Find Religion

Note: you can also read my posts about Kath Griffin at my other blog, www.RealityonBravo.com

People are still talking about it. Oh, Kathy Griffin. I suppose you’ll be making fun of religion more. It definitely is a great way to get press.

In any case, I’ve been passing over the posts and articles about this issue, simply because they all say the same thing. We can all argue until we’re blue in the face, but at the end of the day, no one is going to change sides on the issue. (some) Christians will argue that he remarks were inappropriate and that she’d be in a lot more trouble if she had made the comment about, for example, Moses. (some) Others will say that it was all a joke and people need to lighten up.

Well, I decided to read ONE MORE ARTICLE and finally read an intelligent comment about it:

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There’s quite the debate going on over at my other 451 Press blog, Reality on Bravo. The backstory, in case you’re not a avid tv-watcher, is that comedian Kathy Griffin won an Emmy and proceeded to say that God had “nothing to do with the award” and “the award was now her god.” The kicker? She proclaimed that Jesus can suck it.

Some laughed, some gasped, and everyone went crazy. Recently, a Christian Theater group spent $100,000 to take out an add in USA Today denouncing Kathy, which I think is downright ridiculous.

I’d love for you to weigh in with your comments. Don’t be scared - even if I don’t agree with you, I still respect your opinion!

Kathy Griffin, religion

With the recent Vanessa Hudgens fiasco, I got to thinking…should we be ashamed of being naked? A lot of High School Musical fans are speaking out against Vanessa or publicly “forgiving” her on their blogs and websites. She’s come out with a statement saying that she wishes she had never taken the pictures and that she’s embarrassed and sorry that they’ve leaked to the web.

I wonder what God thinks about all of this.

Now, admittedly, I don’t think God likes the idea of throwing out naked pictures for the world to see. And I’m not too crazy about the thought of someone who is barely legal thinking that she loves her boyfriend so much that she wants him to see her naked. However, the concept in and of itself, it a bit deeper than “don’t take naked pictures of yourself.” Personally, I don’t see anything wrong with celebrating the human body. Given, it can be done in classy ways (and pornographic pictures are not it), but when we’re talking just about nakedness, I think too many Christians have their panties in a wad.

After all, the naked human body is the closest thing we have to an image of God, right?

In other cultures, sexuality is embraced. You’ll see fertility artwork created in almost every ancient culture, and in some religions, it is still celebrated quite deeply. The Karma Sutra is a religious text at its core, for example.

I’m not saying that people should have premarital sex or jump into a physical relationship at a young age…but instead of telling Vanessa that we “forgive” her (when really, has she wronged anyone? If you monitor your children’s activities, they shouldn’t have ever seen the pictures), perhaps we should congratulate her for feeling confident and happy in her own skin and for wanting to celebrate that.

Bottom line? There’s some gray area here. Stop making everything black or white, wrong or right. God has given us beautiful gray areas with every issue, so enjoy it.

Charity is an important part of many religions, and whether you believe in God or not, charity work can be very rewarding. Here are some celebrities who are doing their part to help the world be attending some great charity events and donating money:

Byron Zanos and Gavin Degraw at the 4th Annual WPLJ vs. Channel 7 Charity Softball Game

Jenny McCarthy poses for photos during her “Big Deal” charity fundraiser to benefit “Early Childhood Partial Hospitalization Program at UCLA” at the Playboy Club at the Palms Hotel and Casino Resort on August 4, 2007 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Actor Rex Lee and Actress Jodi Lynn O’Keefe attend Los Angeles Confidential Magazine and French Connection’s summer beach party and clambake to benefit the Art of Elysium at the French Connection Malibu beach house.

I like Paris Hilton. Really. I honestly think that out of all of the starlets causing a ruckus in Hollywood, Paris is actually one of the few that is hard-working, honest, and smart. You can see this shine through whenever she’s on a talk show or even in episodes of her show, The Simple Life. Paris does put on an act sometimes (ok, much of the time) that’s she’s just another dumb blonde, but you know what? I still like her.

That said, I thought that the world was going to see a “new Paris”? Um…by new, she meant…? Granted Paris has done some charitable things. She’s continued her work with children’s hospitals (which she has done in the past–good for her!) and according to Paris Hilton Watch, she’s “applied her ‘hot’ label to issues such as breast cancer and multiple sclerosis, having lost both her grandmothers to the diseases”.

Ok. But…

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There’s no excuse now…you don’t even have to READ this Bible to enjoy the message!

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., July 10 /PRNewswire/ — The most ambitious, critically-acclaimed presentation of the Bible ever produced, Inspired By … The Bible Experience, has confirmed more than 200 cast members for the Old Testament prequel to its bestselling New Testament edition. Highlighting the cast is 2007 Academy Award-winning actor Forest Whitaker as the voice of Moses, along with Angela Bassett (Esther), Cuba Gooding Jr. (Jonah), Denzel and Pauletta Washington (Song of Songs), LL Cool J (Samson), Nick Cannon (Adam), Eartha Kitt (Serpent), Bishop T.D. Jakes (Abraham), Bishop Eddie L. Long (Joel), Della Reese, Bernice and the late Yolanda King, daughters of Martin Luther King Jr., and introducing Paul Adefarasin, pastor of House on the Rock church in Lagos, Nigeria (voice of God).

Inspired By … The Bible Experience (Old Testament) is slated for a fall 2007 release with a cast featuring three Oscar winners, five Golden Globe winners and seven Emmy winners. Just like its predecessor, it is based on Zondervan’s contemporary Today’s New International Version (TNIV) translation and includes dramatic performances set to an original musical underscore by the Prague Symphony Orchestra and Hollywood-style sound design created at Technicolor Studios. In addition to the Old Testament edition, the Complete Bible will also be available in stores nationwide this fall.

“We are thrilled with the cast assembled for the Old Testament portion of The Bible Experience. The fact that celebrities, artists and clergy have enthusiastically requested to be a part of this affirms that The Bible Experience is truly a one-of-a-kind, groundbreaking project,” said Ron Belk, president and CEO, Inspired By Media Group. “Each one of these voices bring something special to their role, and it’s the culmination of their talents that makes this an audio Bible in a category all its own.”

Inspired By … The Bible Experience (New Testament) is now available in stores nationwide. It is available in CD and MP3 formats as well as audio download. A behind-the-scenes “making of” video, audio samples, a listing of the voices, news and reviews can be found at www.zondervan.com/BibleExperience.

Bible, Angela Bassett, Cuba Gooding Jr., Denzel Washington, LL Cool J, Nick Cannon, Eartha Kitt

Ok, now I’m not a huge Paris Hilton fan. I also don’t hate the girl. What I will say is that I don’t envy her. Going to jail, no matter if you deserve it or not (I’m not joining that debate!) is scary, and she has to go through it with the entire world watching her, mocking her every move. That stinks.

But I don’t want to talk about Paris’ plight as much as I want to talk today about something good that can come from jail–finding religion. Or, maybe a better way to put it is finding peace with God. One of my friend spent some time in jail a number of years ago, and while you’re not allowed to bring much, you are allowed a copy of the Bible (or, I think, any religious text). While in jail, he read the Bible start to finish and it changed his life.

Now, I’m not saying that Paris is going to read the Bible while in jail and come out a “saved” person. I don’t really know much about Paris—in fact, for all I know, she could be extremely spiritual already.

That said, I simply wanted to touch on the fact that religion really can help people going through rough times (like a jail sentence). However, why is it that we turn to religion only when things are going wrong? Shouldn’t we have religion in our daily lives, even on the good days. Religion is like the opposite of a fair-weather friend.

And I don’t think God minds too much, but I do think your life is more fulfilling if you allow your religion to enter your life completely, not just when you’re in need. Don’t wait until you go to jail to read the Bible. Read it today.

EDIT: Right after I wrote this post, the Associated Press reported that Paris has been talking to Barbara Walters via phone:

Hilton has been saying that she is changed by her jailhouse experience, and she repeated that theme with Walters: “Now, I would like to make a difference. … God has given me this new chance.”

religion, find religion, religious, Paris Hilton, Paris, Hilton, Paris Hilton jail, Paris Hilton jail sentence, jail Paris Hilton

I’m Christian, and so every weekend I’d like to given anyone who is willing to take it a “homework” assignment. They’ll be Christian in nature, but you can use these as a starting point to reflect you own religious beliefs. Stop back every Friday for your homework!

This weekend’s homework: Get charitable!

Bible verses: “”Little children, let us love, neither in word nor with the tongue, but in deed and truth.” -1 John 3:18

“Become doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves with false reasoning. For if anyone is a hearer of the word, and not a doer, this one is like a man looking at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself, and off he goes and immediately forgets what sort of man he is. But he who peers into the perfect law that belongs to freedom and who persists in it, this man, because he has become, not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, will be happy in his doing it.” - James 1:22-25

Devotional: We are taught that we cannot get to heaven through good works alone. However, charity is a rewarding part of life, and like most of us, I have recently found myself fairly busy with other obligations and, in effect, haven’t had “time” for charity. We need to make time. Whether it’s donating money to a local organization or volunteering yourself for a day, having charity in your life is important.

Last Black Friday, I did a special on charities where you could donate your money. Here’s the link.

Need even more inspiration? A number of celebrities make time in their lives, which are often busier than mine or yours, for charity. Here are just a few examples:

Jason Alexander at the Celebrity Grand Slam Paddle Jam to benefit St. Jude’s (presented by Dippin’ Dots)

Nick Lachey and Vanessa Minnillo at the Candie’s Foundatino 4th Annual “Event to Prevent” Benefit

Sarah Ferguson visits the Ronald McDonald House

Rihanna at the Links for Life Gala to benefit DKMS and the Bone Marrow Foundation

Weekend homework, Christianity, charity, Rihanna, Sarah Ferguson, Fergie, Nick Lachey, Vanessa Minnillo, Jason Alexander

There are thousands of great religious bands and artists, but song of the most profound religious songs are often by artists from other genres of music.Sometimes, the songs aren’t even meant to be religious, but they turn out to be inspirational and highlight reliance on God. In no particular order, here is my list of the top five “religious” songs.

5. With Arms Wide Open

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He was sort of like nobody else,” said fellow author Gore Vidal. “Kurt was never dull.”

A self-described religious skeptic and freethinking humanist, Vonnegut used protagonists such as Billy Pilgrim and Eliot Rosewater as transparent vehicles for his points of view.

He lectured regularly, exhorting audiences to think for themselves and delighting in barbed commentary against the institutions he felt were dehumanizing people. READ MORE

Kurt Vonnegut, in my opinion, was one of the best writers in the 20th centruy. If you haven’t read Cat’s Cradle, do so. He died of brain injuries due to a fall at his home, according to his wife. He was 84. RIP.

Kurt Vonnegut, Cat’s Cradle, humanist

ALBANY, N.Y. - Cartoonist Johnny Hart, whose award-winning “B.C.” comic strip appeared in more than 1,300 newspapers worldwide, has died. He was 76.

Hart died Saturday while working at his home in Endicott.

“He had a stroke,” his wife, Bobby, said Sunday. “He died at his storyboard.” READ MORE.

I specifically enjoyed the BC and Wizard of ID comic strips because Hart was not afraid to let religion enter into his work. In fact, he choose to voice his opinions on God often, and the results were quite touching many times. RIP.

BC, Wizard of Id, Johnny Hart

Jermain Jackson, who is a brother to Michael and Janet, has recently shown interest in supporting Muslim Aid, an organization that gives money to orphanages around the world. Jackson is also known by his Muslim name, Abdul Aziz, and has said that it was his religion that helped him win runner-up votes for staying calm during his participation in Celebrity Big Brother. Hamid Azad, the head of overseas aid, thanked Jackson for his upcoming support during a press conference.

Muslim Aid, Jermain Jackson, Jackson, Muslim, Islam, charity, Big Brother

I also write a blog covering reality television on Bravo, and one of my favorite shows on that channel is Inside the Actor’s Studio, hosted by James Lipton. He’s had great guests in the past, such as Angelina Jolie, Tom Cruise, and my personal favorite, Johnny Depp. During every interview, given before an audience of students, he asks ten famous questions, the last of which is “If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?”

Of course, he’s been asked this question himself a number of times, and his reply is always “You were wrong, Jim; I do exist! Come on in anyway!” Chalk one up for celebrities who are atheists.

But the bigger question here is what would youlike God to say to you? It doesn’t matter if you’re an atheist or the most religious person in the world–I’m asking you right now, IF God exists, what would you want him to say?

James Lipton, heaven, God

I’m a big fan of showing God’s love through charity, and it makes me happy to see celebrities doing the same. If you’re in Miami right now, check out the Ultimate VIP Lounge for charity, with proceeds to benefit UNICEF.

March 22 Ultimate VIP lounge with Sexonwax feat. Desyn Masiello, Omid 16B and Demi with special guest Hernan Cattaneo

March 23 Ultimate VIP lounge with Sander Van Doorn, D:Fuse and special guest DJs TBA

March 24 Ultimate VIP lounge with Club Class feat. Paolo Mojo and special guest DJs TBA

March 25 Ultimate VIP lounge with some of the top DJs at the WMC 2007

Charity, God, God’s Love, religion, DJ Sasha, Ultimate VIP lounge

You may or may not remember Mandesa, the voluptuous singer from American Idol, but she’ll soon be back in the spotlight. Mandesa plans to release an upcoming album, and although the exact details have not yet been released, the album will have strong Christian influences. She’s reportedly combining a number of genres into one CD, all inspired by her love for God. I really admire any singer who puts religious values into his or her work, so Mandesa has my full support, even if she didn’t win idol. And hey, there’s always hope for this season’s LaKisha Jones, who has a similar look and style of singing!

American Idol, Mandesa, Christian music, God