Religion/ Spirituality

Pastor Rich Wilkerson Jr. -- who counts Justin Bieber and the Kardashians among his flock -- is not as holy as he claims ... so say some Miami street artists who says the church stole from them.

It seems Wilkerson's Miami place of worship, Vous Church, used a series of works done by artists like Typoe, Bikismo and Ahol Sniffs Glue in social media and newspaper ads ... without permission.

The works the good Pastor lifted were murals for a local public school, never designed for "a well-funded celebrity church brand or its prosperous pastors."

The lawsuit -- filed by Kushnirsky Gerber PLLC -- makes mention of Wilkerson's lavish lifestyle and celebrity connections (he officiated Kim and Kanye's wedding) but claims the church never once offered to ante up a penny.

BTW ... the suit says even if Wilkerson asked for permission, they would have denied it.

The man who allegedly threatened to kill Scientology leader David Miscavige in a series of phone calls just got hit with a slew of felonies, and his bail is set at $600k.

Andre Barkanov, a 47-year-old man from Illinois, pled not guilty to 12 felony counts of making criminal threats and one of stalking. Barkanov was arrested in November when police tracked him down in Wisconsin. He's been in custody since December.

A police investigation was launched after Barkanov allegedly phoned the church's Hollywood offices repeatedly, and at one point said he'd "assassinate Miscavige and every single one of you," among other threats.

Country singer Craig Strickland survived the capsizing of his boat but died from exposure, and his wife believes the way his body was found has religious overtones.

Helen Strickland says her husband was able to make his way to shore after his boat capsized in a horrible storm. She says he "fought his way out of the water and up a hill."

According to Helen, Craig died from hypothermia, adding "They found him lying in the shape of a cross looking up to his Father." She goes on, "I know he found Jesus at that moment."

Helen says Craig did not suffer and did not feel pain ... he just fell asleep.

As we reported, Craig and buddy Chase Morland both died during a duck hunting trip.

Hoverboarding is an unholy activity unbecoming a priest ... so says the diocese in the Philippines that benched him.

The priest conducted Christmas mass in the city of Binan while tooling around the church on his board. It didn't sit well with church officials.

Those closer to God said, "The Eucharist demands utmost respect and reverence. It is the Church's highest form of worship, not a personal celebration where one can capriciously introduce something to get attention."

The honchos in the diocese said they want to give the priest in question time to "reflect," calling it "a wake up call."

Nothing says a Jewish boy's becoming a man like a Fetty Wap performance at his Bar Mitzvah, and a wad full of benjis.

The owners of Baron Tequila, a Kosher tequila brand, paid Fetty $50k to rock the house at Illagio in Queens for their son, David. Fetty, who showed up on crutches -- still recovering from his motorcycle wreck -- rocked the house and gave $1,000 in hundred dollar bills to David so he could "make it rain."

This is Fetty's 2nd successful collabo with the tribe ... he and Lil Dicky made a hilarious video called "$ave Dat Money" which has already racked up more than 20 million views.

As for how dope this party was -- there were arcade games, a mechanical bull, and sushi made of candy wrapped in fruit roll-ups!

Check out the video where this 13-year-old boy (now a man) sported a hat bigger than his head in honor of Fetty.

Is there a yarmulke in Fetty's future?

Justin Bieber looks like he's doing a plug for Calvin Klein or Jesus ... or both.

Biebs and his facial fuzz bolted from London -- after a wild weekend -- and touched down in South Beach to party at The Villa Casa Casuarina ... formerly Gianni Versace's mansion. Before Justin soaked up the rays and dipped in the pool, he also did lunch at Prime 112.

If Jesus Christ was an MMA fighter, Conor McGregor says he would "whoop his ass."

The UFC superstar was in L.A. gearing up for his big fight with Jose Aldo at UFC 194 on Dec. 12th -- when he told us he fears NO MAN ... alive or dead.

So, what about Jesus then? We asked, Conor answered.

Rick Ross just pulled a John Lennon ... pumping up his new album by likening it to the Festival of Lights. Shalom?

Ross' "Black Market" drops this Friday, just two days before Hanukkah starts -- a fact he was clearly aware of when we got him in NYC, and asked if he had any predictions for the album's success.

His answer won't get him invited to any menorah lightings next week, but his delivery is pretty funny.

Move over 1966 Lennon ... you've got company now.

Tony Dovolani says the Church of Scientology was hot on his tail during his stint with Leah Remini on "Dancing with the Stars" ... looking for any dirt they could find to discredit her ... even by association.

Dovolani was at LAX, toting around Leah's book, 'Troublemaker,' -- when our photog asked if the Church harassed him. Tony unloaded.

The NFL is still screwed up when it comes to meting out justice for domestic violence -- so says Al Sharpton.

Sharpton cannot understand how Ray Rice was ultimately banished from the NFL while Greg Hardy was given a second chance.

He thinks it's not only unfair to the players ... but to the women they abuse.

Katy Perry's father won't stand for anyone telling him his daughter is a wicked woman who has sex with demons.

Preacher Keith Hudson had a scary confrontation this week when an angry woman ambushed him outside a Phoenix Christian radio station, and accused him of raising a Satanic woman who's leading fans -- like her son -- to Hell.

The woman, named Christine, recorded her brutal rant, which Keith handled bravely. He tried to calm her as she went off about Katy having "demon sex" in her "E.T." music video.

Keith tells TMZ this is the first time he's been so viciously confronted over Katy, and believed Christine was going to physically assault him. He thinks she's "a bitter and angry woman trying to blame my kid for her kid's mistakes" ... and actually feels sorry for her.

The whole thing ended peacefully, but Keith says he wouldn't be surprised if Christine was waiting outside his church in the near future.

Katie Holmes feels badly about some things that happened years ago when Leah Remini first started challenging Tom Cruise and the Church of Scientology.

Holmes responded to Remini when ABC sought a comment about Remini's claims about meeting Tom when he was dating Katie. Apparently, Remini makes several comments about that incident and about Tom's place in the Church during her 20/20 special airing tonight.

In one clip 20/20 released, Leah says Tom and Katie engaged in some serious PDA during the visit ... prompting Leah to say, "Hey, get a friggin’ room.”

A rep for Katie says they gave 20/20 the following statement: “I regret having upset Leah in the past and wish her only the best in the future."

We're told Katie's statement was not specifically referring to the kissing, but to many things Leah says on 20/20.

By the way, Remini says her crack about Tom and Katie kissing got her "written up" by high ranking Scientology officials.

ABC Breaking News | Latest News Videos

Conor McGregor continued his social media rampage Thursday night -- writing, "F*ck politics and f*ck religion" after he was accused of disrespecting Ireland.

McGregor came under fire yesterday for recently wearing a poppy on his lapel -- which some consider a HUGE no-no in Ireland because (some people believe) it's a tribute to the British military forces that oppressed Ireland.

McGregor responded strongly to the critics -- saying, "Check the facts of its original meaning. ALL soldiers. ALL wars."

Leah Remini isn't just taking on Scientology, she's going squarely after Tom Cruise in a new interview about her departure from the church.

Leah sat down with "20/20" and revealed her fears about taking on Scientology, saying ... "Being critical of Tom Cruise is being critical of Scientolgy itself. You are evil."

She also says it's "giving up everything you've worked for your whole life" -- if you decide to leave Scientology. Remini's been very vocal about her issues with the church since leaving in 2013. She's said she left because she didn't want to raise her daughter as a Scientologist.

Topless Justin Bieber and symbols of Jesus Christ -- two things that just won't fly in the Middle East, where Justin's new album has been rejected for being too provocative.

Sources close to the situation tell TMZ ... Bieber's "Purpose" album is getting the bum's rush in several Middle Eastern countries, as well as Indonesia -- predominantly Muslim regions. We're told the issue is twofold: Justin being shirtless, and the cross tattoo on his chest.

We're told team Bieber is scrambling right now to come up with an alternate cover for those countries -- 'cause let's face it, the bottom line is pushing the music and making money.

Can the Pope's saliva save the Eagles? Maybe ...

Turns out, the Philadelphia congressman who took Pope Francis' water cup after his holiness spoke in D.C. last month says he's willing to let Chip Kelly take a swig from the glass -- if it can help the team!

We spoke with Congressman Bob Brady who says he's still a huge Kelly supporter -- despite the fact they're struggling this season with a 1-3 record.

So, if it means bringing Kelly to his office to sip from the holy cup ... Brady says he's 100% on board!