Actress Candace Cameron Bure is doubling down on her decision to only portray only “traditional” couples in her new Christmas movies, despite the backlash from celebrities like JoJo Siwa.
In a previous interview with the Wall Street Journal, the “Full House” alum was asked if her new Great American Family holiday movies would feature gay couples. “I think that Great American Family will keep traditional marriage at the core,” she said.
“My heart wants to tell stories that have more meaning and purpose and depth behind them,” Bure went on. “I knew that the people behind Great American Family were Christians that love the Lord and wanted to promote faith programming and good family entertainment.”
Candace Cameron Bure Doubles Down On Decision To Focus On ‘Traditional’ Christmas Movies
On Wednesday night, the 46-year-old producer took to Instagram to say that she never meant to “offend and hurt” anyone with her controversial decision.
“I would like to address my comments on Great American Family’s programming as reported in The Wall Street Journal,” Bure began. “All of you know me, know beyond question that I have great love and affection for all people. It absolutely breaks my heart that anyone would ever think I intentionally would want to offend and hurt anyone. It saddens me that the media is often seeking to divide us, even around a subject as comforting and merry as Christmas movies. But, given the toxic climate in our culture right now, I shouldn’t be surprised. We need Christmas more than ever.”
“I am a devoted Christian. Which means that I believe that every human being bears the image of God,” she continued. “Because of that, I am called to love all people, and I do. If you know me, you know that I am a person who loves fiercely and indiscriminately. My heart yearns to build bridges and bring people one step closer to God, to love others well, and to simply be a reflection of God’s huge love for all of us.”
Bure Claims That ‘The Media’ Is Attempting To ‘Assassinate’ Her Character
“To the members of the media responsible for using this opportunity to fan flames of conflict and hate, I have a simple message: I love you anyway. To those who hate what I value and who are attacking me online: I love you. To those who have tried to assassinate my character: I love you. To everyone reading this, of any race, creed, sexuality, or political party, including those who have tried to bully me with name calling, I love you.”
“I have long wanted to find a home for more faith-based programming,” Bure continued. “I am grateful to be an integral part of a young and growing network. I had also expressed in my interview, which was not included, that people of all ethnicities and identities have and will continue to contribute to the network in great ways both in front of and behind the camera, which I encourage and fully support. I’ve never been interested in proselytizing through my storytelling, but in celebrating God’s greatness in our lives through the stories I tell.”
Candace Shares Her ‘Christmas Wish’ With Her Followers
“The God we serve is a wildly creative and loving God,” she went on. “He didn’t just capture a small part of my heart. He has captured all of my heart. He will be reflected in everything I do and say; in my family, my work and my interactions with people from all walks of life. God’s love and God’s compassion is front and center.”
“All of that comes from the LOVE that God himself showered upon humanity when he gave the gift of joy and forgiveness on the first Christmas morning 2000 years ago,” Bure wrote. “It is why I love Christmas stories and sharing true job and true peace with millions of people around the world. And in the sole motivation of pure love, I hope you’ll join me in sharing God’s hope for all the world this Christmas season.”
“Call that my Christmas wish,” she concluded as fans showered her post with support. “You are amazing! Keep going!” one fan commented. “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? You have so many standing with you!”
However, other followers accused her of “backtracking” her comments. “Blaming media is a cop-out. You said the words. It was your quote. And it was clear. You can say you love everyone, and still make the choice to be exclusionary,” another user wrote. “And you have made that choice. You have the right in this country to make that choice, but also understand that choosing exclusion is going to hurt people, especially those of us who have supported and looked up to you for so long. Just own it without putting blame on the media.”
