Will you write off someone (or their art) completely because of one single view, belief, or action?

[NightWatcher]

Last edited Thu Apr 20, 2017, 04:06 PM - Edit history (1)

I can't watch a Tom Cruise movie because of his religion (Scientology). If I find out a musician is a nut (IMO), I'll stop listening to their tunes.

I used to eat Jimmy Johns sandwiches until I heard that the owner is one of those tiny-dicked big game hunters. When I heard this I was immediately off his restaurant (and I love sandwiches...more than some members of my family).

If you like a person's art and then find they believe something wacky or once did something horrible, do you write them off?

As I find people who are vocal republicans I'm quickly and increasingly just writing them off wholesale. I've included this with many members of my family. Sure, I'll eat with them and smile but when they open their mouth to vomit political, I've been told my eye-rolling is audible. I'll be polite to most of them.


(Thanks for humoring me today, it's a slow day on surveillance)

On edit: Rug points out that Will Smith is no longer into Scientology. Wild Wild West still sucked however.

[MFM008]

1. I detested the politics

of Charlton Heston and Clint Eastwood, but still watch some of their movies.

[beaglelover]

2. No

[JustAnotherGen]

3. Yes

[50 Shades Of Blue]

4. Yup! Mostly it's performers who output doesn't appeal to me anyway, so it's no effort, but

I'm sure I'd love Chick-fil-A! But you couldn't pay me to eat there.

[GulfCoast66]

5. No

I do not let my politics dictate all the decisions I make. Personally it would result in me being a miserable person.

But that is just me.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

6. It depends on how you define

"one single view, belief, or action."

There is no one right or wrong answer to your question.

Scientology is an entire constellation of beliefs. Same way with supporting Trump.

Big game hunting may or may not belong to a constellation of beliefs I don't believe in. I don't own any guns, never hunted, and so I am simply totally outside that world. But not all hunters or gun owners are right-wing gun nuts, to say the least.

I never shop at Wally World because of the way they treat employees and their sourcing habits. There was a time when their goods were pretty much completely made in this country, but over the years it's become a corporation I don't want to give my money to.

[NightWatcher]

9. Would you or have you turned off an actor's movie or singer's song because of their religion

or religion or politics or something else that matters to you?

I'm not asking if you ignore every actor or artist who happens to be a republican, but has one person's positions ever turned you off to them?

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

33. Okay. If I know an actor is a Scientologist,

I'm not likely to watch their movies or TV shows. It's not a hard and fast rule with me.

Tom Cruise is the most obvious example.

I am extremely bothered by Clint Eastwood's behaviors in the political arena, and sometimes don't see a movie of his because of that.

I have a friend (not close, but we see each other at various events) who has worked in Hollywood as a writer. She has strongly expressed the opinion that people are making a huge mistake to not see Tom Cruise's films because he's a Scientologist. She feels that his beliefs have absolutely nothing to do with his ability as an actor. And she's right, of course. Beliefs have almost nothing to do with ability. But she's an insider in Hollywood, although I have no clue if she's ever met Cruise. I am not.

For me, what it comes down to is this: Would I knowingly donate money to that cause? If the answer is no, and I can easily avoid doing so (buying their products, seeing their movies, reading their books) I will avoid buying, seeing, or reading.

I hang out in the science fiction world. Most of that world is populated by liberal progressives, most of whom despise Trump and can be quite vocal about it. There are a handful of conservative right-wingers in that world, but they aren't well received these days. One example is Jerry Pournelle, who embodies all sorts of extreme right-wing themes in his fiction. A while back I reread Lucifer's Hammer and was frankly appalled at the racism in it. I gather he was strongly influenced by Robert Heinlein, whose right-wing tendencies grew enormously toward the end of his life. So while I grew up reading Heinlein, I haven't reread any of his works in a very long time, and I'd be extremely disinclined to read anything by Pournelle these days. I was at WorldCon in Kansas City last summer, and discovered that Pournelle was there only because at one point, walking down a hallway, someone called out, "Jerry!" and I turned to see who was being addressed and recognized him. He certainly wasn't noticeably present. I can't recall if he was on any of the panels, although there were so very many I could easily have missed that.

And why I'm not about to read anything by Newt Gingrich.

Again, all of this is highly personal, and I'm sure others here would think I'm making a poor choice. Although I will point out that even if I drop all sorts of authors from my personal willing-to-read list, there are still far too many books out there for me to hope to read more than a fraction.

Hope this makes sense to you.

[bekkilyn]

62. Concerning big game hunting

I'd treat it just like hunting in general. If the game is *plentiful* and they were going to use the animal for food rather than just for a trophy, then I don't have a problem with it. But the game needs to be in season, plentiful, and not wasted. It needs to be done responsibly.

However, if they are going out to legally or illegally poach endangered animals for trophies, then I would have a huge problem with it and I'd want nothing to do with that person or their art. I would no longer be able to separate the two even if I wanted to because I'd find such a person who could treat life so casually to be despicable and their art would remind me of it every time I looked at or listened to it.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

66. You are right.

All hunting should be viewed the same.

Those who hunt for food and consume their kill are a totally different category than those who hunt for "sport". Unless, of course, they're hunting and eating endangered animals.

[klook]

7. Sometimes.

For example, I haven't seen a Woody Allen movie since he started shagging his step-daughter. But -- as much as I abhor Scientology -- I like some of Tom Cruise's work. Jerry Macguire and Minority Report (although it's not a faithful representation of the Philip Dick story) were both very good movies, and he was good in both roles.

I do tend to avoid anything with outspoken reactionaries like Gary Sinise, Kelsey Grammer, Mel Gibson, or Jon Voight in it, though.

[NightWatcher]

11. Sometimes is my answer too.

[randome]

8. Another Bernie Sanders thread? Good grief.

[hr][font color="blue"][center]Don't underestimate the long-term effects of a good night's sleep.[/center][/font][hr]

[NightWatcher]

10. Don't make me smack you Beavis

[kwassa]

12. People are complex creatures, so I usually don't write them off.

On the other hand, I wouldn't watch Tom Cruise because I don't like him as an actor. I'm no fan of Mel Gibson for the same reason.

Art and politics is usually a lousy mix, anyways.

[stonecutter357]

13. in heartbeat.

[Foamfollower]

14. I cannot contribute to deplorable positions, so yes.

[Borchkins]

17. This perfectly describes my position, too.

[fun n serious]

15. Yes. I have OCD about it even..

I changed pharmacies after 12 years after I found out my Pharmacist supported Trump. I love to bead and I buy hand made glass beads from a facebook community of many glass artist. I only buy from the lefties. Bernie or Hillary supporter is OK.. they just have to be left and I mine their facebook to make sure. I do not have too much control of my Amazon account but at least I don't know.

[Iggo]

16. Religion is religion. Damn near everyone has one and I hate them all.

Truth is, I've got way more real-world problems with the Catholic church than I do with Scientology. But what? Am I really gonna stop watching any movie with a Catholic in it? I don't think so.

Sandwiches are much easier. That whole elephant killing thing came out about a week before a new Jimmy John's opened up in my neighborhood. Fuck that guy and fuck his food.

Music's a little trickier. For example, Ted Nugent hasn't gotten any of my money since high school. (I graduated in the late '70s.) It's easy to not buy someone's records, and I have no desire to see him live. Dave Mustaine is a different story, though, even though I also don't care to see him live anymore, either. The man disgusts me. Now, Mr Mustaine also hasn't gotten any of my record-buying money since probably 1990 or so. But I go to a ton, and I mean a ton, of heavy metal shows. Am I supposed to miss OzzFest or KnotFest or Mayhem (RIP) or whatever because Megadeth is one of the twenty or thirty bands playing that weekend?

Here's the thing I think you're actually talking about, though. Yes. I still enjoy Stranglehold and turn it up whenever it comes on. Yes. I still enjoy Peace Sells (But Who's Buying) and turn it up every time it comes on.

So I guess my answer is: I've tried, but I can't always do black or white zero tolerance editing of the art that I enjoy.

[Freethinker65]

18. No. Not necessarily. But I will evaluate my decisions more

[BannonsLiver]

19. I've really enjoyed Feud and I think Surandon is a nutter.

I also like Robert Duval who has publicly professed his love of Sarah Palin.

Thanks for the tip on Jimmy Johns. We won't be eating their sandwiches anymore.

[hlthe2b]

20. depends on the specific "single view, belief, or action"...

I can disagree on most issues and certainly forgive a lot of mistakes, once acknowledged....

That said, if I can't get past the issue, comment, or action when watching, reading, or otherwise engaging in a performance, then that's "all she wrote". Not too many truly talented folks on that list, though...


As for Jimmy Johns, I never set foot in there--mainly because for a considerable time, they seemed to be constantly on the foodborne outbreaks list along the front range of Colorado--especially Denver-Boulder. I didn't know about the owner.. But, I'd never knowingly support anyone who engages in big game hunting, especially elephants, big cats, rhinos and other endangered species.

[MedusaX]

21. So how is that any different than those who write off

People because of their skin color?
Or their nationality?

Why is it ok to shun those who follow scientology but not those who are muslim or jewish or catholic etc?

[hlthe2b]

22. I focus on 'actions' with which I disagree vehemently--not beliefs. So that is a big difference.

[NightWatcher]

23. Race and nationality are not choices.

I view Scientology as a wacky cult. Hell, I view most of Christianity as a death cult as well. You're free to believe what you will but I don't have to respect that choice. I will respect your freedom however.

I would never round up members of a religion, but I'm not going to give money, time, or space in my head to someone who thinks a 600 year old dude built a boat and put two of every animal on it, or that an E reader can get your thatens to another level (or whatever the sci-fi author pulled outta his ass).

[Dr. Strange]

43. Skin color, gender, sexual orientation, and (to some extent maybe) nationality aren't choices.

But shunning someone because of a chosen belief system (libertarian, republican, catholic, mormon, objectivist, etc) would fall into a different category certainly.

Although I personally wouldn't refuse to listen to or watch an artist due to their having different views than I.

[Shandris]

24. Not unless it's something where the disgusting belief/etc is...

...the SOURCE of the reason I know of them (like an actor who only uses disgusting views to promote themselves, I would drop, but like Tom Cruise, nah, we just disagree on religion).

Also 'doing horrible things', it depends on the nature of contrition. I'm very much a forgiving person when it's sought (and when its not, but then it's so -I- can live in peace, not them). Like, I wouldn't buy some Charles Manson stuff -- that guy is pretty much evil incarnate and proud of it. But like if someone had committed murder in the past but turned over a new leaf then I wouldn't think twice about it (although I'd still be a bit cautious, of course!).

Stuff like 'he likes safaris'? Nah, that's childish. Too many people in the world who know interesting things for me to self-select down to a literal description of 'People who share my bubble perfectly'.

[liberaltrucker]

25. No.

I like, for example, the music of Hank Jr and Charley Daniels. But
detest their politics.

[SomethingNew]

26. Not for art.

Art transcends political and even moral debates. I'm not a proponent of removing the author entirely from the work but you can enjoy art without agreeing with the artist. The artists views, good and bad, can help inform you and create a deeper appreciation for the artwork and provide insight into the humanity behind it.

Business is a different issue entirely. I'll boycott businesses due to political issues.

[Hayduke Bomgarte]

27. I can. I will. I have.

Won't watch a Jon Voight film or listen to Dennis Miller Will never spend a dime on Papa John. Ted Nugent is a faint musical memory and I never did/will like Kid Rock. Just a handful of the many I've written off because of views/beliefs/actions.

[unblock]

28. it's a factor, but not an overriding one. i still love richard wagner's music

despite hitler's use of his music and wagner's own views.

i recently saw a brief clip of o.j. simpson from one of those naked gun movies. certainly seems weird knowing what he did later, though perhaps it was appropriate that his movie character kept getting seriously injured....

on the other hand, i don't think i could stand to see any mel gibson movie.

maybe it helps that wagner is long gone and simpson was not the lead role.

[crazycatlady]

29. I have

I am a knitter (lately I've been only purchasing pink yarn and every shade I can get my hands on. I need as many varieties of pussyhats as possible). There's one store I've refused to shop at no matter how many pink yarns they have-- Hobby Lobby.

I haven't even set foot into the store even though there's one near me.

[OriginalGeek]

35. I took an oil painting class at Hobby Lobby once

I am pretty sure it was an outside instructor who rented their learning space but that makes no difference - I didn't know about their anti-women stance when I went. Now that I know, I haven't been in a HL since.


I wouldn't mind learning to knit - there's a Michael's and A Joanne's near us now and I thought about signing up when my wife signed up for crochet. I want to make a Balmoral cap to go with my kilt and it starts with knitting with 100% wool yarn and then felting it. But I don't know how invested I'd need to get in order to be proficient enough to get to where I want to be lol. I learned leather working so I could make a sporran and now I want to make a ton of other things and my wife is going to brush up on her sewing and teach me some of that too and I only have so many learning brain cells left!

And bravo to you! Make all the pussyhats you can. You are perfectly within your legal rights to give the finger to HL as you drive by on your way elsewhere for yarn. I do it to a lot of places.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

30. I don't usually write somebody off for whacko beliefs

but it's sometimes hard to not let details of a person's behavior not to at least somewhat color my views of them. For instance, I used to be a pretty big fan of Johnny Depp until I learned about him physically abusing his ex-wife/ex-girlfriend. Now, I really can't watch him without thinking about that. I loved Bill Clinton as POTUS but it's hard to really think great about him after the Lewinsky affair, which was definitely overblown by the Republicans in Congress but still was a stupid thing for him to do with the media all over him already due to his past history. Used to think Bill Cosby was a wholesome and positive role model until all of his creepy behavior towards women came out.

[onenote]

31. No. Particularly movies, since there likely are performers with a wide variety of views.

Without bothering to check, it would be shocking if there weren't more non-Scientologist performers, or non-Trumpian performers associated with any movie in which Tom Cruise or Will Smith appears. Why would I skip seeing a movie like Concussion because Will Smith is a Scientologist? Makes no sense to me.

Plus, didn't Smith renounce Scientology a few years ago? That's another problem -- who would bother to check out all of an actor's current political/religious positions before going to see a movie?

[NightWatcher]

34. I don't vet an entire cast but there are some that poison everything in my eyes.

I also wasn't advocating purity tests or boycotts. I was just wondering if others wrote off some artists for various reasons.

[OriginalGeek]

36. Yeah, Ted Nugent is at the top of my shit in his pants list.

I also listen to a lot of metal and it can be a challenge to even decipher what some bands are talking about but I won't knowingly listen to racist bands (of which there are a few in regular metal and even a whole sub-genre of that filth).

[OriginalGeek]

32. as with most things

it depends.

I personally boycott many of the same places already mentioned here but I have friends and co-workers who are Republicans and I don't write them off wholesale. I may eventually but, for now, most are still friends with their own good qualities. Hell, they didn't write me off when they found out I am a a liberal atheist so I feel I should be at least as flexible as they are. No doubt there are topics we don't discuss but we do discuss more than you might think.

[Retrograde]

37. I try not to, but I admit I have

I went through a long period of disliking Henri Matisse for a totally irrational reason. It wasn't the work itself (although I don't care for his later collage work): it was because of an exhibit I saw that talked about how hard he had it living and working in a cold studio with little heat and hard-to-get supplies. In France. In 1917. My reaction was, at least he wasn't fighting in the trenches and getting killed like a million of his countrymen. So I took an instant dislike to him - and it wasn't even really his fault! It wasn't until I saw the Diebenkorn/Matisse joint exhibit at SFMOMA last week that I found merit in his earlier work.

I've talked with people who refuse to read Twain because they heard he used the n-word in Huckleberry Finn or Poe because he married his 13-year old cousin. There are raging debates in some circles about whether a long-dead writer or artist should be shunned because they didn't conform to today's mores on race, ethnicity or gender inclusion.

I avoid Tom Cruise movies because 1) I don't like the way he seems to think keeping his mouth partially open in a look of dull surprise passes for acting and 2) over the years the kind of action movies he makes have come to bore me.

[Jake Stern]

38. Only once

During an office visit to my doctor I noticed a new plaque from the Department of Corrections recognizing him for XX years service. Asked if he had assisted in any executions kidding around but when he responded that he'd worked with a few I got up and left.

Sadly he was a great physician but just couldn't let hands with blood on them treat me.

[LeftInTX]

45. OMG!! I'm surprised he displayed that plaque

Apparently those docs pretty much swear to secrecy.

[Jake Stern]

65. Claimed he was assigned to observe

[Xolodno]

39. For views or beliefs? Never. For actions? Oh hell yeah.

Differing opinions on religion, politics, etc. I really don't give a rats ass. But I've written off family and friends when they have inflicted or attempted to, harm on others. That's where I draw the line.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

40. Typically no. Usually the art and the person behind them are easy to seperate.

It only becomes a problem where that person's views are so dominating that it interferes with my enjoyment of whatever he or she is trying to convey through the art.

Usually an actor or singer or whatever will not be openly hawking conservative ideology in their product and I can set that all aside.

But if it becomes a major distraction, it could have an impact.

I'll say this: Both Ted Nugent and Kid Rock showed up at the White House yesterday. Other than a couple of offerings to the classic rock world, Ted Nugent's artistic contributions are rather limited. And Kid Rock's music is unappealing to me for the most part.

But in some sad, twisted alternate universe where I actually liked both the musical stylings of Ted Nugent and Kid Rock, I'd probably be able to put aside my feelings for Kid Rock. But not for Ted Nugent.

Thankfully, I don't care for either of them musically so it's not a big deal.

[randome]

41. It's probably not an analytical question.

It depends on how well you can immerse yourself in someone's art.

For instance, Heston's Planet Of The Apes and Eastwood's The Good, The Bad And The Ugly -I can conveniently 'forget' about their political views when re-watching those.

Woody Allen, on the other hand: his movies are clever but not immersive.
[hr][font color="blue"][center]Don't underestimate the long-term effects of a good night's sleep.[/center][/font][hr]

[LAS14]

42. No. I'm aware that I might...

.... reject Tom Cruise movies because of his "religion" but I don't. I still enjoy them. I can see going to another Susan Sarandon movie, etc. If I liked Wagner's music I'd continue to listen, despite his politics.

[Zing Zing Zingbah]

44. No, I don't do this.

I think Kid Rock is nut when it comes to politics, but I still like some of his songs. I don't judge the performance or art based on the politics or religion of the artist.

[Denzil_DC]

46. Not really, but it depends.

For instance, Beck is a Scientologist, but he inherited that through his upbringing and doesn't proselytize about it. I dearly love his music, whatever his views or beliefs.

If an artist has beliefs I don't agree with, that's his/her business. I'm more concerned with his/her actions. Similar goes for family members, neighbors, friends and acquaintances.

As for those actions, it depends what they are.

[crosinski]

47. I'm an artist, so I've given this a great deal of thought.

If the repugnant belief doesn't color the work, then I can support the work. That means I can watch a movie, go to a play, buy a piece of art made by or that includes someone who holds personal beliefs I don't agree with. To a degree. If someone is over-the-top deplorable, then I won't support them in any way. And I get to define what my level of deplorable-tude is. It's changed throughout my life. In fact, I've become more sensitive about it as I've become older.

And I'm waiting to apply the same sensitivities to commissions too, but it's beginning to look as though I won't get the chance to turn anyone down because of my high moral standards, if you know what I mean. Ha!

[rug]

48. Will Smith & Jada Pinkett Leave Scientology, Recoup $1.2 Million After Church School Closes

http://www.starpulse.com/will-smith-jada-pinkett-leave-scientology-recoup-12-million-after-chur-1848498510.html

[NightWatcher]

49. It was an example but thanks for adding that.

[kpete]

50. once in a while, yes

Jimmy Fallon & Trump's Hair
comes to mind

[Exilednight]

51. Yes, but it depends on what is they represent or actions they took.

[muntrv]

52. I have in the last few years switched stations whenever Ped Nugent's song is playing.

[tazkcmo]

53. Yes

If that something they did/believe violates my own moral code to a high enough degree. Examples would be killing 6 million Jewish people, abusing helpless animals, child molesting or just being an all around a-hole.

[catbyte]

54. I'm with you. I refuse to enrich anybody who holds views opposite of my values whenever possible.

[Zoonart]

55. Mel Gibson

Words and actions. I simply fell like I will not put one dollar into his pocket.
I'm not really shunning his art, as he is clearly very talented, I simply do not want to contribute.

[treestar]

56. I've been lucky

musicians I like are liberal.

Actors - I don't have any I car about a whole lot. The right wingers - I'm not interested in their works anyway.

So I haven't really been challenged on that.

[Initech]

57. I used to like the band Five Finger Death Punch.

Then I found out that their members supported Trump and were supporting far right charities and railed on Black Lives Matter. I'm done with them now, and have deleted all their albums from any media player I have.

[Spider Jerusalem]

58. Usually not, no

Ezra Pound was a fascist, and one of the great modernist poets of the 20th century; Louis-Ferdinand Celine was a Nazi collaborator, and a great novelist; I know these people's history, but I'm not going to go burn my copies of "Cantos" and "Journey to the End of Night" because of it. I'm not going to be going out and reading any of Bill O'Reilly's books, or George Will's things about baseball, because both of those guys are first and foremost right wing hacks and everything else they do is secondary, but in the case of actual artists/actors/novelists/musicians/whatever, their work can stand on its own, or not, regardless of their politics.

[Downtown Hound]

59. Really depends on what those beliefs are and how extreme they are

and how much I like their art. For example, I think Clint Eastwood is an idiot when it comes to politics, but I don't find him so extreme that he's repulsive to me. But he also happens to be a great actor and film director, so I continue to watch his movies.

I think Scientology is a dangerous cult, and as a result, I skip most Tom Cruise movies. But that also has to do with the fact that I find a lot of his movies boring. However, I really want to see The Mummy, so I'll probably make an exception for that one.

Ted Nugent is a putrid waste of shit filled flesh, and I don't like his music. I think it sucks. So I have an official No Ted Nugent policy in my home.

Charlton Heston is dead, so I can officially enjoy Planet of the Apes and Soylent Green again.

Duane Johnson is a conservative, but he's never struck me as one of the insane ones, so I continue to enjoy his movies and I like most of them, even the cheesy ones.

Dana White came out in support of Trump, and I'll be honest, it has made me less fond of the UFC, even though I still watch it from time to time. A lot less so since Ronda Rousey was dethroned, who was a Bernie Sanders supporter. Why are the women always smarter and cooler than the men?

As a Californian, I swore off anything Schwarzenegger related after suffering though his leadership. But he has redeemed himself in my eyes a little bit after shutting down that Special Olympics troll and giving Trump a bunch of shit on Twitter. If he had never entered politics, he strikes me as somebody that although I might disagree with them from time to time, I can still like them.

So I don't have a blanket policy of boycotting things just because there's a conservative attached to them. But it is a factor.

[rock]

60. No

I have no problem keeping non-overlapping magisteria (say, acting and religion) separate.

[bekkilyn]

61. Depends

I might read a book by someone who has bigoted beliefs, but I'll check it out from the library or get a used copy so I'm not giving that person any money to support their bigotry in any direct or indirect way. It's not so much about one or two personal beliefs, but more if they've made an obnoxious spectacle of being a very politically vocal bigot or if whatever they wrote reads more like an unpleasant political treatise than a novel.

I usually don't know enough personal details of an artist to know what sort of people they are, but if I do find out something really bad, like that guy who beat up Rhianna (whose name is suddenly escaping me), then that knowledge would interfere with enjoying his music, even if I enjoyed it before I found out. Because I wouldn't be able to stop thinking about what he did. And I wouldn't want to do anything to support him financially or reward him for the behavior.

Someone just being a bit off-the-wall or seems odd in some way doesn't bother me at all though. Like with Tom Cruise and Scientology...I just don't care. Seems like something a Hollywood actor would be involved in.

[Bradical79]

63. Depends on the view and the work -nt

[BruceWane]

64. Movies and music are different

Movies are almost always the product of many different people contributing their talents. Tom Cruise has a lot of power in Hollywood, but he generally doesn't write the script, direct, and act in a leading role.

Besides, I'm an atheist - I find all religions pretty whacky. Some are just old and whacky, some new and whacky.

Music, on the other hand, is much, much more likely to be 100% the product of one or two people. Sure, there's plenty of singers who don't write their own stuff, especially in the pop music world, but that material usually doesn't have a whole lot of substance.

I don't really know of any right wing musicians who don't write garbage. Even if they keep their political views largely out of their lyrics, it's still usually crap - Kid Rock, anyone??