Celebrities That Spoke Out Against Their Faith by Genice Phillips l Celebrity Opinion on Faith l Christian Celebrities l Catholic Celebrities l Celebrities Who Criticized the Catholic Church l Atheist and Agnostic Celebrities

Sinead O’Connor

Irish singer Sinead O’Connor has long criticized the Catholic Church concerning the issues of child sex abuse at the hands of priests. Back in 1992 on the live sketch-comedy show, Saturday Night Live, she tore up a picture of then-Pope John Paul II in protest.

In 2010, the Vatican made provisions to deal with pedophilia and sexual abuse cases, but slid in another rule concerning the ordination of women as priests, calling it a “grave crime.” The consequences of both are regarded as equal offenses.

O’Connor, who was ordained in 1999, recently slammed the Vatican for their claims of reforming the Church.

“I find it quite laughable that they’re talking about revolutionizing the church when, in fact, they’re equating female ordination and pedophilia, “she says in an interview with Billboard magazine. “When you consider that, it shows you how little they think of children and the rape of children.”

Katy Perry

Pop singer Katy Perry started her singing career in the church. Her parents, both ministers, raised her and her siblings as Pentecostal Christians.

Since her booming music career, Katy has been accused of sliding farther and farther away from her faith. In a 2011 interview with Marie Claire magazine, she stopped identifying herself as a Christian and no longer ties herself to any particular religion.

"I don't believe in a heaven or a hell, or an old man sitting on a throne. I believe in a higher power bigger than me because that keeps me accountable," she explained.

“I'm not Buddhist, I'm not Hindu, I'm not Christian, but I still feel like I have a deep connection with God. I pray all the time - for self-control, for humility," Perry said during the interview. "There's a lot of gratitude in it. Just saying 'thank you' sometimes is better than asking for things."

Emma Thompson

British actress Emma Thompson declared back in 2008 that she is an atheist. Following her role in the British drama, Brideshead Revisited, she spoke with news site, The Australian, about the theme of religion in the film and her own personal views concerning the topic.

“I regard religion with fear and suspicion. It's not enough to say that I don't believe in God. I actually regard the system as distressing: I am offended by some of the things said in the Bible and the Koran, and I refute them," said Thompson.

She went on to say that the Bible is inadequate to the times and culture of today.

"I think that the Bible as a system of moral guidance in the 21st century is insufficient, to put it mildly."