Anti-Christian Christian

So today I read this article. For those of you who don't really want to sort through all of it, it basically broke down into three parts:

1. Redefining the word gay
• ‘Gay’ is a left-wing socio-political construct designed to create grounds for fundamental rights [based on] whimsical capricious desires,” said Ryan Sorba, chairman of the Young Conservatives of California. “Gay identity does not exist.”
• “Same-sex attraction,” “Same-sex intercourse,” “Sodomy,” “Unnatural vice,” and “anti-Christian.”
  
2. The gay war
• It's their duty to protect the definition of marriage and protect America's youth from the "gay agenda."
• Also, protect America from homosexual lobbyists.
  
3. Same-sex orientation: ‘hedonism repackaged’ 
• Hedonism - a school of thought which argues that pleasure is the only intrinsic good.
• Gays are gay because it feels good, and they should not be allowed to partake in this pleasure because it is morally wrong and disgusting. 

So. . . I'm not going to do what a lot of what my liberal friends would do and outright call this "stupid."

Instead, I wanted to approach this from these people's perspective, the Christian perspective.  For those of you who don't know, I am in fact a Christian.  Although these people seem to be arguing that I cannot be gay and Christian at the same time, and that they are in fact complete opposites and cancel each other out. However, I'm pretty sure we're reading from the same Book, so I thought it'd be cool to go and check out where the disagreement is.

There is No Silence

This is our film for University of South Carolina's first annual Tunnel of Awareness, described as a "Haunted House of Hate," dealing with the different types of discrimination and prejudices present in modern society.  We decided to tackle the slightly controversial topic of the bullying of LBGT youth in America.

This was a very emotional project for me, so I decided to write a letter of thanks to my wonderful cast and crew. 


Dear Cast and Crew,

The DVD finished burning Monday morning at 6:21AM.  Nine hours later it was shown on a TV screen in front of a group of about 10 people for the first time. I've never collaborated on a project like this.  I'm used to being a one-man show, and just taking care of everything on my own, but this time I had to completely rely on other people.

To my lovely and talented actors and actresses, I want you to know I was really moved by your performances.  On and off camera you were amazing to work with, and I can't wait to do more projects with you.  I was really anxious when I first wrote the script because I was terrified no one would want to be a part of a "controversial" film, especially one by a never-heard-of student director.  But I got my dream cast and each one of you really understood your craft, and it took no effort to make you "look good" on camera.

To my sound team, I want you to know that I really appreciated all of your help with the boom and syncing and post-cleaning.  A special note to Nick Ducko, who by some miracle managed to salvage the audio from the locker room scene, constructed a make-shift recording studio in a study room to re-dub lines, and spent all of Sunday with me at the library re-constructing audio from scratch.  I learned a lot about filters and mixers and things I didn't even know existed, and I also learned that I'm much better behind a camera than behind any piece of audio equipment.

To my extras, you guys really came in when I needed you most.  The cafeteria scene really only worked because of you guys.  And it was so much fun getting to direct you.  You were patient and willing to redo takes, stuff that's a lot to ask for volunteers.  So thank you for bearing with me, and I hope you'll always consider being a part of any future films.  It seems to be that free food is a good incentive.

To everyone, I wanted you to know I'm blessed to have had this experience to make this film.  And I know it's a little difficult to watch, but look past the terrible high school language and the slurs.  Listen to the silence because that was the message I wanted.  I wanted the silence to be more deafening than the words.  The words are hollow, meaningless things that teenagers don't think twice about.  The silence is the screaming of everyone who's ever been bullied.  And one voice has the power to change all of that.

A bully screams at you, but says nothing.
A bystander says nothing, but screams at you.
A victim is silent, but wants nothing more than to scream back.

Words are the only thing as powerful in their presence as they are their absense.

So in reality there is no silence because that silence is screaming louder than any insult.

This isn't "my" film, it's "our" film, and I'm so happy I have so many amazing people to share it with. 

Love,
Olivia