Canadian Christian singer Justin Bieber is all for promoting his new life and love for Jesus Christ in his new album called "Purpose." But it would seem the album did not please the authorities in some Middle Eastern countries since they imposed a ban on it.
According to TMZ, some predominantly Muslim countries were upset with the "provocative" album cover, which showed the singer with his head bowed down and a cross tattooed on his chest. They feared the album will only promote Christianity in their countries.
In response, the 21-year-old singer's team is now working on a different album cover just so they can still sell the record in the Middle East.
For the past few months leading up to his new album's release, Bieber has been very vocal about his Christian faith. He has also been seen spending a lot of time with Hillsong New York Pastor Carl Lentz and attending Hillsong church services.
During his Complex magazine interview last September, Bieber said he has changed significantly for the better because of his Christian faith.
"At this point, my faith has gotten me to where I am," he said. "My faith has brought me to a whole other level. I love talking about my faith. I think that with Christians, they've left such a bad taste in people's mouths. Just like, overly pushy with the subject, overly churchy and religious."
Bieber said there are actually some preachers who threaten non-believers with the terrors of hell and try to manipulate their actions. He said that religion has been throwing off people because they make it sound like people "have to" love God, or "have to" go to church.
He said this is not the way Christianity should be. "It should be just like a personal relationship. Like, 'Hey, I love you because you first loved me.' If we can understand that we're all imperfect, let's come to God and come for his help. You're not weak by doing that," he said. "I personally love Jesus and that was my salvation. I want to share what I'm going through and what I'm feeling and I think it shouldn't be ostracised."
