Can Christians be ‘Swiftie’ fans?
For many people, Taylor Swift’s music has been a staple for years. Her themes of love and heartbreak thrown together with a catchy tune typically grab the listener’s ear, making it easy to stick in the mind. But are all of these tunes innocent? Are they too dark for Christians?
In order to understand the messaging of the music, you have to understand the person behind it.
Taylor Swift has been in the spotlight for years, and as so, that will greatly change how she sees the world and how the world sees her. Recently, Fox Business reported how a small business in Wisconsin made prayer candles featuring Swift and her NFL star boyfriend, Travis Kelce. While prayer candles typically feature Jesus and Mother Mary, these depicted the star-studded duo.
Swift, who has called herself a Christian before in her ‘Miss Americana’ documentary, stands for what most Christians today would not typically consider biblically based values. From her 2019 music video for ‘You Need to Calm Down’ which mocked pro-life and free speech efforts in support of LGBTQ and pro-choice policies to her latest ‘Karma’ video with Ice Spice that featured a scene depicted from hell, the themes in Swift’s music and videos questionably align with what most Christians would see as spiritually beneficial.
It’s easy to idolize someone the entire world seems to approve of.
From winning four awards at the People’s Choice Awards, being on the cover of Time magazine and winning album of the year at the Grammy’s, Swift has easily won over the crowd. Likeable traits and character are hallmarks that people, especially Christians, look for with friends, family and entertainment. If the entire world seems to like someone, why should there be any concern there?
Whether it’s simply liking someone for their fame, talents, looks or other characteristics, the most important element is to not get caught up potentially idolizing someone. Stories of people spending thousands of dollars at a time for a concert aren’t unheard of, and Swift is no exception.
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Remembering that things are not always exactly how they appear on the surface is critical for this. If idolizing a celebrity happens, then aren’t they receiving the type of attention that only God deserves? And if that celebrity is potentially involved in questionable activities, wouldn’t that aspect also take a toll on you as well?
You must use discernment about the entertainment you feed yourself with.
At the end of the day, you have to use discernment with the type of entertainment you put into your heart and soul. Only you can decide if the questionably dark themes and worldly praise for Swift and her music are beneficial for your spiritual growth, or if they more likely will lead your thoughts and beliefs further away from God.
In John 15:2, Jesus says, “Every branch in Me that bears no fruit, He takes away. And every branch that bears fruit, He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.” If you want to be fruitful for the Lord, keep in mind that there are things He will ask you to give up, stop doing, watching or listening to. He will remove people and situations so that you can grow in Him. God corrects those He loves, and He provides wisdom and discernment to help us become more like Him. So, take some time and evaluate what types of things in your life He may be asking you to re-evaluate—even your love for Taylor Swift’s music. {eoa}
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Abby Trivett is a marketing copywriter and coordinator for Charisma Media.
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