LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Jennifer Lopez had been the best friend of Leah Remini, a famous actor, and former ardent Scientologist who severed connections with the movement in 2013. Although Lopez has remained friends with Remini throughout the years, she has never been interested in the Church religion. Scientology was established on the principles and practices of the late author L Ron Hubbard.
In an interview with CBS News in 2007, the singer-actress affirmed her religious affiliation and stated that she has no issues with Scientology. Given that JLo has long been a well-known celebrity, she is closely associated with the Church of Scientology. Also, the singer's father, David Lopez, has been a part of the organization for a while.
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Who is Jennifer Lopez's father?
Mother Guadalupe Rodriguez, 77, and father David Lopez, 81, welcomed JLo into the world on July 24, 1969. 'Jenny From The Block' was raised by Guadalupe and David in New York City and had a Puerto Rican childhood. According to Hollywood Life, David has supported his daughter through many of her achievements. Jennifer continues to be quite outspoken about her affection for her father despite the fact that David is much more quiet and out of the spotlight than his wife. In 2016, Jennifer posted a charming Instagram picture of David on his birthday. "Happy Birthday to this amazing man who raised me into the person I am today and who showed me unconditional love truly exists!!!" JLo captioned the post.
Before eventually rising to the position of a computer technician at the company, David had earlier worked for the Guardian Insurance Company. David has consistently been encouraging of his daughter's singing endeavors. He even supported her while her family and she were receiving her Hollywood Walk of Fame star in 2013.
'I was raised Catholic'
In 2007, Jennifer talked to CBS about her father's faith, particularly Scientology. "My dad has been a Scientologist for 20 years. He’s the best man that I know in my life and so, it’s weird to me that people want to paint it in a negative way," she added.
"I'm not a scientologist, I was raised Catholic," Jennifer said at the time. "But it's funny the way people come at it. To me it's so strange. These are some of the best people I've ever met in my life. You know, they're just lovely, genuine people. They way they ask is such a, 'Uh, are you (a scientologist)?' It's such a negative thing and I just don't see it that way."
Why Jennifer Lopez completely shunned Scientology?
Remini claimed that David has spent the majority of his money trying to ascend to his position within the Church, where he is quite high up. Later, this was also used against JLo. Jennifer's father and Remini were used as potential recruits by Church leaders when they determined they wanted her to join the group. In fact, Remini revealed to ET that this is the reason Jennifer was invited to Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes' Italian wedding.
Jennifer ultimately came to the conclusion that Scientology was not suitable for her. She is very passionate about family values in addition to having her own personal religious and spiritual views. An interview with The Daily Beast was conducted with JLo in 2008. Jennifer gave birth to twins when she was asked if she would think about bringing her children up in the faith. "No…I wouldn't have a problem saying [I was a Scientologist] because I know what it is. I have no problems with it and it really actually bothers me that people have such a negative feeling towards it.," answered Lopez. She added, "Yeah. I wouldn’t mind (schooling my children in Scientology). Not at all."
Remini told the Daily Beast that Jennifer, a Catholic by birth, decided against joining the Church of Scientology because she disagreed with the organization's disconnection policy, despite the fact that her father and one of her closest Hollywood friends were once members. Members are said to stop communicating with people who act in a way that is suppressive or hostile to the religion and its adherents at that point.
