Chris Pratt is setting the record straight. Unfortunately, he’s still got the record wrong.
The 43-year-old actor has long been a symbol for Christianity in Hollywood. In 2019, he made headlines when he went on The Late Show and boasted about his faith to Stephen Colbert, resulting in Elliot Page calling him out on Twitter for attending an anti-LGBTQ church.
Though Page didn’t name the church Pratt attended, it was widely reported as the vehemently antigay Hillsong Church, a Christian cult that promotes bogus conversion therapy and believes homosexuality is a sin, and whose founder, Frank Houston, was an accused child sex predator.
“I never went to Hillsong,” Pratt tells Men’s Health in a cover story published this week. “I’ve never actually been to Hillsong. I don’t know anyone from that church.”
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
His statement is not entirely true, however. Maybe he hasn’t attended a service at Hillsong, but he certainly knows people who have.
In the interview, Pratt confirms that he attends Zoe Church in Los Angeles, which was founded in 2015 by evangelical pastor Chad Veach, who told the New York Times that he modeled it after Hillsong.
Another fun fact about Veach: In addition to running Zoe Church, he’s also the executive producer of the 2017 film The Heart of Man, a documentary about “sexual brokenness.”
In his interview with Men’s Health, Pratt goes on to say that he’s not actually a religious person, despite reading the Bible, going to church, and talking about God and Jesus all the time.
“Religion has been oppressive as f*ck for a long time,” he notes. “I didn’t know that I would kind of become the face of religion when really I’m not a religious person.”
“I think there’s a distinction between being religious–adhering to the customs created by man, oftentimes appropriating the awe reserved for who I believe is a very real God–and using it to control people, to take money from people, to abuse children, to steal land, to justify hatred.”
And what about that acceptance speech he made at the 2018 MTV Movie & TV Awards in which he said, “God is real. God loves you. God wants the best for you. Believe that. I do!”?
“Maybe it was hubris for me to stand up on the stage and say the things that I said,” Pratt reflects today. “I’m not sure I touched anybody.”
Oh, and how about all those right wing extremists and homophobes he follows on Twitter, including admitted gay basher Tucker Carlson, homophobic political pundit Ben Shapiro, the antigay hate group Turning Points USA, and the extreme right-wing podcast Prager U, just to name a few?
Pratt doesn’t have anything to say about that.
Here’s how folx on Twitter are responding to his attempt at a rebrand…
Re-upping this in light of Chris Pratt trending: https://t.co/aU8B4BCjql
— ?van Ross Katz (@evanrosskatz) June 29, 2022
I feel like one of the key aspects to the dislikability of Chris Pratt is the very obvious efforts by a PR team to engineer a sense of effortless casual charm that hasn't been there for a long time. https://t.co/ofzqoFDPHp
— RTL3 (@RussellLatshaw) June 28, 2022
How can someone who goes to church and goes golfing with their pastor not be religious
— Daniel (@DanPug1013) June 28, 2022
https://twitter.com/MistfulDragon/status/1541924231688110085
The non-stop Chris Pratt religious scrutiny feels weird after two months of breathless love for Tom Cruise.
— Kevin Polowy (@djkevlar) June 29, 2022
Didn’t this guy make plenty of videos saying he was exercising in the woods listening to Christian music and praising Jesus?
— Marshal Commander Cody (@ComCodyCC2224) June 28, 2022
https://twitter.com/daniel_m_lavery/status/1542157623658795011
https://twitter.com/joemacare/status/1541919609666048000
BREAKING:Religious person says he is not religious
more at 9:30 news— MH.YGT (@69ESDEATH_69) June 28, 2022
Chris Pratt just entered his “I’m not religious, I’m Christian” phase, he’s around 2 years out from his “I’m just asking questions” phase
— ???b?yan??? (@murderxbryan) June 28, 2022
Bromancer7
OK, so we’re back to judging people by the company they keep instead of their own actual words and deeds?
Chris has NEVER said or done anything racist of homophobic. Until he does, I’m OK with him. I mean, isn’t that what we ask of people who dislike us? That they’re free to have any opinions they choose as long as they don’t act on them?
Y’all gotta stop being hypocrites. It’s OK if he doesn’t like gay people as long as he doesn’t do or say anything against us. And so far he hasn’t.
CatholicXXX
The fact that none of his costars, current or past, have jumped in speaks volumes.
CatholicXXX
Even Kevin hart had straight white males like Ellen jump to his rescue even though he was blatantly anti-gay.
Cam
Yes, I am judging Pratt for the company he keeps.
If you hang out with Jeffrey Epstein or a Grand Wizard of the KKK you don’t get to pretend you don’t support Child traffickers or racists.
Jake123
@Cam half of Hollywood and Washington have deep ties with Epstein. You have no doubt enjoyed the content/voted for some of these people. Until we actually know more of who was involved with Epstein, he might not be a great example to use.
Cam
@Jake123
You stopped using the Mario screename to come and help deflect to protect Pratt? How clever.
Jake123
@Cam lol sure whatever you say Cam.
Ronbo
CatholicXXX, are you aware that YOU attack anyone who defends him? A problem is definitely people like you who feel the need to have a list of enemies. If a celebrity or actor came to his support, your M.O. is to automatically attack them… as you did and do right here!
I’d support the enemies lists if they were actually supported by ACTUAL quotations. Snowflakes have a tendency to create a blinding blizzards of hate. Provide a quote or anything that substantiates your attack, please.
Hate is still, not a family value – even when used by right-minded individuals. You can be better.
Bromancer7
@CAM so if you go to family gatherings with relatives you know are Trump lovers I guess that makes you a Trump lover too? Cause that’s exactly what you’re saying.
blackbile
This comment makes me so sad for you, and then suspect you are a troll.
It’s not ok to ‘not like gay people,’ and the act of just not liking all gay people *is* doing something against you. It’s literally the definition of homophobia and I don’t know why no one else is calling this out. What do all gay people have in common that would affect this man? The only answer is that he has a ‘moral’ objection to your identity, which he might call a ‘lifestyle.’
Maybe I’m naive to think this comment is born out of internalized homophobia but…please think about what you are saying and what it really means. And consider getting some therapy.
white-queer-african
INTERESTING! The comment from @Bromancer7. He supports a cult that will burn us at the stake. Your a hypocrite of note. Please do not speak on my behalf with what you believe.
LumpyPillows
Not sure that is actually true.
Ronbo
Re-read that because you just made a false statement… Bromancer did not defend the church. Take off those snowflake blinders and please stop lying. It makes it obvious that YOU are a liar.
LumpyPillows
I don’t recall Chris prat ever saying anything negative about LGBTQ people ever. I suggest we focus on the Supreme Court and winning the mid-terms and leave Sky-Lord alone.
Cam
He supports and gives money to a bigoted organization. I can focus on voting and the Supreme Court and still remember not to see any movie with Pratt in it.
LumpyPillows
Nah. It’s not you I’m worried about, it’s all the people who can’t focus.
CatholicXXX
Nah we lost midterms. Trump left the country in a shambles. He took credit for Obama’s successes/work and now they’re blaming Biden for trumps failures.
Ronbo
So is Cam claiming to have been at the same church service where he saw Chris give money? How much money Cam? Or is this just another baseless attack of someone on your extensive ‘enemies’ list?
And Cam, the options to reverse the SC is in President Biden’s hands. He could enlarge the court to get a better representation of Justice, or he could usher thru laws protecting woman’s rights. No attempt either way in the month since it became public. A month!
But to attack an actor attempting to hurt his career becuse of his non-threatening church attendance?!? This is a crazy as claiming that everyone who disagrees with your narrow opinions must always be only one person with hundreds of sock puppets?!?
Should we review Cam’s history of sock-puppetry. Queerty blocked several because they originated at the same IP. I thought only Republicans accused others of doing what they do; Cam is righting the boat just a does Tucker Carlson. s/
DarkZephyr
While I am still not quite on the “Chris is a homophobic bigot” bandwagon, I will call him out on his “I am not religious” talk, which actually makes me feel a bit more iffy about him than I have up til now.
I don’t think at all that he is trying to say that he is not a spiritual person or devout Christian. He is using “religious” in the sense Anti-Catholic Fundamentalists, Pentecostals and Evangelicals tend to use it. He’s dissing liturgy and ceremony. He’s basically saying “I worship Christ but I don’t burn incense or light candles”. As far as I am concerned, “religious” and “spiritual” are virtually synonymous, but decades ago Fundies decided to redefine the word to fit a self superior anti-Catholic, Anti-Liturgical narrative. That’s all.
The reason this makes me more “iffy” about him is that this “I’m not religious” type of Christian tends to be the exact kind of person who is very homophobic or is at least mentored by very homophobic people. Just from my personal experience and I have had a lot of it with such people, being the son of a pastor & partially growing up in the Assemblies of God church. My Dad was absolutely great, but a lot of the people I met over the years were not.
kevininbuffalo
They like to say it’s a “relationship (with Jesus) not a religion.” It always seemed like a religion to me.
smittoons
I wasn’t aware of his Twitter following such high profile bigots. That’s… hmm.
monty clift
He’s such a crybaby.
antiwokebs
Bunch of ignorant 5th-grade level thinkers in these comments. Moronic author as well.
DarkZephyr
And yet your screen name is “Antiwokebs”, You are so salty and pressed that there are those who believe in respect and equality for all that you named yourself after that feeling of being salty and pressed. You are literally an immature, real life hate-filled grinch.
scotty
Bautista hasnt really been silent on this matter.
Toofie
It is weird the pass Tom Cruise has gotten lately when his religion is worse.
MikeGinMN
I can’t be on the ‘Bash Chris Pratt Bandwagon’. Pratt might be a christian, and might be a member of a quite nasty church…. but I haven’t heard Pratt make any bigoted or offensive remarks.
We should be focused on the haters and the extremists…. the one’s who are truly a threat to our lives… not Chris Pratt. FOCUS PEOPLE!
Cam
Not seeing any movie with Pratt in it doesn’t pull any focus from me doing other things.
MrGoldman
This article is ridiculous. What has he done to show a homophobic side? This demand for perfection will ultimately backfire.
Ronbo
It is certainly turning a lot of people off – including me. We fought for the right to be equal and won because we are compassionate and accepting.
I can’t understand the thinking of shitting where you eat. We need compassionate and accepting people on our side. These ‘enemies list’ attacks are counter productive and drive good people away.
Cam
@Ronbo
LOL!!! Hi Mario,
I see you’re STILL pulling out older screenames to try and pretend you aren’t the nutty right wing troll, but will still softly try to defend homophobia and bigots.
As always, your troll game is sad and weak.
Kangol2
@Ronbo, where did you get that “we won because we are compassionate and accepting”? Like, did you just make that up? What on earth are you talking about? Won what? We won the rights we have through extended struggle, and we are still fighting for our rights and equality. You may believe the fake, sanitized version of LGBTQ history you just typed, but it doesn’t square with reality. Also, it is completely legit to criticize people who are involved with anti-LGBTQ organizations, be they churches, clubs, political parties, you name it. If Chris Pratt was involved with this church and is following bigots online and can’t explain what’s going on, he could and should be criticized. Really allies and supporters don’t wilt or flee under legitimate criticism.
Diplomat
Cam
Your constant helicopter mom issues with supposed trolls and screen names is more than tedious puriel and boring. Saying something of substance would assist in taking you out of your overly active room mother monitor mode.
Diplomat
Puerile
marxist_homo
The Queerty clickbait formula:
[Insert celebrity/politician name] might be [insert rumor; e.g., gay or Christian], and here’s what the Twitter mob thinks: [insert a few random tweets nobody other than Graham Gremore has paid any attention to].
The s/he-might-be-queer variant is sad and stupid. (Do we really need our worth as queer people to be validated by famous people, and should a famous person’s sexual/gender identity determine how we feel about him or her?)
But this other variant (see above), where you try to destroy someone based on totally unfounded rumors that, even if they were true, would be meaningless, is hateful and stupid. I was never a Chris Pratt fan because he’s a terrible actor, and the fact that he’s visited a homophobic church or secretly believes in Jesus Christ wouldn’t change that one bit.
Ken A.
Justin Bieber and Nick Jonas and Selena Gomez all go to Hillsong and are fundies like Pratt. I was one at one time too. Pratt kills animals that is the worst, in my book.
SDR94103
“Pratt kills animals that is the worst, in my book.”
I completely agree.
PoetDaddy
Anyone else care to join me on the “Cancel Chris Pratt” train? He is dead to me, and so are his movies. Over and OUT!