Kirk Cameron Praises Taylor Swift, Weighs Her Cultural Influence

Kirk Cameron praised Taylor Swift’s talent and historic songwriting success while urging Christian parents to consider the influence her music has on young fans.

Swift recently became the youngest person chosen for the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. She will be inducted this fall in the contemporary songwriter-artist category.

“Whether you like Taylor Swift or not, her accomplishment is pretty remarkable,” Cameron said during the Aug. 14 episode of “The Kirk Cameron Show.” He described Swift as a gifted songwriter, successful businesswoman and performer who has developed an unusually strong bond with her audience.

That connection, Cameron said, gives her a powerful voice in the lives of young people.

Swift influences millions

“When you’re influencing millions and millions of young people, you’re doing more than just entertaining them,” he said. “You’re actually discipling them. You’re showing them what is good. You’re telling them what’s true. You’re telling them what’s normal and desirable and worth pursuing.”

Cameron expressed concern about themes in some of Swift’s music that conflict with biblical teaching. But he emphasized that his criticism did not apply to every song and should not become an excuse for Christians to attack her.

“I don’t want Christians merely mocking Taylor Swift,” he said. “I certainly don’t want to do that. I want us praying for her.”

His concern about cultural influences on children is not new. In a 2018 Metro Voice interview, Cameron said parents are their children’s “first line of defense and their protectors,” rather than schools or even churches.

Swift, who married Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce in July, described herself as a Christian in the 2020 documentary “Miss Americana.” Her political and social positions differ from Cameron’s beliefs.

Still, Cameron is not out to cancel her. Instead, he sees Swift’s influence as an opportunity for prayer, not condemnation.

“My prayer isn’t that you would become less talented, less successful or less influential,” he said, addressing Swift. “My prayer is that all of those gifts would ultimately be used by you to honor the one who gave them to you.”

–Alan Goforth

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