Nigerian singer Seyi Shay recently explained her decision to stop attending her former church, citing a disagreement over the type of gospel music being sung.
According to Seyi Shay, a church leader suggested that the congregation should only sing traditional Christian songs and hymns rooted in scripture, rather than newer, more contemporary songs.
Seyi Shay expressed her confusion and discomfort with the idea of singing songs that were created by individuals who were connected to the history of slavery, and passed down through generations.
She urged Christians to educate themselves about the origins of old-school Christian songs and hymns before singing them, emphasizing the importance of not being ignorant in matters of faith.
On her Instagram story, she wrote, “One leader like dat at my former church said something like, ‘we need to stop singing all these new age gospel songs in praise and worship and go back to singing hymns and only songs that are direct scripture…’
“Guess what, I stopped going to that church. Periodt. Because I don’t know how or why you would feel blessed and happy by singing some of the songs that slave owners wrote and forced them to sing and pass down through generations while bearing and torturing your ancestors. Makes no sense. Do your research! Ignorance is not Godly!”
