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'The View' host Sherri Shepherd covers the latest issue of Precious Times magazine.In an eight-page feature story in the Christian women's lifestyle publication, the 41-year-old comedienne shares candid revelations about her faith, including her conversion from being a Jehovah's Witness to Christianity.
"Before I converted to Christianity, I was a Jehovah's Witness. In 1993, my mother was dying from diabetic complications. My sister was heavy into drugs, and we would have to go and get her from crack houses. I was in a very physically abusive relationship. I was sleeping with a lot of guys and had more abortions than I would like to count. I had very low self-esteem and just wanted to die. I felt if someone killed me, it wouldn't even make a difference. But God showed me that it would make a difference," she told the glossy.
The Chicago-native, who is currently embroiled in a divorce and custody battle with her husband Jeffrey Tarpley, also confessed that it is hard being taken to task about her faith on the live ABC talk show.
"Oh sometimes I say, 'Lord, Juanita Bynum or Joyce Myers would be so good at this table. They could lay hands on Barbara Walters and get her saved,'" she declared. "I ask the Lord, 'Why am I here?' I have to trust God when He says, 'Because I said so.'"
The former 'Less Than Perfect' star, fresh off a hosting stint at the 'Daytime Emmy Awards,' has lost more than 30 pounds after being diagnosed as a diabetic.
In addition to hosting 'The View,' Shepherd will voice two characters in 'Madagascar's' sequel, 'Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa.' She also appears in Lee Daniels' forthcoming film, 'Precious,' which stars Mo'Nique, Lenny Kravitz and Paula Patton.
For more information on Precious Times, visit www.PreciousTimesMag.com.
Comments: (938)
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By: Kyle on 7/18/2008 6:29PM
I just wanted to take this opportunity to dispel some of the statements about JWs being a form of Christianity. To say such a thing is to display an ignorance of both Christianity and Jehovah's Witnesses. Christianity believes that Christ was God in the flesh (John 1:14) while JWs believe that He was merely the angel Michael on earth. When Sherri says that she was converted, she most certainly was. I pray that those of you that hold a view similar to the one I am dispelling would look into the differences for I promise you that they are vast. Ask most any Christian theologian if they are different they will agree. Ask most any Jehovah's Witness and they will also agree. But please don't show your lack of theological knowledge by claiming that they are the same.
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By: Rahmi on 7/18/2008 4:31PM
When Sherri says that she converted to christianity I understand fully what she is saying. Jehovah' Witness religion prevents you from living the way God wants us to live. There are a lot of rules that they have that is not Bibical. I know because I have a relative that is involved in that religion.
In reference to Sherri and her acheivements, I congratulate you for coming out of the Jehovah's Witness religion and for your accomplishments of coming out of an abusive relationship and moving on. I too was in a very abusive relationship and because of women like Oprah, Tina and Yolanda sharing their stories of how they were abused and how they overcame, I too is striving to overcome. I should have been dead or crazy but thanks be to God, I recently graduated with a Bachelors degree in Business Administration with a major in Accounting. When we share we encourage others. Thanks Sherri for sharing.
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By: Sara on 7/18/2008 4:37PM
Can someone please explain to me the difference between "Christianity" and "Jehovah's Witnesses"??? Jehovah's Witnesses are Christians.
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By: sperry on 7/18/2008 4:43PM
TO: KIMBA***** More abortions than she can count? That's abortions rights for ya. If you dont want it, just suck it out through a straw and into a jar. Nice, Sherry. Thanks for sharing.@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ Christians are forgiven. It isn't your call anyway. who are you to judge!
Accept the person for who they are. God doesn't make trash...don't you know???
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By: Maya on 7/18/2008 5:17PM
The few times I've watched The View I've always wondered why Sherri had that fixed, uncomfortable looking grin on her face. You can just see it's not real. Now I understand. She looks like she is still experiencing some sort of emotional pain but trying to prove she is happy. I hope she continues on her journey to healing her spirit...and learn to just smile from within.
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By: Pierre Stovall on 7/18/2008 4:50PM
Sherri, God Bless you for your honesty. JW,s are not Christian. They use Christian terms but they do not believe in primary Christian teachings such as the divinty of Jesus Christ.
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By: ann on 7/18/2008 5:00PM
Your not a Jehovah's Whitness I know many JW's and I know that they are cristians and the belive in Jesus Chris but one think diffrent is that they practic what they preach. For Sherri to mention much of her buiness is not putting a bad name on Jehovah's Whitness its putting a bad name for herself.For someone that can not keep count on how many abortions they have had is very sickening to hear from someone that is looked up to and respected.Now that everyone knows her whole life story will have no respect for her, everyone has hard times in there life but she has very casual feelings about the things she has done in the pass. She is a very beautiful women but what every dignity she had she has lost.
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By: Randi Racenstein on 7/18/2008 5:11PM
Why do you say Barbara Walters needs saving? Saving from what? I think you are very judgemental and Christianity is does not preach being judgemental. God doesn't judge. Take care of your own issues. Barbara does NOT need saving.
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By: Biff on 7/18/2008 5:22PM
God is against Abortion, & I remember watching the view a couple months back when you were asked what kind of man are you looking for, & your answer was I don't Care as long as He is Rich. So its plain to see what matters to you, Sherry.
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By: Cynttihia Johnson on 7/21/2008 10:59AM
Sherri,
thank you so much for sharing your testimoney. I had a baby at 14, lived in foster homes, sexually abused. dropped out of highschool. I went back to school and finished with a GED, got a BS and years later just finished my MBA. All that but I still feel numb. I am struggling with addictions in my family, both of my sons are either in jail and or addicted to drugs. My family does not have much to do with me. I feel as though we are from a different country. We are not the same. What happened?
I had many abortions, did much drugs slept around with many men. I felt as though I had no value. It is the grace of God that tells me I do have value and HE is with me. Sister, your opening up willhelp soooo many women whoare quietly dealing with guilt and shame.
thank you
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