Jim Caviezel says churches in America are at risk of being canceled, defends Christianity
Actor Jim Caviezel is speaking out against cancel culture, saying religious leaders in America need to rise up because churches are under persecution.
Caviezel, best known for his portrayal of Jesus Christ in “The Passion of the Christ,” told Fox News that Christians are "being persecuting for their faith."
“If Christians don't watch out, it will be canceling Christianity as well," he warned.
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The actor, whose latest film “Infidel” is a true story about an American Christian who's kidnapped in Cairo, Egypt, and imprisoned in Iran under false spying charges, called on Christian leaders to stand up for their faith.
"A lot of our pastors, our bishops, our priests, they're laying right over. They let their churches be burned. How do we know that? Well, it's right there in the news," he said.
“That's why we're in this situation right now. We can't go to churches. We can't go into our church. Why? Because they could get contaminated, right? So why are we on airplanes?"
Listen to Caviezel share his Christian faith, his views on abortion and more on "Edifi With Billy Hallowell," the best Christian podcast for faith news
Churches across the country closed their doors beginning in the spring to help curb the spread of COVID-19. With gathering restrictions still in place in many states months later, some churches have chosen to defy orders or file lawsuits, claiming discrimination against places of worship.
Caviezel insisted that keeping churches closed during the pandemic is affecting those who need it most in these times.
"I have had friends that have committed suicide. I have seven SEAL buddies that lost seven of their friends committing suicide. Would it have helped to get into a church especially during this time? Absolutely. And is it good for mental illness? Yes, it is," he stressed.
Speaking to Breitbart News Daily, Caviezel emphasized the "inalienable rights" of "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" that the U.S. Constitution guarantees. But he wondered, "Why can't I go to church?"
"You know, it's not going to be some communist or Nazi that takes away your freedoms," he warned. "It's going to be you giving them away."
Noting that “there is no collaboration," the actor urged all Christians "to stand up and fight back,” while on "The Ben Shapiro Show."
“If we are ever going to war, we should go to war with secular extremists. That is a war that needs to be fought and be won now! Christians need to start speaking the truth.”
The Washington native also compared some church leaders to those who betrayed Jesus in the Bible. He likened them to Pontius Pilate and the Pharisees.
"It's a bloody shame if you can't tell the difference between a priest, a bishop or a politician. It's really sad," he lamented. “But this is called lukewarmness. And Christ has a very special place for them and they know it."
Caviezel has been promoting his new film, “Infidel,” which draws attention to global Christian persecution. “Infidel” is now in theaters and topped “The New Mutants” last Friday, earning $530,000 in 1,724 theaters. The film has since been added to more theaters across the country.
