A storm is brewing after cast members of the TV show “The Chosen” rebuked those asking what a rainbow flag representing the LGBT movement was doing on the set of a television series about the life of Jesus.
The controversy began when a promotional video for Season 4 of the series included an image of a small rainbow flag attached to a piece of equipment, apparently being displayed by one of the crew as videographers recorded a scene, according to The Daily Wire.
Turning Point USA contributor Jon Root asked about it, and was told through the show’s official Twitter account that the series respects whatever anyone happens to believe, The Daily Wire reported.
?BREAKING? @thechosentv is unapologetically promoting Pride.
Christians, avoid this show & keep them in your prayers. pic.twitter.com/iO1Xl2J9pH
— Jon Root (@JonnyRoot_) May 30, 2023
“Just like our hundreds of cast and crew who have different beliefs (or no belief at all) than we do, we will work with anyone on our show who helps us portray or honor the authentic Jesus,” the Twitter account states.
The flag appears for about four seconds, starting at the 25-second mark of a video that runs almost seven minutes.
The whole video is below:
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The show’s Twitter response to Root, posted Tuesday, provoked anger and social media talk of a possible boycott of the show.
Two actors on the show then took to social media to take on the critics.
“As one of the actors on The Chosen, I am so proud of the love and acceptance displayed on our set every day. That’s not going to change no matter what some hateful critics say,” Jordan Ross, who plays the apostle known as “Little James,” wrote in a Twitter post Tuesday night.
As one of the actors on The Chosen, I am so proud of the love and acceptance displayed on our set every day. That’s not going to change no matter what some hateful critics say. ?️?
— Jordan Ross (@TheJordanRoss) May 31, 2023
Actor Giavani Cairo, who plays the disciple Thaddeus, also weighed in.
Another one of the actors on
The Chosen here. Anyone who is going to go at one of our family members for something like this, is no fan of ours.
They can close the door on the way out
“Love one another as I have loved you”
We stand with our brother ?️?— Giavani Cairo (@GCairo06) May 31, 2023
In a Wednesday tweet, Ross turned up the heat.
“My brother @GCairo06 isn’t the only one who stands by the LGBTQ members of our Chosen family get outta here with your hate, homophobia and ignorance. Not very Jesus-like of you, Jonny,” he wrote in a Twitter post.
My brother @GCairo06 isn’t the only one who stands by the LGBTQ members of our Chosen family ??️?
get outta here with your hate, homophobia and ignorance. Not very Jesus-like of you, Jonny. https://t.co/R2X1bsZ4V2
— Jordan Ross (@TheJordanRoss) May 31, 2023
But other social media users fired back, posting tweets with comments like: “That tells me you don’t know the Bible,” “I’ll never spend another dime on this show,” and “This is not going to go well for you or The Chosen.”
This is not going to go well for you or The Chosen. :-/
— Salty Ma??? (@AJKM66) June 1, 2023
Wow..
I loved that show, I have bought merch and paid it forward..
Now I feel like I’ve promoted the wrong thing.. I’ll never spend another dime on this show
— True Patriot (@TruePatriot8472) May 31, 2023
I don’t agree with someone being mean to a gay person. But if or anyone else Supports/Encourages lgbt , that tells me you don’t know the Bible , you don’t understand His teachings, you’re an Apostate and you don’t Love them. If you did you would tell them truth.
— ProudKentuckyGirl* (@Jillybean_502) May 31, 2023
So, this doesn’t seem like, hey, we allow people with different beliefs on our set, even though it is a Christian production. This seems like you’re saying—the shows prime audience, which is Bible, believing Christians (many of whom actually contributed money to help get this…
— Megan Basham (@megbasham) June 1, 2023
At The Federalist, staff writer Jordan Boyd called the show’s response disappointing.
“Maybe a miniature pride flag on camera equipment shouldn’t discount the incredible work ‘The Chosen’ team is doing in bringing the Gospel to life. The show’s unwillingness to do anything but endorse the flag on set, however, does,” she wrote.
“In this day and age, there’s no such thing as moral neutrality. Unfortunately, the decision by ‘The Chosen’ and its openly Christian creators not to stand with its audience against the aggressive agenda of rainbow activists means, in a way, it has taken a stand against them.”
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal.
