Thank you,

Scott

Scott, you asked what I disagree with Tom Hanks about. I never claimed to have any intimate knowledge of his thoughts (?!) so I can only respond to what he has said, just as you’ve responded to what I’ve said without having intimate knowledge of my thoughts. First, what I agree with him about. I do agree that God exists. And he seems to have some interest in God and spiritual matters, which again I do appreciate.

Where I disagree is where he says that it doesn’t matter whether Jesus rose or even lived or not; I’d say it’s critically important and makes all the difference in the world. I wouldn’t say I have an “elevated viewpoint”; Tom and I seem to have a difference of opinion. If Hanks thinks it’s not important, then I think he’s wrong. That doesn’t mean I am judging him, hate him, don’t care about him, or am intolerant of him or his opinions. In fact, he is (and should be) free to hold whatever beliefs he wants. In order to be tolerant of someone else, I must by definition disagree with them (you can’t tolerate another person’s views if you already agree, can you?).

I hope it doesn’t sound like I’m putting myself on a high horse. I am a sinner saved by grace through faith like anyone else and no better or more worthy than Mr Hanks. That’s exactly why, when it seems to me (my humble opinion!) that his views about God are less than fully formed (based on the available evidence) I have hope that, with further contemplation, that he will continue in his spiritual walk and grow in God’s truth, out of love for him and wanting him to grow closer to God. I hope that’s not offensive, I meant no offense even if it may have come off that way.

Please feel free to post a final reply if you’d like, you can have the last word. I do appreciate you taking the time to reply, from the sounds of it you guys are much more experienced in the Christian walk than I am (myself becoming a Christian only about six years ago) so trust me when I say that I do take your opinions under consideration and probably have a lot to learn myself.

I have to agree with Scott. How can any of us elevate ourselves period. We keep forgetting salvation is a “free” gift. In all of our depravity–God chose us to spend enternity with Him. Not the other way around? “He who knew no sin-became sin”–in order we achieve the same righteousness? Jeremiah talks about our hearts and motives being in question–even on our best day. Once receiving this “free”gift. Hadn’t we ought remain humble to the point, we have but one wish; to see all men/woman have the same opportunity? I attribute these subtle heart “attitudes” to the fact that Christianity in the past three decades has been on a collision course with God himself. Take a hard look around you people. We have some tough conditions to answer for. Read Revalation Chapter Three–which clearly defines the present condition of the Churches of Laodicea. In case you didn’t know it–that’s all of us! After serving over 20 years in ministry, I have been on a hiatus for nearly a decade now. Sometimes I do not even want the word Christian attached to my person. The first place God will clean house, is at the very steps of our precious alters. What do we expect Mr. Hanks to do for us, in all of our glory? The guy acknowledged God, and perhaps at some future point in time–we could all be about the business of praying him into the kingdom. Remeber, these actors have need of nothing. In the world, they have it all. Much like the rich young ruler. They need continual prayer–not critisism. Being a beleiver in no way gives us the upper hand. In fact he laid out His, and took a nail in each one–so that you and I could get home safely. Hardly sounds like we had anything to do with this–save to nod our heads, humble ourselves and thanks God for His grace. Close out these threads and move on. Lesson learned. Read the LOVE Chapter several times, and see how many of these you are missing on. That’s a wake up call? Sorry Tom–I think we have decided NOT to stone you after all!

Marc

I am just curious how you seem to be so intimate to his thoughts on these matters and how you can claim the higher ground.

Please be reminded that within the very interview you reference, Hanks seems to be very forthcoming in his religious, or perhaps a more appropriate term is “spiritual” orientation and I wonder out loud how you come to the conclusion that it would be “profitable” for him to spend more time thinking about these “deeper” issues.

Sorry to say this but your discourse certainly seems to continue along the course of your original post, that you indeed have an elevated viewpoint to that of Hanks, and again I wonder how you, I, or anyone else for that matter, can make that claim.

I certainly would commend Tom for being willing to talk about God and his faith, and mean no disrespect when I say that I disagree with him and (in my humble opinion) suggest that it might be profitable for him to spend some time thinking about deeper issues. Believing God exists is good, wonderful even. But the vast majority of the human population already believes that to be true.

I nowhere judge him, nor do I want to or intend to. I actually do agree with nearly everything that you’ve said.

If I can jump in here again. I posted back a ways. I have to agree with you Shane in terms of never giving up on anyone who needs the “good” news! Let’s face it! Religion has been the stumbling block all along. Seeing or experiencing God through the prism of programs, denominations, doctrine, liturgy– and the like. May not be the way Mr. Hanks will one day make his peace with his Creator. At least he had enough respect to honor God with perhaps a mustard seed–size of faith? Perhaps, in His infinite wisdom, God has Tom in this role for a reason. I finally learned to let go of the “judgemental” spirit, in exchange for simply being a witness. We are not called to judge anyone. In fact, this is reserved soley for God at the set appointed time. Our job is simply to “herald” the good news. God can handle the rest. If we wwould/could all lay down our “sacred” cows long enough. There might be a lot more fruit out there in Hollywood. Not to risk sounding trite or redundant. But, the greatest command Jesus left behind; “Was to love our neighbor as oneself”. On this hangs the whole law! We were saved because of a free gift that somehow came our way at some point in our lives. Let’s give Tom and many other’s like him/her, the same chance? Usually when we see something wrong in someone else’s life–it is because the same speck is still in our own eye’s?

Marc

From the responses that follow it appears that at least some people have adopted this conclusion with the authors help.

If you read the entire interview however, it seems to me that Mr. Hanks does indeed have a more than fleeting grasp of his faith and respect for God, at least more so than the author suggests.

I am sorry if to you this seems to be judgemental on my part, but the fact is I am only interested in people being truthful when speaking about others, and not cherry picking the quotes, vices or virtues of others to accomplish their own agendas, regardless of their intent.