Chris Pratt has responded to claims that his church is anti-LGBTQ.
“It has recently been suggested that I belong to a church which ‘hates a certain group of people’ and is ‘infamously anti –LGBTQ.’ Nothing could be further from the truth,” Pratt wrote on Instagram.
Last week, Canadian actress Ellen Page took to social media to respond to a tweet about Pratt and his appearance on The Late Show.
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“Fresh from fasting, @prattprattpratt talks about his spiritual side on @colbertlateshow,” a tweet from The Hollywood Reporter read.
Page quoted the tweet and wrote, “Oh. K. Um. But his church is infamously anti lgbtq so maybe address that too?”
Page tweeted again, with an explanation for her first tweet.
“If you are a famous actor and you belong to an organization that hates a certain group of people, don’t be surprised if someone simply wonders why it’s not addressed,” she tweeted. “Being anti LGBTQ is wrong, there aren’t two sides. The damage it causes is severe. Full stop. Sending love to all.”
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Page also added, “If lgbtq+ people are expressing their pain, their trauma, their experiences…maybe just try and listen? Open your heart, stop being defensive and have compassion. It’s a beautiful and life changing feeling, empathy. Much love truly to all.”
Despite her allegations, Page offers no evidence or examples of discrimination or anti-LGBTQ policies at Zoe Church.
According to reports, Pratt attends Zoe Church in Los Angeles, which is led by pastor Chad Veach.
Pratt and many other celebrities including Justin and Hailey Bieber, Kourtney Kardashian, Kylie and Kendall Jenner and Selena Gomez, have become closely associated with churches like Hillsong. Zoe Church is a newer Los Angeles-based church that was modelled after Hillsong.
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The Zoe Church website states, “Our church is a place where our doors are open to people of all backgrounds — regardless of where they are at in their journeys — and we hope all feel welcomed, comfortable and loved.”
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After hearing the claims about his church, Pratt took to his Instagram story to address the accusations.
“It has recently been suggested that I belong to a church which ‘hates a certain group of people’ and is ‘infamously anti –LGBTQ.’ Nothing could be further from the truth,” Pratt began. “I go to a church that opens their doors to absolutely everyone.”
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Pratt continued: “Despite what the Bible says about divorce my church community was there for me every step of the way, never judging, just gracefully accompanying me on my walk.”
“They helped me tremendously offering love and support,” the actor wrote. “It is what I have seen them do for others on countless occasions regardless of sexual orientation, race or gender.”
“My faith is important to me but no church defines me or my life and I am not spokesman for any church or any group of people,” Pratt wrote. “My values define who I am. We need less hate in this world, not more. I am a man who believes that everyone is entitled to love who they want free from the judgment of their fellow man.”
“This is what guides me in my life. He is a God of Love, Acceptance and Forgiveness. Hate has no place in my or this world,” Pratt concluded adding, “Jesus said, ‘I give you a new command, love one another.'”
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