“I avoid using the term ‘religion’, because many people say ‘my religion’ this and ‘my religion’ that. Why should it be ‘my’ religion?
I just believe what’s in the Bible with regard to which religion is involved. I simply believe…. I believe in it and I get down on my knees every night and thank God and ask Him to lead the way.” — Jackson in a 1979 Ebony Magazine interview
“Each day I take time out to study the Bible, no matter where I am. The teachings of the Bible have added a new dimension to my life. It, somehow, makes me whole.” — Michael Jackson, “Black Stars” Magazine interview, 1976
“God was his guide. He was a Christian and believed in Christ. His life went through so much that his faith was what restored him and kept him. Michael was very spiritual and had enormous faith. THIS WAS WRITTEN FOR ME IN THE BOOKS. I HAVE PROVEN MY PART. NOW GOD WILL BE THEIR JUDGE Michael Jackson said on the evil do-ers who lied, cheated and betrayed him — Taymoor Marmarchi, who worked on humanitarian projects for Michael Jackson
Schmuley Boteach: Do you think a hatred of pride is still a relic of your religious upbringing?
Michael Jackson: It hurt me a lot and it helped me a lot.
SB: How did it hurt you?
MJ:… (long silence) When I did certain things in the past that I didn´t realise were against the religion and I was deprimanded for it, it almost destroyed me. Certain things that I did as an artist in my music I didn´t realize I was crossing a line with them and when they chastised me, it really hurt me. It almost destroyed me. My mother saw it.
SB: Their disapproval, their rejection?
MJ: When I did the Moonwalk for the first time, Motown 25, they told me that I was doing burlesque dancing and it was dirty. Then when I made Thriller with all the ghouls and ghosts, they said that it was demonic and part of the occult and that Brother Jackson can´t do it. I called my lawyer and was crying and I said: “Destroy the video, have it destroyed.” And because he went against my wishes, people have Thriller today.
“During the meals I’ve had with him, he did pray silently. When he prayed out loud, it was always to God. We would talk about god and grace and humility a lot. One day MJ and I were working on some new music, and during a break we started talking about the name Michael. He said “Hey, Bearden! Do you know what our name means?” I didn’t know. He said it means “most like God.” And then he said to me, “We can’t be big-headed about it. We have to be humble or God could take our gifts away. Promise me you’ll be humble!” — Michael Bearden, music director, speaking about Michael Jackson in Ebony.
“I pray a lot. I see a beautiful sunset and I say “God, that’s beautiful…Thank you”, or a baby smile or butterfly wings or anything like that.”
Michael Jackson in Ebony/Jet TV interview
