​Conor McGregor is a Christian now. Let’s all breathe a sigh of relief. The mixed-martial artist and former UFC champion joins Russell Brand, Harvey Weinstein, Bill Cosby, R. Kelly, Danny Masterson and others who have looked to rehabilitate their images through religious epiphany after accusations of sexual assault. These suspiciously timed spiritual awakenings always seem to take place during their trials, upon sentencing, after a verdict, or during imprisonment to faith-wash these men as former fallen angels ready for forgiveness and hopeful to get back into the public’s good favor by way of prayer and proselytizing. Religious groups always seems more than willing to welcome in men accused or convicted of sexual assault — especially if they have a huge megaphone they are willing to use.McGregor’s latest reinvention comes after losses in both the courtroom and the ring. Having twice failed to overturn the Irish civil verdict that found him liable for sexually assaulting Nikita Hand and returning to the UFC only to lose in spectacular fashion, he has reached for perhaps the oldest celebrity rehabilitation strategy of all: finding God. With his reputation permanently tethered to the case, he has emerged not with contrition but with scripture. And of course, because he’s the victim here, when asked about the verdict ahead of his UFC return, McGregor insisted he was innocent, declaring that “lying lips are an abomination to the Lord,” and cast himself as a man whose truth would eventually be revealed by some godly fashion. Rather than acknowledging the woman a court believed, McGregor reframed himself as a persecuted believer whose suffering is merely another test of faith.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementImage rehabilitation is never a solo act. Men like McGregor need friends in high places willing to act as accomplices. While Jimmy Fallon transforms a man found liable for sexual assault into just another charming celebrity promoting a comeback fight, Christian outlets rush to publish glowing profiles about McGregor’s newfound devotion, marveling at his church attendance, his prayers, and his recitation of the Nicene Creed while showing remarkably little curiosity about the woman a court believed over him. If you’re famous enough, macho enough, bring in enough eyeballs, and come loaded with corporate sponsorships, there will always be someone willing to help launder your reputation through faith, no matter how newfound or cynical.McGregor’s homophobia is a mere consolation prize, which makes the entire spectacle even more tedious and predictable. This is a man who reaches for antigay slurs anytime he feels backed into a corner. This will never be a problem for the growing chorus eager to celebrate his Christian rebirth. For the better part of a decade, we’ve been told that drag queens, transgender kids, and LGBTQ+ people represent some existential moral threat to the family, the church, and civilization itself while celebrity men engag