| WESTERN ARTISTS TURN TO GOD There follow the words of some of the West's best-known artists regarding their belief in God.
Jean-Claude Van Damme says that the pressure to make movies led him to seek solace in drugs…But he says the bad old days of abuse are behind him, and that he has God to thank for it. "God helped me," he says. "I believed in God big time. I've loved God for a couple of years. Some people don't like to hear about God. I came back very strong and decent. I'm going to do my best to be a good person." And Van Damme has some news for those who have seen all his action films: most of the fight scenes were performed under the influence. "I did all those action scenes when I was sick," he says, euphemistically referring to his drug abuse. "I was specifically addicted to sleeping pills." He credits God … for getting him clean.1
The famous star expresses her belief thus: "…I believe in God. I don't think… that this just happened on our own…"2
KIRK DOUGLAS In an interview on Oct. 6, 1997 the famous actor Kirk Douglas stated that illness had caused him to turn to God: "One of most important by-products of the stroke is that it reasserted my faith in God. Since the stroke I've realized that I just took the miracle of speech for granted."3
This famous actor, who has played in box-office record breaking films such as Malcolm X and Hurricane, expresses his sincere feelings for God during interviews: "My priorities are very clear in my mind: God, family… That is God's plan, not just mine…I don't have to take the weight of the world to bed with me every night. Instead, I count my blessings and sleep very well."4 "I've felt the hand of God on my life, no doubt about it... [My wife] is very Christian… She leads all the prayers. She taught the children the prayers, and they know more than I do!... A friend was over at our house the other day, having dinner, and we all got into a circle to bless the food… About four prayers later, after the kids had recited half the Bible…" 5 "Question: Do you believe in angels? D. Washington: Yes. I believe in God and the Bible. I believe that we all have good potentiality as well. There's all kinds of angels that are talked about in the Bible…I think every event in my life has been touched by God. Question: What are your priorities in life? D. Washington: God, family, work, football." 6 "I think every event in my life has been touched by God, and the opportunity to make this movie is no different." "I am where I am by the grace of God, but I haven't had to do anything other than just work hard to get where I am."7 RENE RUSSO The famous American actress Rene Russo investigated religion while she was working as a model, and has expressed her belief in God. This is what has been written about the star's turning to religion; "…She became a deeply committed Christian, and buried herself in the Bible; as she later told one interviewer, "This isn't a philosophy - God walks with me…"8
Has starred in such films as Batman Forever and Top Gun, and even voiced the prophet Moses in The Prince of Egypt. His views on Moses reveal his belief in God. "The story is such a human story, involving such miracles, such gigantic miracles. I've loved it from childhood. There is such hope in the story of Moses. One the one hand, he kills a man. What could be worse? Yet because of his utter humility, his sincerity, and his search for the truth, he is given the most solemn of task of his time. That wonderful, revealing line by Mary Baker Eddy says, 'Moses advanced a nation to the worship of God in Spirit instead of matter, and illustrated the grand human capacities of being bestowed by immortal Mind.' (SCIENCE & HEALTH, p. 200) I just love the story of Moses for that reason. He is such an utterly honest man; he's so sincere in seeking the truth." 9 Val Kilmer had this to say about his belief in God in article penned by himself: "Humility comes with the recognition that God is greater than any of us. He is the sole Creator of the universe." 10
Mel Gibson, the star of such box-office record breaking films as Braveheart and The Patriot describes his former life without faith as "terrible." He says during interviews that thanks to his belief in God He has now found peace. "I had always believed in God, that He existed, and I was brought up to believe in a certain way… But in my middle years, I kind of drifted, and other things took center stage. At that point, I realized I needed something more if I was going to survive. A closer investigation of the Gospels, of the story, of the whole piece, was demanded of me." ("Interview with Mel Gibson," Rome, March 6, 2003) Mel Gibson eschews Darwin's theory of evolution …11
Jim Carrey, winner of the Golden Globe best actor in drama and comedy award in 1998 and 1999, described during an interview how his talent was a blessing from God, "I've prayed to God that I would have depth as an artist and have things to say…"12
The famous actress Sharon Stone has stated in a number of interviews that her belief has brought her peace. "I believe in God…"13 ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER Arnold Schwarzenegger, the star of the film Terminator, regarded as one of the best 100 films of all time, has expressed his belief in God by stressing that the path Satan calls people to is but a transitory pleasure: "Question: …Can we ask what you believe in? Arnold Schwarzenegger: I believe in God and I believe, therefore, in the opposite. Question: Could the Devil tempt you? Arnold Schwarzenegger: In reality? No!… All the things that are easy to come by and that taste good and that bring pleasure could potentially backfire on you so you should not look at the easy way out. You should set your goal and go for that and not get sidetracked by anything else."14
This young star, who played in Fight Club and Spy Game, expressed his faith in God with these words, "I've always paid attention to religion, because I grew up in a religious background."15
This famous young singer, whose 1999 album sold 12 million copies, expressed her gratitude to God at the American Music Awards. 16
The winner of awards in five separate categories at the 1999 Grammy Awards ceremony, Lauryn Hill told her millions of fans to love God after winning her award: "I wanna let young people know that it is not a burden to love God and to represent Him, and to be who you are…and to still love God and to serve Him. It is not a contradiction. "17 These speeches at the Grammy Awards were widely reported in the press. One article on the matter took as its subject the turning to God in the West: "…Among others God was on the thank-you lists of rapper Will Smith and singer Alanis Morrisette… So, do the goings-on at the Grammy's reflect a Christian revival within the American music industry…Indeed God, 'her salvation' get a big mention on this album (The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill) …It seems that like Lauryn Hill, many of America's top musicians want to be on God's side. 18 EXCERPTS FROM INTERVIEWS WITH WORLD-FAMOUS SINGERS CARLOS SANTANA In an interview published on the Internet, the famous guitarist Carlos Santana's belief in God appeared in this way: "Because he has persevered, his faith comes naturally. He feels God's impact on his life and hopes to share this message with everyone…God listens to the one who cries from his heart"19
"I knew that somehow, it was all in God's plan for me to make the music I make and to touch the people…Not only because people will get the opportunity to hear my music but also because I'm hoping that my fans will also see that you can be a good person and lead a good life and still have fun!"20 SINEAD O'CONNOR The Irish singer revealed her belief in God in these words in an interview in Time magazine. "When I was a child growing up in circumstances where I was completely frightened, all I could do was ask God to help me. And He did, by giving me my voice and my instincts and my feeling. What is inside of us is what God is."21
The world-famous young Latin singer Ricky Martin expressed his belief in God in the following words in an interview, "I believe God gives people gifts…I believe God uses people's gifts to spread his grace and heal the broken world in which we now live." 22 MASE The American singer Mase expressed his belied in God in these words during an interview with the MTV television station: "…When a sickness become somebody, like cancer or AIDS, there's nothing that can stop that. Not your money, not MTV, not Bad Boy, not Puff Daddy. Nobody could pay for that to go away. When you get sick, you gonna call on God. When somebody on their death bed, they gonna call on God. So why not just go to Him now?"23
Mariah Carey, whose 1993 and 1995 albums achieved sales figures of 10 million each and who is generally accepted as one of the best female vocalists in the world, revealed during an interview that she prays to God, "I prayed very hard for this to happen and it happened."24 THE GROUP P.O.D. This group from San Diego in America gave 150 concerts last year, and its members gave their views on religious belief in an interview with the MTV music channel: "We feel like, if you're Christians and you love the Lord, and there are kids who leave your show not knowing anything more about Christ than when they came…we have a problem with that. When they leave that place, they should know something about the goodness of Christ…because God has been too good… And if He's been good to you, say something about it." Sonny continues, "We're not about getting signed and being rock stars. This is a ministry that God started and He has blessed it. We believe God has P.O.D. on the cutting edge in Christian music 'cuz God's gonna use us in the secular world. Music is the emotion of the heart…you have to have a passion for it. Basically, we're just giving that passion back to Christ…Everything that God did for us this last year and what He did with P.O.D. on this album gave us a voice and an opportunity to get in front of more people. Our music has always expressed our faith and how much we love God and what He's done for us." 25
M. C. HAMMER The music world's most successful rapper before 1996, M. C. Hammer's devoting his life to God after undergoing an operation was described in this way: "It's Hammer Time, the Jubilee Christian Center in San Jose, Calif…. "Praise the Lord, everybody!" cried Hammer, greeting the crowd. "Amen! God bless everybody! We are alive! We are breathing! We have hope!"… "Instead of God being first, family being second, community being third and business being fourth, it was business first. And more business second. My priorities were out of order'…Hammer spent much of his childhood in church… It was a 1996 surgery to repair a leg injury showed him just how far off-track he had wandered…The murder of his friend, rapper Tupac Shakur, that same year also shook him. 'I had an ability to speak of life and death from a spiritual aspect' he says 'But I wasn't able to be as much help to Tupac as I would have liked to have been. I thought it was time to get back to being a man of God…I am lucky to be alive. You are seeing a guy who is grateful to God that he is here."26
One of the members of the famous group Back Street Boys, the 26-year-old Brian Littrell, explains in an interview with the MTV music channel how the faith he had was strengthened following a heart operation: Brian : …I felt so healthy going into the surgery…God willing besides all of this going on. I'm making a living for myself… but when you weigh those things, I thought, Well no career, no status, or no star status…is worth losing all that. MTV: Your faith is as strong as ever. 27 In yet another interview, he explains how his belief in God developed: "Instead of going out and partying, I was always at a Wednesday church service. I'm not saying that I was the best kid in the world, because everybody flaws. But it just made me a better person; I was more proud of what I was doing. And when the singing came along with it, the older I got, the more I realized that maybe God kept me on this earth so I could use the gift that He gave me to be a singer, to be an entertainer... I love being in the Backstreet Boys! I wouldn't change a thing in my life! It's a blessing, I thank God for everything!" 28 A website about Brian Littrell wrote the following: "Brian is very religious ... He believes he has to thank God for all his blessings." 29
A. J. McLEAN (BACK STREET BOYS) Question: Is there one thing you truly believe in? A.J. McLean: God... You can reach out to Him for anything and everything. If you can't talk to your family, or don't have family or friends, you can always talk to God. You can always find peace of mind… He's kept us together, and made us a stronger team. Because of our beliefs and because we've always been so close to Him, we're going to be around for a very long time."30 DESTINY'S CHILD The female members of one of America's best-known groups, Destiny's Child, talk about their devotion to God at every available opportunity: "…I am Kelly. I am a true believer in God, to me without Him nothing is possible…God bless you. 31 "…I am La Tavia…And most of all I'm a firm believer in God."32 'NSYNC The young members of the group NSYNC, whose 1998 album sold 10 million copies, expressed their belief in God during a chat with their fans on the Internet: Question: What is the secret to your success? Lance: Dedication, and trust in God.33 Question: Do you believe in angels? Lance: Definitely. Because I am a religious person. I believe God is watching us and He has angels watching us too.34 SHYNE During an interview with the famous MTV television, the American singer Shyne expresses his belief in God as follows: "…[my talent] is a gift from God. I don't have no rights when it comes to Him. When He feels He could take that from me… Only reason I'm sitting here is because of God…If God didn't move mountains and part seas for me, I don't know what would be happening right now, so I owe Him my life."35
THE WORDS ON THE ALBUM COVERS OF YOUNG WESTERN SINGERS INCLUDE GENUINE PRAYERS TO GOD Words of thanks on the cover of 'NSYNC's album "No Strings Attached" 'NSYNC, which consists of four young singers who win several awards at the same time at all American awards ceremonies, revealed that their talents were a gift from God by including sincere prayers on the cover of their last album. These are these young men's prayers: JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE First and foremost, I want to thank my Lord… for blessing me with every gift including the gift of music and for the opportunity to share it with the world… My Lord lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil… CHRIS KIRKPATRICK To my Lord for blessing me with the opportunity to reach people with the gift you have given me. It is You Who make this all possible and I am eternally grateful. LANCE BASS "God is our refuge and strength" and without him, none of this would be possible. THERE IS A CALL FOR PEOPLE TO TURN TO GOD IN THE LYRICS OF FAMOUS SONGS FROM THE WESTERN WORLD
The lyrics of songs that millions of people in the Western world know off by heart recall the name of God and include entreaties to Him. These songs, performed by famous artists, allow the name of God to appear on many peoples' lips. The lyrics of the song "When I look at the World," performed by the band U2, one of the best-known groups in the world, particularly for their charity concerts in Bosnia-Herzegovina, speak of the return to God in this way, "I think of You and Your holy book When the rest of us choke." The lyrics of the song "I Say A Little Prayer," by Aretha Franklin, whom millions of people listen to with pleasure and who is known for her religious nature, call on people to "pray as soon as they wake up." One of Mariah Carey's songs, one of the best vocalists in the world, is full of words of praise for Jesus. That part of the song which describes Jesus's birth goes, "Today the glory of God shines everywhere…" Some other lyrics which remind people of God are:
The members of the famous rock group Creed, which won many awards in separate categories in 2000, talk about belief in many of their lyrics. Examples of some of the lyrics written by Scott Stapp of Creed, which was voted the best rock group of 2000, are: "I closed my eyes and began to pray…" (From the song "With Arms Wide Open")"I cry out to God…" (From "My Own Prison") "See the fear Of God burn inside of me." (From "Unforgiven") Boys II Men The lyrics of this group, who performed in 133 countries in 1995 and whose 1994 album sold 12 million copies, are full of entreaties to God: Dear God, I would be incomplet That's why I'm writing you this letter Dear God DearGod, as a humble man I come to You like a child Dear God, it's me Wanya SANTANA The 1999 album "Supernatural" by the best-known guitarist in the world, Carlos Santana, sold 13 million copies. The lyrics of the song "Put Your Lights On," from the album which came out in 2000, remind people that there is only one God with the words: "…God, don't let me lose my nerve …La ill aha ill Allah" (There is no God but God)"
1. " Jean-Claude Van Damme
Beats Addiction, Finds God;” http://mrshowbiz.go.com/news/Todays_Stories/970411/4_11_97_3vandamme.html
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JEAN-CLAUDE
VAN DAMME 
JENNIFER
ANISTON 
DENZEL
WASHINGTON 
VAL
KILMER 
MEL
GIBSON 
JIM
CARREY 
SHARON
STONE 
BRAD
PITT 
RICKY
MARTIN 
Creed
