Award-winning director Andrew Erwin is defending actor Chris Pratt after the Jurassic World star made comments about religion that sparked criticism from some Christians.
Erwin, the co-director of movies such as American Underdog and I Can Only Imagine, said on Instagram he's fully behind Pratt, an outspoken Christian who told Men's Health he's "not a religious person."
Erwin called it a "great interview."
"Really admire how this guy represents truth in love," Erwin wrote on Instagram. "Uses his platform to point people to a very real God, not religion. I think criticism on either side, a lot of times, is the sign you are doing something right, not wrong."
Erwin added that he's visited Pratt's church, Zoe Church in Los Angeles and knows his pastor, Chad Veach.
"Both are super solid," Erwin wrote. "Keep standing for Jesus, Pratt. Behind you 100%."
Pratt, in the interview, said he understood why some viewers were troubled by his faith-filled speech at the 2018 MTV Movie & TV Awards when he said, "God is real. God loves you, God wants the best for you. Believe that. I do."
Pratt told Men's Health that religion has been "oppressive" 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," Pratt said. "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."
Pratt's interview with Men's Health also sparked criticism because of the level of coarse language in his comments. Pratt, on Instagram, posted a link to the interview and wrote, "Big takeaway: I cuss too much – I'm going to work on that."
Erwin also co-directed I Still Believe, Woodlawn, Mom's Night Out and October Baby.
Related:
'I'm Not a Religious Person': Chris Pratt Addresses Online Backlash Concerning His Faith
'God Loves You': Actor Chris Pratt Delivers Faith-Filled Speech at MTV Movie Awards
Photo courtesy: ©Ronald Pollard for K-LOVE Fan Awards
Michael Foust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His stories have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, The Christian Post, the Leaf-Chronicle, the Toronto Star and the Knoxville News-Sentinel.
