Michael Jackson's life as a Jehovah's Witness

The following information comes predominantly from Michael's biography "Michael Jackson: The Magic and the Madness"[1] and La Toyo's autobiography "La Toya: Growing Up in the Jackson Family".[2]

Katherine Jackson (Michael's mother) was baptised in 1963 when Michael was 5 years old. Michael was raised as a Jehovah's Witness and was active in meeting attendance and preaching until his disassociation in 1987. La Toya was also active during her teenage years. As of the time of writing this article in 2009, the only active Witnesses in the Jackson family are Katherine and Rebbie, whose husband is an elder. Michael's father, Joseph never adopted the religion.

"Katherine Jackson, a strong force in the lives of her children, passed on to them a deep and abiding respect for certain religious convictions. She had been a Baptist and then a Lutheran but turned from both faiths for the same reason: she discovered that the ministers were having extramarital affairs. When Michael was five years old Katherine became a Jehovah's Witness, converted by a door-to-door worker. She was baptised in 1963 in the swimming pool at Roosevelt High in Gary. From then on, she asked that the rest of the family get dressed in their best clothes every Sunday and walk with her to the Kingdom Hall, their place of worship." Michael Jackson: The Magic and the Madness p.17

Michael regularly went preaching, donning disguises to avoid recognition.

"Michael and I were very active in the Jehovah's Witness faith. ... 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 convincing disguises, like a rubber fat suit he bought years later, .." La Toya: Growing Up in the Jackson Family pp.53-4.

By 1984, despite his tremendous fame and great fortune, Michael Jackson still continued door-to-door proselytizing for the Jehovah's Witness faith, 'twice a week, maybe for an hour or two,' according to Katherine. He also attended meetings at Kingdom Hall with his mother four time a week, when he was in town.
An example of a typical day of spreading The Word: wearing a disguise - a moustache, hat and glasses - and a tie and sweater, and holding a copy of Watchtower, Michael sttod at the door of an apartment in suburban Thousand Oaks, California, one morning in early 1984. 'I'm here to talk to you about God's word,' he told the young girl who answered the bell.
She slammed the door in his face.
He went to the next apartment. ...
More than ever before, Michael considered himself a strict Jehovah's Witness. He didn't believe in blood transfusions, Easter and Christmas (which he viewed as 'pagan holidays'), of the celebration of his own birthday....
Despite the fact that Michael was devout - and no doubt had donated quite a bit of money to the religion - the church's elders were upset with him in 1984, mostly because of the 'Thriller' video." Michael Jackson: The Magic and the Madness pp.269,270

It is not difficult to understand the unusual enigma that Michael became when considering the extremes of his upbringing. On one hand he had a violent, materialistic, philandering father. One the other hand was a loving mother attempting to indoctrinate him in her equally unbalanced Watchtower belief system. [3] To top it all off, from childhood to death he experienced a level of wealth, fame and recognition unequalled by almost any person to have ever lived, including the greatest leaders of previous centuries.

The confliction of ideas experienced between the example of the mother and father must have caused great confusion.

"At an early age, Michael received mixed signals about sex. The message from Katherine was loud and clear; with her strong faith as a Jehovah's Witness, lust in thought or in deed was considered sinful. According to 1 Corinthians 6:9, none of the unrighteous - 'neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate men, nor abusers of themselves with mankind' - would inherit the Kingdom of God. Therefore, physical intimacy was reserved for marriage.

However, from Joseph, who shunned the religion Katherine had embraced, the boys received a message that came more from his actions than from his words. He [Michael] must have been conflicted: he had an overly rigid view of the world from his mother and an overly promiscuous view of the world from his father.

One of The Jackson Five's early performance numbers was their rendition of soul singer Joe Tex's raucous 'Skinny Legs and All'. As part of the act, Joseph encourage your Michael to go into the audience, crawl under tables, lift up women's skirts, and peek at their panties. After a show like this one, the boys would go home to their religious mother, who would then tuck them into bed and remind them of the virtues of being a good Jehovah's Witness. She truly never knew anything about the nightclub act until many years later.

Of course, when the Jackson boys were on the road, Katherine remained at home with the younger children. Her absence gave Joseph carte blanche to date other women - mostly groupies. 'He used to do the meanest things to us,' Michael once told me of his father. He said he was revolted by the thought of whatever was occurring in Joseph's room with his girlfriends." Michael Jackson: The Magic and the Madness pp.30-32

As a Witness, Michael was taught that much of what he himself personally stood for was wrong, even evil. Consider the following Watchtower concepts:

Ambition and the pursuit of fame is wrong
Awake 2005 6/8 p.13 Is It Wrong to Be Ambitious? - "The Bible indicates that haughty ambition is linked to human imperfection. ... Christians today take to heart Jesus’ words and humble themselves, while following the example of the aged apostle John, who learned to shun ambitious tendencies. For true Christians the subject of ambition does not present an ethical dilemma. Their Bible-trained consciences help them to shun ambition.
Watchtower 1978 4/1 p.3 How Rewarding Is the Pursuit of Fame and Fortune? - "Clearly, the pursuit of fame and fortune is not satisfying. Since this is also true of other material goals, what should a person make his primary aim in life? ... So, instead of looking enviously at the few who have attained fame and fortune, we will be content in having something far more valuable—an approved relationship with the Most High."
Love of money is evil
Awake 1997 9/22 p.14 What Is Wrong With Making Money? - "True, having money may give one a sense of freedom. But as Paul explains, in the long run, pursuing money can actually make one a slave to “many senseless and hurtful desires, which plunge men into destruction and ruin.” Yes, once the love of money sinks its teeth into you, covetousness, murderous jealousy, and other hurtful desires can dominate."
Watchtower 1997 3/15 p.20 - "If a Christian developed a love of money, he would cause himself much spiritual harm. The Pharisees were money lovers, and this is a trait of many in these last days. (Luke 16:14; 2 Timothy 3:1, 2) In contrast, a Christian’s manner of life should be “free of the love of money.”
Idolatry of human stars is unchristian
Watchtower 1996 6/15 p.18 - "Antitypical Egypt—Satan’s world—virtually worships entertainment. (1 John 5:19; Revelation 11: It idolizes actors, singers, and sports stars, as well as their dancing, their music, their concepts of fun and good times. Yet, today most worldly music, dancing, movies, and videos cater to corrupt fleshly desires.
Watchtower 1993 1/15 pp.28-29 Guard Against Idolatry of Every Sort - "God’s people also refrain from idolizing the world’s stars of entertainment and sports. ... But some come to view the artist as their ideal, and by putting him on a pedestal, they make him into an idol. They may hang the star’s picture on the wall and begin to dress and groom themselves as he does. Christians need to keep in mind that adoration belongs only to God.”
Most modern music is unchristian
Watchtower 1996 6/15 p.18 - " Yet, today most worldly music, dancing, movies, and videos cater to corrupt fleshly desires."

Michael was accused of being homosexual. This too was a cause of guilt and shame.

"The truth is Michael would never have allowed himself to have homosexual relationships, even if he did have feelings for other men. He was too puritanical as a result of his religious background. The Jehovah's Witnesses firmly believe that world destruction is imminent and that only a few of God's servants will survive the horrible holocaust. If he wanted to be saved - if he wanted to be with his mother thoruigh all eternity - he would have to live up to all of the church's rigid teachings, which sure meant he couldn't be gay. Indulgence is not part of the Jehovah's Witnesses' creed. Any congregant who does not adhere to the rules and dogma is shunned or 'disfellowshipped'. By the time Michael was a teenager, he had been trained to live his life a certain way. He would not be able to break that conformity." Michael Jackson: The Magic and the Madness p.158

Even after Michael disassociated in 1987 he likely still suffered greatly from guilt, as he retained much of the Watchtower belief system. By disassociating, Michael now became part of the group that the Watchtower classifies as the AntiChrist and as such to be hated by Witnesses.

"Such ones willfully abandoning the Christian congregation thereby become part of the 'antichrist.'" Watchtower 1985 July 15 p.31

"Our attitude toward apostates should be that of David, who declared: "Do I not hate those who are intensely hating you " Watchtower 1992 Jul 15 pp.12-13

In 1993, Elizabeth Taylor organised Michael's first Christmas celebration. The following home video show's Michael's excitement but also discusses his guilt, feeling what he was doing was wrong.

Michael was still a Witness at the time of releasing the Thriller album, causing a stir amongst the congregations. Michael appears in bed with a woman during a scene in Billy Jean and Thriller contained occult overtones. Sources within Michael's congregation claim he was publically reproved for the Billy Jean video, and it is interesting that the Watchtower went to the effort to include a public apology from Michael regarding the Thriller video clip in a 1984 edition of the Awake.

"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.'"" Awake! 1984 May 22 pp.19-20

In 1987 Michael disassociated himself from the Watchtower Society.

"At this same time, the Jehovah's Witnesses' elders in Woodland Hills, California, began pressuring Michael again. They felt strongly that the recent publicity on the Witnesses was doing them great damage, and that it reflected poorly on the Witnesses, because Michael was so representative of the faith. Michael was becoming disenchanted with the church's elders by this time, mostly because he didn't wan to be told what to do. What's more he couldn't reconcile his lifestyle and career with the religion's strict tenets. In truth, it's almost impossible to be a Jehovah's Witness and be an entertainer. Therefore, in the spring of 1987, Michael withdrew from the Jehovah's Witnesses. A letter from the Jehovah's Witnesses headquarters in Brooklyn, New York, sent as a press release, stated that the organization 'no longer considers Michael Jackson to be one of Jehovah's Witnesses.' Gary Botting, author of The Orwellian World of Jehovah's Witnesses and a Witness himself, said that leaving the religion is 'worse than being disfellowshipped, or kicked out." He observed, 'if you wilfully reject God's holy organization on earth, that's the unforgivable sin the sin against the Holy Spirit.'

Michael's decision to leave the church puzzled his mother, Katherine, and caused her great despair. Katherine wasn't sure she knew her own son any longer. However, there was no discussing the spiritual matter with him - literally. As it is strictly prohibited for a Witness to discuss matters of faith with ex-members, even if they are family, Katherine says that she has never asked Michael what happened, and she says that she never intends to ask such questions. 'I was not required to "shun" my son,' she claimed, referring to rumours of that nature. 'But we can't talk about matters of faith any longer, which is a shame.'" Michael Jackson: The Magic and the Madness p.363

The publicity surrounding Michael's disassociation promoted the Watchtower headquarters to send the following letter to the Body of elder's and Circuit Overseers explaining how to reply to questions.

michael jackson letter to elders 1987
source of article
http://jwfacts.com/watchtower/experiences/michael-jackson-jehovah.php

Ya!
I know michael was a fervent witness with his sister, La Toya Jackson before he was disfellowship in 1987.

That is the problem with a child growing amidst a conflict orientation from both side of the parents.
His mum has a faith she practises base on the religion but the father has a contradicting mentality towards life.

.

M.J was a Muslim, M.J was an atheist, M.J was a paedo, M.J was a Jew...

Now M.J Was a Jehovah's Witness(?)!

What next??

Probably that M.J was an Al Queda secret operative and Osama's third cousin...

Damn! M.J Continues to cause controversy even right from the grave!

any other story....

OP...den no teach u summary in Secondary school

Tolexander: Ya!
I know michael was a fervent witness with his sister, La Toya Jackson before he was disfellowship in 1987.

check the tread like 2 times found nobody but u, so I decide to join u sha ... So please can u summarize the post for me ? Cos ' I don't time to read any post for now #mission1st to comment on any post on my mind

Who will read this long story?

if u actually read this article, congrats! you no get work

like if u know d world will still qo beyond d next 50000yrs b4 its end

hehehehehhehe.... abeggi, make una let d man rest in peace

For life, na so so disturb, he disturb. For death, dem dey bug am again
pls!!!

all this long story sef

he is dead n gone, why al dis now

he is dead n gone, why al dis long story now.

Seriously? You expect me to read thru all that? No thanks.

I known all that I needed to know about MJ. He's lived a confused life, he was a drug a addict, a junky, molesterrr and had a low self-esteem on his race and skin color before he became black/white.

It's a pity the guy was born into heresy, that's why he was easily derailed be people who took advantage of his obvious talent, and dragged him into the quagmire of fame and riches in exchange for soul.

All his family cared about was how much $$ he generated for them.

Everybody has his or her own story, what's your own story?

All those 24 chapters of epistle just to tell us he was a witness!!

moscobabs: OP...den no teach u summary in Secondary school

I wonder ohh.

phillycute: check the tread like 2 times found nobody but u, so I decide to join u sha ... So please can u summarize the post for me ? Cos ' I don't time to read any post for now #mission1st to comment on any post on my mind

don't be a lazy boy.
Read!
What are you doing with your ASUU strike if you can't read!

too lonq a story johr.....

So "COZAring" don dey happen since?. See as Pastors dey pursue ppl from d path. A whole 2 ministers of d "gospel" were doin COZA that's why Michael mom switched to JW. Ain't that some weird $h1t?

ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh long thing again..
can anyone here summarize and repost ?
cos i can't read thru this .. long thing

click Like if u taya 4road like me kom d read comments.





Tori 2long jor

FrostyZonn: M.J was a Muslim, M.J was an atheist, M.J was a paedo, M.J was a Jew...

Now M.J Was a Jehovah's Witness(?)!

What next??

Probably that M.J was an Al Queda secret operative and Osama's third cousin...

Damn! M.J Continues to cause controversy even right from the grave!

as in ehn.......i just tire :-/

Tolexander: don't be a lazy boy.
Read!
What are you doing with your ASUU strike if you can't read!

fuNny! nothing concern me with ASUU my dear

All this one e sister dey yarn No º°˚˚°
Be new tin @ all,e dey tay wen
We know,d truth wen she No º°˚˚° mention na
Say mj choose the world wen belong 2 d devil
So e reap d world!kapish!anyhaw
Sha i like d guy cos 4 e song
U'l see,feel his thought and emotions
Say e No º°˚˚° dey happy,MJ carry go,nofin
Do u!