Grammy-winning gospel singer Kirk Franklin has raised concerns about how certain aspects of Western Christianity have been distorted and used as control tools. Speaking on the ‘Funky Friday’ podcast, the renowned artist behind hits like “My Life Is In Your Hands” expressed that marriage, giving, and sexuality have been misused within the church, leading many believers to follow human doctrines rather than divine will.
Franklin voiced his frustration over how young people are often barred from serving in churches due to their marital status. He highlighted that societal pressures, particularly within families, contribute to this problematic view of marriage.
“I believe that marriage, giving, and sexuality have been weaponized in Western Christianity,” Franklin stated during the podcast.
He elaborated on how cultural expectations can place undue pressure on individuals, especially women. “Any woman listening to this can attest in our culture: ‘Don’t be no 30, 35 single black woman and go to the family reunion.’ All the older women are going to look at you and be like, ‘Why are you not married?’” Franklin said, pointing out how this mindset implies that being single equates to being incomplete or broken.
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Franklin also addressed how these distorted messages are deeply dysfunctional and far removed from what he believes is the true essence of faith. “[Apostle] Paul said that marriage is a necessary distraction. I have many friends that were in ministries in church, and the churches told them, ‘If you’re going to be in ministry, you can’t be single.’ So what people do is, they quickly get married thinking that they’re fulfilling God’s will for their lives, but they’re fulfilling man’s dogma.”
The gospel icon emphasized that being single does not disqualify anyone from being used by God or having a purpose. “You can be single and be used by God. You can be single and have a purpose. Being married is not a prerequisite for God’s hand in your life. It’s not. But we’ve weaponized it. And they crucify people when those same marriages failed.”
