Brad Pitt reconnects with Christian roots

Brad Pitt returned to church over Labor Day weekend, thanks to his friend, musician Kanye West.

The popular actor, who grew up in Springfield and attended the Missouri School of Journalism, was seen shaking hands and speaking with West after a service in Los Angeles, according to CBN News. Pitt starred in this summer’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and the recently released Ad Astra.

In an earlier interview, Pitt said he associates Christianity with a long list of rules and seems to have missed the message of the unconditional and redeeming love of Christ. “I never understood growing up with Christianity — don’t do this, don’t do that — it’s all about don’ts,” he said.

READ OUR REVIEW: Brad Pitt stars in new movie, Ad Astra

The visit to West’s church changed his perspective.

“Oh, man, I’ve gone through everything,” Pitt said told GQ magazine. “Like, I cling to religion. I grew up with Christianity. Always questioned it, but it worked at times. And then when I got on my own, I completely left it and I called myself agnostic. Tried a few spiritual things but didn’t feel right.

“Then I called myself an atheist for a while, just kind of being rebellious. I wasn’t really. But I kinda labeled myself that for a while. It felt punk rock enough. And then I found myself coming back around to just belief in — I hate to use the word spirituality, but just a belief in that we’re all connected.”

During an interview in 2017, Pitt told Relevant Magazine that he grew up “First Baptist, which is the cleaner, stricter, by-the-book Christianity.”

While in high school, Pitt had an encounter with people speaking in tongues and raising their hands during worship. “I know they believe it,” he said. “I know they’re releasing something.”

West started holding the Sunday services, which feature a gospel choir and other musical performances, in January. He shared his faith in mid-September at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Atlanta.

“They be coming at me like, ‘Why are you so judgmental?’” West told the congregation. “Well, it ain’t for me to judge, but I’m gonna say what I see. That’s another thing that the devil says.. ‘Why are you speaking up so much?’ I’m just pointing to the word.”

–Alan Goforth | Metro Voice