Tom Hanks apologizes for calling Mormon support of Prop 8 'Un-American'

I thought Tom Hanks was a man who knows his own mind and a big enough star to say what he means and mean what he says and stick to it.

Apparently not.

The two-time Oscar winner is apologizing for a remark he made last week when he said the Morman Church's support of Proposition 8 - which banned gay marriage in California - as "un-American."

Today Hanks has released this statement: ow, in a exclusive statement to PEOPLE through his representative Leslee Dart, Hanks is softening his stance. Last week, I labeled members of the Mormon church who supported California's Proposition 8 as "un-American." I believe Proposition 8 is counter to the promise of our Constitution; it is codified discrimination. But everyone has a right to vote their conscience - nothing could be more American. To say members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints who contributed to Proposition 8 are "un-American" creates more division when the time calls for respectful disagreement. No one should use "un- American" lightly or in haste. I did. I should not have."

Well, there you have it.