In the recently released film Sound of Freedom, renowned actor Jim Caviezel, famous for his portrayal of Jesus Christ in The Passion of the Christ, tackles a new cause: raising awareness about human trafficking. The film follows the true story of former federal agent Tim Ballard’s mission to rescue children from the clutches of trafficking.
While promoting the movie, Caviezel spoke to Fox News Digital, expressing his concerns about the state of modern-day Christianity. He claimed that Americans have pushed God out of their religion and universities, resulting in a moral decay permeating society.
“The problem is that modern-day Christianity has become so weak and useless,” Caviezel said in the interview. “I mean, modern-day Christians are more afraid of the devil than they are of God. God could destroy the devil without a glance, but He looks to us to make a decision.
“So, you have moral depravity. I mean, moral decay everywhere, falling apart,” he added. “Laws don’t mean anything anymore. We don’t have a First Amendment…There’s no such thing as free speech anymore. You’re absolutely destroyed everywhere, and the media throws out everybody’s a racist.”
Caviezel emphasized that Sound of Freedom is more than just entertainment; it is a cause-driven film that aims to shed light on a critical issue. Ballard, whose extraordinary experiences inspired the movie, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to share the story and show people the harsh realities of combating human trafficking.
“It’s a feeling of gratitude, really, that someone thought to come to us and thought the story was worthy. It has to be someone who believes, who’s a cause driven person, because this isn’t the kind of movie you say, ‘Hey, entertainment value.’ You know, these are people with heart,” says Ballard
Co-star and producer Eduardo Verastegui praised Caviezel’s involvement in the film, noting that many other actors turned down the lead role. Verastegui credited Caviezel’s dedication to the cause, considering him an exceptional choice for the role.
Despite being labeled as “controversial,” Caviezel remains unafraid to voice his opinions. He questioned why expressing his thoughts is seen as controversial and emphasized that not all controversial individuals are inherently evil, challenging the prevailing narrative.
“Why is it controversial—what I say or speak on? I guess not all controversial people are evil, but that’s how you’re trained now,” says Caviezel.
“The purpose God gave me in this business, I wanted to bring His light,” he explained. “And it doesn’t mean I’m always His light into an industry. And I wanted to do that, but it doesn’t mean that I’m not going to play the devil in movies. Just there’s got to be some sort of moral redemption.
“I may not have any friends around me when this is over, but I’ll have [God],” Caviezel adds. “He won’t leave me. I’ll be looking at Him at that point. When I do leave this earth, at least I gave the best I could from God, you know, and my Father in heaven. And I want the world to know I love Him. And maybe that’s evil to them. Not to me, but to them.”
For Caviezel, the films he chooses must possess a sense of moral redemption. In Sound of Freedom, Ballard’s ultimate goal is to inspire viewers to actively engage in the fight against child trafficking. The movie serves as both a resource and an opportunity for intervention, encouraging viewers to take a stand and put an end to this heinous crime.
Through Sound of Freedom, Caviezel and Ballard hope to awaken hearts, prompt action and bring about positive change in society’s perception of human trafficking.
James Lasher is Staff Writer for Charisma Media.
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