Popular reality TV star Bear Grylls is defending his decision to support comedian and actor Russell Brand in his newfound Christian faith despite the sexual assault allegations against the celebrity.
“Russell, you know, [it was] a privilege to stand beside him as he was getting baptized; that is a life journey for him,” he told Australia’s The Daily Telegraph. “I really wish him well, and his lovely family.”
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The 50-year-old Grylls, an outspoken Christian, was one of the friends who has walked with Brand as he is seemingly coming into the Christian faith. Grylls was with Brand when he was baptized in the River Thames in April.
“Me, Bear Grylls, The River Thames and, of course, The Holy Spirit,” Brand captioned an Instagram post about his baptism.
Brand’s spiritual awakening came less than one year after a collaborative investigation by The Times, The Sunday Times, and Dispatches from Channel 4 reported on allegations from four women who accused the comedian of sexual assault — including rape — and emotional abuse.
For his part, Brand has denied the claims, which he described as “very serious criminal allegations.” He did admit that he was “very, very promiscuous” in the past, but insisted his sexual liaisons were “always consensual.”
Brand said this month he is now in the “business of serving Jesus Christ.”
In surrendering to Christ…
— Russell Brand (@rustyrockets) July 1, 2024
From my conversation with my friend @thecoastguy pic.twitter.com/F4A4HPN0BH
“In surrendering to Christ, there is something extraordinary about saying there is this man, another man, entirely God, entirely man,” he said. “But through some necessary, extraordinary, metaphysical act just beyond the edge of rational understanding, the Creator of this simulation came into the simulation and told us, ‘Hello, I am God. I’ve come here. Here are some virtues and values.'”
A few weeks after baptizing Brand, Grylls told the Daily Mail, “Faith and spiritual moments in our lives are really personal, but it is a privilege to stand beside anyone when they express a humble need for forgiveness and strength from above. Friendships when we go through tough times are worth so much.”
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