Popular evangelist Ray Comfort will release a movie next year titled "Audacious" that will address the controversial topic of homosexuality from a Biblical perspective.
Comfort, founder of the California-based apologetics ministry Living Waters, is no stranger to producing hard-hitting film projects; in recent years, he has released an abortion documentary titled "180" and the the documentaries "Evolution vs. God" and "NOAH-And the Last Days."
Although Comfort was initially hesitant to create a movie concerning homosexuality for fear of being viewed as a "hate-filled racist," he soon realized it was possible to address the issue from a loving, gospel-centered perspective.
"I didn't want to do this movie," he told the Christian News Network. "When different people kept asking for one that addressed the subject of homosexuality, I said an adamant 'No!' and I was deadly serious. It just wasn't going to happen. One of the major reasons for this was that to speak even slightly against homosexuality nowadays is tantamount to being a hate-filled racist."
"This movie isn't motivated by an ounce of hatred," he said. "It's just the opposite. We love gay people, and that's what we believe will be the conclusion of most who see it."
Comfort says film, which will be released sometime in 2015, is meant to be a loving witness to those struggling with homosexuality.
"We wouldn't have made this movie if we didn't care about homosexuals," Comfort explained. "'Audacity' doesn't stereotype or vilify gays in the slightest."
However, "Audacity" has already reportedly received significant criticism from non-Christians, with many threatening Comfort with "hate speech" via Facebook.
"When we produced '180' they said we hated women. When 'Evolution Vs. God' came out, we hated science. Neither accusations were true," Comfort stated. "We are now in post-production of a movie that shows how much we love gay people, and they are already saying that I hate gays."
"The issue isn't about women, evolution, or gays," he continued. "These critics hate any thought of God, and they think that if they can vilify me they can vilify the message-when they just confirm it with their hatred."
However, Comfort says the warm reception the film has received from Christians has been encouraging.
"The response from Christians has been wonderful," he stated. "We have received nothing but support and encouragement from those who have seen the importance of this issue."
A crowdfunding campaign for "Audacity" has already raised over $130,000, with hundreds of people supporting the project.
Comfort says he hopes the film will encourage Christians to address homosexuality in a loving manner without compromising Biblical mandates.
"The biblical perspective is very clear on homosexuality. It's stated in 1 Corinthians 6:9-10," Comfort stated. "However, there is a way to handle the subject without compromise, to handle it biblically, and in a way that defuses the hatred. 'Audacity' will show Christians how to do that, and we believe it will be a wonderfully effective tool to give to those who don't understand the issues that are at hand."
