Being a Christian Actor (Faith)

To be honest, I wouldn't say that most other religious people are more protective over their faith than Christians. Although there is a reason why quite a few Christians would not respond to an attack on Christianity, and that is 'turning the other cheek'. As a Christian, this is hugely important to me, and something I aspire to (not always successfully I have to admit!)
As a result, an attack on Christianity will not always result in a response in kind - i.e violence will not necessarily incur violence, hatred towards Christians will not necessarily result in hatred FROM Christians, and so on.

Also, there is such a stereotypical view of Christians in this country that it does make it difficult to say 'I am a Christian' without somebody thinking about jumpers, Cliff Richard, and going for walks in the country. So in that respect, maybe it is a little bit more difficult for Christians.

(Don't get me wrong, I don't think theres some big conspiracy here! But since we're having the conversation, just thought I'd give my views on the subject)

On a lighter note.....um....who likes chocolate?!....

• 17 years ago
• 21

I think as Christians we are taught and believe in respecting other peoples views, not judging others and treating others with respect regardless of their faith or beliefs. Not that we always get it right.

In my own view, my take on it, is that at their is so much that i dont understand about the world, so much in my own faith that i dont understand that i cant make a judgement unless it is hurting other people. I which case i would try and help but not to judge.

Its the big guys job and not mine.

God works with grace and being pushy about your faith or critising others isnt very graceful.

x

• 17 years ago
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As Christians we are called to talk about our faith and to live by faith...HOWEVER...God is the one and only one who can judge...who can change people's hearts...who can reveal to you who he is...I think it's up to Christians to put him in as good (dodgy word, I know) a light as possible. By this I mean that Christians should be seen to be following the ways of the bible and not the ways of the world...this is getting a bit preachy...sorry....everything in this life, I reckon, is about relationships...friendships...people...and how they affect us and how we affect them...

I think if we are struggling with a relationship with God --- and believe me we all do all the time --- then it is often a good challenge to find the things in our life that get in the way of that relationship...it's like any relationship...we have to make compromises in order for it to flourish...we have to make sacrifices...and that's not to say that you have to give up all the fun...be boring and snobbish...God wants the best life for us and for us to make the choices that will give us the best possible life...which in my view is why having faith is this business is so vital for me...difficult choices crop up all the time (I sometimes wish they were about which job to TAKE though and not about which job to apply for!!)...to have that constant, that never changing person in your life - Christ - gives me as an actor, such a safe grounding in this very unsafe career.

I try to keep these postings quite general...but if anyone wants to send me a private mail that'd be cool 'cos then we could get into more depth on stuff...by the way...my folks make chocolate...luxury hand-made dark and light chocolate...my dad is actually willy wonker!

Ben

• 17 years ago
• 23

Hi all,
I am not a Christian but I would like to know more about it. I was brought up in a very 'anti-christ' environment but I am fascinated to know what really makes you guys tick. The Christians that I have come across always fascinate me as they seem to have a happiness that comes from 'within'. I've often thought it must be great to be so at peace within myself. I hope you guys don't think that I'm a wally as I now feel really embarrassed. Is there anyone who would be willing to share their experiences with me or just tell me about more about being a christian.

Thanks for reading this.

Alex xx

• 17 years ago
• 24

I am a Christian as well, and I ahve had to come to a point of realsing that being an actor vis representing a reality on stage that is not necessarily our personal one.

if i ahve to work on a Sunday, if a show is not going well, and bneeds extra rehearsal, i will be happy to do so...as doing GOOD on the Sabbath means helping ones fellow man and this type of thing is really crucial and is heloping ohers.

Churhes dont always have the right attitudes towards christians but I am very keen to meet more belivers in the industry.

Any one out there? Mail me privately! :)

• 17 years ago
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I meant..churches dontz always have the right attitudes towards actors and believers who are in teh arts.

• 17 years ago
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Hey

Nice to hear from you all. It's really all too easy to separate the 'acting bit' of life from the 'God bit' of life, isn't it? I'm really pretty sure, after much praying etc, that this is where God wants me to be, what God wants me to be doing at the moment, etc, but it's sometimes much less to think about if you bring a wall down between the two - I'm so glad someone's brought up the subject of mixing them...

Alex (Alexandra?) - don't ever be embarrassed about asking a Christian about their faith - without going to 'jargony' on you, Christians are 'called' to 'witness' to others about Jesus, the gospel, Christianity etc. I help out with Alpha courses at my church, and trust me, there probably isn't a question I haven't heard, so ask away!! If you're still embarrassed, that's fine too - send me a personal message if that feels easier!

I'd love to hear more about these Christians in the Arts groups - I haven't had a chance to have a proper read of all the posts yet, but keep it coming, it sounds like a fab idea...

Take care guys,
God bless

Teg.xx

• 17 years ago
• 27

Wheeeeee!!!! I was beginning, after only 18 months as a 'professional', to think that Christians working in the performing arts business was an urban myth, and yet here you are! I am delighted to able to add myself to this list and would love to know more about groups where we can get together in person (as opposed to in the ether via CCP!) so someone please let me know where to go!!.

I was asked, whilst at drama school, whether I would ever accept a role where I was behaving or speaking in a very obviously non-Christian way. My reply was that when I act, I am not me, I am the character, and that this world contains lots of different kinds of people, including people with every different kind of belief (or non-belief) and that as long as it was not done just to shock people or purely to make fun of my beliefs, then I would do it, because I am a professional actor.

I have faith in God, that He will not lead me to a place where I cannot resist the temptation (as long as I listen to Him). And that frees me up to do so many things.

How do you all feel?

• 17 years ago
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Artisan

http://www.artisaninitiatives.org/

I've been twice since I moved to London and each evening (they run once a month) has been astonishing...To have 200 hundred Christian artists from all different industries all praising and worshipping God and sharing the hurt, rejection, love, hope etc..etc...that the creative industry seems to dole out...is an amazing thing...would definately recommend it. Every third monday in the month.

The Arts Centre Group

www.artscentregroup.org.uk/

A similar organisation...just a social usually once a month again, where Christian Artists meet for a drink and get together...have been once...was actually set up by my brother's God father Nigel Goodwin...who is an absolute saint if you can ever get to meet him..but he's usually well busy!!

Ben

• 17 years ago
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It's really cool that people are posting on this thread...God rocks!

• 17 years ago
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Amen! I am so thrilled to have finally made contact with other Christians in the industry. I hope we will be able to continue our conversations and hopefully meet soon..

• 17 years ago
• 31

This is a great thread!!!! I love looking to see who else has joined in and what they have to say on the matter. Keep it up guys.

• 17 years ago
• 32

forgive me please (that's addressed to you, not your god) for feeling the need to play devil's advocate on this thread but it is in danger of becoming a fundamentalist love-in.

there are sane, caring people in this world that take immense displeasure at the wrongs committed in the name of religion, including (and indeed, especially) the christian faith. the whole "jam tomorrow" doctrine being one that truly appals a great many fundamentally good people. we live in a world where abhorrent, terrible things are done in the name of your god (bush, blair), where the press demonise followers of other faiths, where we live in fear of armaggedon because it could be unleashed upon us all by our leaders simply informing us that their god had told them it was the right thing to do, a few minutes before disappearing into their nuclear bunkers.

is that the world you want to live in?

it's been said that in a world without religion, good people would do good things and evil people would do evil things. however, if you want good people to do evil things then you need to introduce religion into the mix.

there's sense to the idea of religion being the "opium of the masses" and the most obvious form of mind-control of the working classes. does the sight of the leaders of this world joining hands in prayer make you feel safer?

god rocks - my ar*e.

discuss.

may you all have marvellous, rewarding careers because of your talents rather than crossing your fingers that mumbo-jumbo will do the trick.

• 17 years ago
• 33

Dear Anon,

yes, sadly, there have been (and will probably continue to be) terrible things done in the name of religion. There are also some wonderful things that have been done in the name of religion (most of the hospitals in this country were started by Christians). But we are talking about our own personal belief in God, and in my case, my belief stems from the things that have happened in my life.

One of God's greatest gifts to us is free will. Every person who carries out an evil act freely chooses to do that act, or for that matter, a good one. Does not mean that God does not exist. But I cannot prove to you in a scientific way that God exists (although some areas of science are starting to deliberate about this with their devine architect theories about creation). That's why it's called belief and it takes a leap to make it. Some freely choose to, others choose not to. The choice is yours. I will not criticise you for your choice. It's up to you if you want to criticise me about mine.

Anyone else want to add anything?

• 17 years ago
• 34

(blimey - bit of a long one, sorry!)

Dear Anon

I completely understand your views, but I think it's important to point out that, as with any other religion, simply admitting to being a Christian does not (or at least, should not) automatically brand you a fundamentalist. Similarly, as with any other religion, fundamentalist Christians are very different to 'ordinary' (for want of a better word) Christians, just as one would never say that Muslims were the same as Islamic fundamentalists.

It's also really important to remember that there is a very big difference between Religion and Faith (as I think was mentioned earlier). Yes, Religion (big R) has been named as the cause of all manner of things, the Crusades, 9/11, etc., but that's rarely anything to do with people's faith so much as their politics. From what I can tell, most of the people who have posted here (although I don't presume to speak for them) aren't joining in to say they're paid-up members of the Christian Party. They're talking about their own individual faith with a God they believe to be their creator and sustainer.

I too am a sane, caring person - I also happen to be a Christian. There are things that are carried out in the world in the name of (my?) God which sicken and appall me also. But, unfortunately, for as long as there is 'religion', there will be people trying to bend it to suit their own ends. The Machiavellian model will always exist. But just because something can be bent to suit another's will doesn't mean that it is flawed in and of itself...

As regards my (presently not so!) marvelous rewarding career - thank you for your good wishes. But I feel I should say that as a Christian I don't presume that everything's going to be sorted out for me because of 'mumbo-jumbo'. Any success that I have will be the result of hard work and determination, just as much as anyone else. You know that adage about leading a horse to water etc? Well, as a Christian I believe that God has opened many doors for me, and given me many opportunities in my time, but that doesn't mean that I don't have to work for what I get. As with contacts in the industry - someone else can get you a casting, but you have to take the audition. I hope all this makes sense.

One final point - saying "God rocks - my ar*e. Discuss." doesn't make you sound especially big or clever, but nonetheless I am happy to discuss my faith and beliefs with you. All I would ask is that you do me the courtesy of respecting my choices. I am neither stupid nor brainwashed, and I made the decision to become a Christian after a LOT of careful thought, consideration and research. If you want to talk about or challenge anything I've said - great! But you'd much better do it from a place of reasoned argument, rather than by posting intentionally inflammatory statements, as it probably won't be me who ends up looking daft!

Take care

Teg.xx

• 17 years ago
• 35

Hey all,

Just a couple of points on this thread. It was set up for two reasons. One, so that Christians in the arts could get to know each other and talk about stuff that they struggle with and yeah, share in what they believe to be a great faith...but two...in order for anybody, Christians and non-Christians alike to voice opinions, discussion points, strong views etc...even raise points from other religons...and please, do attack this faith because it's so much better to hear both sides of an argument...anything is welcome as long as it's posted in an adult and constructive way with a view of learning and teaching....and please, how are we as Christains supposed to form an army and go and burn down your house if you post anonymously!!?

joke! ;)

• 17 years ago
• 36

Hi everyone.

I think this was a very good and important thread to raise. A number of the students I work with here are very serious about their religion, and it does affect their work. I am in the process of letting them read this thread.

I have mixed feelings on some of the comments. We all have our opinions. Thats our privilege. We have the choice. I was brought up as Christian (Church of Scotland) and made the choice to step away. It didn't offer me anything. This may be "weird" but I don't believe in religion. Ooooh!!! That doesn't mean I don't believe in a 'higher' soul.

To me words are just words. Sometimes Oh flip doesn't cover it! The naked body is a beautiful thing - not insulting or degrading. Are we not 'made in his form'? I have the power to accept everyone for who they are, what they believe, what they say think and do. I can forgive, I can turn away. I help, I care and I love.

We all make choices to live our lives in the way that be feel is best. Under the watching eye of our "God" or not. I have a great respect for anyone who stands up for their beliefs and faith. That takes strength. I hope that it doesn't hinder you. It shouldn't. And if it does - you're not working with the right people!

Please feel free to message me if there is any advice you think I could pass on to the students which you think would be valuable.

Many thanks.

Ceejay

• 17 years ago
• 37

It's a very good point about how can Christianity be good if people wage wars in it's name?

Well, here's a bit about what God says on the subject (NIV bible)

Matthew 24:4-7

"Watch out that no-one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming "I am the Christ," and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumours of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and Kingdom against Kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places."

People have the free choice and free voice to SAY anything...they may actually believe that they are doing stuff in God's name. However, here's where the devil comes in. Devil = in direct opposition to God, Jesus and what the bible says...therefore if old satan can get to someone who claims to be acting in God's name and make them act in a way that is going to put all Christianity in a bad light...is that not so much more powerful than getting to someone not acting in God's name?

Here's a thought. Contemporaray Shakespeare of the worst kind...The director has the power to change and distort the writing in any way that they feel fit...not caring about the meaning or what Shakespeare was trying to say...and complete something that gives Shakespeare such a bad name...and yet the play is still called HAMLET by WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE...great...and so Shakespeare is taken off the school cariculam....kids don't study it anymore...and yet here is where so much of the English language came from...I could rant more about Shakespeare but do you get my point....the view of Christianity is so distorted...another reason why perhaps this thread is important for people to ask or get out of the way their opinions on Christianity...all welcome...

Ben

• 17 years ago
• 38

A few points that have been raised...

As a Christians artist ----- nudity or no nudity?

Is swearing ok?

Working on a sunday?

Playing a part such as a murderer, rapist, war criminal etc...?

Career choices?

Success or no success?

Any further thoughts?

Ben

• 17 years ago
• 39

I think one of the most important concepts people should have is the ability to separate a belief in God, and organised religion.

Personally, I believe that organised religion is bad, and is chock full of mistakes, but that's simply my opinion. It consists of rules made up by human beings, which makes it kinda weird that people follow it to the letter. WE are humans, and we should follow our own rules. We live good lives because that's who we are. It shouldn't be because we are scared of an etheral punishment after death.

The same goes for the salient texts of religion. The bible, Qu'ran, Torah, etc. These were written by people. People. History was written by the winners. If the same happened today, it would be recieved with a very different reaction. Can you imagine someone today saying they'd spoken to God and written it all down?

People can believe in whatever they want. It's the beauty of our society, freedom of choice and belief. In fact, I wouldn't want to live anywhere where we weren't allowed this simple human right. I just wish people actually believed what they do in the name of religion, as it seems to me many religious people do it simply because of "tradition", and that their family did it before them. That's nice in theory, but surely we should make our choices in life more based on our own experiences.


Mark.

• 17 years ago
• 40