“Guardians of the Galaxy” star Chris Pratt has been outspoken about his Christian faith, often urging Americans to come together despite the myriad divisions plaguing our culture. But as the old adage goes, no good deed goes unpunished.
Pratt is something of an enigma among his Hollywood contemporaries. Rather than serving as an extension of the political left, the 41-year-old celebrity has generally chosen to maintain an apolitical reputation. But steering clear of making constant political declarations and donations in an era when everything has to be about politics makes people like Pratt personae non gratae in Tinseltown.
Over the weekend, Pratt began trending alongside his fellow famous “Chrises”: Chris Pine, Chris Evans, and Chris Hemsworth. One Twitter user started a now-viral poll encouraging people to ditch Pratt from the bunch.
Other social media users agreed with TV writer Amy Berg, saying Pratt needs to be canned because his alleged (though far from confirmed) support of President Donald Trump “disqualifies him.” Another said Pratt’s supposed views “are terrible” and he “supports anti-LGBTQ activist churches,” an obtuse attack dating back to February 2019, when fellow celebrity Ellen Page rebuked Pratt for attending two popular Los Angeles megachurches, Zoe Church and Hillsong LA.
Both churches hold to the mainstream, biblical belief that marriage is a holy union between one man and one woman — a perspective antithetical to secular society.
While Pratt has never spoken out directly on the matter (or on his political opinions, though it seems likely he’s more conservative than other A-listers) some have taken his largely apolitical demeanor as proof he’s a closeted conservative who “thinks it’s acceptable for a church to literally torture LGBT kids until they say they’re straight.”
When one Twitter user asked Rob Gill if his otherworldly and unsubstantiated claim was true, he simply replied: “Yes.” There is, of course, no evidence to back up Gill’s suggestion that Pratt supports “torture.”
Pratt, for his part, defended his church in 2019.
“It has recently been suggested that I belong to a church which ‘hates a certain group of people’ and is ‘infamously anti-LGBTQ,'” he wrote in an Instagram story at the time. “Nothing could be further from the truth. I go to a church that opens their doors to absolutely everyone. 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. It is what I have seen them do for others on countless occasions, regardless of sexual orientation, race, or gender.”
As for politics, Pratt has remained largely silent on the issue. In 2017, he said he doesn’t “feel represented by either side,” referring to Democrats and Republicans. Last summer, he was seen wearing a T-shirt with the Gadsden flag, which features a snake and the phrase, “Don’t tread on me,” a popular symbol within the conservative and libertarian movements.
Pratt also poked fun in early October at other celebrities who have been posting frequently about registering to vote and sharing early and mail-in balloting information.
“With all that’s going on in the world it is more important than ever that you vote. Just ask any celebrity. They will tell you. Every day. Several times a day. To vote. But me? I will tell you EXACTLY who to vote for,” he wrote before asking his fans to vote for his new movie “Onward” in the 2020 People’s Choice Awards.
Progressives were, of course, quick to fuss about Pratt’s attempt to lighten the mood when he should be — in their view — obsessing about politics.
Pratt’s wife, Katherine Schwarzenegger, the eldest child of former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R), is publicly supporting Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden.