Kirk Cameron, former child star turned born-again Christian, is getting a lot of flack for what he had to say about homosexuality during an interview with Piers Morgan earlier in the week. His remarks, which were far from caustic or damning, enraged many people and thrust him into the limelight. Media outlets are calling his comments an anti-gay diatribe. But if you take the time to listen to what he said there is nothing there that could be defined as a diatribe – a forceful, often bitter, verbal attack.
I’ve read through a lot of the articles and follow-up interviews with Cameron and have to agree with his comment that he should be allowed to state his personal opinion on these matters. If it were someone else voicing the opposite opinion there would be absolutely no press about the matter. It would be a non-point. But when a religious man stands up and shares his point of view it is the cause of such useless drama. And let’s keep in mind Morgan pushed the topic. He rephrased his question about Cameron’s views on homosexuality several times in different ways, as any good reporter would, in order to force Cameron to share his true feelings on the polarizing issue.
To me, no matter thoughts on the issue, Kirk Cameron was super brave to voice his opinion in such a clear and public way. He could have skirted the issue. He could have refused to answer, others have done much the same on Morgan’s show. But he didn’t back down or cower under what he must have known would create backlash. He kept calm and answered according to his conscience. The man gets mad props for that. If only more people today had his courage in the face of opposition.
Anyone in favor of freedom of speech should fight for Cameron's right to speak his mind.