Critics say Taylor Swift’s new album is disrespectful to God and Christians

Taylor Swift’s new album, “The Tortured Poets Department,” has sparked controversy among faith leaders who have taken to social media to express their disapproval of the lyrical content they believe mocks God and Christians.

Released last Friday, critics have raised concerns over lyrics in the album that seem to portray Christians as “hateful” and “judgmental.” In one song titled “But Daddy I Love Him,” Swift sings about feeling caged by people who claim to love and save you but actually hate you.

The album contains explicit language and several songs with the F-word, prompting Shane Pruitt, a leader in the Southern Baptist Convention, to caution Christian parents about allowing their children to listen to Swift’s music. Pruitt emphasized the difference between secular music and music that is “anti-Christian.”

MovieGuide, a Christian entertainment review company, also criticized the album for its perceived mockery of Christianity. The organization highlighted lyrics in songs like “I Can Fix Him (No Really I Can)” and “Florida!!!” as examples of Swift’s negative portrayal of Christian beliefs.

Despite the backlash from faith leaders, Forbes reported that “The Tortured Poets Department” quickly became the bestselling album of 2024 in the U.S., selling approximately 1.4 million copies in its first full day of availability.

While some have condemned Swift’s album, others like Alex Clark, host of the Turning Point USA podcast, have defended the artist and criticized those who have spoken out against her. The debate over the album’s content continues to divide opinions within the Christian community.