Michael Jackson's Spiritual Guilt

In 2001, a year after he wrote an essay for Beliefnet about growing up as a Jehovah's Witness, Michael Jackson participated in an online audio chat sponsored by GetMusic.com and RollingStone.com and moderated by writer Anthony DeCurtis. In it, he spoke about the spirituality of songwriting and how his music is a work of God that he doesn't feel comfortable taking credit for.

He said:

Well, the songwriting process is something very difficult to explain because it's very spiritual. It's, uh...You really have it in the hands of God, and it's as if it's been written already - that's the real truth. As if it's been written in its entirety before were born and you're just really the source through which the songs come. Really. Because there is...they just fall right into your lap in its entirety. You don't have to do much thinking about it. And I feel guilty having to put my name, sometimes, on the songs that I - I do write them - I compose them, I write them, I do the scoring, I do the lyrics, I do the melodies but still, it's a...it's a work of God.

When asked whether he felt connected to a "spiritual energy force" when performing he said:

That's exactly what it is, you're connected to a higher source and you just go with the moment and you become one with, you know, the spirit. Not to sound religious or anything, but it's a very spiritual... very much like religion, and it's a God-given gift and you just go with it. And I'm honored to have been given it. And, uh, as fun to become one with the audience. It's a one-ness, you know?

Jackson is thought to have converted to Islam in his later years.

Up to 1 million people are expected today at the Staples Center in Los Angeles for his memorial service.

Related Features:

• Prayer for Michael Jackson
• Michael Jackson's Death: Does Fame Trump Faith?
• Michael Jackson: Master of an Empty Kingdom
• Complete Michael Jackson Features

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