Conversion of celebrities

[JohnH]

temporal1,

Quite a few of us here wouldn't consider conversions to Roman Catholicism to really be something to brag about.

[temporal1]

2026

2025:

temporal1,
Quite a few of us here wouldn't consider conversions to Roman Catholicism to really be something to brag about.

^^ok.
to clarify, noting or remarking isn’t exactly bragging. neither is it a statement of being convinced it’s authentic or lasting.

2026:

ncregister WROTE: p
Dutch Schultz -
Cold blooded k*ller/Catholic convert. This literally deathbed conversion caused quite the uproar.

Born Arthur Simon Flegenheimer, he has to be one of the least likely converts. His parents were both German Jews who attempted to raise their son in their faith but instead he became the notorious gangster known as Public Enemy #1 Dutch Schultz.

In 1935, while plotting criminal activity Schultz was gunned down in the rear of a bar. He was rushed to a hospital where he registered as a Jew. But early the next morning, he unexpectedly called for a Catholic priest. Father Cornelius McInerney was told by Schultz that he wanted to die a Catholic. Father McInerney baptized him, and gave him the last rites of the Catholic Church. That night, Schultz died and he was later buried in a Catholic cemetery.

There were reportedly several protests concerning the Church’s acceptance of Schultz. Newspapers opined against it and people were outraged. They’d obviously forgotten the story about the thief on the cross next to Jesus.

Oscar Wilde -
Wilde is known today for his wit and celebrated for a homosexual lifestyle. In fact, I’d bet he’s more well known for his flamboyancy than he is for his literary achievements which often had a strong moral lesson. The fact that Wilde was a deathbed convert to Catholicism is just about completely ignored. It doesn’t really fit into the caricature of Wilde.

John Wayne? -
I put a question mark because there is still some question as to whether the Duke became Catholic in his last days. But the opportunity to put John Wayne and Oscar Wilde on a list together was just too much for me. Such is the beauty of the Church though.

Full article on ncregister.com

Norma McCorvey is included in the instagram as a convert, Jane Roe of Roe versus Wade.
RARELY mention in msm. Maybe never mentioned.

[JayP]

My God, more Catholic converts, JohnH probably can’t sleep tonight.

[JohnH]

My God, more Catholic converts, JohnH probably can’t sleep tonight.

A good friend of mine converted to Catholicism around 7 years ago.
I prayed for him a lot and encouraged him on his journey.

I felt he would be best at home in a Greek Catholic church but had no way to convince him of that. Well, he ended up in one through some providential encounters with a priest I admire highly. It is one of the very few parishes (or should I say, cathedrals) where the bishop teaches nonresistance.

[JohnL]

My granny taught us that if we hear about someone who has a lifestyle that’s not Christian to pray for them. “Don't criticize them in public and cause them embarrassment. The Bible tells us to talk to them in private. Those prayers are better than any amount of complaining about the person. You got to give them enough grace room to turn to Jesus.” she said.

[temporal1]

i’m just so glad a person decides to pick up a Bible or go to church, to inquire .. to me, that’s the starting point, the Holy Spirit takes it from there. Many, even on forum, even JohnH, describe their JOURNEY to faith, and JOURNEY in faith.

me, too.
for me it began as a confused and frightened young child. i had numbers of encounters with people and faiths i couldn’t understand/accept, but the inward desire for Truth didn’t disappear. Eventually, Light. i can’t explain it. i’m thankful for it.

Faith is a blessing of the Spirit. Pray for faith. Like Didymus https://biblehub.com/topical/d/didymus.htm

- - - - - - -

imagine my surprise to read about the Seattle Seahawks making faith statements following their Superbowl win.
i didn’t view, not the game nor the infamous half time show, not even commercials. Then, this:

Reuters / Coach Macdonald's faith and philosophy lead Seahawks to Super Bowl glory
https://www.reuters.com/sports/coach-ma ... 026-02-09/

Then i understood better how the nearby Catholic school took the Seahawks parade day off.
Not public schools.

We stayed away from the parade. Enjoyed less general traffic. It was an unusual sunny day.

[temporal1]

I noticed Mr. Musk is now saying he "believes in the teachings of Jesus."

i’ll call it a start with prayers for him. and his family. souls are at stake.

[JohnH]

I noticed Mr. Musk is now saying he "believes in the teachings of Jesus."

i’ll call it a start with prayers for him. and his family. souls are at stake.

An appropriate response, as opposed to mocking or criticising another person’s expression of belief.

[R7ehr]

Musk isn’t saying that he is a “believer” in the born again sense of the word.
He’s merely acknowledging the same thing Richard Dawkins has. Doesn’t really mean anything on its own. It only means something -
(a) if/when it leads him closer to God, which is what Temp is acknowledging, or
(b) to signal where he stands on culture.

Looks like he made these comments in the summer of 2024. Has there been fruit since that time that he has moved closer or further from Truth?

Elon Musk met with right-wing pseudo-academic Jordan Peterson and explained his "Spirituality" this way. “While I’m not a particularly religious person, I do believe that the teachings of Jesus are good and wise… I would say I’m probably a cultural Christian." and... Christian beliefs, Musk argued, “result in the greatest happiness for humanity, considering not just the present, but all future humans… I’m actually a big believer in the principles of Christianity. I think they’re very good.”

And this is a phrase I'd think I'd never say, but I think Elon Musk is right.

Musk is where Donald Trump is, and much of the right wing is right now where they don't have an active faith life, don't attend a church, but have a vague connection to rules of the Bible through whatever small amount of theological education they received when they were paying attention.

On the macro level we see this people who attend a non-liturgical churches with a tenuous tie to scripture, like the Southern Baptist Convention. It's more of a social club with a thin veneer of Christianity that gives the okay to force your morals on other people, not wear a mask in a pandemic, or encourages the ostracizing of LGBT people.

Being "Culturally Christian," is a lot like "Advocating for the unborn." It doesn't require you to re-examine your beliefs, no one challenges you because you're either not in a community, or are in an echo chamber. Being Culturally Christian doesn't require you to do anything FOR other people, but it allows you to do things TO other people, which is what most Americans prefer.

While many American Christians eagerly broadcast when celebrities say nice things about Christianity, or become born again, if the fruit of their lives is not good, it is terrible that society now counts them as one of the Christians, because they have such a megaphone.

It’s not good to have a famous person become “born again”, and then gallivant around like the heathen he was before. That is using religion for selfish gain, no different than the Pharisees.

[temporal1]

.. While many American Christians eagerly broadcast when celebrities say nice things about Christianity, or become born again, if the fruit of their lives is not good, it is terrible that society now counts them as one of the Christians, because they have such a megaphone.

It’s not good to have a famous person become “born again”, and then gallivant around like the heathen he was before. That is using religion for selfish gain, no different than the Pharisees.

it was not the intent or spirit of this topic to preemptvely rally ‘round or boast of celebrities, i’m sorry if that is how the message comes across.

scriptures are clear about the added diffculty the wealthy+privileged have wrt salvation.
personally, i’m impressed when they try. i haven’t read anything about EM’s faith or beliefs, at all. i tend to guess you’re correct, lots of people recognize the secular historical reality of Jesus Christ without accepting Him as Lord and Savior. In my view, a start. The Holy Spirit detemines outcomes.

This topic isn’t about what happens or doesn’t in society.
This topic is just a small corner of Hope for the hopeless. Even the most hopeless. The earthly rich and privileged.

i don’t see evidence EM’s statements have hurt him or others. Again, the Holy Spirit determines outcomes, and, “God works in mysterious ways”.

Pray for the Spirit to protect and guide. At all times.