Imagine being raised in a household where there are no holidays, celebrated birthdays celebrated or no disrupting the general order of living. True, this sounds eerily similar to life in the ghetto but it also describes life as a Jehovah Witness.
Opponents of organized religion always point to one’s inability to think for one’s self and being a member of the Watch Tower Society generally means you’re by the book every step of the way.
We found 15 celebrities who were raised as Jehovah Witnesses until they decided to branch out on their own. Various rappers, thespians and even one of the more favorable commander-in-chief’s are included. Who knows what would have happened had they not lost their religion.
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Photos: Wikipedia Commons, VEVO
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Michael Jackson
At the time of his death, the King of Pop was a practicing Muslim.
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Sherri Shepherd
The former view co-host shared her trials and tribulations of being a Jehovah’s Witness on her special, Permission to Laugh.
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Krayzie Bone
The Ouija board’s calling was too strong for the Bone Thug to stay witnessing.
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Jill Scott
Raised as a Jehovah’s Witness, the R&B star went on to share her gospel voice with the world (among other things).
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Shawn Wayans
One-half of The Wayans Brothers traded in the church for his comedic genius once he got older.
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Marlon Wayans
They were raised together, duh.
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DMX
According to his memoir E.A.R.L.: The Autobiography of DMX, The Dark Man was raised as a JW but found plenty of other ventures to get his hands involved with along the way.
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Xzibit
Other than placing a few “witness like Jehovah” lines in his records, the West Coast has long left the religion behind.
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Janet Jackson
With the exception of the parents, the Jackson clan have all converted to different religions. Janet was just the only one besides Michael worth mentioning.
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The Notorious B.I.G.
Biggie Smalls rapped about violating Mother Mary more than he did about his time in Kingdom Hall.
