Josh Had portrays an openly gay character in Disney’s new fllm, Beauty and the Beast. Photo via Facebook
The Henagar Drive-In Theatre made the announcement Thursday on its Facebook page.
“It is with great sorrow that I have to tell our customers that we will not be showing Beauty and the Beast at the Henagar Drive-In when it comes out. When companies continually force their views on us we need to take a stand. We all make choices and I am making mine.
“We will not compromise on what the Bible teaches. We will continue to show family oriented films so you can feel free to come watch wholesome movies without worrying about sex, nudity, homosexuality and foul language,” the theater management said in a statement.
“If I can’t sit through a movie with God or Jesus sitting by me then we have no business showing it,” the theater ‘s statement read.
The reviews section of their Facebook page have gotten both supporting and negative statements.
Stormy Stevens, an educator in neighboring Jackson County said, “(The theater) smells of old cabbage and bigotry.”
Another commenter, Sheree Moore Anderson applauded the decision, calling to light their freedom to run their business as they choose.
” I applaud your stand! It’s your right as a business owner to make the choices you choose to make,” Anderson’s review read. “That is why we live in America freedom of speech and choice!”
92 Comments
Kelly Britton-Hathaway
This is outrageous, won’t be going to this drive in rather go to Coyote Drive in anyway!
Jefferey Garrett
Thank God we live in a free country and are able to make business decisions as we see fit….good for them!
Jane Scoggins
Thank you…… we are blessed to live in a country that gives us choices.
Jennifer Knight Mamucud
Tim Massey
First of all who’s ever heard of henagar Alabama..
Trey Isbell
You people saying “good for them” realize lefou has always been gay right? He was as a cartoon. He is as a live action character… you’re blind if you didn’t see that in 1991
Amy Greene
Ridiculous- shame on the people condoning this. Its 2017- grow up.
Nathan Baker
To all the people who are complaining…… It is simple, as business owners they have the right to choose what they will and will not show just as you have the right to visit them or not! If you don’t like their choice then don’t go there! Quit complaining and just make your choice! Why does it matter to you what they believe they should or shouldn’t show!
Kevin Small
I have been amazed at the amount of national buzz this is getting. After 3 months of celebrating athletes boycotting the White House and Trump hotels and businesses dropping Trump products, the Left is coming apart at the seems over one theatre not showing this movie. Seriously?
Lydia Christina
Loss of revenue from such bigoted decisions will eventually cause businesses like these to fold
Jeffrey Kyle Martin
I wonder how you people saying “good for them” would react if a theater chose not to play a movie because one character expressed openly Christian views….
Kevin Small
I would be curious however, if there are other movies he has chosen not to show because of Christian values? Or is it only this one issue?
Do they show movies with pre marital or extra marital sex? With adulterous characters or promiscuous characters?
George Rhianna Winters
Rednecks will never change.
Amanda Taylor Tinney
🙋🏼
Crystal McGough
Then why in the cartoon did he ogle the triplets’ breasts? He wasn’t gay, he was just trying to cheer up his best friend.
Crystal McGough
According to the managements original statement, they are under new ownership and this is a decision of the new owner…so whatever the theater has shown in the past probably doesn’t apply to this new owner’s decision. The real question is will he stick to his statement to not show sex, nudity and movies with fouls language from this point forward.
Dawn C Hinkle
Glad they are standing up for not indoctrinating children with sin, and yes it is sin.
Trey Isbell
So valuing a woman for her body is ok but being gay isn’t? Now women’s rights are just as important as LGBT rights to Christians? As in not at all?
Dan Hodo
We don’t need to change.
George Rhianna Winters
Status quo and a closed mind seems to be good enough to you. Sad.
Trey Isbell
And I’m sorry but the words to that song don’t translate to, “cheer up my best friend” they sound like a closeted gay man vocalizing his love for his best friend through the disguise of song
Melissa Maylon Collins
Oogling breasts is ok though? What if those women were married? Not to mention the whole bestiality and magic curse…filled with abominations…but the cartoon version is totally fine right?
Ken Wiley
Take it up with The Lord YHWH, the Creator! — Leviticus 18:22: ” Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.” 3. Leviticus 20:13: “If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.” and Romans 1:26-28 26 Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. 27 In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error. 28 Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done.
Patience Kleber Itson
get over it homophobes!!!
Trey Isbell
So ken,
By that logic exodus 21 details all about how you can sell various people including your own daughter into slavery.
Exodus 35:2 says that anyone who works on the sabbath should be put to death… I’m curious.. have you ever worked on the sabbath?
Leviticus 11:7-8 says all about how pigs are unclean. They shall not be eaten nor shall their skin be touched… do you like bacon? How about football?
Deuteronomy 22:9 says that different seeds can’t be planted side by side, or they will be unclean or defiled, I’m willing to be a good portion of the veggies we eat have different crops right next to them, or if you’ve ever done your own garden, surely you didn’t make two separate gardens for two separate veggies
Oh and my favorite one,.
Leviticus 19:19 says we shouldn’t wear clothes made from mixed fabrics… got any polyester blends in your closets or do you strictly wear cotton or wool?
Trey Isbell
Refer to my reply to ken. All of that is considered sin too. Are you guilty of any of that?
Stacey Bivens
Cancellation
William Kennedy
One of the characters is also in love with a big hairy beast. I wonder what the Bible has to say about that.
Kayleabrian Williams
Spell check
AJ Dukes-Guilford
Shall we start listing what the Bible says we all shouldn’t do? And all the abominations listed for men and woman? Hate the sin not the sinner.
Mark 12:28-35
One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”
“The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.
The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”
“Well said, teacher,” the man replied. “You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him.
To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”
When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions.
Mark Spitzer
.
Crystal McGough
I never said ogling or objectifying women is ok…in fact I’m very much against the objectification of women. That’s a different argument. You said he was gay in the cartoon…a gay man wouldn’t be ogling women now, would he?
As far as the beastiality argument…the Beast is a human who is living under a curse. Ok, so Belle learns to love him in beast form, but love can come in many forms besides romantic…do you love you dog or cat? There is no kiss or anything intimate between Belle and the Beast until he is human again (which honestly, he was human all along, his outward appearance had just been changed). So no, a love story between 2 humans is not beastiality.
Crystal McGough
Melissa Maylon Collins and the character’s known as the Bimbette’s were clearly not married…they were the town bimbos.
Stef Martin Sierke
Well…that’s one drive-in I’ll never visit. How judgemental and ignorant!
Iva Braswell
Disney has always been safe children movies why put things for R rated movies in?
Amanda Baker Flynn
🙋
Donna Kritner Emery
STUPID STUPID STUPID GET OVER YOUR SELVES !!!!!
Shannon Brinkley
No one is perfect but that’s no reason to believe all sin is acceptable.
Faith Connolly
Omg that’s so stupid. So freaking stupid.
George Rhianna Winters
But you seem to have no problem with a woman falling in love with an animal. 😒
Kenneth Mcintyre
the liberal way is to complain. I agree with you. If I don’t like the service I get from a restaurant, I don’t go back. It’s that simple snow flakes !
Kenneth Mcintyre
Bigoted ? LOL. It’s their business. they can do as they please. I would support this business any time. Snow flakes ! lol
David Gossett
Glad they are standing up for what they believe in.
Melissa Maylon Collins
You never know. They could have been very slutty married women lol.
Philip Sharpe
I have no hate or malice toward homosexuals, just as I don’t toward bulimics. But I’m not going to promote bulimia as an acceptable diet option.
Haley Davlin
When Jesus came we stared going by the new law in the New Testament!! Not the old (:
Haley Davlin
Let me rephrase that actually… Jesus dying on the cross for our sins was the final sacrifice given for us. We go by the new laws in the New Testament now. Meaning you don’t walk outside and see someone sacrificing an animal on an alter do you?
Alexis Little
Yeah. They have the right to be idiots. And they have the right to see themselves fall into financial ruin.
Vickie Aldridge
The whole movie is crazy. Poor Belle had Stockholm Syndrome! Falling in love with her captor? Disney movies aren’t as bad as they used to be 😔
Haley Davlin
*started
Maggie Thomas
Good for you Haley Davlin! You’re exactly right! When Jesus died for us we fell under a new covenant. The old laws don’t apply anymore but many are still relevant. The thing a lot of people that don’t know the Bible forget is that a lot of the laws presented in the Old Testament were made by man as well…and that many laws given by God were specific to that time in order to promote wellness, and in order to deal with other issues specific to that time, etc. But there were many things going on in that time that God didn’t approve of as well, hence people being punished (the flood, Sodom and Gamorrah, etc.) And therefore the NEED of a new covenent under Jesus. But that’s what happens when verses are taken out of context. You’re a very smart young woman to know the difference and I’m glad you are friends with my daughter! And for George Rhianna Winters…see above comments about the Beast living under a curse. Belle fell in love with his humanity and recognized the difference. That being said, I do feel as though people are taking this whole issue a little far. Sin is sin, and all sins are awful in the eyes of God. Gluttony (overeating) is one that a while lot of people ignore, and taking the Lord’s name in vain. All Christians should strive to do better. But people have a right to support or not support the things they choose. This business owner doesn’t support this movie, so you don’t have to support this business owner. So you both should be able to move on and be happy. I’m sure there are plenty of other drive in’s where this will be shown. Go support them.
Lisa Russell
Thank k you
George Rhianna Winters
Maggie Thomas this is just selective. It’s all fictional, so y’all are just picking and choosing what you want to stand up for.
Maggie Thomas
I’m not picking or choosing anything. I never said I was standing up for anything either. Since you apparantly didn’t read my entire comment I will say this again…ALL sin is sin. From cursing (talking the Lord’s name in vain), to gluttony (overeating, overdrinking, etc.), to homosexuality. But part of what makes this country what it is, is the ability to disagree and support the ideals/values you believe in, and not support the ones you don’t. I don’t get to force my rights/beliefs on you, so it shouldn’t be vice versa. If you don’t agree with this business owner’s stand, then don’t support him. If enough people agree he won’t make it financially. But no one is forcing you to visit his establishment and see this movie. And as a business owner he has the right to choose not to show it based on his beliefs. That is where my problem lies…the fact that people seem intent on forcing their point of view/way of life down other people’s throats.
Maggie Thomas
And it goes both ways…Christians shouldn’t force their way of life on others either. It’s a choice that one has to come to. But we have the right to disagree too. It seems a lot of people with more liberal points of view forget that.
Maggie Thomas
And disagreeing with someone else’s point of view doesn’t automatically mean one is bigoted, racist, or biased. It just means that don’t agree.
Maggie Thomas
But I do agree with you on this…a LOT of people pick and choose what they stand up for. They point to one sin as being bigger while discounting their own. The God I believe in finds my sins just as horrible as any other. I promise that. I am by no means perfect and have a lot of work to do on myself. And I wonder how many people that are complaining about this went and saw the new 50 Shades of Grey movie? (I didn’t…but it does make you wonder…) Or some other movie with blatant sexuality, swearing, etc….
George Rhianna Winters
Maggie Thomas I completely agree with you. 100%. The business owner can and should be allowed to make a stand for what he/she believes in. I read your post. I will say that I think that people who discriminate or judge do not represent what they say God or the Bible is about. I think it is an easy way out for them, a way to use Christianity as a crutch and to not open their thinking to be tolerant or inclusive. I just wonder why the owners are being selective. Have they ever refused to screen a film that had divorce as part of the storyline? Or what about adultery? What about theft or murder or coveting? I mean, if your going to cite religion as your motivation……..
Karen Goken
Why are you calling them idiots? Don’t we as Americans have the right to run our businesses the way we believe we should?
Maggie Thomas
That is true. If you’re going to take a stand you should definitely be willing to go all the way. It comes across as hyprocrosy otherwise. And I also feel like homosexuality is sort of the “hot button” issue right now, so it’s the big thing everyone wants to comment on. I do agree too that people have a tendency to judge when they should focus more on getting their own house in order. I also feel that many Christians want to “judge” or hold non-believers to a Christian standard, which isn’t right either. You can’t hold someone to a standard they don’t believe in or agree with. I’m glad that we could have a conversation about this without getting hateful or judgy with eachother. ☺ That doesn’t happen a lot in this kind of forum which is why I tend to try and stay away from these discussions but for some reason I have been particularly drawn in today 😂😂 I really just wanted to commend Haley for having the courage to speak her mind and stand up for her beliefs in such an articulated way. Not easy to do in a room full of adults! And if I sounded salty at all in my earlier comments, I apologize. Like I said before, I’ve been particularly drawn in today and not all of my conversations have gone this well! ☺
Scott White
Secondly who gives a crap what you think
Alexis Little
Because they are idiots, in my opinion. And yes. Of course they have that right, and as I said, they have the right to financial ruin. 😊😊😊
George Rhianna Winters
Maggie Thomas thank you for the civility and for being able to voice your opinion and for being able to back it up without the cliches of Bible verses or intolerance. I will admit that I am jaded. I grew up in Alabama and I get so tired of the mainstream thinking there, that Christianity is just a way to justify what YOU believe in and that anyone who disagrees is wrong or a heathen. Yes, there are truly people who believe but there are also so many who cherry pick what they see as sin.
Maggie Thomas
I 100% agree with you there and COMPLETELY understand being jaded! I get a little jaded myself too sometimes! ☺
Maggie Thomas
I also want to say that when I am wrong I am willing to admit so…it has been brought to my attention by someone much more knowledgeable about the Bible than myself that my comment about laws in Exodus and Leviticus being made by man were incorrect. (I got a little of my Bible history mixed up, and I apologize for that.) The laws given then were handed down to Moses to promote wellness, purity, etc and did deal with certain issues specific to that time. Since times have changed and we are under the new covenant, we don’t have to obey all of those specific laws anymore. Which is nice, because bacon is awesome ☺😂
Cheryl Saruse
Thank you!
Michelle Carroll Ward
Happens all the time.
Jeffrey Kyle Martin
Evidence?
Mickie Whitley Holladay
It’s their business. If they don’t want to show it, fine. Go somewhere else to see it.
Reba Summers
That place will never fold…
Carrie Vines Smith
Good!
Kenny Denham
Sad!
Buster Joe Baker
Oh hell yeah Alexis. No one from Henagar Alabama will ever attend a drive in that want play a movie where homosexuals are in it.
Charlene Skinner
What the is wrong with you people. The children don’t know if he’s gay or not they just want to see the movie. Stop forcing your stupid beliefs on these kids.
David Wendorf
It is their business, they can show what movies they want. If no one wants to see the movies, they won’t go. It isn’t homophobic to not agree with gays. Freedom of religion in this country protects the owners right not to believe what the culture forces on us, although ethically there is no need for the legal right. Scream all you want, but I don’t see these folks advocating the mistreatment of anyone, or saying they are afraid or hate filled. The only ones hating are the screaming liberals in the room. Just like always. Same XXXX, different day. People with no morals denying common sense and truth, screaming and crying because someone else stood up for the truth. When shown your faults and sins, you get defensive and accusatory. These folks are standing up for their beliefs, just like you all. Why not clean up your own life, and let them handle theirs.
Alice Patterson Irwin
I HOPE ALL THEATERS REFUSE TO SHOW IT!!!!!
Annie Love
Good for them! I support you! Praise God!
Angela T Mcloyd
Look , im not bigoted but Beauty and the Beast is a classic, written years and years ago. Why change it? Its a great story without changing a thing.
Tiffany Noble Reed
I think Hollywood is forcing their beliefs on kids, not the other way around. Parents have the obligation to teach children right from wrong… and it encompasses much more than this issue.
Carolyn Morrison Ford
Sally Almon Henegar, of didn’t know you had a town. Oh wait, different spelling.
Dee Noble
So proud of the theatre for standing up to what’s right!
Brian Wells
Who cares.
Sally Almon Henegar
Actually is the same. Story goes that when they made the sign for the post office they put in an a instead of e.
They decided to just leave it that way. Most ppl cannot spell it anyway, haha 😊
Debra Franklin Ammerman
Jamie Ammerman Griffin, Whitney Wright Ammerman
Lauren Smith Tipton
Maybe the closed minded person who owns the theater should watch the movie personally before they decide to judge it I know i cant wait to see it and anyway people dont go to drive in theaters much anymore so thats there loss of buisness and money
Chuck Browning
Well you just made most people’s argument, if kids don’t or won’t know it then why do it
Markus Jester
Good glad for them
John Alexander
Where is Henager?
Heather Clendenin Turner
My 7yo daughter will not be seeing this movie!!!
Toni Harrison Atkins
Beastiality and Stockholm Syndrome was ok, but the gay character was a total turnoff?
Mallory Anderton
Lmao people act like there’s going to be some wild gay bar scene with nudity and naughtiness and leather chaps. It’s still Beauty and the Beast – where a person is taught to love what’s inside someone’s heart…HOW IRONIC! Some of y’all need to get a little more passionate about something important like poverty or education or voter suppression and chill out about a freaking musical.
Mallory Anderton
Lol. There isn’t like a gay bar scene in the movie – quit making mountains out of molehills and go be passionate about poverty or education or something that MATTERS.