Kirk Cameron Responds To Critics Of Anti-Gay ‘Hate Speech,’ Says His ‘Mission Is To Love All People’

Kirk Cameron has finally responded to the critics who condemned his anti-gay rhetoric on Piers Morgan Tonight last week. He said that he was accused of hate speech when his life's mission is to love all people.

Cameron said that he believes homosexuality is unnatural and destructive on the popular CNN show. Cameron's comments were publicly slammed by GLAAD and numerous celebrities who deemed his remarks ignorant and hateful.

Kirk Cameron issued an official response via email to ABC News. I spoke as honestly as I could, but some people believe my responses were not loving toward those in the gay community. That is not true. I can assuredly say that it's my life's mission to love all people.

I should be able to express moral views on social issues, he said, especially those that have been the underpinning of Western civilization for 2,000 years -- without being slandered, accused of hate speech, and told from those who preach 'tolerance' that I need to either bend my beliefs to their moral standards or be silent when I'm in the public square.

I believe we need to learn how to debate these things with greater love and respect, and added, I've been encouraged by the support of many friends (including gay friends, incidentally).

GLAAD, the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, responded in turn to Cameron's retort.

Saying that gay people are 'detrimental to civilization' might be 'loving' in Kirk Cameron's mind, but it's gay youth and victims of bullying who truly suffer from adults like Cameron who espouse these ideas, GLAAD spokesman Herndon Graddick told ABC News in an email statement.

Obviously, Cameron has the right to recite his anti-gay talking points, Graddick added, just like fair-minded Americans have the right to tell him that his views are harmful and have no place in modern America.

The controversial discussion began when Piers Morgan asked Kirk Cameron his opinion on heated social topics like abortion and gay marriage, and what he would tell his six children about the issues.

Cameron said that he would only instruct his children based on what is written in the Bible. Marriage is almost as old as dirt, and it was defined in the garden between Adam and Eve, Cameron told to Morgan. One man, one woman for life till death do you part. So I would never attempt to try to redefine marriage. And I don't think anyone else should either. So do I support the idea of gay marriage? No, I don't.

[Homosexuality is] unnatural... I think that it's detrimental, and ultimately destructive to so many of the foundations of civilization, the 41-year-old said.

Celebrities and supporters of the homosexual community spoke out against Cameron's anti-gay comments.

Comedian Craig Ferguson tweeted: Rush makes me ashamed to be a middleaged [sic]white man and Kirk Cameron makes me ashamed to be a failed actor. We don't all think like that NoH8. Actress Debra Messingtweeted: I want to thank Piers Morgan for his response to what he wud say to HIS child if (s)he came out: 'Great, as long as you're happy.' Modern Family star Jesse Tyler Ferguson joked, The only unnatural thing about me being gay is that I had a crush on Kirk Cameron until about 24 hours ago.