Top 10 Most Controversial Religious Celebrity Conversion

Top 10 Most Controversial Religious Celebrity Conversion

5. Snoop Dogg: From Baptist to Nation of Islam


Somehow, it didn’t seem too far-fetched when news broke at the Nation of Islam’s annual Saviour’s Day event in Chicago in 2009 that Snoop Dogg had joined the Nation of Islam, leaving behind his Baptist roots.

Dogg: I’m an advocate for peace. I’ve been in the peace movement ever since I’ve been making music. My whole thing is not about really trying to push my thing on you. It’s just about the way I live, and I live how I’m supposed to live as far as doing what’s right and representing what’s right. That’s why I was here today.



4. Isla Fisher: From Methodism to Judaism


Fisher converted for her boyfriend English comedian Sacha Baron Cohen.

Fisher converted to Judaism in 2007 after completing her studies and even accepted the Hebrew name Ayala.

Fisher: I never saw it as a losing or gaining situation, just an embracing situation. I think if one wanted to be buried next to one’s beloved and they were Jewish, then one would have to be Jewish, too.



3. Anne Rice: From Catholicism to Atheism to Catholicism


Raised in an Irish-Catholic family, Anne Rice was always captivated by the sensory traditions of the Catholic church, but she would lose her fervor for the “smells and bells” when she entered Texas Women’s University in 1959. It was here that she realized her longing to read the works of Jean-Paul Sartre and other existentialists—which were frowned upon by the Catholic church—and explored the world beyond Catholicism. From that time forward, Rice journeyed between the worlds of atheism and agnosticism, writing the best-selling series “The Vampire Chronicles,” until 1998 when she reaffirmed her Catholicism. In 2002 she acknowledged receiving an inner directive to “Write for God. Write for him. Write only for him.” And she hasn’t looked back, introducing the “Christ the Lord” series and her most recent work, a spiritual biography entitled, “Called Out of Darkness: A Spiritual Confession.”




The buzz was loud in November, 2008, when reports came out that one of the world’s most famous celebrities was no longer to be known as Michael Jackson, but as Mikaeel, following the King of Pop’s conversion to Islam. The former Jehovah’s Witness reportedly took the shahada, or oath of Islamic faith, in Los Angeles at the home of a musician friend, after being encouraged to embrace Islam by Canadian-Muslim Dawud Wharnsby and producer Phillip Bubal. His brother, Jermaine Friday, who had converted to Islam in 1989, is also reported to have helped his brother to the fold. Wharnsby and Bulbul told UK’s The Sun that they had been speaking to Jackson about their Muslim beliefs and felt they had become better people after converting. Perhaps that was the impetus for Jackson, who had gone from the highest of musical highs to the lowest of the lows when he faced scrutiny over his marriages, plastic surgeries, and charges of child molestation. Conversion to Islam served some of his fellow musicians well, like Yusuf Islam (Cat Stevens) who recently returned to music with favorable reviews. Tragically, Jackson’s conversion came too late to help him find renewal. Michael Jackson died on June 25, 2009. At a press conference announcing his brother’s death, Jermaine said, “May Allah be with you, Michael, always.”

Pop superstar Michael Jackson has confirmed his conversion to Islam, according to reports in the Middle East.
he Arab-Israeli newspaper Panorama claims Jackson has announced the move and revealed plans to move to Bahrain, where he has bought property.

The singer’s Muslim brother Jermaine yesterday claimed the Thriller hitmaker had taken interest in the religion since he converted in 1989 – and had been considering converting himself following his acquittal on child abuse charges in 2005.



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