Morgan Freeman’s spiritual journey has long intrigued the public, especially given his well-known portrayal of God in Bruce Almighty and his exploration of global faiths in the National Geographic series The Story of God. While many have speculated about his religious affiliations, Freeman doesn’t align himself with Christianity or Islam.

Despite his extensive exploration of various religions, Freeman’s beliefs are unique, characterized by a lifelong curiosity and deep respect for diverse traditions. Recently, he has expressed an interest in one of the world’s most ancient religions.

The Zoroastrian Connection

While filming The Story of God, Freeman found himself particularly drawn to Zoroastrianism, a religion that predates Islam and hails from ancient Iran. He was inspired by its principle of “Good thoughts, good words, good deeds,” which resonates with his own life philosophy. “It is a belief system that is inherently me,” Freeman shared with The Hollywood Reporter.

He has even posited that the foundational beliefs of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam may have roots in this ancient faith. This connection perhaps best encapsulates his personal religious outlook.

A Lifelong Spiritual Seeker

Freeman’s spiritual path is marked by a quest for understanding rather than adherence to a specific doctrine. Raised in a Christian setting by his grandmother and mother, he was exposed to church life from a young age.

However, he began questioning the concept of God as early as age 13 and has described himself as agnostic and not personally religious. His fascination is not with doctrine, but with the universal human experience of awe in the face of the unknown, which he believes is the very origin of religious feeling.

The “Story of God” Mission

His National Geographic series, The Story of God, became a global mission to understand faith from every angle. Freeman, who is also an executive producer on the show, traveled the world to interview religious leaders, scientists, and historians.

The show’s goal was not to convert viewers but to highlight the commonalities that unite the world’s religions and to foster mutual understanding. Through this process, he has come to view religion as a societal glue, a system that helps humans cope with existential fears and the concept of death.

Science and the Nature of Belief

Freeman’s quest is deeply intertwined with science. Before The Story of God, he hosted Through the Wormhole, which explored questions of theoretical physics and neuroscience, often touching on religious themes.

His underlying worldview often leans toward philosophical naturalism, framing religious belief as a “hard-wired” human instinct or a psychological coping mechanism that evolved to help our species survive. He sees science and faith not as irreconcilable enemies, but as different tools for understanding the world.

Debunking a Viral Rumor

A viral claim that Morgan Freeman converted to Islam during the 2022 FIFA World Cup opening ceremony is completely false. While he did participate in the ceremony and recited a verse from the Quran in a segment about unity, he did not accept the religion.

This incident is a common example of fake news that circulates about celebrities and their religious beliefs. Fact-checking organizations have thoroughly debunked this specific rumor, confirming he has not converted to Islam.