Kirk Franklin, a Grammy-winning gospel artist, has voiced his disapproval regarding the manner in which Western Christianity has manipulated fundamental concepts such as marriage, generosity, and sexuality.

During an appearance on the ‘Funky Friday’ podcast, Franklin articulated his apprehension that these ideas have been misrepresented, resulting in individuals adhering to man-made doctrines instead of following divine guidance.

He pointed out that the improper application of these principles has caused problems, including the marginalization of single individuals within church ministries due to their marital status.

Franklin also highlighted how societal and familial expectations often lead individuals to feel that being single or without children undermines their worth and identity.

In his reflection on cultural norms, Franklin remarked,

“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?’

“It’s like a prerequisite for identity and value. If you don’t have a man or kids, then something about you is broken. Do you understand how dysfunctional these messages are and how we superficialise these messages?

Furthermore, he expressed disapproval of the church’s requirement of marital status as a precondition for ministerial positions, which has led some individuals to hastily enter into marriages in an effort to satisfy perceived religious obligations.

“[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, that they quickly get married thinking that they’re fulfilling God’s will for their lives but they’re fulfilling man’s dogma.

“You can be single and be used by God. You can be single and have 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,” Franklin stated.