I've already ranted here once before about actor Stephen Baldwin's brand of gnarly, extreme sports-themed Christianity, so I feel a little bit guilty about pointing out that the hip, high-class Salon magazine has a new profile on Baldwin--conveniently timed for the release of his memoir, "The Unusual Suspect." In the article, Baldwin makes such enlightened comments as, "We must shut off our brains, and be led by what God tells our hearts." He also says that he is not just a Jesus freak but a "Jesus Pyscho."The Salon article, which has a snarky tone and some rather obvious anti-Christian bias, does not simply criticize Baldwin (he's just the easiest target), but other conservative evangelicals (Ryan Dobson, son of Focus on the Family's James Dobson, also takes some heat) as well. The article point out that there are many well-known Christians who are enticing a significant number of teens to buy into a certain brand of the gospel through a flashy marketing approach in which the supposition is that teens can only find a relationship with Jesus through the latest clothing fad, cheesy slogan, or dazzling video; as an example, the article says, a Stephen Baldwin skateboarding/evangelical rally drew 40,000 kids while the X Games only drew 16,000 participants last year. Serious reflection on anything with spiritual substance is simply not a requirement in order to make God your "homey."
I have no doubt that Mr.Baldwin has some good intentions hidden somewhere within all of his cheerleading for Jesus, but I wish he would simply stick to acting in some low-budget, well-crafted movies like the upcoming "Midnight Clear" where Jesus is revealed in a more authentic way.
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I did not read the article on Stephen Baldwin in Salon but I am rather enthusiastic and happy that Stephen is starting something exciting for teens in regards to Jesus. It is long overdue for Jesus to be the proper role model. First of all, once most people get over this martyr image of Christ, the better they could see that He was a rebel in the clearest sense, whatever others did Jesus did the complete opposite. So whether others think Mr. Baldwin's attention was sincere or not. Give the man some props that he is not at the moment, some tragic sad mad story about another Hollywood actor...quite different than his brothers at the moment.>
I did not read the article on Stephen Baldwin in Salon but I am rather enthusiastic and happy that Stephen is starting something exciting for teens in regards to Jesus. It is long overdue for Jesus to be the proper role model. First of all, once most people get over this martyr image of Christ, the better they could see that He was a rebel in the clearest sense, whatever others did Jesus did the complete opposite. So whether others think Mr. Baldwin's attention was sincere or not. Give the man some props that he is not at the moment, some tragic sad mad story about another Hollywood actor...quite different than his brothers at the moment.
I am of the older generation coming from a conservative church.. I have seen over the years, teenagers leaving the church, and any form of Christianity. If people, such as Mr. Baldwin, can attract the younger generation to come and hear the word of Jesus through attractions other than the organized church, so be it. As the previous writer stated, he at least is trying to be a better person, morally, than the other members of his family.
Everyone is human and whether we are 'Christians' or not, we make mistakes. Just because a person embraces Jesus into their lives, doesn't mean that they become more perfect. What it does mean is that their life is going to take a better path and that Christ's teaching will help them get there. It also is an 'Eternal' decision. Living our lives with Jesus 'in our hearts' means that our lives have a greater purpose, a direction different than that of the world, our focus is for the greater good of mankind and etc. When people do make mistakes, God or Jesus always seems to get a bad rap. It isn't God's fault that people make mistakes. It was their choice not His. However, God does forgive and obviously the media and a good portion of the world today, does not. If Bonaduce and Baldwin find or do find a better future than their past, I say "God Bless You" and I will be praying for you.
Why is it that the world doesn't want people to better their lives? All of a sudden, they become victims of societelle critcism and on going scapegoats for those that want to lead the life they want that is most certainly not headed for Heaven.
I am trying to put together a skatebording fair and other sport here in Oxnard, CA for our youth. How can I contact Stephen Baldwin to maybe come and support us?
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