T in da VI  on July 2nd, 2009

I may catch heat for this, but I’m beyond seeking approval of the masses… The skin-tight leather pants that one “Mary” wore for this performance spoke decibels louder than the ‘anointed’ lyrics of the song, or even the boom-bap of the track.

When is the line crossed between ministry and vanity? It’s opportunities like this to witness to sinners, en masse, when we need to be mindful of being IN the world, but not OF the world.

As a young, saved woman, I gotta throw this out there in love. Mary Mary been my girls since “Shackles”, but the MESSAGE is more important than the SOUND, and must never be distracted by the IMAGE that we put out there. In my humble opinion, these talented ladies–or at least one, for sure–needs to re-evaluate their priorities…

Wanda  on July 2nd, 2009

I agree with you. As Christians, we should not compromise and I think Tina and Erica did it for the BET Awards. First the attire and then Queen Latifah. This audience should have been mesmerized by the words and message of the song and not their shapes and Queen Latifah. And how can BET air the show and not announce the winner of the Best Gospel Artist? BET is a poor representation of the Black “pride” that we should have. Our people are degrading themselves and one another for a dollar. And we all know happiness can buy a lot of things but it can’t buy peace, happiness, love and definitely not salvation. Come on Mary Mary let’s take it to church, not the clubs!

Shan  on July 4th, 2009

I thought the performance was great!!! As Christian we are often viewed as being 2 holy 2 reach the people that need to be saved, so yes that added Queen Latifah, and if you noticed it sent the message that “Mary Mary” was not targeting a different audience. We are in the world and not of it, but we must be able to connect with people. As for woredrobe…u might be able to sell that point more….but still didnt find the outfits outragious at all….call me secular or influenced…. MARY MARY keep on keeping on!!!

T  on July 5th, 2009

I think she looked fine. She had on some slim pants that fit her well not some overly tight pants that looked ill fitting and her top covered up enough of her assets to keep it looking tasteful for an awards show not hoochie. There message was kept intact.

I’m sorry what was wrogn with havign Queen Latifah?

Who needs the message more those already in church or those in the clubs. Do not forget that Jesus went to preach to the sinners.

ugh  on July 6th, 2009

this is y young ppl feel lik that cant be themselves but still be respectful n love god bc ppl wana preach about her spandex. so because queen latifah isnt a gospel artist she doesnt love god? rt….exactly what turns me off. u dnt know some1 and their relationship with god and judge every1-yes u are “very” christian….

D  on July 7th, 2009

You know what this is not of God at all people! Mary Mary’s performance was not portraying christian-like behavior at all. If I was a death person & I was not able to hear with my ears, I would not even know that Mary Mary were singing Gospel music. I would have thought that they were secular artists.

Yes I understand that we have to connect w/ people I’m fully aware of that BUT, the key word is “CONNECT” not “COMPROMISE”! Many Gospel Artist are just compromising from left to right. Gospel Music is supposed to uplift & encouraged the people of God, & it’s suppose to have a message for sinners to give their lives to Christ.

We are starting to lose sight of that. People are so caught up in the beats, rhythms in Gospel Music and this is nothing but the trick of the Enemy! The Devil’s ministry was music when he was in heaven and even though he was kicked out of heaven, that’s still his ministry. We have got so caught up in trying to express ourselves in Gospel Music that we forget to express God.

Gospel Music is not about us but, it’s about Jesus! Wake-up people…you can’t see what the Devil is doing to the people of God he has deceived us to the point where we think we’re winning souls but we’re not. See the Devil don’t mind us singing songs that get people rocking to it but as long as they don’t give their lives to Christ, as long as they don’t repent, as long as they get their style & swagger in a song, as long as they don’t live right, as long as they don’t go to church, as long as they are being hypocrites, then it’s all good.

God is so soon to come back and the Devil is seeking to devour people and he is taking people out of here everyday. We need to stop playing w/ people souls, we don’t have time to try and express our own style in Gospel Music. People are dying and they crying out for help & instead of helping them we are encouraging them in their bad habits. It’s time for souls to be saved….that’s the main point of Gospel Music…to save souls and to come out from among those and be seperated. Be Blessed!

Willie Dynamite  on July 8th, 2009

So do you have to have a choir and an organist to create real gospel music? Are the melodies backing gospel not allowed to grow with the rest of music? Its still MUSIC!! Are you listening to the lyrics?? The songs tells you that no matter what possesions someone may have and how positive things may be going for them, its nothing but THE GOD IN THEM!! If gospel continues to sound like something from a backwoods baptist church deep in the Mississippi Delta, how do you expect it to connect with the masses? Some of yall are a lil hung up! And while Queen Latifah is not a Gospel artist, she is a classy actress/artist, a great role model, and in my opinion was very qualified to jump on the track.

Yeah their pants are a little tight, but they are two ATTRACTIVE ladies with lots of curves it’d take alot to hide all that!!

Tamika  on July 8th, 2009

Mary Mary’s performance on the BET awards was wonderful! I cannot believe so-called Christians are so focused on the clothing that they were wearing and not the message that they were sending. After, those awards went off do you know that the only thing I remember most vividly about that whole show was their performance. My daughter, who is 11, and I kept singing the chorus over and over. I downloaded the song immediately as my ringtone for my phone and my song profile for my Myspace page. I did not go out and buy any skin tight clothing nor did I think any less about Jesus. As a matter of fact, I left my church 2 years ago because of the lack of inspirational music. I used to sing in the choir, but when the time to change up the music a little bit came and we were stuck in a rut and kept singing these old hymns that also brought in a dead spirit all of the younger church members went away. We as younger people express our love and devotion to Jesus a little differently, but with the same convictions and humbleness. Some people think that rap music is horrible…well I don’t cause I listen to Christian rap music. I have heard more testimonies from teenagers and young adults about how they were on the verge of suicide and they heard a certain Christian rap song on the radio that was being played through secular venues and it saved their lives.

You cannot but a limit on God. You never know who and how he will use people to get his message across. If He cannot get the young people to come to Him then He will go to them through music and artists (that may not dress they way you think is holy) that they can relate to and who can relate to them. The last time I checked God knows our heart and he does not judge us by the clothing we wear. Let’s stop focusing on the clothing but on the message that was sent out and was received by some young thug or teenage mother that is now on their way to living their life for Christ!

savana  on July 8th, 2009

for allwhom say they are saved and holy ghost filled you shouldn’t judge thoes, god will take a bum a crackhead a stripper out in the street to get his message across, and for those who were focused on the clothing out to be ashamed, the main focused should have been on the lyrics, snd god for allowing such beautifull and talented young womens to do his works… lets stp judgeing people on there outer apperance and start applauing them for the effoert and there willingness to do gods work

mrskls97  on July 8th, 2009

I love these young ladies. They have ALWAYS been positive role models. As Christians, why do we keep judging each other. Get over it. With all going on in the world, we are focused on clothes and weight? COME ON!!!!! Mary Mary has my kids and their friends talking about GOD, that was the point and Mary Mary, thank you…we got it.

real  on July 14th, 2009

Those pants were too tight for any woman. the purpose was to show off curves and a behind. She could have worn some fly jeans and tight heels and still been Holy and attractive.

There was nothing wrong with having Latifah in the act.

I am a mentor and always telling your ladies that we Christian ladies are beautiful and we can dress attractivly without looking slutty. I tried to imagine anywoman wearing those pants to any place–mall, wal-mart, resturant, cookout—everyone there would have been distracted by their tightness. Why did Mary Mary make this choice then? This was a chance to show the world the freedom in Christ….instead it looked like they were trying too hard to “fit in”.

Mylessa  on July 16th, 2009

I was so excited about Mary Mary performing at the BET Awards but sadden when I saw what Tina had on. Their performance left me disgusted and disappointed. I haven’t played their CD since.

She knew better!

Willie Dynamite  on July 18th, 2009

Okay upon further review I agree, Tina’s leather pants were a bit suggestive, jeans could’ve still gotten the job done. But to the chick above who hasn’t played the CD since because of it GET A LIFE!!!

Really?  on July 23rd, 2009

I Completely agree with D. The Christian walk is focused on one principle-SELF DENIAL in a course to becoming more GOD like. God said that it is impossible to be of the WORLD and of GOD at the same time. There must be a choice and unfortunately, modern day church is leaning toward a “religion” that no longer puts away the ways of the WORLD to pursue a personal relationship with JESUS. Instead, we attempt to incorporate GOD with the WORLD which is NOT what we are supposed to me doing! Revelations says that in the end times the devil is coming for the CHURCH and this is precisely his way of doing so: causing us to believe that we are living for CHRIST when we are really living for ourselves!

YES: what we wear is reflective of our relationship with Christ so NO it is not ok to wear clothes that downright causes men to lust after us.

YES: it does matter (to a certain extent) that gospel music is sounding like secular music because that means that we are not being SEPARATE as God REQUIRES in His word.

YES: We are to attract other souls to Christ but God says if I be lifted up I “MEANING GOD” will drawl all men unto me. Which means, that we need only live according to his word! It does not mean LIFTING up the WORLD in hopes that the WORLD will see Christ.

MOST IMPORTANTLY: The LYRICS of the song may be inspiration but they are not in line with our Christian walk. “She writes those checks with a whole lot of zeros” WORLDLY possession being praised in that lyric.

“The God in Me” is somewhat confusing because God is not just IN me but rather I should be living my life FOR HIM. That lyric sorta implies that God is simply apart of me that I only visit “WHEN I GO HOME…BEHIND CLOSED DOORS”.

JUDGMENTAL–GOD said that we are to be in communion together for accountability! There is a reason for Christian leaders and fellowship, to call out ungodly behavior in LOVE when led by the SPIRIT. SOOOO speaking out about the lyrics and/or performance is not necessary judgment if done properly. Rather, it is exactly what we are called to do as brothers and sisters in Christ.

I PRAY from the bottom of my heart that we as the Christian body do not become so conformed to the world that we forget what it means to be living for GOD, taking off our old man and putting on a new man in GOD.

GOD BLESS

olarogidan  on September 14th, 2009

MY NAME IS ROTIMI OGIDAN I RUN A MEDIA OUTFIT IN THE CITY OF LAGOS IN NIGERIA, I WILL LIKE TO GET INTOURCH TO QUEEN LATIFAH FOR A COURTESY OR INSPIRATIONAL VISIT.

cngill  on November 16th, 2009

I have been guilty of listening to secular music, but yesterday I fell out with my friend Angie who believes that Christian Rap and Mary, Mary are pure Gospel. I believe that God says “be ye, not transformed into the patterns of the world,” and it is found in the holy bible. As Christians we must read God’s word for ourselves, and know that just because they play it on the radio, or the pastor invite gospel rappers to perform for the youth at church, God’s word still stands firm. We must watch how we bounce, and gyrate because God is holy and he represent pureness. I like Gospel Rap but I am not ultra holy, and I don’t want other upright Christians to get it twisted!!!!

nanaval9  on March 7th, 2010

I love Mary Mary but sometimes it does appear that they compromise their music. ie, The God in me was written with catchy lyrics but I have a problem when her God life is behind close doors. The God in me should be visible at all times and their should not be any wonderings about my luxury living. As for their appearance, a Bishop in my city stated that he loves them but they bring attention to themselves causing the brethern to having wondering eyes. Do they have stylist or a&r people that make suggestions on how women of God should dress?

DBoy  on June 29th, 2010

wow, I’m just now running across this article and I’m tripping that someone was tripping over the fact that the one girl was wearing tight pants and try to relate it to holiness. To be honest, when I saw it, I thought she shouldn’t wear those pants, but not because of holy reasons, but because her legs are huge! All I could think was, wow, she gained a lot of weight since the 1st album. lol. I think she just needs better fashion sense. So I guess I was mesmerized, because I was confused why she was wearing those pants. So that’s why I’m tripping, that people tripping over her pants like it was something hot to look at… But I guess there’s always somebody that would get excited/jealous. She just needs to find clothes that look better on her body, because she ain’t thin anymore. ok let me stop…