Matthew McConaughey won an Oscar. And, boy, are Christians happy about it. I mean, Christians are jumping up and down for this Texas boy for his big win because he actually thanked God in his acceptance speech. He did, he gave God credit and he thanked his wife like he should and he gave a rambling speech that really made me wonder why they weren’t starting up the music to cut him off. They let Matthew talk for almost four minutes, and the clip of his speech is all over the internet.
Christians are so proud.
And, I can’t blame us. I mean, how often do we hear a major celebrity, an Oscar winner, no less, identifying with us? How often do we get that kind of star power in our corner? It almost makes us seem sort of cool and legitimate.
I liked his speech, although I thought it was a little heavy on the Matthew McConaughey. He’s chasing a hero, who is himself in ten years? Really? But, no matter. He mentioned God and that’s all that counts. It obviously shows that he loves the Lord and lives his life for Him and we will all be fans of his forever because of this speech.
But, there’s one tiny issue with setting Matthew McConaughey up as our next great Christian idol. And, the problem is the movie he won the Oscar for. And pretty much every other movie he’s ever made. (Anyone remember a little film called Magic Mike?) According to pluggedin.com, Dallas Buyer’s Club opens with McConaughey’s character having sex with two girls at the same time in a rodeo stall. That’s only the beginning of the explicit sexual content in the movie. In addition to the nudity, masturbation, and pornography, the film contains over 100 f-words and God’s name is used as a curse word over 20 times.
Matthew McConaughey made this movie, which he was rewarded by Hollywood for making, which goes out into our society and poisons the hearts and minds of our men, women, and young people. And then he gets up to accept his award for making filth that turns hearts away from God, and he thanks God for the opportunity, and Christians applaud him as if he has done something incredible.
We have got to get over our obsession with celebrity and start making connections between what people say and what they actually do. It is never going to be a good thing for Christianity for us to hold these celebrities up as examples of what a Christian should be. If we want to show the world examples of Christianity that should make us cheer, it’ll be our faithful pastors, our grandmothers who have lived quiet sacrificial lives, our friends who would lay down their lives for us, the teachers who go to school every day and live out the commands to love the unlovable and to value every life.
Not Matthew McConaughey. I’m sure he’s a fun guy to hang around with, and I bet he’s a great dad and probably a really good actor. But he is not the next great champion for Christianity.
And that’s probably why I’m not a member of the Academy. Thank you, and good night.
**Please check out the follow-up to this post here!
**Due to the fact that everything that can be said HAS been said–many, many times–comments are now disabled. Thanks for stopping by!
Rochelle
This actor portrayed a real man that is a part of history and like it or not this was Ron Woodroof’s life! McConaughey won an award for portraying this man and time and should not be judged as if this was his personal set of values!! If anyone praises God then who are we to judge?
Hilary
Then how about if we make a movie showing all the details about the affair of the adulterous woman? Jesus said, “Go and sin no more.” He didn’t say to display it for all to see.
Wayne
Reblogged this on luvsiesous and commented:
Friends,
Have we gone so far away from God that mentioning God sounds like a victory? Then what should we do when people take God’s name in vain?
Do you think Hollywood is out of control?
Wayne
Luvsiesous.com
Lori
Hollywood may be out of control but MM thanking God first and foremost is awesome, the upcoming movies Son of God, Noah, Heaven is for real….I say we praise God and EXPECT great things to be happening. We have a big God. Leave it to Christians (and I’m including myself trust me!) to be the ones to stand in judgment. Shame on us.
Hilary
Lori, I am going to respectfully ask you to start doing your research before you jump on any more bandwagons. The movie Noah is blasphemy. The Son of God was produced by self-proclaimed New Agers who have admitted that they are not born again. They made a feel-good movie about a Christ that butchers the Word.
Wayne
Lori,
Great comment.
You made me think about my position. I still agree with Jesus, we should not commit sin, and Hollywood seems to be living in sin.
But, I love praising God and expecting great things.
Thanks
Wayne
Amber
I don’t think he ever claimed to be the next great champion of Christianity. I’ve made mistakes my whole life. Some which Christians could really judge me for…i had a baby out of wedlock, even. But every single day I thank God for her. I give credit to God for her being alive and healthy, because every odd was certainly stacked against her. I thank God for choosing me to be her mom. Does this make me a fake? Am I not allowed to praise God for the end result of my “filthy behavior” that some could see as “turning away from God?” I do not like this article. I think the judgment expressed in it is exactly why so many people are turned off by Christianity.
Tracey
Amber, I agree with you completely! Well said. In my opinion, this is exactly why people are turned off by Christianity. Who are we to judge? This world is going so far away from God and any little light that still remains is something to be encouraged. Don’t snuff out the light!
rebekahbeene
Good grief and God help us. Yes, yes, yes. Lord, bless this woman for telling the truth and setting the record straight.
Hilary
Amen.
laura
I see where people who live by the word in everything they do might write this blog. I believe in God and wish that I put more time into that part of my life but God knows my faith, my spirit and my beliefs. Just as he knows yours…He knows Matthew’s. I don’t think for one minute he was trying to be your Christian hero, doubt he wants to be anyone’s hero except his family’s. It irritates me that you judge and assume that he was trying to be anything but himself and thankful for all his blessings. Just my thoughts…
Jack
Good Lord! Can we all just log off and go love some people in need. This sure isn’t changing the world.
hilary
Jack, where in the Bible are we instructed to change the world?
Debbie Alsdorf
I think we need to be careful…I doubt anyone is making him a Christian idol or hero. Some are actually wondering if he is a believer or not. Regardless, he planned a speech that put God first, period. He planned a speech that respected his family and wife. He gave a speech about chasing after being the best of himself that He could be….isn’t that what God would want us to do? Keep pressing, keep chasing, keep changing, keep surrendering all of us as people yielded to God’s plans for us. He is just a man, an actor, a celebrity. He played a role in a film about HIV that was a true story about people not being able to get medications that would help them because of the FDA restrictions. He got an award and he intentionally honored God and family and publically admitted to “never arriving” but always pushing on.
Andrew
Get off of your high horse. Gay, straight, whatever, a movie is a movie. Let the man bless God and shut up.
Lori
Preach it brother 🙂
Diane
Finally! Someone who is thinking! Thank you!!!
Justin
Would 100 F bombs be worth one soul gained for God? I went to a theater arts school that was Christian-based. The shows they chose to perform had to have a redemptive quality at the end of them. At the time I felt this was kind of a copout. I mean, they can choose anything they want to choose and as long as it has a redemptive value at the end of and it’s okay? As I grow as a Christian I find that it’s not so much a copout. To put it in perspective it’s like showing the Christ story without showing any piece of Lucifer in it. To reach secular people you have to have something they can relate to. Now don’t get me wrong I am not saying that it needs to be gratuitous as most Hollywood films are. But it does need to be real.
The other side of the coin is in Christian Theater. When the performing arts are made specifically for Christians in a Christian setting. When you remove every bit of the secular nature of a piece of art it fails to have any “meat on the bone. ” This is why I find most Christian art stale and boring rather than uplifting and lively. It lacks any realism that I can connect to on a Christian level or secular level.
This being said there is both great Christian art and also horrendous secular art. I don’t think we as Christians should discount secular art as valid because we do not know who it might ultimately reach and therefore turn to God. My God is powerful enough to take anything and use it for good. (I think that’s in a book somewhere)
Lori
Amen 🙂 excellent post.
Hilary
That last bit is not in the Bible. He did not say He would take anything and use it for good. He did say things like, “What is impossible for men is possible with God.” That does not mean making sugar out of poop.
Robbi
I agree with a lot of what you said about not holding up MM as a hero. Every human has faults and will fail as a hero.
However, I am glad that no matter what sins I may have committed in the past (before I came to know Christ or after I came to know Christ or even 5 seconds ago), I can stand today, right now, and thank God for the opportunities He has given me. And hopefully, my brothers and sisters in Christ won’t condemn me for it, but even if they do… I will have shown gratitude to whom gratitude is due.
And no, I am not judging you for your blog. I enjoyed the read, but it made me kind of wonder what would happen to me if everyone knew just a few of my sins publicly, then I thanked God for my opportunities publicly.
Jacob
All I will say is this, “Let the first one without sin, cast the first stone.” Remember that. The Williams Brothers wrote a song that talked about worrying about your own front door before you went knocking at anyone else’s. Just thought I’d give you something to think about. I’m not saying that the movies he participated in are ok and that I condone the behavior and actions in the movie “Magic Mike” because I don’t. And by actions, I’m going by the scenes you mentioned because I have never seen the movie myself. But, what if someone condemned you for even watching it? Because from what it sounds like.. It’s almost like watching porn right? At least that’s what you said. But no one has the right to condemn you for watching it, just like you don’t have the authority or right to judge Matthew McConaughey. His speech was awesome. Instead of writing these blogs, do what we are called as Christians to do and help save lives, spread the Gospel to the lost. Have a blessed one.
Shelby
As much I do agree that it may be a publicity stunt; you do have to remember that he is an actor. Just because he’s portraying such people doesn’t mean he is one. He’s acting and at home, he may be a huge Christian; we don’t know. You can’t say he’s a bad person for doing his job, that’s unfair to him. And as Christians, we aren’t supposed to judge because everyone sins. Christians or not.
So, stop judging him and accusing him of things you don’t know about because it makes all Christians look bad. I am a Christian and I am ashamed of people who say stuff like this, I don’t judge anyone and I am not going to judge a man for doing his job.
Kari
If we are never to judge, how else could we weed out apostasy in the church, as one example? It’s not wrong to judge, it’s wrong to judge unfairly. We are to first remove the log from our eye, before we proceed to remove the speck from the other’s. Why also would the Bible tell us that we would know people by their fruits, if we are not to judge? We are to judge people by the way they live so that we know whether we should be friends with them, marry them, go into business with them, allow our children to hang out with them, allow someone to pastor a church, etc. We have to use judgment/discernment in an effort for purity in the lives of believers.
John 7:24 tells us to judge with “righteous judgment”.
This may come across arrogantly. But we are to judge according to the bible, not our own standards. And we are to judge, knowing that we ourselves need Jesus’ grace and redemption. Judge humbly.
There’s too much fear of coming across judgmental these days without a fear of God’s holy standards. We don’t want to be seen as arrogant–I totally get that. I struggle with it, too.
But we have got to take a stand for righteousness, in love. However, no matter how lovingly we do judge, there will always be those who will blast us for it.
Like it or not, one act of thanking God vs a Hollywood career of ungodly roles, should lead a Christian to think “this isn’t someone I should look up to.” Talk is cheap.
The author isn’t condemning Mr. McConaughey. She’s not saying he’s going to hell. She’s just telling us fellow believers to be more mindful and discerning, yes urging us to use judgment, when it comes to the people we champion in our lives.
Great post.
Hilary
Yes. Amen. Thank you.
rightfulwriter
“Not Matthew McConaughey. I’m sure he’s a fun guy to hang around with, and I bet he’s a great dad and probably a really good actor. But he is not the next great champion for Christianity.”
Who is???
Opinions like this cause Christians to be characterized as judgmental. I realize the whole “draw attention to all sin and call it bad” paradigm is SUPER more important to Christians than loving one another, but why not just let people be people, flaws and goodness falling where they may? Why not choose to celebrate the good rather than castigate the bad?
I can’t help but feel that power and control are the answers to that question.
Tyler Wilson
Obviously all I’m about to say is opinionated. You blew his whole speech way out of proportion. Christians aren’t proclaiming Matthew as the next big “great champion of Christianity.” The guy gave a wonderful acceptance speech in which he thanked god for all his opportunities and etc. How a man makes his money, good or bad, as long as at the end of the day he truly believes in god and follows the bibles rules as best as possible, that is all that matters. TO EACH HIS OWN. Kindly that means mind your own business, for what others say, do or what have you, is their doing and their problem! Not yours. Articles like this piss me off because you over analyze what the guy said. No human is perfect obviously we know this. You can say whatever you want and I respect you for posting your views on this site. But at the end of the day the guy spent 5 seconds out of a 3 minute speech thanking god. He did not spend the entire time talking about him.
Norman Rockwell
This is quite possibly the most ignorant post I’ve ever seen shared on my Facebook.
1. You haven’t even seen the movie. You are basing your analysis of the movie off ANOTHER person’s review, and then have the gall to call it “filth”.
2. The sexual content of this film is not for glorification purposes. Quite the opposite, really. And to say that the portrayal of sex in this movie is a reflection of the actor’s moral fibre is absurd. Magic Mike is another story, of course, but the fact that you tried to make an argument based on the sexual content in Dallas Buyers Club destroys any credibility you might have.
3. The line of thought that produces declarations like “any movie with explicit imagery or language is evil” is fundamentally wrong. If cinema was merely escapist entertainment, you might be correct. However, movies (especially like the one in question) transcend sole entertainment and are useful for artful reflections, life lessons, and the expansion of human cognitive functions. Therefore, the use of explicit content can be implemented tactfully to a greater purpose.
I could write a dissertation on why you are not only wrong, but are feeding fellow Christians untruths that are detrimental to our mental health as well as our spiritual health. However, I am on an iPhone and typing is hard.
Whitney
I respect the fact that you have no interest in idolizing Matthew McConaughey. My question is don’t you find it a little inappropriate to judge him? I consider myself a Christian, and I would not turn my back on a fellow Christian because I thought he was sinning. Maybe you could write a letter explaining to him about choosing other movie roles. God forgives our sins. How do you know that he doesn’t ask for forgiveness every night for the roles he plays. He is an actor. Even if he sins in real life, I’m still happy he is proud to be a Christian. I hope you would be proud, too. Isn’t our mission to share the word of God, and not judge those who believe?
LeeAnn
Yes! Yes! Thank you for saying exactly what I was thinking!! Bravo!!
VICTOR BROWN (VIC)
And I was all ready to give you what for and you turn out to be a nice person! You ARE appreciated.
mike
One thing that has turned me away from Christian Revivalism as opposed to Roman Catholicism is that Revivalist Christians (not Protestants in general) seem to be infatuated with impressing and contesting how much better a Christian they are then their neighbors. This article is nothing but judgment on Mcconaughey. Mcconaughey knows his relationship with God much better then you. If he felt it necessary to proclaim his thanks in Christ for his success then by all means more power to him. God knows what his intentions were; good or bad. You have no right as a human to question his faith as you so have in this article. I could just as easily question your commitment to God as you have Mcconaughey’s. I could just as easy proclaim to you and the public how much of a better Christian I am then you, but it is pointless. It is pointless because my relationship with God is that a relationship with God. Going to Church every Sunday, posting online how great of a Christian you are and criticizing others for praising God doesn’t make you a good Christian. Ask yourself, what did you do today to prove to God you truly love him? I find myself returning to the Catholic Church time and time again because I see to many “Holier then Thou” attitudes like yours in every single Southern Baptist Church that I have attend. You talk the talk but do you walk the walk? My sins are no greater then your sins.
Hilary
Did MM say Christ? Or did he just say God? My new age relatives talk about God all the time, but they despise Jesus Christ.
Michelle
Perhaps what he should have included in his speech is that according to our faith, and apparently his, the acts shown in the film are detestable to God but are an unfortunate aspect of our world. The most appealing movies are those that are made about truths in our reality. I haven’t seen the movie but plan on it simply to see a side of the HIV/AIDS story I’ve never seen before. His acting in the movie is simply a medium for telling this story, not an endorsement; unless you want to contract a fatal disease.
Mark Miller
How many people commenting about this movie actually watched it? Yes, he had sex with two woman in the first scene. That set up the story of how this straight man unexpectedly got AIDS. That’s hardly glamorizing the character’s actions. His character starts out as judgmental, prejudice, and homophobic — but he ends up helping a whole lot of people. It’s an important movie and a powerful role, and he deserved to win – whether or not he wants to thank God for it.
Landa
Absolutely the most intelligent comment I have heard in a long time! Well said!
Tammy
Exactly what I wanted to say!
Patti
I think the blog post, along with the comments, just reinforce for me the reality that faith and the perception of faith is not the same or all of us. And not only do we draw the line in the sand at different points, we move the line to a point that suits us better depending in the situation. And I say WE because we all do it. Our human nature demands this of us and we willingly cooperate. We may or may not be turning our noses up in disgust at MM, or Tim Tebow, or Joel Osteen….or any other “celebrity” hero/idol that we perceive to be giving God the glory. Maybe they are. But what if behind closed doors they are broken and sinful? Or what if they use language or make movies that cross my current line in the sand? What do I even know about these individuals or their lives? I can only speak for myself and I know nothing about them. And so I refrain from calling them out or praising them publicly for their faithful living or their lack thereof.
And I do have to ask about the movie “Son of God”. It too is and will continue to be idolized. But what about the actor portraying Jesus? Does the movie honor Jesus less based on the actions of the “actor” outside the movie? I mean if, based on the comments above, we must see a direct correlation between MM as actor and MM as man thanking God, that the two can’t be separated, then does that work the same as when the movie itself is a complete Christian story telling of Jesus? What do we expect of the “actor” in such a role? I mean he is a GQ Man of the Year…should I make some assumptions about his real life based on this? Is he required to live clean and pure in order for audiences to receive the message of the movie? I am curious….
Tonya jenkins
The movie was not about sex.. Or depravity.. The movie was a true story about a man fighting the hold that drug companies have over this nation.. I thought his speech was FANTASTIC.. I don’t think in anyway anyone is claiming that Matthew is their “hero”.. But it is a rarity in this day and time do you see an actor stand and make an honest proclamation about his faith and his family.. I don’t understand why on both sides of this argument that people have to pick everything apart.. Let us rejoice that someone that has access to Millions of people gave credit to God on a stage reaching into millions of homes.. Wether you agree with what his “job” is.. That is not for you to judge.. Nor to judge the honesty of his faith..
Dee Dee
I saw the movie. I wouldn’t let my kids watch it. Some scenes are raunchy and some are VERY disturbing!! Sin steals, kills, and destroys is what is depicted in the movie. Promiscuity, drug use, as well as homosexuality is shown to be a factor in contracting HIV. It also showed that even when the cards are stacked against you, you can still use what you have to better the world. One scene shows him crying out to God in prayer in a raw desperate fashion at a bar and he even swears. It broke my heart, not offended me. Matthew McConaughey wasn’t portraying a Christ follower/preacher, he was portraying a womanizing, promiscous, rough cowboy. From now on every time I get a ringing in my ear, I will pray for those batting HIV and AIDS. Give him some credit. He wasn’t asking to be the Tim Tebow of Hollywood. He stood and sincerely thanked God, rose up and called his wife blessed, and honored his mother and father. This world is ugly and people are lost and dying. It’s time for Christians to act like Christians and not expect the lost to act like saints.
Sonya
It’s a movie about the real world. He did not get the award for the contents of the movie. He got it for the acting job he did in it. Hiding and acting like the evil in the world doesn’t exist, doesn’t make it go away. Maybe after watching this movie some people may think twice about being so promiscuous and make better choices in life. So that they don’t have to deal with these consiquences. Most people think you only get AIDS from homosexual sex or from IV drug use. Facts are you can get it if your a heterosexual too. So this award was for his acting not the story line. As Christians we should not be judging anyone anyway.
Janita
I don’t think Saul was considered the next great champion of Christianity at one point in time either. Don’t judge.
Mary Lee
M.M.thanked God and so has lots of other celebrities,athletes,and politicians,90% of Americans believe in God but don’t acknowledge Jesus Christ as their Savior.If you are a child of God saved by the blood of the Lamb you will confess Jesus is Lord.The world doesn’t have a problem mentioning the name of God but they don’t want to hear the name of Jesus! There is power in the name of Jesus,healing in the name of Jesus! Satan hates the name of Jesus!
Russell
It amazes me at how we Christians can sit and argue so much about our opinions, judgements, convictions or whatever you would like to call it. I wonder how many people are turned off from Christianity merely by reading comments like these.
They may think Christians can not agree on anything and do not seem to have any idea what they believe. Melissa makes great points in this article. I have no idea whether MM is a saved or not, however if I knew for sure that he was I would be wondering why he would be creating such stumbling blocks for others. I have not seen this movie although I have seen many of his movies and enjoy them. I believe for myself and any man who is honest the hiv/aids message would be secondary to the lust of the flesh that we would have by watching the sex scenes. I am absolutely crazy about my wife of 23 years however that does not make me immune to the filth that is in our world. Wives do not think that your husband is some superman that is immune to such graphic images, if he says he is he is either a liar or you may need to have him see a doctor because something is wrong with him. I did not mean to get on a soap box I just hate to see everyone arguing about wether mm’s is a Christian because that is not for us to decide. I have many friends that I am certain are saved, however that does not mean I have to agree with or condone everything they do.
Rhonda
The hypocrisy you have shown while trying to call others out for the same is astounding. Yes. People have suddenly developed a respect for Matthew McConaughey because he actually thanked God for something good that happened in his life. A life filled with sin. Making movies filled with sin. Perhaps the next time you bow your head to give thanks for the roof over your head or the food on your table or your family, you should remember that the only person who ever walked this world free of sin was Jesus Christ. We are all sinners and when we thank God for our blessings, we do it in acknowledgement of our sinfulness. I’ll choose to have a little more respect for someone who acknowledges the Almighty God than to be one of the ones who criticizes him for his belief as many have done or criticizes him for being himself, a sinner. Look in the mirror.
John
“for making filth that turns hearts away from God”
Melissa, you are a presumptuous judgmental fool. I am incredulous at the utter and complete stupidity revealed in the the quoted statement. Wow. Breathless.
Hilary
John, I am appalled at your response to her. Calling her a presumptuous, fool? Stupid? Wow. I am breathless too.
Rah
It was a role he was playing…..he was doing his job. He, like all of us Christians, fail our lord daily, but at least he took a minute to be grateful for the lords grace and blessing. That is more than I can say about many celebrities that are glorified daily that do not even recognize our savior.
Nathan Roe
I took a moment to read this hateful post on as to why Matthew M. shouldn’t of won an Oscar. You aren’t criticizing for the right reasons. You’re criticizing due to closed mind sets. People’s mindsets are so backwoods. I think people are just intimidated that Jared Leto was wearing a dress and fabulous false eyelashes the entire movie. It’s time to move forward. That’s WHY they won Oscars because they portrayed and made homage to characters that are polar opposites of who they are in real life. It takes more bravery to put on a dress for a day than it does to put a suit on for an entire lifetime. There is purposeful point being made with the sex scenes. It’s a movie about AIDS and the tribulations they face for their own sexual choices. Not to mention human sexuality isn’t something to be ashamed of. Unless, of course your a fundamental/backwoods Bible thumper. You’re not a member of the academy because they’d never let you step near it. A spot in the academy is meant for outstanding individuals who will be remembered for their excellence in artistry, bravery, and humanity. You can’t compare with your closed mind-sets as to human sexuality, religion, and your obvious homophobia. Please, if you can find the time in between being a home-maker, go and take a World’s Culture 101/Western Religions 101 class please.
Kathy
I am reminded of a story Heidi Bakker told; the Lord wanted her to go to Hollywood and she told the Lord she did NOT want to go, eventually she did go and saw the people in their furs. she said she had a revelation as they were clothed in furs.. oh Lord the people here are dead and repented for not wanting to go and had a heart for the lost in Hollywood…..If the Lord told you to go to a bar to minister would you go….people there need saved as well…even though it is not a “christian” environment. HE came for the lost..I don’t know what is in MM heart or anyone else, that is the Lord’s business NOT mine.. How long ago was that movie made…maybe he found the Lord since and is a “new” creation in Christ, and is not versed in the Bible..we don’t know that..there are a lot of unknowns, maybe that’s why as someone said, there is a lack of “fruit”.There are many “Christians” that lack “fruit”…I am growing and learning everyday. Just my THOUGHTS.
Waldron
Your answer was right on!
Dee
We are soo quick to judge others. Yes us Christian, we still don’t know really what unconditional love is all about.
Lori
So true and so sad.
T
What an amazing point. Thank u so much for your wisdom and for sharing it with us. For that I thank the academy.
Sandra
Wow! This article only shows us Christians as being judgemental and critical. If reposting a clip from an award acceptance speech helps to spread HIS name then I’m all for it!! There are so many in Hollywood that do not accept Christianity so if tipping a hat to Matthew M. is what it takes for a lost soul to find eternal life then HATS OFF to him!!! Those few can keep judging and condemning because that makes us all look so spiritual…ugh!
barbara gladish
I agree with you, well said. I also didn’t agree with him when he said that his dad was in heaven drinking a cold one. That on top of his choice in movies and actions just made me wonder why so many people are praising him.What would be nice to see if he gave up the filth and joined the creators of Courageous and other christian movies. Then his speech would hold more meaning.
Stephanie Becker
Let it go. Us Christians these days need to stop being offended over everything that happens.
Hilary
We need to be offended if God is offended.
Jill
People, please do not forget… Jesus walked amongst sinners. The crowd that sees any of his movies for any reason, will still be touched by his comments of thanking God. As for judging, there is a fine line with what folks think is judgement and others believe as opinions. It is definitely time, we as Christians take a stand or we will become a nation of ‘do whatever floats your boat.’
Dave
You Christians always miss the point. The movie wasn’t about sex, masturbation, and porn (of which most to all Christians partake) it was about people with aids not having access to the medicine they need. Matthew won the Oscar because his portrayal of a gaunt, shell of a man was so believable, his own person was lost in the role.
I thought he was a little heavy on the god lovin’ for my taste. But yeah, the hero aspect was a little much.
In summation, if you don’t want to see movies about “filth” and “godlessness” then don’t watch movies or tv shows that don’t star Kookey Kirk Cameron. Hollywood isn’t forcing you to participate in our culture. So don’t.
Shea
Just because he has made movies that are bad doesn’t discredit him from being a Christian. We sin everyday just like he does as Christians and no sin is greater than another. He doesn’t promote satanism or anything devilish, his movies are provacotive yes but that doesn’t mean he can’t be a Christian because of that. And yes as Christians we are suppose to set a good example and live by the word of god and glorify his name. I’m pretty sure every Christian sins in their own way and I for one am glad he announced that on love television for the world to see and he is right he wouldn’t have all of his blessings without god!
Tgirl
Maybe someday Matthew will be as sanctified as the rest of us on here….at the very least, maybe a more perfect Christian will have an opportunity to teach him all of Gods truths. Obviously, there is an opening there for someone to try where maybe no one knew of before he spoke. At least that’s what Jesus did when He spoke to the Samaritian woman at the well. Let’s not forget God can move mountains….that even includes folks in Hollywood.
Saundra Dalton Smith
Great blog post. I see Matthew like most people, a work in progress. Everyone has to start somewhere with God. Holy Spirit convicts us as we grow and mature in Christ. Acknowledging God is a good step in the right direction.
Dee Dee
I saw the movie. I wouldn’t let my kids watch it. Some scenes are raunchy and some are VERY disturbing!! Sin steals, kills, and destroys is what is depicted in the movie. Promiscuity, drug use, as well as homosexuality is shown to be a factor in contracting HIV. It also showed that even when the cards are stacked against you, you can still use what you have to better the world. One scene shows him crying out to God in prayer in a raw desperate fashion at a bar and he even swears. It broke my heart, not offended me. Matthew McConaughey wasn’t portraying a Christ follower/preacher, he was portraying a womanizing, promiscous, rough cowboy. From now on every time I get a ringing in my ear, I will pray for those batting HIV and AIDS. Give him some credit. He wasn’t asking to be the Tim Tebow of Hollywood. He stood and sincerely thanked God, rose up and called his wife blessed, and honored his mother and father. This world is ugly and people are lost and dying. It’s time for Christians to act like Christians and not expect the lost to act like saints. Liberal Hollywood mocks him for thanking God and you just linked arms with them.
Shelly
James 4:11-12
Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?
Angela
Melissa, You are not God! Please don’t judge! It is NOT your job. If you didn’t like the movie you should have watched it!