Chris Pratt has said he's 'not a religious person' after facing backlash for rumours suggesting he's linked to a church known to be ‘infamously anti-LGBTQ’.
The Guardians of the Galaxy star addressed suggestions that he attended the Hillsong Church, which he claims started after making a pro-god statement at the 2018 MTV Movie & TV Awards.
Hillsong has faced a number of controversies over the years, including the resignation of its co-founder Brian Houston in March amid allegations of misconduct.
In addition, The Washington Post reports that Hillsong released a statement in 2017 urging its Australian members to vote against same-sex marriages.
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The Umbrella Academy star Elliot Page called out Pratt over the rumours in 2019, accusing him of being part of an 'infamously anti-LGBTQ' institution.
Responding at the time, the 43-year-old actor said he went to 'a church that opens their doors to absolutely everyone', although he didn't explicitly confirm or deny whether it was Hillsong.
But in a new interview with Men's Health, Pratt claimed he never attended the megachurch, stating: "I’ve never actually been to Hillsong. I don’t know anyone from that church."
He also elaborated on his spiritual standpoint, saying 'religion has been oppressive as f**k for a long time'.
“I didn’t know that I would kind of become the face of religion when really I’m not a religious person,” he explained.
“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.
"Whatever it is. The evil that’s in the heart of every single man has glommed on to the back of religion and come along for the ride."
When asked by writer Mickey Rapkin why he didn't explain that he's not linked to Hillsong back when he responded to Page, Pratt said: "I’m gonna, like, throw a church under the bus? If it’s like the Westboro Baptist Church, that’s different."
He told the publication that he goes to the LA-based Zoe Church but not exclusively.
However, despite being favoured by various big name celebrities including Justin and Hailey Bieber, the institute isn't totally free from controversies itself.
The Washington Post pointed out that its founder Chad Veach was involved in a film that equated 'same-sex attraction' with 'sexual brokenness'.
Topics: Chris Pratt, Guardians of the Galaxy, Celebrity, LGBTQ
Daisy Phillipson