of programs at GLAAD. "Cameron is out of step with a growing majority of Americans, particularly people of faith who believe that their gay and lesbian brothers and sisters should be loved and accepted based on their character and not condemned because of their sexual orientation."

Cameron does have at least one star in his corner, though - Stephen Baldwin. The born-again Christian actor shared his support in a message on Twitter:

GREAT JOB Kirk !!! Let's pray one day Piers Morgan finds true Salvation, God Bless ! @kirkcameron @piersmorgan

-- Stephen Baldwin (@StephenBaldwin7) March 4, 2012

[phil-kammer]

Cameron has it right- homoexuality is a blight on the world. Everyone knows it but politically it is too hot to speak out on. Nobody wants their kid gay because they will more than likely die in their 40s and if they do adopt a kid he or she will be scared for life. It is so sad that we just can be honest any longer. Homosexuality is truly a sick mental illness.

[AgreeToDisagreeMyChild]

I do not know much about anything and the mysteries of God truly amaze me. I've learned to stay silent until spoken to - especially when I am asked about my faith in Jesus. I've learned to never deny Him and to not worry because God himself has given us the boldness to speak. He will give peace, favor and words.

We are all sinners some sins are visible and others are not... therefore we are not to judge the sins of outsiders since God will do that. We should look at our own self-destruction and ask God to change us. As well as those within the family of Christ as God teaches us in Corinthians. Even when we mentor the family of Christ we are to do it with love, mercy and grace. This doesn't mean we are compromising, not at all. Because we should not agree with what goes against our God... We should hate what God hates. But if we read God's word, He does not hate people, He hates the action.

I do not see why people say Kirk Cameron is attacking gay Americans. The great thing about the USA is the freedom of speech and Christians are not the only religion that does not agree with the action of same sex marriage. He did not say any hateful comments. God has given him the boldness to say what he believes. Many who are gay say what they want... why can't he? However, but because he is a Christian people automatically attack him. He is not insulting people... He simply does not agree with the action. He was asked a question why should he avoid answering it? He was asked! We should not feel ashamed of what we believe or feel. The question is, why is it that people are so quick to get defensive?

So people do not agree! Although we are adults and should be able to agree to disagree we care so much more about our own hurt. That our selfishness takes over our reactions. If you are confident of who you are then the fact that he does not agree with your actions of two men or women marrying each other and so forth... should not bother you. Right? Or does it go deeper than that? I believe it does go deeper. Each case is uniquely different and of course we need to understand the entire situation to be merciful, but because we don't Jesus in us helps us.

It is all about media and the interviewer wanted to stir up conflict.... I understand Kirk was just promoting his new movie, but he should have known his faith was going to be attacked... it is inevitable. Jesus warned us about it.

[phil-kammer]

Kirk is not atacking gays - all he is doing is showing that both the Old and New testements of Gods word speak out clearly that God sees Homosexuality as a grave sin and that those who commit this sin will end up fighting against Gods will. \

It is so funny how those who support homosexuality can deceive so many. I know nobody who is a real Chrstian who hates gays but speaks out on the topic from Gods word on the other hand gays daily speak out in hate of Christians and try to punish them as if the Bible is their word...However, I have gotten so used to it that I just chalk it up to fear- you can't run from God not his Word.

[KWatkins54]

Thank you Kirk for standing & believing.

[BadWolfy1972]

Well the simple fact is the Bible does not condone homosexuality or Bisexuality so I do not know why everyone is freaking out about a Christian being against it or gay marriage. Also, I wonder what people of Faith Mr. Graddick is referring to. Non-Christian can be considered people of faith but they are ungodly. Buddhists, Wiccans, and others can be considered people of faith in American society but none of them will ever get to Heaven or know the love of Jesus Christ. A Christian has the responsibility to spread the gospel and try to save people's souls by accepting Jesus Christ so they can get to Heaven. His message is no different than any other true Christian and the only reason there is so much flak about his comments is because he is an actor.

[rrsjimenez]

The driving force is love but in truth. Jesus Christ is the perfect example for all, what it means to love. If you read your Bible, you will find that Jesus corrected sharply the errors that we allow ourselves to accept as common. For example, (without touching the subject of homosexuality) to partake in a man and woman sexual relationship before marriage is a sin. Jesus teaches us that even to lust for someone in our hearts is a sin. Why would Jesus not just leaves us alone in our sin? Because He truly loves us, in truth. Jesus teaches us about sin because he knows what sin leads to, death and then to hell. He is warning all to repent and to put our trust in Him who can forgive all iniquity. I hope that our Lord would allow you to see the truth of our sinful ways. May God bless you, take care.

[rrsjimenez]

jm222ed, I do not find it surprising that people would war against the Bible. It is in our nature to hate the truth. But all the hate in the world can not make what is truth to be a lie. We can deny the truth, suppress the truth, despise the truth but our feelings will never change what is truth. Jesus says that He is the way, the truth, and the life no one can come to the father except through Him. I hope that our God will allow you to see the truth and repent. May God give you what you and I don't deserve; truth! You take care.

[stevenmitchell]

The real question is why would anyone care about what Kirk Cameron thinks, let alone his reasons for why he thinks them?

[stevenmitchell]

Homosexuality is unnatural and unusual to those who have never read history or studied human evolution. Anti-homosexuality has its greatest appeal to those who are most illiterate and uneducated...

[BlameRepublicanz]

if homosexuality is unnatural...why has God created gays since the beginning of times?

[rrsjimenez]

Hello BlameRep, I just wanted to let you know that God created woman and man, defining a natural couple. God gave them specific rules to follow, but they disobeyed and fell into sin. Homosexuality is a product of sin, just like adultery and lying. You probably don't like this reply but I am telling you this in a loving way. The truth sometimes hurts. I hope that helps you to correct your misinterpretation of Scripture. Have a good day!

[mjb60432]

Hey Blame, go take a theology course online. God created Adam and Eve, not Adam and Ed. The devil figured out how to use the 7 deadly sins to influence man. That's when man started sinning. God also gave Adam free will, something the Obama Regime hates.

[TStewartIII3]

NewsBusters: Lefties Accuse Kirk Cameron of Hate Speech for Christian Beliefs
http://newsbusters.org/blogs/lauren-thompson/2012/03/08/lefties-accuse-kirk-cameron-hate-speech-christian-beliefs