“We're Not Judging People on Lifestyle Stuff Anymore”: Jelly Roll Opens Up About His Relationship with Christianity

During a new podcast appearance, Jelly Roll has delved into his views on modern Christianity, with the ‘Son of a Sinner’ hitmaker reflecting on the way in which many Christians today are focussing on generosity and kindness, rather than casting judgment.

Certain wings of Christianity has received backlash over the years for being too ruthless and alienating in the way they treat those with certain lifestyles. For instance, Jelly has spoken about how, despite often utilising his platform at awards ceremonies and live shows to speak about his faith, he has been criticised by some members of Christianity, due to his tattoos, his cussing and his old music.

When the ‘Need a Favor’ singer-songwriter collaborated with Contemporary Christian Music chart-topper, Brandon Lake, on ‘Hard Fought Hallelujah’, although it ultimately proved a colossal hit, Lake has outlined in the past how he had to wade through flak from some of his Christian listeners for choosing to work with Jelly.

Thankfully, as Jelly explains in this new interview, it seems an attitude of love, forgiveness, kindness and empathy is now prevailing, which feels especially pertinent as reports continue to emerge that Gen-Z are “the most religious generation alive”.

“I love where contemporary Christianity is heading right now”, the Nashville native muses, “I think it's back in love and empathy. I think Christians are like - and I am a Christian - but I think popular Christianity is back in the world again. Like, it's not being preachy on corners and through megaphones. It's through acts of service, through acts of kindness. Like, Christians are back showing up for people”.

Jelly expands, “You know the Christian community makes up 70% of the world's giving, or 80% of the world's giving. It feels like we're talking about Jesus in a really cool way again. We're not judging people on lifestyle stuff with Jesus anymore”.

It's worth flagging that, while we're not sure where Jelly got this specific statistic about Christian giving, it has been shown in numerous studies that the vast majority of Christians in the US and the UK, for example, donate regularly to charitable causes.

Jelly powerfully concludes, “We're like...let them find Jesus. Like, even down on my cussing, like, if Jesus really wants me to quit cussing, y'all...I'm back on my Bible right now. I'm reading again, it's on my bus. You know what I mean? Like, He'll come to me. If He tugs on my heart to do something else, I tell you what, you couldn't have told me three or four years ago, this is how I would be talking on a podcast”.

We're glad to see that Jelly is feeling more welcomed by the Christian community, and that he is seeing a trend towards empathy and understanding, as opposed to judgement and chastisement. Jelly's music over the past few years has had a strong undercurrent of faith, and he's even been hinting in recent interviews that he is considering a concept album, potentially revolving around spirituality...

Watch the full clip below:

For more on Jelly Roll, see below: