Religion/ Spirituality

"Emilia Pérez" star Karla Sofía Gascón’s award-season glory has quickly fizzled after hugely offensive past X posts have come to light -- and with the backlash intensifying, she’s now deleted her account.

Gascón’s X account @karsiagascon was deactivated Friday after people dug up a bunch of posts from 2016 when the embattled first trans Oscar nominee ranted about Muslims, George Floyd, and, ironically, diversity at the Oscars -- despite being part of a minority community herself.

In a deeper breakdown of her comments ... she came for a Muslim family dining at a restaurant, mocking the way women dress in Islamic culture and even suggesting the religion should be banned.

Billy Ray Cyrus is calling for peace amid some family infighting ... sending prayers after one of his kids accused him of sending a legal threat.

BRC posted a YouTube short with his song "Somebody Said a Prayer" along with a message to his fam.

He says, "Praying for my family. For my children … sons and daughters…and their mother. Let this moment be the start of healing ❤️‍🩹 for us all."

An outrageous display of antisemitism is scrawled virtually on the doorstep of L.A.'s Holocaust Museum -- freshly scrawled graffiti to button up a week when Elon Musk's controversial Inauguration Day salute is still sparking heated debate.

A sidewalk in L.A.'s Pan Pacific Park, steps away from Holocaust Museum LA, was tagged Thursday night or Friday morning with a hateful message directly referencing the millions of Jewish people murdered during World War II.

The graffiti reads, "F*** the six million Jews who were not trusted and killed 100 years ago so that L.A. law enforcement can spit on their graves."

Matisyahu says Elon Musk most definitely did not make a Nazi salute at Donald Trump's inauguration ... he says it's just an example of Elon being a fish out of water.

The Jewish singer-songwriter, who voted for Trump this past election, tells TMZ ... Elon's controversial gesture certainly had all the elements of a Nazi salute, but the forceful arm movement was more about Elon not knowing how to act under the bright lights -- though he acknowledges how it looks out of context.

Matisyahu says musicians and performers are used to the attention and crowd energy that comes with such a big platform ... and Elon, being a "nerd," just didn't know how to channel the energy, because he's not used to being onstage.

Jennifer Garner's feeling the loss of her church intensely ... looking totally devastated after seeing the burned husk of her place of worship.

The actress stopped by the Community United Methodist Church of Pacific Palisades -- her regular house of worship -- and appeared overcome by emotion while looking at the burned walls, with one side of the building collapsed in on itself.

No tears from Jenn here ... but, she's obviously upset -- and, the loss of her church, founded in 1922, seems to be weighing heavily on her.

Donald Trump's pissed at the bishop who delivered a controversial sermon the day after he was inaugurated ... calling her a radical "Trump hater" -- and, demanding an apology from her church.

The President of the United States took to Truth Social early Wednesday morning to slam Mariann Budde -- the Bishop of Washington who gave a speech at the Washington National Cathedral Tuesday morning, begging the president to show mercy to immigrants and LGBTQ+ individuals in the country.

Trump writes Budde is a "Radical Left hard line Trump hater" who dragged her church into politics ... and, he directly calls her nasty, not compelling, and not smart.

Donald Trump's celebration of becoming the 47th president of the United States came to a screeching halt Tuesday morning when he attended church in D.C. -- and got roasted by a bishop in front of the entire congregation.

Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance sat in a pew watching Mariann Budde -- the Episcopal Bishop of Washington -- give DT a tongue-lashing for some of his political policies inside Washington National Cathedral.

Some of Donald's family -- wife Melania, daughter Tiffany, and daughter-in-law Lara -- were sitting with him for Budde's Trump-trashing sermon.

Jonathan Majors is making positive vibes his creed while Angelenos are plagued by a series of wildfires ... telling people now's the time to look to faith for support.

We caught up with the actor in Sherman Oaks Friday ... and, like a number of other celebs, we wanted to know how he was coping with the fires.

Majors says he and his loved ones are doing well despite the fires ... adding he hopes everyone out there is staying safe during this difficult time.

As L.A. wildfires wreak havoc, one local church is stepping up -- offering critical housing and counseling services to help those displaced, TMZ has learned.

Pastor Jeremy Johnson from Fearless Church in L.A. tells TMZ they’re opening their doors with 150 beds ready for those in need -- plus free hot meals, coffee, and shower access to help evacuees get back on their feet.

He also emphasized they’re stocked with essentials like baby food, pet supplies, and water -- along with emotional support services for those in need.

Mike Rinder -- a former higher-up in Scientology who became an outspoken critic of the religion -- has died ... according to an Instagram post from his wife.

Christie King Collbran revealed the news in an emotional Instagram post Sunday ... saying she feels sadness and pain at his passing though his courage and integrity will continue to inspire many for years to come.

Collbran says Rinder was a stable force in the lives of those who knew him ... before adding the "world will remember you."

The younger brother of New Orleans terrorist Shamsud-Din Jabbar is reportedly blaming "radicalization" for his kin's rampage that killed 15 people and injured scores more.

Abdur Jabbar told the New York Times Shamsud-Din was a practicing Christian in his early years in Beaumont, Texas, but then turned to the Muslim faith, spending most of his life studying Islam.

But, Abdur noted, "What he did does not represent Islam. This is more some type of radicalization, not religion."

Patrick Mahomes' family is hoping Chiefs Kingdom can come together to send positive vibes their way ... with the superstar quarterback's mother asking for prayers amid her father's ongoing health battle.

Randi Mahomes shared the update on the three-time Super Bowl champion's grandpa, Randy, on Friday ... posting to her Instagram story a picture of them together with the caption, "Asking for prayers for my father."

Randi previously requested similar help from her followers earlier this year -- in September, she revealed he was receiving medical attention ... and watched Patrick's game against the Los Angeles Chargers from a facility with her dad.

Prince George is second in line for the throne, but first in line when it comes to celebrating XMAS with an awesome reading of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol."

The 11-year-old son of William and Kate was grinning ear to ear as he took in Richard Grant's dramatic read. Grant, after all, is an Oscar nominee, so it's gotta be good.

George and the brood were at Kate Middleton's annual "Together at Christmas" service, where carols were on the menu.

Denzel Washington has taken a big step in cementing his faith ... the Oscar winner has recently been baptized and received his minister's license.

Check it out ... the Hollywood star was baptized at the Kelly Temple Church of God in Christ in New York City on Saturday. Dressed in a white robe and burgundy stole adorned with crosses, DW kept his head low as spiritual leaders dunked him into the baptismal water.

Alongside his certificate of baptism, the actor also received his ministry license, which would seemingly designate Denzel with the ability to perform ministerial duties.

Montell Jordan just celebrated his 56th birthday, but he says the greatest gift is being alive ... after conquering a prostate cancer diagnosis earlier this year!!!

The "This Is How We Do It" singer tells TMZ Hip Hop his 2024 started off rocky, but he underwent a prostatectomy surgery about six weeks ago and says it was the early detection and proactive doctors who saved his life!!!

His prostate is gone but not his faith ... Montell credits his relationship with God for getting him out of the mud.

Madonna is at it again ... finding herself in controversy after sharing A.I.-generated images of herself and a handsy Pope Francis.

The superstar posted the pair of A.I. snaps to her Instagram Story on Friday ... which made the Pope appear to be getting a little too fresh with the diva.

Along with the A.I. images, Madonna wrote on pic ... "Going into the weekend like..." and on another noted ... "Feels Good to Be Seen......"