Religion

HERE’S WHAT WE KNOW

Blake Lively’s lawsuit against her former costar Justin Baldoni was arguably one of the top stories of the week. The duo costarred in the movie, It Ends With Us, and judging from Blake’s lawsuit, filming the movie seemed to be just as unpleasant as the movie’s theme of domestic violence. Here’s what we know. As part of Justin’s defense, he plans on subpoenaing as many of Blake’s former costars as possible, including her Gossip Girl costar turned boyfriend, Penn Badgley. While we are not in ANY way shape or form condoning his alleged behavior toward Blake, we are reporting that Justin hopes that Blake has a history of being difficult to work with, and he plans on proving that in court.

Former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Brandi Glanville made the news for a very unpleasant reason. The reality star posted an unflattering photo of herself on social media, claiming that she was infected with a parasite that was moving around her face. (?) Days later, Brandi made headlines again for posting photos of the Christmas celebration she shared with her ex-husband, Eddie Cibrian, and his wife LeAnn Rimes. While Brandy‘s social media post hinted at this, here’s what we know. Brandi isn’t in the best financial shape, so LeAnn has offered to pick up the tab for any medical procedures Brandi needs that insurance won’t cover. Although the ex and currents wives of Eddie started off on the wrong foot, through the years they’ve developed a friendship, and that’s why LeAnn is stepping up to the plate to cover the cost of her former love rival’s medical care.

Another week brought us another batch of Sean Diddy Combs lawsuits – once again involving baby oil, drugs, and male libido enhancements. We just heard that Diddy has retained a new set of attorneys, this time not for his criminal defense, but bankruptcy experts! Since the disgraced rapper is being sued for hundreds of millions of dollars – or potentially even billions, he decided from behind bars, he wanted to explore his bankruptcy options. Although nothing has been decided yet, it’s fair to say he’s hemorrhaging money, defending himself against both civil and criminal cases, so that’s why bankruptcy is being considered.

Selena Gomez’s engagement to music maker Benny Blanco continue to be in the news and here’s what we know. Although she’s Catholic, we just heard that Selena is taking classes to convert to Benny’s religion of Judaism and it’s sort of a touchy subject since most members of Selena’s family are practicing Catholics. Nonetheless, Selena has agreed to raise any babies she and Benny have in the Jewish faith.

Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck made headlines when they were spotted over the holidays exchanging Christmas presents with one another. Although the divorce has not been called off, we just heard that there’s a SLIGHT possibility they might reconcile. It certainly is a long-shot, but behind very closed doors they have been meeting with a marriage counselor to see if their union can be saved.

Photo: Sony

TABLOIDS MAKE GWEN STEFANI LOOK LIKE A RELIGIOUS FANATIC

David Pecker’s tabloids are in a religious frenzy over Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton – and her ex-husband Gavin Rossdale has been pulled into the mix. Gwen IS a good Catholic girl and she takes her kids to mass every Sunday. Blake Shelton often goes along for the ride, even though he’s not particularly religious. In Touch claimed awhile back that Blake was converting to Catholicism to please Gwen. He’s not, and she doesn’t expect him to. The National Enquirer says Gwen is appealing to the Pope to have her marriage to Gavin annulled so she can marry Blake in the church. Radar Online claimed Gavin nixed the annulment. None of it is true. In fact, Gwen and Blake are happy with their relationship as it is, and have no plans to marry, much less pester the Pope…

Above, Gavin Rossdale is perfectly calm with his kids in Beverly Hills

KEVIN SORBO SAYS BEING A CHRISTIAN COST HIM JOBS IN HOLLYWOOD

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Our colleague in gossip, CJ, reporter for the Star Tribune, had an encounter at Comic Con Minnesota with former Hercules Kevin Sorbo. In fact ,we have often wondered what happened to that star of the popular 90’s TV series. Sorbo was a hot commodity at the convention, raking in big bucks – $40 for an autograph and $45 for a photo. But he laments the fact that he is NOT in demand in Hollywood and claims it’s his Christianity that makes him unpopular there. (He does lots of B movies, but not in Hollywood.) Whether it’s atheists or people of other religious persuasions who blackballed him he doesn’t specify – but it’s not cool to be Christian in Hollywood, according to Hercules. Click HERE to see CJ’s video.
Photo: Hercules: The Legendary Journeys

ANGUS T JONES: IS THIS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU GET RELIGION?

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Angus T Jones, 20, admits he walked away from his 6 million dollar a year job on “Two and a Half Men” to get closer to God! This must have been quite a surprise to his parents, who both have criminal records. Jones became a Seventh Day Adventist and shortly after, decided his series was “filth” and advised people not to watch it. That led to his inevitable departure, and he is now living in Colorado where he lectures about God at churches across the country. Fortunately, he is also taking classes at the University of Colorado and MIGHT come to his senses one day. Of course now he can afford to do whatever he wants, and we hope that includes a good education, before his money evaporates. The switch from TV to God certainly hasn’t improved his looks. (Above left, Angus as Jake, and right, Angus as Seventh Day Adventist)

CHRIS O’DOWD SAYS “THERE IS NO MAN IN THE CLOUDS”

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Bridesmaids hunk Chris O’Dowd is very outspoken about his views toward religion and we have to applaud him for taking a stand in British GQ magazine. O”Dowd says that the older he gets the less tolerant he is of religion. “It’s halting human progress” and “eventually will become as offensive as racism.” Chris is appalled because “American presidents have to overstate or fake religion to get into the White House. Now America can’t have a president that doesn’t say he believes in God! Do you really think Barack Obama believes in God? No way! We’re glad he’s worried about America – because we are too.

KEIRA KNIGHTLEY PLAYFULLY SLAMS RELIGION

Keira Knightley, the British actress who starred in “A Dangerous Method,” created a controversy recently when she discussed her atheism. She facetiously remarked that she wished she were Catholic so she could ask for forgiveness of her sins and not have to live with guilt. ”If only I was a Catholic I could get away with anything – you’d ask for forgiveness and then you’d be forgiven.” At first glance her comments may sound rather dumb, but actually they are a sly dig at religious types and their easy morality.

#keiraknightley #atheism

GOLDEN GLOBES HOST RICKY GERVAIS: THANK GOD AT YOUR OWN RISK

Ricky Gervais, the rascal who made last year’s Golden Globes watchable, is returning this weekend and he explained some of his wisecracks in Esquire. Ricky closed the show saying “Thank you to God that I’m an atheist!” He clarified that it wasn’t just a matter of declaring his own beliefs, but of pointing out how narcissistic celebrities are in the spotlight. He was criticizing all those people who thank God because they won an award. Ricky figures that considering all the famine and wars going on in the world that it’s incredibly arrogant and egocentric for winners to think God went out of the way to help THEM. If indeed God exists, he has more important things to do. Let’s hope the God-thankers take the HINT. We’re looking forward to the 2012 Globes.

KATY PERRY AND RUSSELL BRAND: THE ODDS WERE AGAINST THEM

“Friends” of Katy Perry and Russell Brand seem to be leaking lots of stories about their divorce to the press and it’s hard to know who to believe. When they were photographed on different continents at Christmas we KNEW the marriage was in serious trouble. Still, it WAS shocking when Russell filed for divorce this week and it seemed like an ungentlemanly thing to do. In civilized break-ups, the wife is encouraged to do the filing. But TMZ sources say that Katy WANTED Russell to file because of her religious beliefs, and they both planned to be out of town when he did it. Why Russell would choose to be in London – the only place with almost as many paparazzi as Hollywood, is unclear. When you think about it, maybe it wasn’t a good idea for a minister’s daughter to marry an admitted former heroin, alcohol, and sex addict in the first place.

KIRK CAMERON MAKES US GLAD WE’RE NOT RELIGIOUS

Growing Pains star Kirk Cameron was outraged to hear that noted UK physicist Stephen Hawking is not only an atheist but doesn’t believe there’s a heaven or after-life! He likened the belief to “a fairy tale for those who are afraid of the dark.” Evangelist Kirk, who heads an online ministry “Way of the Master” complained that debating the disabled but brilliant Hawking was like “bullying a blind man.” Irate Cameron squealed “Why should anyone believe Hawking if he can’t prove it?” But Kirk, YOU are the one claiming there IS a God and heaven – the burden of proof is on the one making the claim. We’re LISTENING…..

“MOST HATED REALITY STAR” OMAROSA IS NOW A MINISTER

We didn’t take Omarosa seriously when the reality star announced two years ago that she was enrolling in seminary school and becoming a minister. Her first reality TV appearance was on Donald Trump’sThe Apprentice” and she gained so much notoriety that a few years later she appeared on “Celebrity Apprentice.” At that time she was voted “most hated reality star,” and as a result, she went on to appear on over 20 reality shows! In 2009 the 37 year old did indeed enroll in seminary school and earned her preacher’s license. She is now an assistant pastor at the Weller Street Missionary Baptist Church in Los Angeles. (As far as we know, she is still dating actor Michael Clarke Duncan.) Surely, she has to be one of the few pastors with implants.