‘He’s manipulating its power’: why did Russell Brand convert to Christianity?

The Guardian · Chris Osuh · 2026-11-06 15:00 UTC

Sincere or self-serving, the disgraced comedian’s case shows how the church became a culture war frontier

The women whom Russell Brand raped and sexually assaulted have for weeks endured the ordeal of a heavily publicised trial. Throughout, Brand held online prayer meetings with followers. Does he feel Christian sympathy for those women?

Only Brand, in the deepest recesses of his conscience, can know.

The answer would be the best indicator of whether the disgraced comic, actor and born-again Christian has worn his newfound faith as a cloak in an effort to deflect and distract from the seriousness of the allegations against him. Or whether his conversion is a profound and sincere one – a spiritual crutch he may need in the coming years.

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