“It doesn’t make sense, but I’m going to believe it anyway”: Ryan Gosling Admitted Being Raised by a ‘Religious Zealot’ But Still Finds Mormon Lifestyle “Beautiful”
Ryan Gosling has solidified his status well beyond the confines of Hollywood, emerging as an international sensation renowned for his versatility and mesmerizing performances. However, the actor carries with him a past that is far from the glitz and glamour of the silver screen. The Barbie actor’s early life faced the challenges of growing up in a household deeply rooted in religious beliefs.
Raised by Mormon parents, Gosling’s upbringing was grappled with the values and principles of religious convictions. Despite the tumultuous nature of his early years, the influence of religion left an indelible mark on his heart and mind.
Ryan Gosling’s Journey Through a Strict Religious Upbringing
Ryan Gosling is the heartthrob of many for his charming personality. However, what many of his admirers might not know is the tumultuous journey he endured during his formative years. The Blade Runner actor was raised in a strict Mormon household facing challenges from the very early age of his life.
Gosling navigated a world where every aspect of his life was heavily influenced by his religious upbringing. From every detail of his day-to-day routine to the very thoughts that occupied his mind, every aspect of his life was subject to the scrutiny of religious ideology.
Ryan Gosling told The Guardian,
“We were brought up pretty religious. My mother admits it: She says, you were raised by a religious zealot. She’s different now, but at the time, it was a part of everything — what they ate, how they thought …”
The actor has candidly shared that his upbringing felt suffocating at times in such a restrictive environment. According to Gosling, he found it depressing to be constantly bound by the rigid religious beliefs of his family, yearning for the freedom to explore and express his true self.
Amidst the turmoil of his upbringing, Gosling found solace and escape in the world of acting, feeling a sense of liberation in embodying different characters.
Ryan Gosling’s Reflections on The Mormon Lifestyle
Despite the myriad challenges he encountered during his upbringing in a strict religious household, Ryan Gosling has undergone a profound evolution in his perspective on faith. The Barbie actor can now finally feel a sense of fondness and respect for Mormon people’s ideologies.
In a candid interview, Gosling openly acknowledged his evolving views, revealing a newfound appreciation for the beauty inherent in the Mormon lifestyle. Ryan Gosling told The Village Voice,
“My parents were more Mormon than I was, but it did help me understand. I see how happy it makes my mother and sister, and I think it’s beautiful. Maybe I’m too selfish, or I’m jealous of their humility — that somebody can say, yeah, it doesn’t make sense, but I’m going to believe it anyway.”
Despite his initial struggles to identify with the tenets of Mormonism, he credits his family with helping him gain a deeper understanding of their beliefs and practices. While he may not feel as deeply connected to religion as the rest of his family, Gosling now holds a deep admiration for the devout lifestyle.
