Alan Thicke, who played Kirk Cameron's
TV dad on the ABC sitcom Growing Pains, has said he was
shocked by the response to Cameron's anti-gay comments.
Cameron, who is currently pitching his
documentary film on America's moral downfall, Monumental: In
Search of America's National Treasure, last
month told CNN's Piers Morgan that being gay is “unnatural” and
“detrimental, and ultimately destructive to so many of the
foundations of civilization” and that he would not be supportive if
one of his six sons told him he was gay.
In an
interview with SiriusXM's The
Six Pack, Thicke said he
disagreed with Cameron.
“Kirk took quite
a beating the last couple of weeks,” Thicke said. “He and I were
in touch over all of [the controversy]. Basically, I told him I
wanted to stay out of the conversation … I respect his right to say
whatever he feels. I just didn't happen to agree with him. I also
believe in fossils and dinosaurs.”
On the fallout,
Thicke said he was “shocked and somewhat frightened.”
“It wasn't only
the incredibly hypocritical Christian wing who was calling me names …
for my support of the gay and lesbian community. On the other hand,
the gay and lesbian community attacking Kirk and all evangelicals and
people of faith, that wasn't right.”
“I was quite
surprised at the level of anger and meanness on both sides,” he
added.