I'm Not Christian': Pop Star Rejects Her Childhood Faith

Pop singer Katy Perry opened up about her views on God and theology in a recent interview with Marie Claire, telling the magazine that she's no longer Christian and that she doesn't believe in heaven, hell or "an old man sitting on a throne."

Perry did tell the outlet, though, that she believes in a higher power -- a paradigm that holds her accountable.

"Accountability is rare to find, especially with people like myself, because nobody wants to tell you something you don't want to hear," the singer said. "I actually don't trust people who start to turn on me because they get scared of telling me the truth."

Katy Perry arrives at the Cannes festival palace, to take part in the NRJ Music awards ceremony, Saturday, Dec. 14, 2013, in Cannes, southeastern France. (Credit: AP Photo/Lionel Cironneau)

Perry also rejected traditional theological labels, but said that, though she has left her evangelical faith behind, she still feels close to the Lord.

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

Marie Claire reported that Perry gets her connection to spirituality through the writings of Eckhart Tolle, an author known for his popular books about metaphysics and spirituality. She also practices Transcendental Meditation, a form of mantra meditation.

The daughter of Keith and Mary Hudson, evangelists who still travel around the nation speaking openly about their faith, Perry told Rolling Stone magazine in 2010 that God “is very much still a part of” her life.

The magazine wrote at the time it was “surprising” to hear Perry talk about God the way she does, “because one would think her religious past is behind her, but she says she still considers herself a Christian.”

As TheBlaze previously reported, these labels eventually changed. In 2011, Perry described herself as a “drifter,” saying she’s continuously asking questions and “soaking everything up.” She has also said she’s “open to possibility,” and that her strict upbringing as confined her in a bubble of sorts that she has since broken out of.

Singer Katy Perry waves to the audience before she is appointed a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador at UNICEF headquarters, in New York, Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2013. (Credit: AP Photo/Richard Drew)

Like many 20-somethings, Perry seems to be on a journey. Her career has at times seemed counter-evangelical (her parents once worried that it would negatively impact their Christian ministry) and the topics she sings about can be on the risque side.

While she says she's not a Christian any longer, it's clear Perry is still very much on a spiritual journey.

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