Why do you think Prince became a Jehovah's Witness? I realize that he has always had a since of spirituality in everything that he does, but why would he pick this religion? I've heard so many strange things about JW's like their beliefs related to medical procedures and such.Does anyone have any insight into this religion?

http://www.watchtower.org/

Here you will find all the info you need about his religion. WHY he was drawn to it, only he would know. You would have to ask him

I dont' know either. But I can speculate. Prince's temperament has always tended toward the unconventional side. When it comes to religious denominations, few are as unconventional than the JW's. It was either that or Scientology. Personally, I would've figured Prince for some form of New Age/Buddhism/Pantheism or something -- but obviously I was wrong.

I asked this question because Prince has never had a problem sharing his views about GOD in his music and it is strange that he would choose a religion that has a history of isolating people (I mean the way that people feel about JW's). If I have offended anyone, I'm sorry, because my intention was not to do that.
The website does seem to have great information though.

Anyone who has ever read your posts, know that already. No need to apologize. But it was a wonderful gesture....

brothaluv said:

Thanks! Luv ya .

I was surprised to say the least. But people quickly forget Prince lost his kid, his wife, his parents in a short space of time, and let's face it, his career had hit a wall at that point in time.

I don't blame him, as long as he's truly happy within himself, that's all that should really matter. i don't expect him to be an impetuous youth or a horny twenty-something anymore, frankly i'm supporting an artist that's nearly half a century old. i don't know what some of you guys expect from him.

Stop wishing for the golden era, 'twas a long time ago, and he's in a different place. though the journey continues. The door to the purple boat swings both ways.


[Edited 1/8/06 21:07pm]

I'm in agreement with you. Prince has been through alot in his life just like many of his fans. Most of his fans recognize that he is just a man- who needs spiritual guidance like everybody else at times. He deserves to be happy just like any other of God's children .

brothaluv said:

I agree... I figured Prince was headed in that very direction, especially with his visible interest in ancient Egypt beginning in the early 90's it seemed like he was reasonably open to alternative forms of worship. I would have expected Prince's religious beliefs over time to be as eclectic as his music.

Yeah, it was just the obvious direction -- or progression. For years he sung about love, tolerance and sexual freedom -- then he does a 180 and becomes Pat Roberson in stiletto. Hardly what the choice you would expect from the man who wrote "Free." But I still dig him though. He has the right to embrace whatever faith he deems appropriate...as do I and everyone else

brothaluv said:

I personally think that this is only the beginning of Prince's spiritual journey. The manner in which he was introduce to the "religion" says to me that the manner of worship could change but not who he worships. I know I've gone from being raised Catholic and now don't use any label to describe my spiritual journey other than a follower of Christ BUT starting off as Catholic gave me some structure and guidance. I think being a Jw gives him structure and boundaries.

Last night I heard a speaker make this statement about what is going in the world and in the US regarding morality and "absolutes". He said that ppl more and more and buying into the notion that there are no absolutes and no true moral law or code. He said what is happening is that ppl have been removing the fences (moral code, the absolutes) and we are now seeing why the fences were put there.

Prince may need some fences for his OWN personal spiritual development that has nothing to do with music or entertainment. He has to find the path that leads him to the appropriate end and sometimes that means change.

We often take issue with how entertainers change and develop spiritually because it effects how they entertain BUT I'd be more concerned with his spiritual well-being than how he writes and performs a song.

Some fences are good.

And Nurse, if the search feature worked (clearin' my throat)you could just search for past discussions on this topic. In the P&R section, JWs are often discussed. I'm sure in the upcoming weeks, we'll tackle that issue....AGAIN.

Rhondab said:

Depends on who put them there, why they put them up, who they benefit and if they're beneficial at all for those enclosed within them.

The only insight that I have to this religion is in the inconsistencies that creep into the picture. What good reason would a wealthy JW have for stiffing a waiter or waitress and then try to tell people they've found the right religion and the right way?

nurse said:

Larry Graham

hokie1 said:

thats it folx..the bottom line. P was looking for spiritual guidance and Larry Graham was very prominent in his life at the time, and JW just happened to be Graham's religion. Could have ended up a different religion if someone else had been the prominent person in his life at the time.

NouveauDance said:

But of course.....

This turned out to be a great discussion. I have learned many things from this thread and the most important is that we all need some form of spiritual guidance, even Prince. I guess it doesn't matter how we get this guidance, as long as we get it. .

hokie1 said:

This is truer than you know. Prince was lost in more ways than one. He had been through a lot of adversity and wanted stability in his life. But on some subconscious level, I believed he wanted to bond with his father. We all seek that type of atonement with our parents whether we realize it or not. Larry Graham is like a surrogate father to Prince. If Larry had been a follower of Wicca, I suspect Prince would've followed suit..

hokie1 said:

This is truer than you know. Prince was lost in more ways than one. He had been through a lot of adversity and wanted stability in his life. But on some subconscious level, I believed he wanted to bond with his father. We all seek that type of atonement with our parents whether we realize it or not. Larry Graham is like a surrogate father to Prince. If Larry had been a follower of Wicca, I suspect Prince would've followed suit..

I think the JW believe that only 144,000 souls get to Heaven, and everyone else remains in a kind-of paradise on earth.

It's the perfect religion for him. A religion with a VIP section.

Wanna place bets on where he thinks he is gonna be?

Could it be, that Prince was interested in the religion before Larry came along? Its possible that seeds were planted in Prince's mind years before Larry. Maybe, Prince felt more comfortable approaching Larry because he is also a celebrity. Whatever the case, I believe that Prince believe he has found the truth and he is happy! Let him live his life!

TheBatman said:

It's such an easy target, but the joke is still funny as fuck when it's done right!

rosanda said:

TheBatman said:

. Oh shit. When I saw this I just about spit my drink out

TheBatman said:

Its official...ya'll some evil mofo's

They are a peculiar bunch. My brother Zach is a Jehovah's Witness -- yet he wants a Christmas gift every year. Then again, he does have dyslexia. Maybe that has something to do with it. So last year I bought him an audiocassette tape of the Watchtower to listen to. Hopefully that'll straighten him out.

As for Prince, if he's happy -- I'm cool with it. I'd much rather he channel his spiritual longings via the JW's than the David Koresh/Waco route..

Was Prince a Jehovah's Witness when Rave Un2 the Year 2000 came out? Cuz near the end he sang a very Christian song and I didn't think JW's worshipped Christ.

that 144K number always got to me....the mother of a childhood friend growing up was JW, and she didn't believe she was one of the "chosen"....and she has to be the most religious person I have EVER met, so devoute to the JW's, it was unbeleivable...yet she (to this day) doesn't think she will go to heaven. i'm sorry, but there is just something wrong in that (and this is just my opinion, which everyone is entitled to)

liz5353 said:

He was already studying with Larry Graham when RaveUn2 came out. Jehovahs Witness, from my understanding worship on Jehovah but not Jesus, But they do believe he was/is the son of God, therefore is a god but NOT God