In the Ebony Magazine from October 1990, Katherine Jackson is quoted to say:
"The most important thing in my life is my relationship with the Creator, Jehovah God". Dee Dee, Tito's wife, has also shown a strong interest in studying. But Randy and Janet attend Kingdom Hall only occasionally, and Jermaine, Jackie, Tito and LaToya not at all, even though LaToya was baptised a Witness several years ago. Marlon and Carol attend Catholic church.
Then there's Michael's unique situation: In 1987, he left the Jehova's Witnesses. There was strong opposition to his "Thriller" video on the part of some witnesses/ perhaps the controversy figured into his decision to leave. But i don't know that for a fact because i didn't talk to him about what he'd done. I couldn't. Witnesses do not discuss spiritual matters with a person who has disassociated himself from the Witnesses, including family members. But i want to stress that, contrary to published reports, I was not required to "shun" my son. Our relationship is as loving today as it was when he was a Witness. I just can't ask him, "Why, Michael?"
Two more wishes: I wish for a reunited Jacksons. I wish that Michael and Marlon would consider rejoining the group, if only on a part-time basis. For old-time's sake. For my sake. And I dream of a reunited Jackson family."
Ebony October 1990
In the 80's Michael was still part of the Witness faith. This is a quote from J Randy Taraborelli's biography on Michael Jackson, The Magic and the Madness:
By 1984, despute his tremendous fame and great fortune, Michael Jackson still continued door-to-door proselytizing for the Jehova's Witness faith, 'twice a week, maybe for an hour or two,' according to Katherine [Michael's mother]. He also attended meetings at Kingdom Hall with his mother four times a week, when he was in town.
An example of a typical day spreading The Word: wearing a disguise - a moustache, hat and glasses - and a tie and sweater, and holding a copy of Watchtower, Michael stood at the door of an apartment in suburban Tousand Oaks, California, one morn ing in early 1984... (p.269)
Michael tried to keep the peace with the Jehovah's Witnesses when the church elders threatened to banish him from the religion because of the contents of his 'Thriller' video. He eventually reached a compromise where the following disclaimer was displayed at the start of the video:
Due to my strong personal convictions, I wish to stress that this film in no way endorses a belief in the occult.
