Religious beliefs certainly vary in Hollywood. We’ve seen some of the major faces in the industry debate about their religious beliefs, like Stephen Colbert and Ricky Gervais. Although it tends to be a touchy subject, the chat was highly entertaining.
Val Kilmer has shared his beliefs in the past as a Christian Scientist. In the following, we’re going to take a closer look at what the beliefs entail, and how Kilmer wanted to combat his cancer diagnosis as a practicing Christian Scientist. We’ll also reveal how his children stepped in, and ensured he’d get a different kind of boost during a troubling time.
In addition, we’ll take a look at another devoted Christian Scientist in Hollywood who has defended his beliefs in recent years.
Val Kilmer’s Religion Doesn’t Believe In Chemo, But He Did It Anyway For The Sake Of His Children
During his throat cancer recovery, Val Kilmer had a very different plan which catered to his religion as a Christian Scientist. Kilmer intended to move away and cure himself with prayer alone, and without any type of treatment. However, the decision did not sit well with his children, and Kilmer would opt for the chemo instead so that the kids would not live in fear.
Kilmer revealed, “I just didn’t want to experience their fear, which was profound,” he said. “I would’ve had to go away, and I just didn’t want to be without them.”
One of the main beliefs of Christian Science is that prayer is the most effective method of recovery when not combined with medicine.
Nonetheless, the treatments proved to be worthwhile and although Kilmer was aided with AI during Top Gun: Maverick, he revealed he feels much better than he sounds.
“After getting treated, my voice as I knew it was taken away from me. People around me struggle to understand when I’m talking. But despite all that I still feel I’m the exact same person. Still the same creative soul. A soul that dreams ideas and stories confidently, but now I can express myself again, bring these ideas to you, and show you this part of myself once more. A part that was never truly gone. Just hiding away.”
Credit to the actor for keeping a positive attitude while putting his beliefs aside for the needs of his family.
Michael Douglas Was The First Person To Reveal Val Kilmer’s Struggles With Throat Cancer
Val Kilmer has been open on his health and recovery. However, when it came the news of his diagnosis, it wasn’t Kilmer that made the reveal. Instead, it was Michael Douglas that accidentally told the media.
Kilmer finally shared the news in 2017, discussing the recovery process. Kilmer wasn’t upset with Douglas and instead, he feels like the actor was trying to protect him.
“[Michael Douglas] was probably trying to help me, [because] press probably asked where I was these days, and I did have a healing of cancer,” Kilmer wrote at the time. “But my tongue is still swollen, [although] healing all the time. Because I don’t sound [like] my normal self yet, people think I may still be under the weather.”
Kilmer also still remembers his first scare, which turned into more a comedy skit alongside Cher.
He recalls, “One night I suddenly awoke vomiting blood that covered the bed like a scene out of The Godfather. I prayed immediately, then called 911. Then alerted my hostess. Cher stepped in and stepped up.”
“I saw her scanning the paramedic, who was Gregory Peck drop-dead handsome. Only in Hollywood, right? Despite the fact that I was covered in blood, I caught her eye and bounced my brows like Groucho Marx. Hubba Hubba,” he wrote.
“Cher was bashful to be busted but then couldn’t help laughing out loud at the audacity. Here we were, joking about beauty and desire, while I looked like a stuntman from Tarantino’s Reservoir Dogs, and yes, while my life seemed to be in mortal danger. We laughed out loud before they finished with my vitals and shut me up with an oxygen mask.”
Quite the experience for both Kilmer and Cher.
Val KIlmer Isn’t The Only Christian Scientist In Hollywood
Val Kilmer isn’t the only Christian Scientist in Hollywood. Back in 2008, Kelsey Grammer revealed his dedication towards the religion. However, Grammer did confirm that he wasn’t a “full blown” Christian Scientist, but followed its main principles.
“I’m a Christian Scientist but I’m not a full blown practicing one. I actually visit doctors and I do take medication. But a lot of the principles of my approach to faith are rooted in that, which is pretty much mind over matter, if you want to reduce it to one thing.”
Grammer has also said in a recent interview that he “won’t apologize” for his faith given that “Jesus made a difference in my life.”