“Guardians of the Galaxy” and “Jurassic World” star Chris Pratt found himself under attack Monday after tweeting his “thoughts and prayers” to director Kevin Smith, who narrowly survived a massive heart attack over the weekend.
Pratt, who has spoken openly about his faith before, reached out to Smith on the social media network to say that he was “praying his ass off” because he believes in the “healing power of prayer.”
Kevin we don’t know each other too good but I have loved you since Clerks and I’m praying my ass off for you cause I believe in the healing power of prayer. Can you please pray with me people!? https://t.co/syB7BiQaoY
— chris pratt (@prattprattpratt) February 26, 2018
Praying for you. I will continue to. You inspired me with Clerks when I was a senior HS. I’m tagging my Lb/rb football coach who showed me the movie cause he believed in me and knew I’d be inspired. @hodge1916 https://t.co/syB7BiQaoY
— chris pratt (@prattprattpratt) February 26, 2018
The sentiment didn’t sit well with Twitter leftists — and especially Twitter atheists — who have been critical of the concept of offering “thoughts of prayers” in the wake of an accident or tragedy since the shooting in Parkland, Florida, several weeks ago. Many have been openly hostile to lawmakers who tweet about their faith in the wake of such incidents, on the theory that those who pray aren’t moved to any further action (and because they fail to consider that prayer, itself, is an action).
Pratt’s critics were no less antagonistic, lashing out at the actor and suggesting that he stop believing in “sky fairies” and a “flying spaghetti monster,” and believe instead in the power of modern medicine — as if faith and science were mutually exclusive.
That’s cool and everything but Doctors and nurses save lives not prayer.
— Retro Bigfoot (@RetroBigfoot) February 26, 2018
No!!! Please tell me you are being sarcastic! I don’t want Chris Pratt to be a god botherer.
— alicejac (@alicejac) February 26, 2018
no. a doctor saved him. not a spaggetti monster
— Gary P (@Garypercival8) February 26, 2018
If you wanna help, actually help. Praying is just a way to feign helping so you don’t have to go out of your way
— Joey Yeun (@AsianAmigo) February 26, 2018
Great now I won’t enjoy your films as much knowing you’re a Jesus nut
— Ewan Wilson (@scotstralian) February 26, 2018
Glad he’s ok. Don’t think praying will help. If it did there would be no disease, illness, Wars, corruption & Trump in the world. #timewasting #fairytales
— koren (@bunnyblake71) February 26, 2018
After noticing the outpouring of hate, “Guardians” director James Gunn jumped to Pratt’s defense, explaining to the Twitter mob that Chris wasn’t suggesting Kevin Smith not receive medical treatment for what is clearly a very serious issue, but that Chris believed faith and prayer can aid, comfort, and provide hope to those in difficult situations.
So I just read Chris Pratt’s tweet to Kevin Smith saying he would pray for him & made the mistake of reading the comments, many of which go off on Chris for saying he’d pray. I think people misunderstand the backlash against “thoughts & prayers.” (thread)
— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) February 26, 2018
“But no one expects Chris Pratt to shoulder doctors out of the way and perform heart surgery on Kevin Smith,” he continued. “Nor does Kevin need Chris to pay his medical bills. So I think his prayers are appreciated, and about all he can do. I’m not tweeting this to defend Chris — he’s a big boy and can take care of himself. But for me, personally, prayer and meditation are great boons to my life and help me navigate my way through this world, and I don’t want to dissuade others who find those things useful.”
Gunn even went on to explain to Twitter leftists that Pratt’s situation was different, even, from those who critiqued lawmakers in the wake of the Parkland shooting, for their tweeted “thoughts and prayers” (though in that case, many of the same lawmakers received ire largely because they disagreed with many celebrities on the subject of gun rights).
Kevin Smith, meanwhile, is recovering, though he tweeted that he narrowly avoided death. “After the first show this evening, I had a massive heart attack,” Smith said. “The Doctor who saved my life told me I had 100% blockage of my LAD artery (aka ‘the Widow-Maker’).”