Christian leaders have voiced their displeasure with Taylor Swift's latest album, accusing it of disrespecting Christian values and "mocking" their faith.
Swift's latest album, Tortured poets department has ignited controversy within religious communities, with some asserting that the album negatively depicts Christians.
Shane Pruitt from the Southern Baptist Convention's North American Mission Board specifically cited lyrics from the song But Daddy I love him," in which Swift states: "But daddy I love him / I just learned these people only raise you / To cage you...I just learned these people try and save you 'cause they hate you." This, according to Pruitt, portrays a critical stance towards Christian upbringing and judgemental attitudes.
In another song, 'Guilty As Sin,' the billionaire popstar sings: 'What if I roll the stone away? / They're gonna crucify me anyway / What if the way you hold me is actually what's holy.'
Swift further sings: "God save the most judgemental creeps," which some suggest is pointing towards hypocrisy within the Christian faith.
The album's explicit content has also raised concerns about its appropriateness for young Christian audiences.
Pruitt, reflecting on his listening preferences, pondered, "As Christians, who are filled with the Spirit, should we be entertained by, sing with, and expose our kids to lyrics that aren't just different than what you believe, but are actually mocking what you believe?"
Popular worship leader Sean Feucht posted on X "Almost half the songs on Taylor Swift's new album...make fun Christians and straight up blaspheme God,
"Is this the kind of music you want your kids listening to?"
Additionally, Christian media organisation MovieGuide labelled the album as one that "mocks Christianity," in a review of the album, criticising it for undermining Christian sexual ethics. They stated: “While it's no secret that Taylor Swift is not a Christian, she made her hatred for religion known through her newly released album."
Despite the controversy, other Christians see no problem with Swifts music. One X user wrote "Did people forget that Taylor even said that's she's Christian?" and Another wrote "She's Christian and she's just writing what she knows"
As Swift continues to dominate charts and set streaming records with her album, the backlash from Christian communities underscores a broader conversation about secular pop culture's intersection with religious values.