Los Angeles, March 23 (IANS): Rapper Kanye West is reportedly working towards becoming a member of the clergy as he feels it will bring him closer to God.

According to a source, the 34-year-old is completing a course in theology and religion so that he is able to join the clergy, reports dailystar.co.uk.

“In the past year or two, Kanye has become something of a born-again Christian. He used to go to church all the time as a kid but he lapsed badly as he got older,” the source said.

“Now he's a father, he's become more spiritual and a better person. He is even smiling a lot and thinks becoming a reverend will bring him closer to God,” the source added.

West, who has 21-month-old daughter North with wife Kim Kardashian, will certainly not be afraid of addressing the wider issues in his sermons.

Recently, he spoke up about racism, referring to it as a "dated concept" that is used to "separate and alienate" people from one another.

He said: "Racism is a dated concept. It's like a silly concept that people try to touch on to either ... to separate, to alienate, to pinpoint anything. It's stupid.”