Nick Cassavetes -- Incest Comments Will NOT Affect My Career

Director Nick Cassavetes tells TMZ, he isn't a politician ... he's an artist who makes movies -- and that's why his comments about brother-sister lovin' won't have a damned effect on his career.

As we previously reported, Nick recently spoke out in defense of ALL kinds of relationships while promoting his new film in Toronto this weekend -- gay, straight, incestuous, whatever -- saying, "Who gives a s**t if people judge you? I'm not saying this is an absolute but in a way, if you're not having kids -- who gives a damn?"

He continued, "If it’s your brother or sister it’s super-weird, but if you look at it, you’re not hurting anybody ... except every single person who freaks out because you’re in love with one another.”

He took a lot of flack for the comment ... but when we asked if he thought it would affect his career, Nick replied, "I make movies man. I'm not a politician. If people want to listen to me for theology, that's their problem. I'm about tolerance."