This post originally appeared at https://www.wisconsinrightnow.com/kudos-to-mark-wahlberg-opinion/

By: Scarlett Johnson

In a world where few cultural icons are positive role models, it’s refreshing to watch Mark Wahlberg speak authentically about his commitment to his faith in Christ. Wahlberg said that though religion is not popular in Hollywood, “I do not deny my faith. That’s an even bigger sin… I need to share that(my faith) with people. I have friends from all walks of life and all different types of faiths and religions, so you know, it’s important to respect and honor them as well.”

Rarely do A-list Hollywood actors openly show a sincere love for God and respect for tradition, so I was truly touched to hear Wahlberg say of his faith, “…it is everything; it’s afforded me so many things. Obviously, you know, God didn’t come to save the saints. He came to save the sinners. We’ve all had things and issues in our lives, and we want to be better versions of ourselves, and through focusing on my faith, it’s allowed me to do that.”

I have been a huge Wahlberg fan for a long time, and it is refreshing to see a Hollywood actor who rejects ‘going woke’ and instead embraces ‘going to church.’

Mark Wahlberg particularly hopes that his discipline and commitment to his faith is an example his four children will one day emulate, “I don’t force it(faith) on them. But they know that Dad can’t start the day without being in prayer, can’t start the day without reading my Scripture or going to Mass. And hopefully, instead of forcing that on them, they’ll say, ‘Well, if it works for Dad, maybe it’ll work for us,’ and they’ll kind of gravitate towards it on their own.”

His dedication to fasting on Lent is a rarity these days, and I wholeheartedly agree that it is essential to view Lent as a beneficial exercise in sacrifice and discipline. “Once I started getting into movies and transitioned from music, I realized I needed a lot of discipline in my life,” the 51-year-old actor said. “And that discipline has afforded me so many other things. I want to share that with people. So whether that’s with fasting, detaching from other things, and just spending more time with God in prayer or in thoughtful reflection, and those things are important.”

As a conservative, it is unusual for me to be entertained by an A-list celebrity, secure in the knowledge that they are not only talented on-screen but also a decent human being off-screen. I sincerely appreciate a pop culture icon that my kids can look up to, so Kudos to Mark Wahlberg. I hope more follow his lead.