Alan Ritchson, who is basically known for playing Jack Reacher in the Amazon series Reacher, has expressed strong criticism toward individuals who claim to be Christians but, in his view, exhibit hateful politics. Ritchson has encountered backlash, which he describes as “violence,” for voicing his opinions.
The actor, who has gained recognition for his portrayal of the tough military investigator in the popular series, has drawn attention for his outspoken commentary on religious and political matters.
In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Ritchson made headlines by criticizing the apparent alignment of many Christian groups with former President Donald Trump, declaring, “Trump is a rapist and a con man, and yet the entire Christian church seems to treat him like he’s their poster child and it’s unreal. I don’t understand it.”
Ritchson has continued to discuss his views on his InstaChurch YouTube channel, where he shares his interpretation of biblical teachings. In one of his videos, Ritchson referenced a passage from the Book of Jeremiah to highlight the ethical obligations of Christians to act with compassion and justice.
He contrasted this with the behavior he observes among certain politically motivated Christians who, he believes, are engaging in harmful actions against the most vulnerable in society.
Ritchson cited Jeremiah 22:3, emphasizing the call to “do what is just and right” and to “rescue from the hand of the oppressor, the one who has been wronged.” He highlighted the scriptural injunctions against doing violence to foreigners, orphans, and widows, suggesting that many of those who claim to be Christians fail to live up to these standards.
He criticized those who use their political power to do the opposite of these biblical principles, accusing them of using violence against foreigners and neglecting the needs of orphans and widows. Ritchson underscored the universality of Christian generosity, stating that it should extend to everyone, not just to believers or citizens of a particular nation.
Reflecting on his own experiences of speaking out, Ritchson mentioned that he has faced “violence” when challenging these political and religious norms, likely referring to the harsh criticism and backlash he has received. He proposed that the antidote to violence is generosity and stressed that such generosity should be directed toward individuals rather than institutions.
JEREMIAH 22 THREE.
SO IF WE GO TO THE PROPHETS, WHAT DO THEY SAY? DO WHAT IS JUST AND RIGHT.
RESCUE FROM THE HAND OF THE OPPRESSOR, THE ONE WHO HAS BEEN WRONGED.
DO NO WRONG OR VIOLENCE TO THE FOREIGNER, THE FATHERLESS, OR THE WIDOW. DO NO WRONG TO THE FOREIGNER, THE FATHERLESS, OR THE WIDOW!
I THINK… WHEN I THINK ABOUT THAT, I THINK ABOUT POLITICS. AND WHEN I THINK ABOUT THIS, I THINK ABOUT AN ENTIRE PLATFORM BY THOSE WHO MOSTLY CLAIM TO BE CHRISTIANS, WHO ARE DOING THE EXACT OPPOSITE OF THIS WITH THEIR VOTING POWER! WHO ARE TRYING TO DO VIOLENCE TO THE FOREIGNER!
WHO ARE NOT HELPING, THE FATHERLESS, WHO ARE MAKING VICTIMS OF WIDOWS. DO NO WRONG TO THE VIOLENCE OF DO NO WRONG OR VIOLENCE TO THE FOREIGNER, THE FATHERLESS OR THE WIDOW.
THIS IS THE KIND OF GENEROSITY. WE ARE CALLED TO AND IT’S FOR EVERYBODY. IT’S NOT JUST FOR BELIEVERS. IT’S NOT JUST FOR THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN INDOCTRINATED INTO THE CHURCH. IT’S NOT JUST FOR THOSE WHO ARE AMERICAN OR FIT YOUR NATION STATE OR FLY YOUR FLAG. IT IS FOR EVERYBODY!
IF YOU WANT TO SEE VIOLENCE FLEE THE WORLD, BE MORE GENEROUS TO EVERYBODY! THAT IS THE CHRISTIAN ETHIC!
THAT IS WHAT I THAT IS WHAT I DON’T SEE HAPPENING. AND WHEN I SPEAK UP ABOUT IT IN MY OWN WAYS, I’M MET WITH VIOLENCE. THE ANTIDOTE TO VIOLENCE IS GENEROSITY. GENEROSITY IS OWED TO INDIVIDUALS, NOT TO INSTITUTIONS.
