"My Heart is Open": Actor Russell Brand Unveils Interest in Christianity - Catholics Respond

"My heart is open," actor and comedian Russell Brand said in a recent X (Formerly Twitter) video unveiling his interest in Christianity.

Brand is known for his roles in many Hollywood movies, including "Despicable Me" and "Bedtime Stories," to name a few.

However, several of his past films consisted of immoral and explicit content. The actor also struggled with drug addiction, and promiscuity, and is singer Katy Perry's ex-husband.

Recently, he was accused of sexual assault. According to Business Insider, "four women had accused the comedian of rape and sexual assault occurring between 2006 and 2013." Brand denies the allegations.

Over the last few years, however, Brand's podcast discussed more conservative topics, including those about morality and religion.

In a Jan. 21 video entitled, "Why I Wear a Cross," Brand discusses his newfound interest in Christianity and the crucifix. He opens the video chanting in Latin.

"The reason I wear a cross is because Christianity, and in particular the figure of Christ, it seems to me inevitably becoming more important as I become more familiar with suffering, purpose, self, and not self," Brand begins.

"Reading the Bible a lot more and as I've told you before, I'm reading Rick Warren's "Purpose-Driven Life."

"When I grew up, Christianity seemed like it was either really irrelevant and old-fashioned and sort of dusty and sort of incense," Brand continues, chanting "Anno Domini."

Brand then explains what he sees as Christians trying to "modernize" the religion. He says either way, he thought, "Both of those roots seem like I don't know if there's anything for me."

However, as he ages, Brand sees that he "needs a personal relationship with God."

"It occurred to me that if instead of always talking to myself inwardly, I could replace one of those voices with an indwelling. God says in Galatians, it is our job to die so that as Christ died on the cross he might be reborn in us. I'm very interested to hear what you think because, for me, my heart is open."

Catholics Respond to Russell Brand

Several Catholics responded to Brand's request for suggestions on X (Formerly Twitter).

One Catholic convert suggested reading the works of Saint Thomas Aquinas.

"Please read Saint Thomas Aquinas. It will make a lot of sense to you," Matthew Marsden wrote. "When I realized you could prove that there is a God by reason, it changed my life."

Another user cited Saint Augustine's "Confessions."

"In his 'Confessions,' Saint Augustine wrote, 'Thou hast made us for Thyself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in Thee,' the X user suggested.

"You are an incredibly intelligent man - like Augustine - and appear to share the same restlessness he experienced which can only be healed by embracing the cross."

Others suggested watching Catholic sermons and praying the rosary.

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Pray for Russell Brand as he embarks on his journey to the fullness of truth!