Religion/ Spirituality

Mike Pence wants everyone to get down on their knees, and Monica Lewinsky ain't biting.

Pence was asked about how he deals with criticism of him on the Internet. His answer was predicable -- prayer. The Vice President said, "Spend more time on your knees than on the internet."

Also predictable ... social media erupted with BJ jokes. For instance, a reporter tweeted, "OK, who's gonna tell him?" In other words, someone tell the old guy he's opening himself up to oral copulation barbs.

Monica got in on the fun, hilariously responding, "def not me" with a googly-eyed emoji.

People went nuts for the joke ... telling her she won the Internet. Good on Monica!

Speaking of Lewinsky, she just signed on to Ryan Murphy's new project, "Impeachment: American Crime Story." She'll be a producer on the series. Beanie Feldstein -- Jonah Hill's sister -- is going to play Monica.

A$AP Rocky is showing his gratitude to one Kanye West for trying to get him out of Swedish custody ... by showing up on a Sunday and partaking in worship.

The just-released rapper was in attendance Sunday for Ye's weekly Sunday Service, where he was wearing a jacket in the hot sun -- but appeared to be in great spirits. He was filmed talking to his old flame, Kendall Jenner, and they seemed pretty chummy.

Kendall and A$AP have history together, they were dating on and off for a number of years. They haven't been seen in a romantic capacity since early 2017.

A$AP was also photographed chatting up Kanye himself, who was decked out in his usual Sunday Service gear. Some thank-yous were probably exchanged ... and for good reason.

As we reported ... Kanye was part of the initial push to get A$AP's legal predicament on President Trump's radar, before he was eventually freed last week pending a verdict. We're told Ye's got a direct line to the Oval, and that he suggested Trump talk to the Swedish PM.

A panel of judges decided to release A$AP while a decision is made in his assault case, which wrapped up Thursday after a three-day trial. Rocky touched down in L.A. early Saturday morning, and seemed ecstatic to be finally be home after a month in jail.

A$AP testified that he and his crew were acting in self-defense, and that they tried to defuse the situation with the alleged victim before things got violent.

The Swedish prosecutor recommended a 6-month jail sentence -- a decision is expected to be made on his fate on August 14, when he has to come back to Sweden.

Katy Perry just took an L in court ... a jury ruled her song "Dark Horse" stole heavily from a gospel song that came out 5 years earlier.

Monday's verdict is the latest step in a lengthy legal battle that started back in July 2014, when Katy was sued by the Christian rapper, Flame -- he claimed her 2013 hit song "Dark Horse" is a complete rip-off of his Grammy-nominated gospel song, "Joyful Noise."

Flame's music label uploaded the music video to YouTube way back in 2008, and it's since racked up millions of views. He says Katy jacked the underlying beat ... but she called BS, claiming there are NO meaningful similarities.

According to the suit ... Flame claims Perry also destroyed his reputation in Christian music circles because he's now associated with the anti-Christian witchcraft and imagery that's present in her "Dark Horse" music vid.

The case will now proceed to the damages phase -- AKA, when Katy finds out how much the loss will cost her.

As we reported ... Katy showed up to court last week wearing a mint-colored suit and took the stand, claiming she never heard the song "Joyful Noise" before the filing of the lawsuit.

John Lynch asked everyone in attendance at the San Francisco 49ers' practice Monday to participate in a 30-second moment of silence to honor victims of the shooting in Gilroy over the weekend.

Three people were killed and 12 others were injured when a man opened fire at the Gilroy Garlic Festival in Northern California late Sunday afternoon.

Lynch -- who's the Niners' general manager -- wanted to honor everyone affected by the tragedy ... so he called for 30 seconds of prayer before SF's training camp workout.

"Our community was affected by a horrific tragedy last night down in Gilroy," Lynch said ... "and our players, our team, our organization thought it would be appropriate to start practice with a moment of silence."

Lynch added, "Let's give it 30 seconds to think about the people affected by Gilroy in this community."

As we previously reported ... people began running from the Gilroy festival -- which is just 40 miles from the Niners' stadium -- after gun shots rang out during one of the concerts.

An eye witness, Tommy Huxley, tells TMZ the whole thing was scary as hell ... saying chaos and firework-like sounds filled the festival grounds for minutes.

Law enforcement says the shooter used an AK-47-style rifle ... while witnesses claim he was wearing fatigues and shooting at random.

The father of the 6-year-old who was shot and killed in the gunfire was wearing seen wearing a Jimmy Garoppolo jersey at the hospital shortly after the tragedy.

Katy Perry just arrived to an L.A. Federal Courthouse where a trial is set to take place involving her song "Dark Horse."

Perry -- wearing a mint-colored suit -- is expected to testify in the trial today in what has been a lengthy legal battle.

As we reported ... Katy was sued by Christian rapper Flame back in July 2014 after claiming Katy's 2013 hit track "Dark Horse" is a total rip-off of his Grammy-nominated gospel track "Joyful Noise." Flame's music label uploaded the music video in 2008 to YouTube and it has nearly 4 million views.

According to the suit ... Flame says Perry not only jacked their religious music ... she also destroyed his reputation in the Christian music world because they're now associated with the anti-Christian witchcraft and imagery that appears in the "Dark Horse" music video.

Flame claims Katy jacked the underlying beat ... but she's calling BS, saying there are no significant similarities.

'Bachelorette' reject Luke P. feels used by the show and Hannah B., because we're told viewers did NOT hear a conversation that ultimately sent Luke reeling ... which led to him calling her out and allegedly slut shaming her.

Luke was dumbfounded after Hannah B. told him she had sex with another guy in the Fantasy Suite. He squarely showed disapproval, implying she wasn't the right kind of woman for him.

Folks in Luke's world tell TMZ ... he was reacting to a conversation he had with Hannah B. at a bible study during the Hometown episode, where she suggested to him she wasn't open to having sex in the fantasy suites. We're told her comment was on Luke's mind when she blurted out she indeed had sex, and that's why he reacted the way he did on camera.

We're told Luke is upset producers did not air the full bible study convo, which would have put his comments on Monday night's show in context. He comes off as a heel.

Our Luke sources say he's had hell to pay in the last 16 hours ... he and his family are getting skewered on social media and his Christian faith is being weaponized against him.

Luke, meanwhile, has already filmed the 'Tell-All' episode, and we're told it didn't go well ... with Hannah and the other guys ganging up on him. That said, our sources say he's been met with love and support from his local community ... and he's moving on.

Beth Chapman's upcoming memorial service -- where thousands are expected -- is being run like a major Hollywood production, which is why showbiz vet Kim Fields is running point ... TMZ has learned.

Kim is coordinating security and overseeing production details, right down to the flower arrangement, as director of visual and social media at Beth's church ... according to sources close to Beth's family. How the 'Facts of Life' and 'Real Housewives of Atlanta' star ended up in charge is pretty serendipitous. 

Kim relocated to Aurora, CO earlier this year and joined Beth's place of worship ... Heritage Christian Center. We're told Kim's pastor in Georgia asked her to help him with his new Colorado church and she happily obliged.

While Beth and Kim never met in person, we're told Kim took on this massive project because she felt like God was calling her to help people in mourning. 

Kim's many decades on Hollywood productions, and her obvious celeb experience, made her a natural fit to help Dog Chapman and his family pull off the high profile event. As we first reported, the family has been working with local police to make sure the venue is extremely safe and secure, in anticipation of a massive crowd. 

Some of the security protocols are interesting ... we're told all weapons will be banned at the service even though Colorado is an open carry state. All bags will be searched, and we're told the heightened security is partly related to the community still being sensitive to Aurora's 2012 movie theater shooting, and of course the nearby Columbine massacre.

Beth's Colorado service is her final sendoff ... following the heartwarming ceremony in Hawaii.  

The service Kim's planning is part of Beth's final wishes, and we're told the church will be heavily decorated with hundreds of stargazer lilies -- Beth's favorite flower.

Gavin Rossdale had a rude awakening that quickly turned from creepy to downright scary in a matter of hours.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... a Caucasian woman believed to be in her 40s showed up to Gavin's L.A.-area crib late last week just after midnight, rang the doorbell and started talking gibberish about the Illuminati.

Our sources say Gavin was home at the time but didn't say anything to the woman, who apparently thought nobody was home and left. But, later that afternoon ... she came back and spotted the Bush frontman in his car about to pull out of his driveway, so she pulled up right next to him.

We're told Gavin came face-to-face with her ... thinking the woman was a delivery person -- but when she tried talking to him he immediately recognized her as the Illuminati woman.

Our sources say Gavin bolted, leaving the woman in his driveway, and immediately called cops. LAPD is now investigating.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's son just hit a new milestone in Royal life ... becoming a Christian under the Church of England ... even though nobody really got to see it happen.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex held a closed-door christening Saturday morning for baby Archie in the Private Chapel at Windsor Castle, where only about 25 people were reportedly in attendance for the intimate ceremony. They snapped this pic afterward.

It's the whole family here pretty much -- sans Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip -- with Meghan and Harry front and center, and Archie on mommy's lap.

Check out the mug on the baby BTW -- it's the first time we're seeing the kid's face in full view since he was born, and lo and behold ... the 2-month-old is absolutely adorable.

As for other details, the Royals have been pretty tight-lipped -- only saying in their announcement, "The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are so happy to share the joy of this day with members of the public who have been incredibly supportive since the birth of their son. They thank you for your kindness in welcoming their first born and celebrating this special moment."

A rep added, "Their Royal Highnesses feel fortunate to have enjoyed this day with family and the godparents of Archie." No word on ID of godfather -- keepin' it in the family, it seems.

And, if you were wondering about the christening wear of the child, the Royals explained that too, saying it's actually a replica of a traditional gown that's been worn by royal infants for 11 years. Of course, the Royals are all about tradition ... in religion and otherwise.

One last fun fact -- the guy who handled Archie's christening -- Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby -- is the same dude who baptized Meg before she got hitched with Harry. She was already raised Christian, but it never hurts to make things official.

NBA star Andre Iguodala believes ex-Golden State Warriors head coach Mark Jackson has been blackballed from coaching in the NBA ... and it's all over his religious views.

Andre has been playing for the Warriors since 2013 -- and spent one year under coach Jackson -- who's been often credited with building the Warriors into the dynasty they are today.

But, ever since Jackson was fired, he hasn't been hired as a coach by any other NBA team -- and when Andre went on "The Breakfast Club," he explained his theory to Charlamagne tha God.

"One particular issue was -- from what I heard -- was his views on gender, or marriage, or what the bible said on your sexuality."

FYI, Jackson is a very religious Christian minister -- who would often livestream his church services to his congregation from the Warriors team facility.

Jackson also came under fire back in 2013 for comments he made when NBA player Jason Collins came out as gay.

"As a Christian man, I have beliefs of what’s right and what’s wrong," Jackson said at the time ... "That being said, I know Jason Collins, I know his family, and am certainly praying for them at this time."

Iguodala suggested Jackson's views were not received well by Warriors exec Rick Welts -- who's openly gay -- and the relationship between Mark and the team deteriorated from there.

"There was conflicts with that that were widespread," Andre said.

Jackson was fired in 2014 -- and Iguodala believes other powerful NBA execs have essentially conspired to keep Mark out of the league ever since.

Lil Durk -- the rapper accused of attempted murder -- wants to stay on the straight and narrow path after bonding out of jail ... and his childhood pastor's taking up the cause.

We've learned Durk's going back to his roots by placing himself back under the wings of his pastor who presided over the church he attended as a kid in Chicago. The pastor -- who's like a second father to Durk -- he flew from Chicago to Atlanta to vouch for the rapper at a recent hearing -- plans to use his ATL connections to get Durk involved in the community.

Durk apparently plans to spend time at shelters and soup kitchens. We're told he wants to get his hands dirty ... just like he used to in Chicago with the guidance of his pastor. He'd mentor kids there but, for obvious reasons, Durk's work in Chi-Town's been put on hold given the serious charges.

As we reported ... Durk posted $250k bond Friday after a judge agreed he's not a flight risk. Dude was so ecstatic getting outta jail ... he literally skipped all the way to his waiting SUV. Durk will have a curfew and have to wear an ankle monitor.

He turned himself in nearly a month ago after an arrest warrant was issued in connection to a February shooting outside a restaurant called The Varsity. A detective said in court, cops have surveillance video showing Durk firing a weapon from a car. The victim, shot in the thigh, survived.

Paris' archbishop ditched his holy headgear for something a little more practical during the first mass in the Notre Dame Cathedral since the fire ... opting for a helmet instead.

Archbishop Michel Aupetit and a number of his fellow clergymen held their first church service Saturday in a chapel behind the choir, which was deemed safe by construction experts who'd been consulted on the ceremony ... according to AP.

Auteptit wasn't the only one protecting his noggin from any potential lingering debris from the ravaged roof -- which was set ablaze in April. A bunch of other priests on hand, as well as about 30 others who were present, all appeared to be wearing hard-hat helmets.

Hey ... better safe than sorry, right? Authorities have said the place is still very much so in the rebuilding phase -- and will be for the next 3 years -- and it's likely somewhat hazardous after the inferno destroyed much of the roof as well as the structure's spire.

You don't wanna leave anything to chance ... or faith, for that matter. Treating it like a construction site's a good idea if you're going in there. And go in they certainly did.

According to reports, Saturday's mass marked the anniversary of the consecration of the cathedral's altar, which is apparently celebrated each year in June. Fire or not ... these guys clearly take the affair seriously enough to risk injury or worse.

What's also interesting ... if the priests were able to get in this early and hold mass, ya gotta wonder if they'll reopen their doors early to the masses as well.

Al Sharpton's looking up at the scoreboard and it currently reads Robert F. Smith 1, President Trump 0 ... at least when it comes to taking care of America's crushing student debt.

We got the reverend out Monday morning at Reagan National Airport in D.C. and got his take on the billionaire investor's shocking commencement speech at Morehouse College. If ya missed it, Smith told the 2019 class he was paying off ALL of their student loans.

Not surprisingly ... the crowd went nuts and serenaded the richest African-American person in the U.S. (net worth around $5 billion) with "MVP!" chants. If you're doing the math ... school officials believe Smith will drop around $40 mil to cover 396 students.

Al, who in 2012 was honored by Morehouse and spoke to its graduating class, says the gift is nothing short of transformative. The reverend says that single gesture does WAY more than anything Trump's Department of Education has done since he's been in office.

Chicago Cubs star Ben Zobrist and his Christian pop singer wife are headin' for Splitsville ... 'cause Julianna Zobrist has filed for divorce ... TMZ Sports has confirmed.

There's been speculation about their relationship after Zobrist left the team last week due to "personal reasons" ... and Julianna deleted her Twitter and scrubbed her IG of most of their pics together.

Court records in Illinois show the singer filed the docs on Monday ... confirming the split is in the works.

Ben was the World Series MVP when the Cubs won in 2016. He's also a 3-time All-Star.

Julianna is a pretty successful singer -- 1 single from her 2016 album, "Shatterproof," hit the Billboard charts.

She also famously performed "God Bless America" at Wrigley Field before Game 4 of the 2016 World Series (the Cubs ended up losing that game).

Zobrist and Julianna have been married since 2005 and 3 kids together -- a son and 2 daughters.

Kanye West is remembering his late mom, Donda West, with a very special Sunday Service ... and the tribute was truly touching on Mother's Day, from start to end.

Ye was live streaming his weekly spiritual event Sunday, which was being filmed in the same fisheye lens he used during his big set at Coachella a few weeks back. It began with the rapper making his way to the stage with Tupac's "Dear Mama" track as walk-up music.

Fitting ... seeing how he followed with his own shout-out to his mom in "Hey Mama." Kanye rapped the song all the way through, keeping his eyes closed through most of it.

Donda was a crucial part of Kanye's life until she passed away in 2007 due to complications from a surgery she'd undergone at the time. It left Kanye an emotional wreck for years to come -- and her death even served as a catalyst for his mental breakdown in 2016.

Of course, Kanye and Kim have had multiple children of their own in the years since ... and just welcomed their fourth kid -- a boy -- last week via surrogate.

Joyner Lucas is ripping the Catholic church for coming out against his controversial music video shot inside a place of worship ... he says they knew what they were getting into, and they profited.

We got the rapper coming out of the Montage Hotel in Bev Hills and asked if he was going to apologize for swearing and chugging booze inside St. Peter's Catholic Church in Worcester, Mass.

Joyner says HELL NO ... he doesn't regret anything because everyone was on the same page from the jump, and the church willingly took his money knowing full well what was about to go down.

Cursing and drinking aren't the only things the church is condemning now ... Joyner's music video also places pictures of President Trump and conservative commentators Laura Ingraham and Tomi Lahren above caskets, while he asks God why Nipsey Hussle, Michael Jackson, Selena, Tupac, Notorious B.I.G. and so many others died young.

The Catholic League had a big problem with that imagery, and they're even bashing Rihanna for sharing the vid ... but Joyner tells us he's not calling for anyone's death and takes issue with his First Amendment rights being trampled when Trump and others spew controversial takes themselves.