Katy Perry's Pastor Father Blasted for 'Anti-Semitic' Remarks in Sermon
Pop star Katy Perry's father, Pastor Keith Hudson, is being called anti-Semitic for statements he made during a recent sermon at the Church on the Rise in Westlake, Ohio.
"You know how to make the Jew jealous? Have some money, honey," Hudson said in his sermon last week, according to British tabloid The Sun.
"You go to LA and they own all the Rolex and diamond places. Walk down a part of LA where we live and it is so rich it smells. You ever smell rich? They are all Jews, hallelujah. Amen," Hudson added.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
The Christian Post called Church on the Rise in Westlake for information on Hudson's sermon. According to a church representative, a transcript of the sermon was only available for purchase.
Although no publications appeared to have the full context of Hudson's sermon, many media outlets have been calling his remarks "anti-Semitic."
Other outlets, such as Jewish newspaper The Algemeiner, have acknowledged that it is difficult to ascertain Hudson's intent in making those remarks at Church on the Rise. "[...] sometimes it’s hard to know what the person was thinking, or what the purpose was of the remarks themselves," the publication said in its report.
The Daily Mail reports that the evangelical Chirstian preacher's comments regarding Jews were meant to be a "joke," but were sure to attract public criticism.
Tabloid newspaper The Sun also unsurprisingly criticized Hudson’s sermon as hypocritical because right after commenting on the wealth of Jews, Hudson proceeded to collect offering -- a common occurrence during services at Christian churches.
"We live by the Gospel, not off anyone else, even though you may say 'You are the parents of Katy Perry, you must be rich.' No, she is, I am not, hallelujah," The Sun reported Hudson as saying.
CP contacted a representative for Keith Hudson Ministries and was told that the preaching couple usually does not give statements to the media.
The Hudson's have also been accused of cashing in on their daughter's celebrity fame to promote their own careers as pastors.
Both Mary and Keith Hudson have promoted themselves as parents of popstar Katy Perry in ad campaigns, publically referring to themselves as "Katy’s Parents."
Pastor Hudson's alleged "anti-Semitic" comments are another addition to the woes suffered by pop starlet Katy Perry, who recently confirmed her divorce from husband Russell Brand after 14 months of marriage.
Perry's evangelical parents have expressed disappointment over the divorce, but said recently the split can be used by God for a greater purpose.
Mary Hudson also attributed Katy Perry's media popularity to the will of God.
"I'm sure that Katy's trending on the Internet was to get you here to church tonight," Mary Hudson reportedly told congregants during a Jan. 4 service.
"I mean all over the world, who knows how God is bringing them in? The most important thing is you are here and God wants to put the fire in you in 2012," Hudson added.
Perry, 27, used her Twitter account to shoot back at those apparently speaking on her behalf about her divorce from Brand. The pop singer updated her Twitter feed Saturday to read: "Concerning the gossip, I want to be clear that NO ONE speaks for me. Not a blog, magazine, 'close sources' or my family."
Brand, 36 revealed he was divorcing Perry in a written statement on Dec. 30, saying, "Sadly, Katy and I are ending our marriage. I'll always adore her and I know we'll remain friends."
Although Hudson has yet to publicly comment on his remarks made during his sermon at Church on the Rise, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) issued a statement Monday condemning his remarks.
"Would these words have been made by any other pastor, we most likely would not have heard about it and his remarks would have remained within the confines of a congregation. But because this is the father of a pop celebrity, the anti-Semitic remarks he uttered are taking on a life of their own, both in the echo chamber of the Internet and in the real world," said ADL National Director Abraham H. Foxman.
"Katy Perry is blameless for her parents' behavior, and it is unfortunate that her good name is now attached to her father's words," he added.
