Dena Ross: June 2009 Archives

Earlier today Jermaine Jackson gave a press conference addressing the few known details surrounding his brother Michael's death. At the end of his emotional speech he says, "May Allah be with you Michael, always."

Interestingly enough, many media outlets, including The New York Times and ABC News Australia are misquoting this expression of faith.

The New York Times claims the quote was, "We all loved being with you Michael, always" whereas ABC News Australia says it was, "'May our love be with you always, brother."

Michael Jackson reportedly converted to Islam in late 2008 after he took the shahada, or oath of Islamic faith, in Los Angeles at a friend's home. He had been raised a Jehovah's Witness--which he spoke about in depth in an essay he wrote for Beliefnet in 2000. Jermaine became a Muslim in 1989.

Check out the video of the press conference. What do you hear him say?

The marketing department over at video game company Electronic Arts (EA) are geniuses! As promotion for an upcoming video game, Dante's Inferno, they staged a fake protest outside their recent video game conference in Los Angelos.

According to the website Game Politics, protestors carried around signs that read, "EA = anti-Christ" and "My high score is in Heaven," leading witnesses to believe the protesters were Christian and were upset over the game's content.

The game itself is inspired by "Inferno," the first book of the poem "The Divine Comedy" by Dante Alighieri's where the character experience hell, where sinners are punished. The video game character apparently has a cross for a weapon.

Some bloggers are taking issue with the publicity stunt, saying it was anti-Christian:

From the Catholic Video Gamers blog:

Gamers of all varieties will buy this product if its, well, actually a good game. So instead of engaging in a shamelessly anti-Christian stunt to promote your poor excuse of a product, maybe you ought to work on making this game, you know, something better than a blatant God of War rip-off and make it, ya know, something worthwhile?

What a sad day in celebrity news. First Farrah Fawcett's death and now Michael Jackson

Media outlets--including TMZ are reporting that the 50-year-old pop star has died after suffering from cardiac arrest.

Michael Jackson wrote this piece for Beliefnet in 2000 titled, "My Childhood, My Sabbath, My Freedom about growing up as a Jehovah's Witness, though in recent years he converted to Islam.

Post your thoughts and prayers below.

As Holly Rossi over at Fresh Living has posted, Farrah Fawcett is reportedly in grave condition and has been given her last rites, a Catholic ceremony performed by a priest for the dying. Her family and friends have gathered at her bedside.

The "Charlie's Angels" actress has been battling anal cancer since 2006, a journey documented in the recently broadcast "Farrah's Story."

Post your thoughts and prayers below.

UPDATE 1:00 p.m. ET: CNN is reporting Farrah Fawcett has died.

Check out Movie Mom's review of "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen", which releases today. In this sequel to 2007's "Transformers," where Sam Witwicky (Shia LaBeouf) becomes caught in the middle of a war between the Autobots and the Decepticons after receiving visions about the origins of the Transformers.

And if you haven't yet seen the trailer, check it out below.

Rapper Chris Brown has copped a deal after pleading guilty to one felony count of assault on ex-girlfriend, singer Rihanna. He received probation, community service, and will need to attend domestic-violence counseling. He faced more than 4 years in jail...

This film, based on the 1980 movie of the same name, follows talented students studying performing arts at a New York City high school. The movie is set to release September 25, 2009...

As almost everyone suspected, the stars of the TLC hit reality show "Jon & Kate Plus 8," Jon and Kate Gosselin, have publically announced they are separating on a special episode of their show that aired tonight. Although they never...

Actress Denise Richards, ex-wife of Charlie Sheen and star of the reality TV show "It's Complicated," will soon guest host medium/spiritualist John Edward's show. The star began a deep appreciation for the spiritual world after her mother passed away in...

I'm a fan of apocalyptic movies--especially ones with zombies. Check out the trailer to the upcoming horror/comedy "Zombieland" starring Woody Harrelson, Abigail Breslin, and, according to Imdb.com, Bill Murray as a zombie.The film releases October 9, 2009....

I'll admit, after being a regular viewer, I've missed the last two episodes of "Jon & Kate Plus 8." I'm starting to get sick of watching them play out their marriage drama on TV, not to mention the fact that...

Christian rockers The Wrecking are under consideration to have their song "Our Feet Don't Touch the Ground" used in the upcoming Twilight movie "New Moon." Joanne Brokaw over at Gospel Soundcheck, an admitted fan of the band, has details on...

Chastity Bono, gay rights activist and daughter of Cher and the late performer Sonny Bono, has publically announced that she is underdoing gender reassignment and is transitioning from a female to a male. Bono would like to be now be...

Valerie Reiss over at Fresh Living has a great post up on "psychics." So, as a public service to anyone who's ever visited a storefront or called a hotline in hopes of hearing about their future, I've asked Valerie for...

From "Heroes" star Greg Grunberg who tweets for epilepy awareness to rap legend and reality TV star Rev Run who offers daily spiritual wisdom, Beliefnet has selected the 10 most inspiring celebrities using Twitter in positive ways. Check out the...

In this musical, Daniel Day-Lewis stars as a director going through a mid-life crisis, who struggles to complete a film. The all-star cast also includes Nicole Kidman, Penelope Cruz, Kate Hudson, Sophia Loren, Judi Dench, and many others. The film...

If you're a fan of the FOX animated show "Family Guy" (and really, who isn't?), you've noticed religion plays a big role in the show--even if most of the time it's in a sacrilegious and offensive way. Discover how much...

Thanks to Holly Rossi over at Fresh Living, for pointing out this wonderful music video created by a British couple at their wedding. Most (if not all) of the wedding party participated in lip-syncing the classic Queen song, "Don't Stop...

Actor David Carradine, who's starred in a number of movies and TV shows, but best known for roles in the TV show "Kung Fu," and the "Kill Bill" movies, was found dead in his hotel room in Bangkok, according to...

More disturbing than witnessing Sasha Baron Cohen land in Eminem's lap during the MTV Movie Awards, is watching purity-ring-wearing Joe Jonas dance around in a leotard and heels, lip syncing Beyonce's "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" in an...

Over on the cool blog Everyday Ethics, Hillary Fields talks about the new Mike Judge cartoon comedy, "The Goode Family," where a family of PC do-gooders take being responsible to the extreme. Fields asks, "Does being ethical mean being annoying?"...

Best known as adorable older daughter DJ on "Full House," Candace Cameron Bure focused most of her time on her marriage and raising a family after the hit TV show ended in 1995. Now the Christian actress has landed a...

The trailer to the upcoming vampire film "New Moon" premiered at last night's MTV Movie Awards. What do you all think? Check it out below....