Christians and Mormons React to ‘The Chosen’ Creator’s Comments on Jesus, LGBT, and Pornography

Jonathan Roumie, who portrays Jesus Christ in “The Chosen,” attends the Global Premiere of season four of hit television show at The Empire Cinema in Leicester Square in London, England, on Jan. 22, 2024. Shane Anthony Sinclair/Getty Images

When “The Chosen” television show creator Dallas Jenkins denounced pornography, defended a crew member who displayed an LGBT flag sticker, and equated the Mormon religion’s Jesus with the evangelical Christian Jesus in a February interview, religious pundits couldn’t help but weigh in.

The 48-year-old Christian television mogul made the comments during an interview for The Beat With Allen Parr, published on YouTube on Feb. 27.

“Some of these LDS friends I have do love the same Jesus I do,” Mr. Jenkins told Mr. Parr.

LDS is the acronym for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, which is the official name of the religion often referred to as Mormonism.

Dave Grotepas, an LDS church member who lives in Salt Lake City, said he appreciates Mr. Jenkins’ inclusiveness.

“We don’t pretend that we don’t have very serious disagreements about the nature of Christ, but I think we just want to be allies with other religions,” Mr. Grotepas told The Epoch Times. “We want to be cooperative and focus on our common ground.”

Mr. Jenkins isn’t a member of LDS, but “The Chosen” was originally launched by Angel Studios in Utah, which CEO Neal Harmon, an LDS member, co-founded with his brothers.

After the Harmon brothers viewed one of Mr. Jenkins’ short films, they had the idea for crowdfunding, hosted the website, and subsequently launched the show.

Currently in its fourth season, “The Chosen” is no longer partnered with Angel Studios but Angel Studios remains a licensee.

“The show wouldn’t have existed if it wasn’t for their initial support,” Mr. Jenkins explained in the interview with Mr. Parr. “I have LDS folks in my organization still. I have no problem working with anyone who’s going to work hard to get this show out to the world. They have zero input or influence on the content of the show. It’s an evangelical show.”

In a YouTube video released on March 10, Mr. Jenkins announced that the free streaming release of season four will be delayed due to “legal matters.” Newsweek reported on March 13 that the legal issue stems from a dispute between The Chosen LLC and Angel Studios.

Struggle With Pornography

During the interview with Mr. Parr, Mr. Jenkins also touched on pornography addiction, which experts applauded, saying his honesty could help others who are similarly embattled.

“I had a long-term struggle with pornography that went dormant for years because I was doing well and hadn’t struggled with it, and then I had a relapse,” Mr. Jenkins said.

A Common Sense Media study found that 73 percent of teens between the ages of 13 and 17 years old who responded to the survey had viewed pornography. Some reported viewing it by the age of 10 or younger.

According to statistics from CovenantEyes, the company behind an internet accountability software to assist people trying to avoid pornography, 64 percent of Christian men and 15 percent of Christian woman view pornography at least once a month, and 43 percent of senior pastors and youth pastors say they “have struggled with pornography in the past.”

Christians, including the creator of a popular Christian TV show such as Mr. Jenkins, are not precluded from experiencing the human condition, according to Nick Liberto, executive director of ProvenMinistries.org in Lynchburg, Virginia, which provides resources to help Christians struggling with pornography use.

“There’s a stigma that Christians are perfect and that leads to more harm because you’re doubly shamed,” Mr. Liberto told The Epoch Times. “Dallas being open and honest about this is fantastic because it takes it out of the darkness and shines a light on the fact that even the creator of ‘The Chosen’ has struggled with pornography.”

Defending Crew Member

In the interview, Mr. Parr also asked about a camera operator for “The Chosen” who experienced backlash after behind-the-scenes video showed an LGBT pride flag sticker on his equipment.

Mr. Jenkins denounced critics who called for the camera operator’s termination. Although he said he doesn’t support pride, he doesn’t enforce his own heterosexual Christian lifestyle on set, either.

“I’m an evangelical Christian, and I believe in a biblical viewpoint of sexuality but I also, as I said, I don’t require that the cast and crew sign on to my own personal beliefs,” Mr. Jenkins added.

Ray Fava, founder of the website Evangelical Dark Web LLC, questions the creation of a secular neutral workplace around a show that’s about Jesus Christ.

“They don’t even pray before filming ‘The Chosen,’ which I think a lot of Christians take issue with,” Mr. Fava told The Epoch Times. “His argument that these are contractors and therefore we’re just hiring the best people for a project is concurrent with the film and television industry.”

Representatives of “The Chosen” television show declined an interview.