American rapper Clifford Joseph Harris Jr., popularly known as T.I., has explained why he no longer attends church despite identifying as a Christian, sparking debate over faith and organized religion.
Speaking in a recent interview with gospel singer Kirk Franklin, the Atlanta-born rapper said while he firmly believes in God, he does not believe in the modern church, which he described as overly commercialized.
T.I., who was raised in a deeply Christian household, noted that his grandmother and aunt played strong roles in shaping his faith through prayer and scripture. According to him, those early experiences solidified his belief in God, even though he never felt a personal connection to church institutions.
“I have never been a church person. I grew up in a strong Christian household. My grandma and auntie were very strong in prayer. So, I know how to pray, and I know the word. And I know God is real, I’ve seen His presence and His hands in my life. But I have never felt the connection with the church,” he said.
The rapper went further to criticize what he sees as the commercialization of worship, likening church services to performances and motivational talks. He accused some clergy of manipulating biblical teachings for personal benefit.
“To be honest, I don’t think the church is real. I think it’s a business. It’s like a show. It’s like public speaking, like a TED talk. And sometimes, clergies try to twist the word of God to benefit themselves,” T.I. stated.
Questioning the emphasis on financial contributions, the rapper also expressed discomfort with the idea of a middleman between himself and God. “Y’all telling me I gotta pay this joker for my God to hear my prayer? Mehn, I’m outta here,” he added.
His comments have since generated widespread discussion online about faith, spirituality, and the role of organized religion in modern society.
