Chris Pratt recently sat down with the Associated Press for a brief interview. AP asked Pratt about his recent proclivity to giving religious messages from public platforms. Pratt said encouraging people to do things like pray “fills [his] soul.”
Pratt told interviewers that using his platform to give religious messages is “the only way I feel like I can repay what essentially has been a giant gift in my life.”
Likely referring to the speeches he has given recently at events like the MTV Movie & TV awards, during which he encouraged the audience to pray and also gave some other tips for living a good life (some humorous, others serious), Pratt says he knows the messages might not be for everyone. But he says for the one or two people who may need to hear those messages, the prospect of helping someone in this way “fills my soul.” The actor said it encourages him to think that some kid watching him might start to pray based on his recommendation.
Pratt, who stars in movies such as Guardians of the Galaxy and Jurassic World, attends Zoe Church in Los Angeles. He has even promoted Pastor Chad Veach’s book on his personal Instagram account. Nestled in between posts about filming movies and relaxing at his farm, he also includes posts about spiritual things.
In the AP interview, Pratt shared about his experience of being a Christian in Hollywood. He said some people accuse Hollywood of being “very far left” and resistant to religious ideas. But the actor feels Hollywood is “open to anything, including religious ideas.”
“I’ve never had anyone in Hollywood say, ‘Hey, stop saying that,’” Pratt says. He also believes Hollywood is “pro-whatever’s authentic to you.”
The actor muses there may be people who say things about him behind his back, but he doesn’t appear bothered by this. “You can say whatever you want about me—to my face or behind my back—I’m not going to change.”