Harrison Ford explains what God means to him and his message hits really deep

Harrison Ford, the legendary actor from "Star Wars," "Indiana Jones," and "Blade Runner," is known not only for his iconic roles but also for his unique perspectives on religion. Ford, who studied philosophy in college, recently shared his thoughts on God with The Hollywood Reporter.

"There’s a Protestant theologian named Paul Tillich who wrote that if you have trouble with the word 'God, take whatever is central and most meaningful to your life and call that God. My mother was Jewish, my father was Catholic, and I was raised Democrat — my moral purpose was being a Democrat with the big D. But it didn’t apply to a political point of view so much as it applied to nature. I didn’t have any religious construct, but I think nature and God are the same thing. The mysterious origin of life — science tells us how it happened, and prophecy tells us another story. I found that everything in nature — the complexity, the biodiversity, the symbiotic relationships — is the same thing other people attribute to God. … Now aren’t you glad you asked that question? You want to get back to the funny shit?" he said. 

Research also shows that many people experience spirituality through nature or personal meaning rather than formal religion, echoing Ford’s insight. A study titled "Measuring Spirituality as a Universal Human Experience" is a psychology study that created and validated the SAIL — the Spiritual Attitude and Involvement List — a tool designed to measure spirituality in people regardless of religion. Instead of defining spirituality through traditional doctrines, the researchers emphasized personal meaning, connection with nature, inner peace, compassion, and a sense of purpose. The study found that many individuals experience spirituality through these non-religious pathways, showing that spirituality is broader than belief in God or membership in a faith tradition.

Ford also shared what drew him to a role with Marvel. He said, "I don’t know. I can’t explain myself to myself, I just work here. (Laughs.) I thought, 'Everybody else seems to be having a great time.' I watch all these terrific actors having a good time [in Marvel movies]. I like doing something different from what I’ve ever done and pleasing people with it. So I’ll try a piece of that." Ford’s views on God are inspiring, offering a fresh perspective on faith. He reminds us that faith isn't tied to any single religion or denomination. You don't need to conform to a specific belief system to find inner peace and meaning.

Spirituality is a personal journey to find our own sense of purpose and meaning. While Ford joked, “Now, aren’t you glad you asked that question?” we are indeed fortunate to gain insights from his perspective.

This article originally appeared 2 years ago.