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‘When You Got God, You Got a Friend’

…However It comes with a Hollywood backlash!

If you watched the Oscars last Sunday and heard the lack of response when Matthew McConaugheyHollywood star Matthew McConaughey, 44, triggered a love-hate reaction when he thanked God after winning the best actor Oscar for his role as Ron Woodroof in “Dallas Buyer’s Club,” you are not alone.

In his acceptance speech he said, “There’s three things that I need each day. One of them is something to look up to, another is something to look forward and another is someone to chase,” he said in the run-up to his acknowledgment of God.

“First off, I want to thank God, ’cause that’s who I look up to. He’s graced my life with opportunities that I know its not of my hand or any other human hand. He has shown me that it’s a scientific fact that gratitude reciprocates. In the words of the late Charlie Lawton who said ‘when you got God, you got a friend and that friend is you,’” he said before continuing the rest of his speech.

Who knew, McConaughey’s surprise acknowledgement of God in his speech would draw attention across the Internet from many conservatives, including Texas Gov. Rick Perry who tweeted “Texas boy counting his blessings” Monday morning.

Dan Gainor, vice president of business and culture for the Media Research Center, argued that this speech “breaks the mold of what Hollywood’s image of Christians is.” According to a graphic by AP, Academy Award winners thank many people, but God is not usually on the top of their list. More frequently, they thank the Academy, their spouse, mother, father, children, and management – in that order.

Many twitter users reacted negatively to McConaughey’s reverential nod to God. “Ok so you really deserved it McConaughey. Just stop the stupid god talk,” one detractor tweeted. “I thought we could get through the Oscars without someone thanking god but no he had to ruin it…,” another responded.

“When did Matthew McConaughtey turn into Joel Osteen?” asked Elaine L (@LaineyGossip).

Gainor argued that the actor’s reference to God took a great deal of courage. “He’s a young guy, he just won an Oscar – arguably at the high point of his career,” Gainor noted. “That’s like saying you just won the Super Bowl and you’re going to thank God on national television.”

 Associated Press Graphic: Oscar Winners Rarely Thank God

According to this graphic compiled by the Associated Press, Oscar winners rarely thank God for their success.

Courtesy of http://www.thebellereport.net   http://www.twitter.com/thebellereport   http://www.youtube.com/thebelletv

Matthew McConaughey Gives Praises to God in Oscar Acceptance Speech: But Receives Backlash  was originally published on praiserichmond.com