Chris Pratt Got Some Internet Hate For Sending His Prayers To Kevin Smith
Earlier today we learned that Kevin Smith suffered a massive heart attack after a show in Glendale, CA last night. Kevin came face-to-face with The Widow-Maker, the most diabolical foe Kevin has encountered since the executive at ABC responsible for cancelling Clerks: The Animated Series. Lots of people are thinking good thoughts and sending them Kevin’s way. Some people sent him a prayer or two. Chris Pratt is one of those people. Unfortunately, not everyone with down with his prayers.
This all started shortly after Kevin broke the news about his heart attack. Chris isn’t friends with Kevin, but he is a big fan and wants to see Kevin get better. So he got God involved, and asked his followers to do the same.
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
According to The Hollywood Reporter, several people on Twitter came for Chris’ decision to offer up thoughts and prayers, arguing that sending prayers is an empty gesture, and citing the school shooting in Parkland, FL two weeks ago. Apparently these were people who clearly had had enough of thoughts and prayers and Chris was the final straw. But not everyone was hissing at Chris Pratt online. Guardians of the Galaxy director James Gunn jumped to Chris’ defense on Twitter in a long tweet thread, which I’ve compiled below:
“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.’ There is nothing wrong with sending someone positive thoughts & prayers. But when this is coupled with inaction when action will benefit the situation, it’s empty. If you’re offering Parkland shooting survivors prayers, but are unwilling to deal with the problems of gun violence in this country in a practical way, those prayers are empty. And if you’re going to offer prayers to the folks suffering in Puerto Rico, you might consider adding a link for a donation or calling on your representatives to take action, in addition to those prayers. Prayers alone will not change the world.
But no one expects Chris Pratt to shoulder doctors out of the way and perform heart surgery on Kevin Smith. 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.
I honestly would not be doing what I’m doing in either my career, or in speaking out on political matters, if I wasn’t led there through prayers and meditation. I feel lucky to have these tools. I don’t think that means YOU need to pray. I don’t. There are many ways to navigate this life. Mine is only one of them. Prayer isn’t for everyone but, in the face of helplessness, it’s often meant as a acknowledgement that one cares (and we all care about Kevin Smith). If I am ever sick I will gratefully accept any of your thoughts and prayers. And will not be as grateful for some random fan knocking down my doctor and performing his own brand of kick ass surgery on me. Love to you all. Have a great week.”
Unless I’m food sick on a bumpy public bus, I’m not a praying person. But even I wasn’t bothered by Chris Pratt sending prayers. And like James Gunn said, were they expecting Chris to show up at the hospital in scrubs? I don’t care how empty a gesture thoughts and prayers might be, I’d rather that then see Andy Dwyer standing over me while saying, “Toss me that scalpel! Now which one is the heart again? Ain’t nothing in here looks like the picture on a Valentine’s Day card.”
Pic: Wenn.com