A lot of people don't like the thought of Christian singer Kirk Franklin associating himself with controversial rapper Kanye West, who has become notorious for comparing himself to God and using a lot of profanity in a supposedly gospel album. However, Franklin hopes that people will be more understanding of their friendship.
On his Instagram account (@kirkfranklin), he shared a black and white photo of him and West and wrote: "Kanye is not me. I am not him. He is my brother I am proud to do life with. No sprints, but Marathons; like most of us are on."
The controversy all started when the two singers were seen in a picture together. "He said he lost his religion, now he's working with 'yeesus,'" an Instagram user commented, alluding to Franklin's new album "Losing My Religion" and West's "Yeezus."
Another questioned: "Why is Kirk in a picture with Kanye? I really hope and pray he is not collaborating with that blasphemous fool!"
But according to Franklin, people should not build a wall between them thinking that West is "not good enough" to be around him.
"That is a dangerous message I believe we send to the world when our posture is they have to meet certain requirements before they are worthy to kiss the ring. It says people are not redeemable, forgivable or candidates for grace ... I will not turn my back on my brother. I will love him, prayerfully grow with him. However long he'll have me, and however long the race takes," he said. "To a lot of my Christian family, I'm sorry he's not good enough, Christian enough, or running at your pace...and as I read some of your comments, neither am I. That won't stop me from running. Pray we win."
