December 19, 2016
Justin Bieber has been riding a bit of a rollercoaster since the release of Purpose and the young pop star is quick to attribute the upswings of that ride to his becoming a born-again Christian. But The Scottish Sun reports the Beebz is taking his love for Jesus one step further, preaching a bit of the gospel on his tour. According to the Sun’s source, he’s been holding bible studies classes backstage on tour and encouraging his openers to put Christ before everything. “His aim is to convert the people he loves and warn other stars against the evils of the industry,” the source said.
It’s hardy the first instance of Bieber doing some evangelizing: the Timmins, Ontario native has been open and willing to talk about his faith since New York’s Pastor Carl Lentz baptized him in 2014 in NBA star Tyson Chandler’s bathtub. He prayed for the people of Paris live in concert shortly after the attacks on the Bataclan in 2015. He’s spoken about it at length in magazine features. He even got a tattoo of a cross on his face this year. So it’s not very surprising he’s taken to spreading the word to those who’ve joined him on tour.
After all, according to Bieber himself in a Complex feature, there’s no need to be “overly churchy” or stick with a specific venue in order to be a Christian: “Like I said, you don’t need to go to church to be a Christian. If you go to Taco Bell, that doesn’t make you a taco.” The timing is pretty apt for spreading the gospel, as it’s Christmas in less than a week. He’s just released a slew of dates for 2017 if you feel the need to catch Bieber’s message.
And finally, Happy Holidays! This is the last Music News Monday of the year, so enjoy some collected Holiday-specific tunes from Canadians Laurice, Sloan, Marshall Burns (Rah Rah), Sportsfan, and The Darcys.
In Other News:
- John K. Samson visits polar bears in Churchill, MB and plays a set in support of the Hungry Bears Food Bank.
- Stuart McLean has put The Vinyl Café on hiatus to fight his melanoma.
- Check out what pop culture trended on Google in Canada this year.
- Neil Young plots hi-fi Pono music streaming service.
- No Warped Tour for Canada again next year.
- What are you up to for NYE this year?
