American rapper T.I says church is a business, insists he’s still a Christian

American rapper Clifford Joseph Harris Jr., popularly known as T.I, has opened up on why he does not attend church despite identifying as a Christian. The Atlanta-based rapper made the comments during a recent conversation with gospel singer Kirk Franklin, where he spoke frankly about faith, religion, and the modern church. According to T.I, he was raised in a deeply Christian home and has no doubts about Gods existence or presence in his life. However, he says the church itself has never felt genuine to him. I grew up in a strong Christian household. My grandma and auntie were very strong in prayer. I know how to pray, I know the word, and I know God is real, he said. But Ive never felt a connection with the church. The rapper went further to describe the church as a business, accusing some Christian clergy of manipulating scripture for personal gain. To be honest, I dont think the church is real. I think its a business. Its like a show. Public speaking. Like a TED Talk. And sometimes the clergies twist the word of God to benefit them, T.I stated. He also questioned the idea of tithing and financial obligations as a requirement for divine blessings. Yall telling me I gotta pay somebody before my God can hear my prayer? Mehn, Im out, he said. T.I added that he does not believe in having a middleman between himself and God, insisting his relationship with God is personal and direct, without the need for clergy intervention.  The post American rapper T.I says church is a business, insists hes still a Christian appeared first on Linda Ikeji Blog.