Much of the world was saddened last week by the death of Michael Jackson, famous pop star known and loved by millions. It will be helpful to many to read a quick review of comments and anecdotes about Michael's religious beliefs and his upbringing in the Jehovah's Witness sect, and how it influenced his life and his dreams, and perhaps even his ultimate demise.

Wikipedia says about him:

Michael Joseph Jackson (August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009) was an American recording artist, entertainer and businessman. The seventh child of the Jackson family, he made his début to the professional music scene at the age of 11 as a member of The Jackson 5 in 1969, and began a solo career in 1971 while still a member of the group. Referred to as the "King of Pop" in subsequent years, his 1982 album Thriller is the world's best-selling record of all time and four other solo studio albums are also among the world's best-selling records: Off the Wall (1979), Bad (1987), Dangerous(1991) and HIStory (1995).

The Trouble with Thriller

The following are snippets of news releases and articles written by myself and many others, and even by Michael himself, on the question of his beliefs and his dreams from his youth forward.

By 1984 the publicity of the famous Thriller video (featuring demonic characters) had provoked many Witnesses to ask the leadership about how Michael could still be an active Jehovah's Witness and produce such a video. It was a well-known fact among insiders that the Watchtower Society harassed Jackson about the Thriller video, causing him to add a disclaimer to the video saying that it did not represent his beliefs about the supernatural!

Michael even gave an 'interview' in the Awake! magazine saying he was sorry and he would never do it again:

Awake! May 22, 1984 p. 19-20 "What About Music Videos? ***Would Never Do It Again!"

In another popular video, Thriller, the performer is seen to transform first into a "cat person," then a dancing "monster." Evidently not wanting viewers to conclude that it promoted spiritism, the film begins with the disclaimer: "Due to my strong personal convictions, I wish to stress that this film in no way endorses a belief in the occult. - Michael Jackson." Nevertheless, it was so realistic that some who saw it admitted that they were horrified at first. What was this short film intended to convey? And how does the performer, Michael Jackson, feel about it in looking back?

"I would never do it again!" says Jackson. "I just intended to do a good, fun short film, not to purposely bring to the screen something to scare people or to do anything bad. I want to do what's right. I would never do anything like that again." Why not? "Because a lot of people were offended by it," explains Jackson. "That makes me feel bad. I don't want them to feel that way. I realize now that it wasn't a good idea. I'll never do a video like that again!" He continues: "In fact, I have blocked further distribution of the film over which I have control, including its release in some other countries. There's all kinds of promotional stuff being proposed on Thriller. But I tell them, 'No, no, no. I don't want to do anything on Thriller. No more Thriller.'"

By 1987 it was evident that many Jehovah's Witnesses were "concerned" about the uncharacteristic "wordliness" of Michael, to the point where a special letter was sent out to key Watchtower leaders to equip them to answer others regarding the standing of Michael within the Jehovah's Witnesses. This was for private eyes only, but to be used by certain elders or circuit/district overseers to provide an answer to those postulating the question. Without actually answering the question, it was worded in such a way as to convey, "Mind your own business, and give no answer."

Watchtower letter about Thriller video and Michael Jackson

Michael's sister LaToya Jackson penned LA TOYA - Growing Up in the Jackson Family (1991, New York: Penguin Books) and provides some interesting snippets about growing up as Jehovah's Witnesses in the Jackson family:

On Holidays

"After Mother became a Jehovah's Witness, we no longer celebrated Christmas at home. So my grand-parents, feeling sorry for us, took us to Christmas parties and gave us gifts and money. Although this went against my mother's religious beliefs, she permitted it, seeing how happy it made us." p. 21

On Dating and Door-to-Door

"While my older brothers were dating, the opposite sex was the last thing on my mind. For one thing, Michael and I were very active in the Jehovah's Witness faith. By this time most of our siblings had basically given it up. Five days a week the two of us and Mother studied the Bible at home and attended the Kingdom Hall.... Every morning Michael and I witnessed, knocking on doors around Los Angeles, spreading the word of Jehovah. As my brother's fame grew, he had to don disguises, like a rubber fat suit he bought years later, around the time of Thriller. Adults were easily fooled by Michael's incognito, but it was a rare child who didn't see through his costume...." p. 53, 54

On Personal Grooming

"As an entertainer and idol of millions, Michael was always being reproached for such things as the length of his hair and for wearing widely flared bell-bottoms. My brother loves vivid colors, particularly red, causing one elder to criticize, `The colors you wear are too bright, and you're attracting attention to yourself. You must stick with brown and black.' Some Witnesses refused to associate with us at all." p. 56

On Popularity

"Whatever long-standing reservations these Witnesses held about Michael being a pop idol crystallized the night he won those record-breaking eight honors at the 1984 Grammy Awards. The very next morning one elder issued him an ultimatum that my brother must choose between music and the religion. `What you're doing is wrong,' the man declared." p. 197
"Truth be told, many Jehovah's Witnesses used to congregate outside the Kingdom Hall hoping to catch a glimpse of Michael Jackson, knowing full well this kind of adulation was forbidden." p. 197

On Disfellowshiping

La Toya recounts the treatment her closest friend received by the elders:

"During a meeting, Darles bravely challenged one of the elders. `Why is it that I will be saved,' she asked innocently, `but my parents won't be? They may not be Witnesses, but they're perfectly nice people.' The elder's reply was typical. He cited the scripture, which supported his position but did not really address Darles's point. So she wrote a letter further explaining her feelings and doubts. This outraged the other elders. One day Rebbie's husband, Nathaniel, also an elder, cornered me. `La Toya,' he said, `you're never allowed to speak to Darles again. Ever.'"

"But why?"

"`She's been disfellowshiped.' Cast out of the faith, to be shunned from then on." p. 55

La Toya recounts the time when Michael was told not to ever talk to his sister (meaning La Toya) again:

"`La Toya, I ...' The words came out in a torrent. `I can't talk to you ever again.'"

"What do you mean?"

"The elders had a big meeting, and they told me never to speak to you because you haven't been coming to the Kingdom Hall."

"Michael then excused himself, drove over to his friend Marlon Brando's house, asking his advice. Marlon advised him, `For heaven's sake, Michael, that's your sister. If that's the way they're going to do things, you don't need to be part of that. You can always get another religion, but you can never get another sister.'"

"Michael decided to disobey the elders' edict and after that never attended any more meetings. To this day we've never discussed exactly what happened, but I know he subsequently severed his ties to the organization through a formal letter." p. 199

Personal Conflicts with the Jehovah's Witness Faith

Michael Jackson: The Magic and the Madness by J. Randy Taraborreli

In 1991 a book was released, Michael Jackson: The Magic and the Madness by J. Randy Taraborreli.

This book goes into some interesting situations that the gloved one had with the elders in his congregation. I quote some things from the book:

"Despite the fact that Michael was a devote Jehovah's Witness-and no doubt had donated quite a bit of money to the religion-the church's elders were extremely upset with him, mostly because of the "Thriller" video. p.324

"But before he had even finished work on the "Thriller" video it brought to a head the ongoing conflict between the church elders of the Encino Kingdom Hall and Michael regarding his fame and his career....In meetings between Michael and the elders...he was not receptive....He refused to make any kind of statement repudiating his work, and the church insisted he should .....Finally, when the elders threatened to force him to leave the religion Michael became extremely upset" p.326

This obviously had a serious effect on the gloved one so he decided to destroy the tapes. We're talking about a million dollars of work here. It was brought out to Michael that the church elders should not dictate Michael's "artistry." Michael's attention was brought to the fact that Bella Lugosi was a very religious man yet he played out his artistry as Dracula and Lugosi's religious beliefs had no bearing on his "art." So it was suggested that Michael put a disclaimer at the beginning of the video stating that the video in no way reflect Michael's religious convictions. Michael agreed to this. John Landis, the director, didn't want to do it but if he didn't agree then the whole Thriller video was going to be scrapped.

The book continues:

"How ironic that Michael's benevolent spirit wasn't enough to satisfy the elders of his Jehovah's Witness congregation. They expected him to restrict his entertainment practices as well. At this time, Michael was called into another meeting with the witness elders over the "Thriller" video. Again they told him that they were considering excluding Michael from the religion. Michael left the meeting particularly shaken. He did not want to be disfellowshipped. He decided he would disown "Thriller" if he had to.... Furthermore Michael would make a public statement about his sin in an issue of the Witness periodical, Awake! ( May 22, 1984 ) p.359

Finally Michael became like the rest of us in this group.

" In the spring of 1987 Michael disassociated himself from the congregation and that he no longer wants to be known as a Jehovah's Witness."

Michael's "Interfaith" Activities

In 2000, some Beliefnet folks were invited to a small meeting with Michael Jackson, who was trying to raise money for a Peter Pan theme park. It was probably the most candid expression of Michael's faith comes from his own words in a Beliefnet article ran in 2000  READ MORE

However, as early as 1992, there were indications that there might be a crossover between the Jehovah's Witnesses and the Nation of Islam, at least for Michael, if not for many others. Firpo Carr, in his book A History of Jehovah's Witnesses: From a Black American Perspective, indicates there are connections between Jehovah's Witnesses and the Nation:

Carr attempts to document similarities between the Black Muslim movement and the Watchtower movement. He argues that Wallace D. Fard, founder of the Black Muslims, was influenced by the teachings of J.F. Rutherford, second president of the Watchtower Society. He quotes the book Elijah Muhammad: Religious Leader by Malu Halasa: "Though Fard may have embellished or exaggerated the details of his life, the origins of his teachings were not quite so mysterious. The Nation [of Islam] drew its principles not only from the Koran but also from the Bible, books about Freemasonry, and the philosophy of Joseph F. ('Judge :) Rutherford, leader of Jehovah 's Witnesses." SOURCE

Dr. Jerry Bergman, a former Jehovah's Witness and author of numerous books, confronts Firpo Carr and challenges his reliability as regards to his research on race issues and the Watchtower.  SOURCE

Dr. Bergman also wrote an article about Jehovah's Witnesses, Blacks and Discrimination in the mid-90s that provides interesting insight into certain aspects of racism within the Jehovah's Witnesses. He writes:

Writing from another "Black American Perspective," I can tell you that "blacks" are still second-class in the Watchtower movement regardless of what Firpo states. Only very recently has the Watchtower ventured to place "blacks" in its regional management posts--i.e.: circuit or district overseer--in its Southern territories of the USA. Also, from the representative stance, the Governing Body lacks Asian, Hispanic, and "black Americans." ... the latest slew of "young people" articles ... bombast a popular and predominantly "black" music form ("rap" music) [shows] ... the Watchtower's strong, white, middle-class orientation. It notes very little on the more acceptable "white" suburban music forms of country, modern rock, metal, pop, etc. but focuses on the suburban white, middle-class "fear"--black rappers invading the white home. Additional evidence of the Watchtower's "white,""good ole boys" club mentality (1993:9).

Ties with the Nation of Islam

By 2003 Jackson had hired bodyguards from the Nation of Islam, which apparently caused some problems. SOURCE


On January 3, 2004 Firpo Carr is touted as a "Jackson Family advisor." CNN anchor Andrea Koppel spoke Saturday with Firpo Carr, a Jackson family spiritual adviser, about the Jacksons' point of view. Firpo comments:

KOPPEL: You've been a friend of theirs for about the last 10 or 11 years, how is it that you and other friends are supporting them now?

CARR: Well, I'd like to direct them to the Scriptures. Michael's mother is one of the Jehovah's Witnesses, and so is his older sister and her husband and family. They all have a Witness background so they're familiar with the Bible but I like to refer them to Scriptures and to let them know that this, too, shall pass.  SOURCE

By 2007 it was reported that Jermaine Jackson wanted Michael to become a Muslim:

Jermaine Wants Michael to Become Muslim
Jan 31, 2007

Jermaine Jackson is such a calming man and he puts this down to converting to Islam and he feels that his brother Michael Jackson should also convert and become Muslim as it would help him cope with his stardom and also give him protection from all the attacks that have happened to Michael in the past which Jermaine says are totally untrue.

Jermaine who now lives in Bahrain says that it is a truly wonderful place to be and he is the reason why Michael has also decided to live there as well.

On the day of Michael's death, Beliefnet updated their information on Michael:

Michael Jackson's Faith June 26, 2009
Beliefnet

The pop icon was raised a Jehovah's Witness, but according to some accounts had been "disfellowshipped" for various infractions. Last fall it was reported that Jackson had become a Muslim and changed his name to Mikaeel:

The 50-year-old singer, who has previously been photographed wearing a traditional Arab women's veil, reportedly became a Muslim in a ceremony at a friend's house in Los Angeles.

The singer, who was raised as a Jehovah's Witness, is said to have sat on the floor and worn a small hat while an imam officiated at the home of Steve Porcaro, who composed music on his Thriller album.

He is said to have been encouraged by Canadian songwriter David Wharnsby and Phillip Bubal, a producer, who both approached him after he appeared 'a bit down'.

A source told The Sun: 'They began talking to him about their beliefs, and how they thought they had become better people after they converted. Michael soon began warming to the idea.

'An imam was summoned from the mosque and Michael went through the shahada, which is the Muslim declaration of belief.'

As of 7/1/09, the plans for Michael's funeral were as follows:

Michael Jackson's memorial will not be held at Neverland Ranch

Despite previous reports, Michael Jackson's public memorial will not be held at Neverland Ranch. The Jackson family issued a statement that read "Contrary to previous news reports, the Jackson family is officially stating that there will be no public or private viewing at Neverland. Plans are underway regarding a public memorial for Michael Jackson, and we will announce those plans shortly.", TMZ reported.

Every major news agency confirmed yesterday that Michael Jackson's public memorial would be held at Neverland Ranch this Friday. The Jackson family has given no official reason for the changes of plans. Residents of Santa Barbara County, where Neverland is located, were unhappy about a public memorial.  SOURCE

The family decided to have the Memorial to Michael at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Tuesday, July 7th:

A memorial service for Michael Jackson will be held on Tuesday at the Staples Center in Los Angeles where he had been rehearsing for his London concerts.

His family announced the event as concert promoters AEG Live released a video of the singer rehearsing for the O2 gigs, two days before his death.

Some 11,000 free tickets will be made available for the service. SOURCE

Hear Nancy Grace interview Firpo Carr regarding Michael Jackson's desire to have Firpo Carr, a former family advisor to the Jacksons (and a Jehovah's Witness), where he says to the world that Michael told him privately that he wanted Firpo to "study the Bible with them (Michael's children) because he wants his children to be raised the same way," meaning as Jehovah's Witnesses.  YOUTUBE

Adobe Flash Player not installed or older than 9.0.115!

TrackBack URI for this entry

Comments (14)

Subscribe to this comment's feed

...
written by Danny Haszard , July 02, 2009

I was born 3rd generation Jehovah's Witness 1957,and am the same age (51) as Michael Jackson,I remember the Jackson 5 debut in 1969 they were BIG.

In 1973 I was living in Naples Florida.In my congregation,the En***s family took a Summer JW convention to California and on return the youngest son Paul said that he saw Michael Jackson get baptized at the JW assembly,most of us scoffed that he had made it up.
Upon MJ new rise in the 1980's I am now living in Boston Mass and pick up a Sunday of the Boston Globe and there is MJ on front cover reading from the JW New World Translation.
A lot of my dysfunctional life is directly related to my apocalyptic Watchtower upbringing indoctrination and I wonder about same with Michael Jackson?

Best regards,Danny Haszard

report abuse

vote down

vote up

Votes: +2

...
written by jam , July 02, 2009

around the mid 80,s Michael sat two rows behind my family at the district assembly in L.A. CA..Guards were posted to stop the young people from entering
his area..My kids did not hear a single word of the talks given that day. His
sister or siste-in-law was baptize that day.
I felt sadness for Michael, a life as a child star (and what has happen too so many child stars) and raised a JW..Just think if Joe his dad had become a JW , its possible there would had never been a Michael Jackson.

report abuse

vote down

vote up

Votes: +3

...
written by Chuck Rehn , July 09, 2009


A letter for the family and attorneys for Michael Jackson regarding his murder and my ability to provide evidence and testimony on behalf of all targets of this kind of murder.

See also fortheloveoftheworld.com

report abuse

vote down

vote up

Votes: +2

...
written by EverSoGrateful , July 12, 2009

FIRPO CARR doesn't want to lose his CASH COW... K. Jackson... ESPECIALLY NOW that she will be in control of his $$$$$ ... That's MONEY for their CONGREGATION!!!!! PARTY !!!!! Since Michael wanted FIRPO to study the bible with his kids... I would assume they were already having regular bible studies & going to meetings & going out in service ??? Hmmmmmmm? Or was Michael just thinking that he was going to frop dead any moment & that's what he wanted FIRPO TO DO??? Oh Yeah...right.. uh huh.... wow.... anything for money!

report abuse

vote down

vote up

Votes: -2

...
written by Carol Horner , July 13, 2009

i think LaToya should speak the truth, why did they leave jehovahs witnesses another thing jehovahs witnesses spy on you when you become a jw so do not turn your back on a jw you will get caught they have spies watching evey move you make.

report abuse

vote down

vote up

Votes: +0

...
written by MelissaR , July 25, 2009

This article is very bias and just portrays the negative side of Jehovah's Witnesses. Michael Jackson was such a beautiful person because Jehovah was in his heart. And he actually LOVED being one of Jehovah's Witnesses. I leave the link if you want to read MJ's own words(it is in the 2nd article).

http://jehovahswitnessnews.wordpress.com/2009/06/25/the-music-stops-—ex-jehovahs-witness-michael-jackson-dies/

report abuse

vote down

vote up

Votes: +1

...
written by EverSoGrateful , August 05, 2009

Multi-Million Dollar Publishing Company or The Only True Religion ??
That's my question! Stop & think about it.... all they want their people to do is go door to door & sell sell sell magazines!!!!!!! They are getting RICHER by the minute!!!!!!!! The so called Governing Body is having a grand ole time with the spoils that you & I toiled for...... oh yes it's true....RESEARCH them !!!! You will see ... try googling Beth Sarim.... see what comes up....

report abuse

vote down

vote up

Votes: -3

...
written by Janice , August 07, 2009

Hard to get rich off .25 cents per copy (which was the rate years ago. Barely pays for the printing.
No, to the contrary all the labor is out of love and hope of saving as many lives as possible. Think about it. Door to door for hours per day. Sometimes no one responds but you still go out the very next day and the next and the next. Then finally you get a response, they accept the magazine and today may donate possibly $1.00 or may not donate at all (because today the magazines are not for sale). But you know what, that was a productive day because there was even one response though it was all day long you toiled. Then you go back and go back trying to reach that person who responded with the "message". No more donations at this point. But that $1.00 may (if you want to put it like that) earn that person hours, months, years of diligent attempts to help them appreciate what the creator has in store for them in the future. Why? So they can be a survivor. A survivor of what? That's what you don't know, and they are trying to help you to see. When you see, you want to get out there and pound the pavement day in and day out tirelessly. Your pay? J O Y ! ! and lots of it. It'a joy to be out there in the grueling hot sun or icey cold snow spreading the word. Every smiling face that listens to you and heads the word you are trying to show them in the Bible is worth more than all the money in the world, literally. Only those spiritually alive can see that. Because today I can say, hundreds of years down the road when you compare notes with all your neighbors and find out that hundres of years ago you knocked on someones door and thats how that person you're talking to came to be alive in that day hundreds of years later--is that not worth a mint. This world system of things is fast approaching it's end. Millions will face loosing their lives forever. However, held out to millions is the prospect of never ever having to die at all ever and as well living forever in a paradise (a righteous society). Money is not the motive for the activity of the JW. Money will not even have a place in that righteous society soon to come about. Oh no. It's not for money at all. And if it were, there surely is a very very small return on the investment!

report abuse

vote down

vote up

Votes: +0

...
written by EverSoGrateful , August 14, 2009

Janice....

You have blinders on! Research darlin...I assume since you are on this site that you are curious about the info out there on the wittnesses. That's a GOOD START! NOW... do some research on how the Watchtower Bible & Tract Society has TONS of real estate investments going on & has made millions on that alone! They are one of the richest printing publishing companys in the world..... research it!

report abuse

vote down

vote up

Votes: +0

...
written by BLANK , August 29, 2009

i would just like to add that the money being recieved is not being given to a priest or one person so they can become rich but the money being recieved is so that we could be able to print more lifesaving bible messages if you look at one JW you can see that there lives are simple and that there main priorty is not on focusing on being rich but is onstead on doing the will of God all we want to do is live by bible standers we wnt to save lives and help people learn the truth really were helping you

report abuse

vote down

vote up

Votes: +2

...
written by THE WATCHMAN , September 08, 2009

Janice, We need each other sounds like You are a great JW like me
probably born and raise in the truth but now we have some doubts and there are some questions about how things are handled upstairs
Jehovah God Wants people like us and He is looking everywhere for them because He is not happy with the WATCH TOWER OR WATCHTOWER
WRITE ME @: \n This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it '> This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it I would love to hear from You

Ps. I'm still an active member & this is A GREAT SITE!!!

report abuse

vote down

vote up

Votes: +2

...
written by THE WATCHMAN , September 08, 2009

I WOULD LIKE TO ANSWER TO BLANK
JEHOVAH WITNESSES ARE (AT LEAST 90% OF THEM) VERY HONEST GODFEARING PEOPLE THAT SWIM TO FIND THE STREAM OF EVERLASTING WATERS BUT IF YOU START SWIMMING GOING THE WRONNG WAY IT DOESN'T MEAN THAT YOU ARE GOING TO GET THERE

THERE'S MILLIONS OF PEOPLE OUT THERE DOING EXCACTLY THE SAME THING AND EVEN THOUGHT THEY ARE GREAT HONEST GODLOVING PEOPLE TRYING TO FOLLOW IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF CHRIST JW LEADERS SAY THAT IT DOESN'T MATTER BECAUSE THEY ARE GOING THE WRONG WAY, COULD IT BE THAT WE ARE ALSO GUILTY OF DOING THE SAME THINGS TODAY
BROTHER RUSELL SAID IN THE PHOTODRAMA OF CREATION THat" WHEN TEMPTED TO CRITIZIZE OTHER RELIGIONS FOR BUILDING COSTLY HOUSES OF WORSHIP THINK THAT ONE DAY OTHERS MAY DO THE SAME THING WHEN TALKING ABOUT US AND THE GREAT DREADNOUGHTS(EVIL ACTS) THAT WE MAY HAVE DONE!!!!" THINK ABOUT IT!!!!

report abuse

vote down

vote up

Votes: +0

...
written by EverSoGrateful , September 27, 2009

In a business you will find that the BIGGEST EXPENSE is PAYROLL !!!!!! The WTS does not pay their people to work! They make them feel it is a privalidge to come & work there or even just to go door to door & use our own gas, time, money to sell their literature. There is NO PAYROLL!!! HELLLOOOOO!!!!!! That spells $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ research research research!!!!!!

report abuse

vote down

vote up

Votes: +2

...
written by Travis , September 28, 2009

Hi Janice, I am not sure if you will read this, although I hope you do.

In the book 'Witnesses of Jehovah' (page 17) the authors state that they interviewed Randal Watters, a former Watchtower headquarters staff member whose job involved printing cost analysis. According to Watters a Magazine cost 4 cents to produce (the book was published in 198

cool

and was sold for 20 cents, thus each magazine had a profit of 16 cents. The WT & A had a combined yearly sale of over 500 million copies. I make that to be a profit of $80 million a year. Not too shabby eh?
The beauty of it was that the Publisher purchased the magazines initially, therefore if they were unable to on-sell them it was their loss, not the Societies.

Granted, the literature is now given at no charge. But of course the emphasis is now on giving 'with a glad heart'.

There are approximately 7 million publishers worldwide.

Let's assume each publisher gives $5 a week to the box marked 'for the worldwide preaching work'.

7 million x $5 = $35,000,000
$35,000,000 x 52 weeks in a year = $1,820,000,000.

Ok, maybe $5 per publisher per week is being overly generous. Let's assume each publisher only gives an average of $1 per week.

$1 x 7million = $7,000,000
$7,000,000 x 52 weeks in a year = $364,000,000.

Of course, we don't know how much profit there is in that number as the society never publishes their operating expense. Anyone have any ideas on what it might be?

Travis

LINK TO THE BOOK: (free download, licensed under Creative Commons) http://www.archive.org/details/WitnessesOfJehovah

report abuse

vote down

vote up

Votes: +1