Like, sing hallelujah. Like, seriously.

The Sydney Morning Herald published an interesting article on the celebrity faithful, which looks at the current sexed-up piety coursing through Hollywood. Whether it’s Christianity (Jessica Simpson and Britney Spears (!)), Scientology (Tom Cruise and some heavy psychology conspiracy theories) or Kabbalah leanings (Madonna makes red wristbands trendy while annoying Orthodox Jews), celebs are loud and proud about their born-againism (not a real word).

Even Christina Aguilera, known for her raunchy dance videos and explicit lyrics, was shown in a recent 60 Minutes interview praying before a concert (although, as reporter Tara Brown notes, this is a typically American practice).

Even the Middle East’s celebrities are joining the bandwagon of righteousness; I wrote about the rise in trendy piety in a review of Muhajababes several months ago.

Far be it for me to care whether or not a celebrity subscribes to any religion but I do find it a tad disturbing that religion is being used as a marketing tool. And while it’s not particularly new (it’s just more prevalent and glossy nowadays), there’s a veneer of hypocrisy to all of it.

Is it something in the Tinseltown water?