Known for his humor and quick wit, you have likely seen English actor, comedian, television host, and writer, James Corden, express his opinions on a wide variety of topics. However, religion is one we rarely hear him speak about.
It’s thought that James is an atheist – meaning that he isn’t religious. While he grew up in a Christian family, Corden now admits that he would no longer call himself a “Christian.”
While his religious beliefs have changed over the years, it is a more complex answer than one would think. Corden’s upbringing greatly shaped the person that he is today, and his religious beliefs are part of his story as well.
Growing Up as James Corden
James Corden is originally from London, England, where he was raised as the middle child with both an older and a younger sister. His parents did not hold traditional jobs, as his mother was a social activist and his father was a musician in the Royal Air Force.
You can see the close relationship that James Corden has with his sisters in his recent Instagram post for his sister’s birthday, using the link below.
Needless to say, it is not surprising that Corden was a natural as an entertainer and has never shied away from opportunities to put himself out there. Still, the family held and practiced the traditional beliefs of Christianity.
This is the way Corden was raised, and it might have been the way he was originally introduced to the entertainment industry. Corden claims that he knew he wanted to become an entertainer when he got in trouble by his parents at the age of four for causing a disruption and making the congregation laugh during his younger sister’s christening at church.
It was about a decade later when Corden got his first chance to demonstrate his passion for a career in entertainment. He played early TV roles on “Boyz Unlimited” and “Fat Friends” as a teenager.
However, his first big break came in 2004, when he was cast as the jokester in the play “The History Boys.” This play took him on a tour around the world, performing in Hong Kong, Australia, and New Zealand.
This role sparked others to take notice of his natural talent on the big stage, earning him several roles on sitcoms, skits, and comedy TV shows. His travels also allowed him to learn about other cultures, beliefs, and test his own beliefs and values as a young man.
As anyone who has grown up and moved away from home can relate, some of the biggest decisions in our own personal development occur once we move away from our families and discover who we are. For Corden, this changed the way he views the Christian faith he was raised with.
Corden’s Faith Now
After being raised in a Christian household, Corden does not speak ill of Christianity, despite his personal doubts.
Corden admits that he struggles to believe the core values of Christianity because of his knowledge of science. One of his favorite quotes regarding the faith is, “it’s not what you know that will undo you, it’s the stuff you think you know that just ain’t so.”
This is his perspective on faith as he says, “I really don’t know.” Still, he believes that there is a higher power that exists.
Despite his changes in beliefs, Corden claims to be a spiritualist, but would not classify himself as a Christian. Like many of us, he is just trying to figure it out as he goes–and there is some beauty in finding answers along the way.
You can hear more details about his perspective on faith, from James Corden himself, in his conversation with John Bishop using the YouTube link below.