Let me state unequivocally that if you have not excitedly rushed the dancefloor, violently wall-slapped [west indians know what I mean], or furiously two-stepped to an R. Kelly song than your ass is either completely tone-deaf to Urban music or your taste in music is worse than Lil Wayne’s dental hygienist. R. Kelly is a BEAST at making songs that make dudes want to do everything from smash 2 groupies simultaneously while pouring champagne on his nipples for one of them to lick it off [See: Cassidy/R. Kelly "Hotel"], all the way to making dudes choke back tears while watching Michael Jordan dunk from the free throw line in slow motion [See: "I Believe I Can Fly"]. This GENIUS can make women go from popping their booty at a nightclub on Saturday [See: "Snake"] all the way to making them want to reflect deeply on past relationships, clutching on to their bible talkin’ bout “yes lawd, let ‘em know!” [See: "When A Woman's Fed Up"]. But as much as I [and most of us] LOVE his music, there is ONE aspect of his life and career that we find confusing as hell – he’s SAVED – well, a special KIND of saved.
I remember when I was a pre-teen back in 1993 and my sister bought a cassette tape home called 12-Play, which I fell in love with mainly because of this:
I was like “DAMN this dude is really getting it in! I’m too young to bump and grind with any girl – but y’all can’t stop me from bumping this when I’m home alone with my Jergens and Jet beauty of the month nigga!” And so began my love affair with what’s so affectionately termed “Baby-Making Music.” But then something WEIRD happened a couple years later – he released his new self-titled album, which had some panty-wetting singles on it, but was patently DIFFERENT because he turned from a 90′s PIMP into an overly-introspective and almost CONSCIOUS singer – hell the first damn song on the album was THIS:
FYI: That is NOT Trey Songz at the 0:16 mark.
This was a curious start to his album, but he basically had come out while promoting this album and told everyone he was saved – and then proceeded to sing inspirational tunes indicating that he has turned over a new rock in his life and was not just into nani-tearing and gang bangs – he was now a grown-ass, spiritual man, and there’s DEFINITELY nothing wrong with that…
…until just under 2 years later I heard this:
Now I’m not one to be preachy – but even as a teenager it struck me as slightly hypocritical that he would be singing hymns with an All-Black church choir one minute, and then tell h0es they about to get a train ran on their tender young asses the next.
"Hold up nigga...them girls look OVER 18"
But I don’t want my tone towards the man to be too accusatory, because HIS type of “saved” is the more realistic and often practiced type of “saved” that most people are unwilling to admit they actively do. Most people ARE interested in being saved and adhering to their religious beliefs – just as much as they are interested in getting good sex, cussing a frowsy bastard out at the drop of a hat, and going into church on Sunday with bags under their eyes because they were out doing the SHELLY BELLY @ 4:53 AM inside their local Greek Banquet Hall on Saturday.
But here’s the point: There are many people who believe that R. Kelly is a FAKE christian, but to anyone who says that I would ask them to define fake [aside from the possibility he was smashing chicks with Blues Clues lunch boxes]. I think he is much more of a REALISTIC christian than most of the “authentic christians” sitting on the pews with their self-righteous noses in the air acting like THEY ain’t NEVER done NOTHING bad when they are full of sin too. And before anyone even THINKS of attacking that point I just made, understand I paraphrased that from Creflo Dollar, so don’t get mad at ME – get mad at one of your own.
Now being an Agnostic theist means I 100% believe in a higher power larger than myself that I most definitely will refer to as God, but I don’t practice following any SPECIFIC religion mainly because of my theoretical differences I have with religion and religious people. This means I can’t [and don't want to] tell any of you how to observe your religious practices, but all I ask is that you at least take a moment to be open and honest with YOURSELF.
This Is Your Conscience
59 Comments, Comment or Ping
lincolnanthonyblades
Ladies & Gentlemen, Keep It REAL On TIYC Today – Are YOU "R. KELLY SAVED"??
Jan 26th, 2012
Miahlove
Great post!
Yes, I'm "saved"!
However for me being "saved" is about a personal and relationship that I have with God…no one else. The only difference between most of us and R.Kelly is that our dirt isn't out in the open.
For me personally I have found that as my spiritual consciousness grows, I naturally lose interest in a lot of things that I was into before…but its been a process (much of which I think has to do with simply growing up).
I don't believe in pushing my beliefs on anyone, but if you ASK me, you best believe I will tell you exactly about the amazing things that God has done in my life.
I think the problem with those "shelly bellying" until 4am Sunday, then singing their solo at church at 10am is that they (for some strange reason) often tend to be some of the most self righteous, boisterous, and judgmental people around lol. We can spot them most easily on FB…posting Illuminati theories (promoting hate) about Jay-Z and Beyonce one moment, then a few bible quotes(promoting love) the next…
I just pray for 'em:)
Jan 26th, 2012
krystllyght
Yo. IMO, almost all Christians are a lil R. Kelly saved. I'm a Christian and I fall short ALLLLLLLL THE TIME!
Jan 26th, 2012
NurseJilly
As much as I would like to say no if I'm being honest then I'd have to say yes I'm a little R Kelly saved. Its a difficult balance for me as I'm sure it is for a lot of young people. I refuse to ever be one of those self-righteous Christian who looks down on others while doing the same dirt behind closed doors. Every persons relationship with God is their own and should be evaluated by no one!!! Especially some hypocrite like Creflo Dollar.
Jan 26th, 2012
NurseJilly
"The only difference between most of us and R.Kelly is that our dirt isn't out in the open."
So true!! Great point.
Jan 26th, 2012
Jason
Based on the comments I am thinking I am safe to surmise that I would also fall into the R. Kelly category, BUT… I don’t preach what I do not practice. I was baptized about 10 years ago and for about 1.5 years I walked the “good walk”, then I started limping. As my limp grew and my prayer started to turn to “I’m gonna do it, please forgive me when I do” I realized that me speaking about my faith probably was doing the opposite of my intent. When most see you profess your Christianity yet you behave anything but they laugh at your belief and refuse to buy in. When they refuse to buy in sometimes they might miss even that tiny bit of change for the better that Christianity or faith might have on them. So… yes, most of us are like R. Kelly in that we are flawed… But R. Kelly is like the doctor who smells like smoke but tells you not to…. He might be right, but your instinct is always to tell him shut the fuck up.
Jan 26th, 2012
Jason
Hypocrite… Yes, our intentions are always to tell them go fuck themselves. However, sometimes we have to pay attention to the message and not the messenger (I know, harder to do then say).
Jan 26th, 2012
Sidney
my friend told me yesterday to check this blog
random question:
if you haven't lived "life" much but wanted to would you go out and live the way you wanted to or would you stick to your guns waiting for opportunities to come to you even if you know that all you have to do is make an effort to get what you want?
Jan 26th, 2012
MistaHarsh
ahhhhh…..actually….I disagree wholeheartedly. There are MANY differences between me and R. Kelly. Let's be CLEAR!
Jan 26th, 2012
MistaHarsh
Maybe I'm missing the point. But the reason why people may not believe in R Kelly being saved is not because of his explicit songs but because of his multiple trysts of extra curricular activities with underaged women. Also That Crefo Dollar statement was made regarding people leaving Byron Long's Church. I'm not Christian but there's nothing Christian(authentic or realistic) about molesting or coercing boys into sex while paying them off with Tithe money.
This type of behaviour is not the true reflection of any religion I'm aware of so how can someone fix their mouths to say they're R kelly saved?
We're all humans and deal with the eternal struggle of good vs evil but what people like Long and Kelly are doing are on a WHHHOOOOLLLEE 'nother level of hedonism.
Jan 26th, 2012
NurseJilly
I hear what your saying. I should have been more clear. What I meant by that is that my sin is not out there for the world to see. Not that I like to pee on young girls…
Jan 26th, 2012
MistaHarsh
Also the main part of being saved repenting and admitting you've done wrong. These two people have PUBLICLY refused to believe they've done anything wrong at all except become too successful in a barrel full of haters.
Jan 26th, 2012
NurseJilly
I hear you Jason. My problem with accepting the message from someone like him is I couldn't trust that he won't alter the message to suit his selfish and self serving ass. I would never be comfortable in a church where I don't trust its leader.
Jan 26th, 2012
NurseJilly
Well said sir.
Jan 26th, 2012
Jason
I can respect that Jilly.
Jan 26th, 2012
The_Mad_HATER
yall are missing the big joke!! if you are r kelly saved you are just admitting you arent saved at all!!
Jan 26th, 2012
The_Mad_HATER
man i dont give a damn what them fools do!
Jan 26th, 2012
The_Mad_HATER
what kinda life you trying to live???
Jan 26th, 2012
The_Mad_HATER
jill what religion are you???
Jan 26th, 2012
The_Mad_HATER
but dont that mean they aint saved at all!!
Jan 26th, 2012
The_Mad_HATER
lol!!!
Jan 26th, 2012
Jason
Baptist. But…. I have outgrown labeling it to be honest. I judge a good man by what he does. I do not oppose organized religion by any means, but I do oppose these different groups damning people to hell over having a sip of coke, wearing earrings, etc… So Yes, Baptist… I will always identify with Baptist and always claim them, however my wife was 7th day Adventist and I use to kick it with them when I was with her. If I'm feeling your message and it inspires me to be just a little better then the day before I could care less if your Catholic, Lutheran, Anglican, Baptist, etc… Denomination and division is not my thing.
Jan 26th, 2012
krystllyght
No. Getting saved involves the renewing/transforming of your mind. That doesn't happen overnight. Salvation is a gift from God even though we have fallen short. It's why He gifted us with forgiveness and repentance.
Jan 26th, 2012
NurseJilly
Christian. Pentecostal if you want to be specific:)
Jan 26th, 2012
Jason
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
It’s not that Baptism or anything will rid you of sin forever…. Sin is going to forever be within your flesh attempting to entice. “Backsliding” does not mean you have fallen from grace and God cancelled he deal on you, lol… We all still have that old nature in us bro, sometimes it gets the best of us.
Malachi 3:7 Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of hosts.
Because if what your saying is free….. Heaven is empty, Feel me?
Jan 26th, 2012
MistaHarsh
lol for real!! this is like one of those loaded questions people ask before they do something really, really bad…
Jan 26th, 2012
MistaHarsh
for straight comedic purposes…
Honey lets cut to the chase. its ok to strip get that money while you still can mama…
Jan 26th, 2012
krystllyght
I may not like being in the same barrel as R Kelly but in actuality I am. I ain't peed on kids or a lot of the other things he's done but I have done my own dirt, I've done some petty theft, gossiped, lied, and plenty of other things. The wages of sin is death though and that's for all sin. The point I'm making is that we all fall short but God forgives. And yet we fall short again. I heard somewhere that Salvation is a journey not a one time event. You're constantly growing. I can't sit around and judge R Kelly's journey.
Jan 26th, 2012
The_Mad_HATER
see i dont get how people can keep doing wrong ish and then talk about they trying to change!! change is hard but theres some things that are just straight up not trying like going to the club every other weekend!!
Jan 26th, 2012
The_Mad_HATER
so if you believe in god but dont want to be trapped by religion why dont you just be agnostic??
Jan 26th, 2012
The_Mad_HATER
so then you are an agnostic right???
Jan 26th, 2012
The_Mad_HATER
but if you know what you are doing is wrong and keep doing it i think its messed up you can just keep asking for forgiveness like a get outta jail free card!!
Jan 26th, 2012
krystllyght
What's wrong with going to the club? What some people do there could definitely be wrong but being there isn't wrong in my opinion.
Jan 26th, 2012
krystllyght
No you're supposed to repent too.
Jan 26th, 2012
MistaHarsh
thank you madame.
Jan 26th, 2012
The_Mad_HATER
because religious people say thats wrong!
Jan 26th, 2012
The_Mad_HATER
exactly!! and as far as preachers say all sin is equal!!
Jan 26th, 2012
The_Mad_HATER
thats all??? is there no investigation behind whether i mean it or not??
Jan 26th, 2012
NurseJilly
I don't feel trapped by religion at all. For me a large part of why I identify with being Christian is not just believing in God its believing in being saved and baptized in the Holy Spirit. I don't know much about agnostics… Sorry! What do agnostics believe?
Jan 26th, 2012
krystllyght
Some people interpret the Scriptures differently. Sometimes they're influenced by the circumstances in their lives. I don't think it's wrong to go to the club. I do think it's wrong to get pissy drunk and act a fool and rub your vag all over every dude there while you're "dancing" but that's just me. I have a friend that thinks if you miss just one Sunday of church, you're a heathen doomed to hell. I don't agree with her. Sooo… if you know the club is a trigger for bad behavior for you, don't go but if you can act right, go have fun imo.
Jan 26th, 2012
The_Mad_HATER
theres different types of agnostics but we mostly dont care about practicing religions!! some believe in a god and leave it at that like the writer! me i just believe that there may or may not be a god and i will find out when i get there!!
Jan 26th, 2012
krystllyght
It's not my job to investigate the meaning behind your actions but God does see your heart, He don't want any fakers. He wants you to truly love Him and to draw yourself closer to Him.
Jan 26th, 2012
The_Mad_HATER
i aint saying that your opinion is wrong what Im saying is that if you dont follow the rules of the religion you shouldnt be in that religion!!
Jan 26th, 2012
The_Mad_HATER
so then people need to stop faking just to be called a christian!
Jan 26th, 2012
krystllyght
I know Christians who believe different things but I'm not wise enough to judge who is right and who isn't. Are you trying to point out the difference between religion and Spirituality?
Jan 26th, 2012
krystllyght
agree
Jan 26th, 2012
NurseJilly
Ummmm…. Ya, thats not gonna work for me
Jan 26th, 2012
Jason
Hater you’re bringing it today… Agnostic, not sure if I fully fit… Yes, I believe in god and no I don’t know a lot about him; but I like to stay away from that word because most don’t subscribe to the dual meaning of the word and only see it as someone who simply does not believe, and that’s not me. I believe… I just oppose the division… Historically when fractions argued in the church they splintered and formed new denominations, damn even the major denominations have sub denominations… all this splintering is over interpretation of scripture which has literally turned brother against brother and I think that’s ludicrous.
Jan 26th, 2012
Paul B.
The problem is that people confuse whether a person is saved or not with wthether they're mature or immature in Christ. Being saved is simply a starting off point, not the ending point. The amount of time a person has been saved is irrelevant if they aren't bearing fruit. That's the pont of being in Christ; to be able to bear fruit and then much fruit. The question becomes how much fruit are we bearing?
Jan 26th, 2012
MistaHarsh
But the difference is you KNOW what you've done was wrong and you've admitted guilt.
The problem with the R. Kellys, the Rev Longs, the Sandunskys and even the Jacksons of the world is that they don't believe they did anything wrong. There's no admission of guilt so how can they repent and be saved?
You my dear are NOT in the same barrel
Jan 26th, 2012
lincolnanthonyblades
Co-Sign The Last Paragraph 100%
Jan 27th, 2012
lincolnanthonyblades
Agreed!
Jan 27th, 2012
lincolnanthonyblades
Co-Sign
Jan 27th, 2012
lincolnanthonyblades
It Sounds Like A Mini-Crusade For People To Be Sticklers To The Rules Of Their Religion If They Want To Exist Under That Religious Belief
Jan 27th, 2012
lincolnanthonyblades
Speaking As An Agnostic, It's Not All That Bad…But I Love That You Wrote "For Me" On The End…
Jan 27th, 2012
lincolnanthonyblades
You Sound Like Me…An Agnostic Theist
Jan 27th, 2012
lincolnanthonyblades
Thanks For Coming & Commenting But More Info Is Needed Sidney…
Jan 27th, 2012
lincolnanthonyblades
Good Question…I Think Consistency Is Key Too..
Jan 27th, 2012
geturfundageup
we all make mistakes
Feb 2nd, 2012
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