Baldwin's crusade....

Last night, as I was flipping through the channels during halftime of the basketball game I was watching, I came across an interview on what I think was MSNBC with actor, and now "born-again" Christian, Stephen Baldwin. Now, I had heard some time ago that Baldwin had become one of the Body, had worked on some stuff with Christian skateboarders, and had even done some stuff with worldwide evangelist, Luis Palau. To me, that was pretty cool. Not so much that his celebrity and whatever would bring such glory to God, for God is so much bigger than all of that and, let's face it, Stephen Baldwin's celebrity is more about being Alec's brother than a great actor. Anyone see Bio-Dome?

But the interview was not in regards to any of those things. Instead, Baldwin is now making headlines for protesting the opening of an adult bookstore within a mile or so radius of his home. He is arguing on the basis that crime will rise, property values will lower, and several other such activities will occur with the genesis of this store. So, Mr. Baldwin's plan? Videotape and photograph the license plates of all cars that solicit this business. Then, he intends to take out an advertisement in the newspaper, publishing the names of all employees and customers of said establishment.

Now, I agree that Mr. Baldwin has a right to his opinion. Even the police have stated that he is not legally doing anything illegal, that he has a right to his opinion. I also agree with Mr. Baldwin that pornography is a bad thing and can bring some difficulties and problems along with it. I have dealt with pornography in the past and understand the dangers of it firsthand. My biggest issue then, is not with Mr. Baldwin's thinking. My issue lies with his actions. The anchor of the show kept referring to his faith, his being "born again", and all things in between. Is this how we as Christians want to be represented? As those crusading against people rather than the sin itself? Baldwin's actions speak far more of judgment and self-righteousness than they do the love and care of Jesus. Would Jesus have protested, calling out each and every individual by name and berating them publicly? Or, would our Jesus have entered into relationship with them, not justifying their sin but instead bringing them to a place where the lights could come on, where they could see the truth themselves, and still be affirmed as individuals and creatures of God?

Read a quick bit of the story here: Stephen Baldwin's Porn Crusade