'Metadata' conflict resolved, filmmaker thanks video service
YouTube has restored a trailer promoting Christian apologist Ray Comfort’s movie “Audacity,” which challenges the belief that homosexuality is unchangeable, after a conflict over the video service’s “metadata” policy was resolved.
WND reported Monday the movie suddenly was removed amid suspicions that someone objected to its message.
Comfort told WND on Tuesday that YouTube had stated the trailer was removed “as a violation of YouTube’s policy against spam, scams and commercially deceptive content.”
“Since we found nothing in it that fit that description, we naturally concluded that YouTube didn’t like the content and yanked it,” Comfort said. “In attempting to get the trailer back online, however, we received an explanation. YouTube kindly explained that we had violated their metadata policy. We had added a list of keywords in the video description section, not knowing that was against their company policy.”
He continued: “I’m happy to say that after our team connected with YouTube and addressed the policy concern, they have fully reinstated the original video. All of the original links that were in countless locations are now live again.
“This is a good lesson for us to thoroughly research such things so we don’t violate policy and to avoid jumping to judgment. While we appreciate the many people who supported us in this incident, we offer our sincere apologies to YouTube for wrongly suspecting them of blame, and also to news organizations who kindly carried the story.”
Comfort said the trailer also is on the movie’s website.
See the trailer:
YouTube has restored a trailer promoting Christian apologist Ray Comfort’s movie “Audacity,” which challenges the belief that homosexuality is unchangeable, after a conflict over the video service’s “metadata” policy was resolved.
WND reported Monday the movie suddenly was removed amid suspicions that someone objected to its message.
Comfort told WND on Tuesday that YouTube had stated the trailer was removed “as a violation of YouTube’s policy against spam, scams and commercially deceptive content.”
“Since we found nothing in it that fit that description, we naturally concluded that YouTube didn’t like the content and yanked it,” Comfort said. “In attempting to get the trailer back online, however, we received an explanation. YouTube kindly explained that we had violated their metadata policy. We had added a list of keywords in the video description section, not knowing that was against their company policy.”
He continued: “I’m happy to say that after our team connected with YouTube and addressed the policy concern, they have fully reinstated the original video. All of the original links that were in countless locations are now live again.
“This is a good lesson for us to thoroughly research such things so we don’t violate policy and to avoid jumping to judgment. While we appreciate the many people who supported us in this incident, we offer our sincere apologies to YouTube for wrongly suspecting them of blame, and also to news organizations who kindly carried the story.”
Comfort said the trailer also is on the movie’s website.
See the trailer:
Comfort said the "foundation for the gay argument is that they (like people of color) are born that way, and like someone's race, should never be discriminated against."
"The trailer shows a number of people changing their minds about homosexuals being born that way, because I asked them two simple questions. It's pretty unnerving for the 'I can't help being gay argument,' and so they decided to censor us. Or to put it another way, they discriminated against us because of our religion."
Comfort described the trailer as a "John the Baptist," a "voice in the wilderness preparing the way for the movie."
"YouTube played Herod and brought down the ax," he said. "It's interesting to note that John's end came because he also spoke up about Herod's illicit sex."
Comfort, founder of Living Waters Publications and the author of books such as "How to Know God Exists," previously created the controversial smash-hit movie, "180."
"Audacity," he said, is "a scripted movie containing unscripted interviews showing pro-gay people changing their minds on whether or not homosexuals are born that way, because they were asked two simple questions."
In the movie, Peter (Travis Owens), is an aspiring comedian who confronts stage fright and a challenge to his moral convictions. Peter must decide whether he will stand up for what he believes, even if it means losing a friendship. And he faces a harrowing life-or-death experience.
Comfort acknowledged the topic of homosexuality is controversial.
"I didn't want to make this. After making films about abortion and evolution, people kept asking for one that addressed the issue of homosexuality – because most Christians were very uncomfortable about how to deal with it and not sound hateful. But I adamantly said that it wasn't going to happen. Anyone who spoke against homosexuality was instantly vilified, and nobody wants that."
But Comfort explained the concept for the film arose by pure chance.
"Around April 2014, I was with a friend in Huntington Beach in California, when I saw two girls walking toward us kissing each other. I asked if they would like to be on camera, and to my surprise they said that they would. These two ladies gave me an amazing 14-minute interview about gay marriage, the morality of homosexuality, and the gospel … and they ended up thanking me for not being judgmental. Yet I hadn't compromised the gospel even slightly. It was as though God had dropped the foundation for a movie into my lap."
That night he wrote a script and sent it to Mark Spence, the main editor and producer of "180," which reveals how quickly people reverse their opinion about abortion once they are given the facts.
"He wrote back, 'Wow, wow, wow!!!!' I quickly called a meeting, and after just over a year later, we have what we believe is a very timely movie," Comfort said.
Comfort understands he will be accused of "hating" homosexuals. But he believes the "frustrating" accusation provides an opening for "Audacity."
"Someone wrote to me, 'Please please please release 'Audacity' as soon as possible. Christians need to be equipped to handle the subject of homosexuality. I found an article on my Facebook newsfeed portraying Christians in an extremely negative way. … I have faith in the film, that it will help awaken people.'
"A Christian doesn't hate anyone, and yet we are being painted with a wide and nasty brush by a sin-loving world. One of these people recently wrote to me and said that it was virtually impossible to be a Bible believing Christian and not be 'homophobic.' The frustration is there because I can understand his reasoning. Scripture is very clear on the issue."
Comfort says Christians can communicate their beliefs effectively without being disrespectful.
Asked to respond to critics who call the film "intolerant," Comfort countered: "I would say not to make that judgment until they see the movie. I think that even the LGBT community is going to be surprised, because it's not what they're expecting. They are going to see that we didn't want to stereotype or vilify homosexuals."
At the same time, Comfort urges Christians to remain true to Scripture.
"My opinion is irrelevant. What matters is what God's Word says on the subject. This is another area covered in depth by 'Audacity.' The issue of homosexuality is putting a chasm between those who love God and those who don't. You cannot separate God from His Word," he said.
"But the movie goes even deeper using an opening scene that shows that those who speak the truth in love, speak the truth because they are motivated by love."
Comfort said he believes the film "has the power to change this culture (through the gospel), and even bring healing between the church and the LGBT community." -WND
"The trailer shows a number of people changing their minds about homosexuals being born that way, because I asked them two simple questions. It's pretty unnerving for the 'I can't help being gay argument,' and so they decided to censor us. Or to put it another way, they discriminated against us because of our religion."
Comfort described the trailer as a "John the Baptist," a "voice in the wilderness preparing the way for the movie."
"YouTube played Herod and brought down the ax," he said. "It's interesting to note that John's end came because he also spoke up about Herod's illicit sex."
Comfort, founder of Living Waters Publications and the author of books such as "How to Know God Exists," previously created the controversial smash-hit movie, "180."
"Audacity," he said, is "a scripted movie containing unscripted interviews showing pro-gay people changing their minds on whether or not homosexuals are born that way, because they were asked two simple questions."
In the movie, Peter (Travis Owens), is an aspiring comedian who confronts stage fright and a challenge to his moral convictions. Peter must decide whether he will stand up for what he believes, even if it means losing a friendship. And he faces a harrowing life-or-death experience.
Comfort acknowledged the topic of homosexuality is controversial.
"I didn't want to make this. After making films about abortion and evolution, people kept asking for one that addressed the issue of homosexuality – because most Christians were very uncomfortable about how to deal with it and not sound hateful. But I adamantly said that it wasn't going to happen. Anyone who spoke against homosexuality was instantly vilified, and nobody wants that."
But Comfort explained the concept for the film arose by pure chance.
"Around April 2014, I was with a friend in Huntington Beach in California, when I saw two girls walking toward us kissing each other. I asked if they would like to be on camera, and to my surprise they said that they would. These two ladies gave me an amazing 14-minute interview about gay marriage, the morality of homosexuality, and the gospel … and they ended up thanking me for not being judgmental. Yet I hadn't compromised the gospel even slightly. It was as though God had dropped the foundation for a movie into my lap."
That night he wrote a script and sent it to Mark Spence, the main editor and producer of "180," which reveals how quickly people reverse their opinion about abortion once they are given the facts.
"He wrote back, 'Wow, wow, wow!!!!' I quickly called a meeting, and after just over a year later, we have what we believe is a very timely movie," Comfort said.
Comfort understands he will be accused of "hating" homosexuals. But he believes the "frustrating" accusation provides an opening for "Audacity."
"Someone wrote to me, 'Please please please release 'Audacity' as soon as possible. Christians need to be equipped to handle the subject of homosexuality. I found an article on my Facebook newsfeed portraying Christians in an extremely negative way. … I have faith in the film, that it will help awaken people.'
"A Christian doesn't hate anyone, and yet we are being painted with a wide and nasty brush by a sin-loving world. One of these people recently wrote to me and said that it was virtually impossible to be a Bible believing Christian and not be 'homophobic.' The frustration is there because I can understand his reasoning. Scripture is very clear on the issue."
Comfort says Christians can communicate their beliefs effectively without being disrespectful.
Asked to respond to critics who call the film "intolerant," Comfort countered: "I would say not to make that judgment until they see the movie. I think that even the LGBT community is going to be surprised, because it's not what they're expecting. They are going to see that we didn't want to stereotype or vilify homosexuals."
At the same time, Comfort urges Christians to remain true to Scripture.
"My opinion is irrelevant. What matters is what God's Word says on the subject. This is another area covered in depth by 'Audacity.' The issue of homosexuality is putting a chasm between those who love God and those who don't. You cannot separate God from His Word," he said.
"But the movie goes even deeper using an opening scene that shows that those who speak the truth in love, speak the truth because they are motivated by love."
Comfort said he believes the film "has the power to change this culture (through the gospel), and even bring healing between the church and the LGBT community." -WND
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