Matthew McConaughey stars in new movie 'Free State of Jones' as a man of faith

Actor Matthew McConaughey plays Newton Knight, a man of faith who inspired a revolution, in new film "Free State of Jones."

"Free State of Jones," written and directed by Gary Ross and released Friday, June 24, tells the story of Knight, a controversial figure in American history. Knight was best known for his role in the Knight Company, a band of farmers and Confederate deserters who rose up during the historic Civil War.

The 46-year-old Oscar award-winning actor described Knight as one who had a "moral code rooted in the Bible and the Declaration of Independence: love thy neighbor as thyself, and all men are created equal."

The actor also shared his personal belief that "mankind bastardized religion" because it's no longer binding people together as he observed.

"It means exactly the opposite of what and how we are often practicing it these days!" McConaughey told The Daily Beast during a phone interview.

The actor also cited how the Christian movement led the abolition of slavery during the Civil War based solely on their beliefs in the Bible.

McConaughey himself attends a Texas-based nondenominational church that declares Jesus as God and savior.

"As soon as we had children, I was like, 'You know what? That was important to my childhood.' Even if it was just for the ritual of giving an hour and a half on Sunday to yourself, to pray and to think about others, even if you're tired or whatever," he shared in 2014 with GQ Magazine.

He also admitted that he realized how much he missed and needed going to the church and taking the time off to take an inventory of the previous week, reflect on the future and what he can do to improve, as well as show his gratitude.

The actor did not forget to express this gratitude during his acceptance speech at the 2014 Oscar's where he thanked God first and attributed his success to God.