Chris Pratt slammed by Ellen Page for attending ‘infamously anti-LGBTQ’ church
By Katherine Lam | Fox News
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Ellen Page slammed Chris Pratt for attending a church she claimed is “infamously anti-LGBTQ” and doubled down on her comments on Saturday.
Page’s criticism came after Pratt appeared on “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert” and talked about being religious and completing a 21-day fast inspired by the Biblical Prophet Daniel. “The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part” actor frequently attends Zoe Church, which is modeled after Hillsong Church, a megachurch founded in Australia but which has locations in New York City and Los Angeles, the New York Times previously reported. Variety stated Pratt was also a Hillsong church attendee.
Following Pratt’s appearance on the late-night show, Page took to Twitter to criticize Pratt for attending the church, which she did not name.
“Oh. K. Um. But his church is infamously anti lgbtq so maybe address that too?” She tweeted along with a Hollywood Reporter article about Pratt’s interview.
On Saturday Page, who came out as gay during a 2014 speech in Las Vegas at a conference for the Human Rights Campaign, doubled down on her comment against Pratt and said the actor should “try and listen” to the LGBTQ community.
“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,” the 31-year-old actress tweeted Saturday. “Being anti LGBTQ is wrong, there aren’t two sides. The damage it causes is severe. Full stop. Sending love to all.”
She said in another tweet, “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.”
Pastor Chad Veach previously told the New York Times he modeled Zoe church after Hillsong, which is popular among celebrities, including Justin Bieber.
Senior pastor Brian Houston at Hillsong previously said in a 2015 statement that the church does “not affirm a gay lifestyle.”
“We do not affirm a gay lifestyle and because of this we do not knowingly have actively gay people in positions of leadership, either paid or unpaid,” he said in a post on the church’s website. “I recognize this one statement alone is upsetting to people on both sides of this discussion, which points to the complexity of the issue for churches all over the world.”
He said that he loves and accepts “people on a personal level.”
“Everyone is welcome at Hillsong church except for known predators, those who are disruptive, or those who have adversarial agendas,” he said, adding that gay people are welcomed at the church but cannot pursue a leadership role.
Page has been outspoken about LGBTQ issues and recently spoke out against the attack on “Empire” star Jussie Smollett.
Chris Pratt Defends His 'Infamously Anti-LGBTQ' Church Amid Controversy
By Paul Bois - The Daily Wire
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After enough critics have sounded off about his "infamously anti-LGBTQ" church, actor Chris Pratt has issued a public response in defense of his house of worship.
In a post on his Instagram and Facebook stories, the "Guardians of the Galaxy" actor said that Hillsong Church is not a hateful place and opens its "doors to absolutely everyone."
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. I go to a church that opens their doors to absolutely everyone.
Despite what the Bible says about my 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 their love and support. 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 a spokesman for any church or any group of people. 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.
Pratt's post included a quote from Jesus, "I give you a new command, love one another," which the actor said "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.
This past Friday, openly lesbian actress Ellen Page publicly criticized Chris Pratt for attending Hillsong Church, attended also by Justin Bieber and Kendall Jenner. It was founded in Australia with locations in New York City and Los Angeles. Carl Lentz, leader of the New York branch, said in 2015 that homosexuality is a sin. Later that year, two male choir members of the church got married and Brian Houston, the church’s global senior pastor, released a statement denouncing the union.
For this, Ellen Page and several LGBTQ activists have been demanding Chris Pratt publicly denounce Hillsong's past statements or clarify his own position at the very least. Page tweeted Monday, "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. Being anti LGBTQ is wrong, there aren’t two sides. The damage it causes is severe. Full stop. Sending love to all."
