Spiritual Swayze Defends Religion

Religion has found a hero in Hollywood. Actor Patrick Swayze, best known for bumping and grinding his way into our hearts in the 1987 hit film "Dirty Dancing" and for that killer pottery-making scene in "Ghost" (1990), has come out in defense of religion.

According to ContactMusic.com, the spiritual star fears films cynical of religion, like "The Last Temptation of Christ" and "The Da Vinci Code," may leave the world without faith to turn to. He says, "I believe in a higher power. I've studied Eastern philosophies, and I've studied the Koran. We've devalued everything worth believing in. Now we're tearing into religion. A line should be drawn."

Swayze, who played a Buddhist villain in "Point Break" (1991), is himself former Catholic and former Scientologist, who is now reportedly into Buddhism and the healing power of crystals.

Swayze's ongoing spiritual journey might best be expressed by one of the characters he's played, James Dalton, a college-educated tough-guy bouncer from 1989's "Roadhouse." In one scene, he's asked what his degree is in. He says, "philosophy." When asked if he studied a specific discipline, he responds, "No. Not really. Man's search for faith. That sort of s---."