T. I. Speaks Out Against Church Exploitation

T. I. recently shared his thoughts on the church and its practices during an appearance on gospel singer Kirk Franklin's show. Joined by other musicians, T. I. revealed that he has never felt a strong connection to the church, despite growing up in a religious family.

Church as a Business?

T. I. believes that the church can sometimes prioritize business over faith. He criticized pastors who manipulate the word of God for personal gain rather than serving the community. He recalled an incident where a pastor pressured the congregation to give more money, which he found disrespectful.

Faith Without a Middleman

T. I. also mentioned that Jesus himself was angry when he saw religious leaders misusing their power. He believes that true faith doesn’t require a middleman, such as a pastor or a church. Instead, he connects with the spirit of the word directly.

Kirk Franklin's Response

Kirk Franklin agreed that such practices are unfortunate. T. I. clarified that he respects those who genuinely follow their faith but also thinks many exploit it for personal gain. Fans had mixed reactions, with some agreeing and others disagreeing.

Family's Past Experiences

This isn’t the first time T. I.'s family has had a negative experience with the church. His son, Domani, revealed that their family stopped attending regularly after a pastor tried to use T. I.'s celebrity status to collect more money. Despite this, Domani still values the institution of the church.