Tom Hanks Called "Basher" for Talking About Mormons

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I found the excerpted article below to be profoundly unfair in its headline--which was blaring as a top story on AOL's front page. Tom Hanks does talk frankly about Mormons, and about the proponents of California's Proposition 8. But nowhere does he "bash Mormons" or anyone else.

C'mon, this is Mr. Nice, Mr. Warmth, Mr. America. It would be profoundly out of character for him to trash somebody publicly. And he didn't here, unless something was left out of the story.

But you know what? I'm not afraid to trash religion or the religious. I wouldn't generally do it to specific individuals for no reason, of course. But I don't understand why "religious beliefs" are somehow immune to criticism. Sometimes, religious beliefs can be wrong, destructive, or downright criminal. And why should I--a gay, agnostic--pay respect to a group that affords me none? I have heard and read many, many nasty things written about gays, agnostics, atheists. In fact anyone in the alphabet soup (LGBTQ) or in any category deemed "unbeliever" can be criticized and insulted with almost impunity in almost any forum.

One more thing. Hanks is talking below about a group that worked mightily to step on the rights of another group. Intolerance or antipathy toward the former is entirely justifiable. It is intolerance of intolerance, and once more the oppressor is being classified as a victim. THAT is un-American! Ahem. . .end of rant.

[Excerpt]

Hanks Bashes Mormons, Prop-8 Advocates

At Wednesday night's 'Big Love' premiere party, Tom Hanks made his feelings about the Mormon Church's involvement in the passage of California's Prop 8 very clear, calling those against gay marriage "un-American."

Ironically, Hanks serves as the executive producer of HBO's controversial show, which focuses on a modern-day polygamist living in Utah with his three wives. . .

Read more at: PopEater