John Legend, the acclaimed American singer, songwriter, producer, and actor, has earned numerous accolades, including 11 Grammy Awards, over his illustrious career. Beyond his music, Legend is known for his outspoken advocacy on social issues such as criminal justice reform and equal rights. But what are his spiritual beliefs, and what religion does he identify with?
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Early Life and Family Influences
Born John Roger Stephens on December 28, 1978, in Springfield, Ohio, John Legend was raised by his mother, Phyllis Elaine Lloyd, and his grandfather. His father, Ronald Lamar Stephens, a drummer and singer, was often absent due to struggles with addiction. Legend has described his upbringing as middle-class and “pretty ordinary,” with a strong influence from the Pentecostal faith. His maternal grandfather was a pastor at their local Pentecostal church, where Legend frequently attended services and participated in Bible quizzes as a child.
Evolving Religious Views
As an adult, John Legend does not strictly adhere to Pentecostal Christianity or any specific church. However, he identifies as a Christian and believes in God. In a 2015 interview with The Guardian, Legend shared:
“I wouldn’t call myself a devout person. I was raised in the church, went to Sunday school, and was in the choir. However, I didn’t stick to one religion during childhood and adolescence. I learned about different denominations. I know enough about different religions to feel comfortable having a conversation.”
Legend values his Christian upbringing, which has shaped his morals and worldview, but he also appreciates learning about other faiths. As an adult, he does not follow a strict church doctrine but occasionally attends church services without formal affiliation to any particular denomination.
Spiritual and Social Perspectives
John Legend’s religious background continues to influence his spiritual outlook and approach to social issues, characterized by:
- Belief in God: While not tied to a specific doctrine, Legend identifies as a believer in God.
- Christian Values: He appreciates Christian ethical teachings on justice, forgiveness, and service to others.
- Social Gospel: Legend supports using faith, wisdom, and traditions to inspire social action.
- Interfaith Appreciation: He values learning about various religions and promotes interfaith dialogue and cooperation.
In summary, although John Legend has moved away from the strict adherence of his Pentecostal upbringing, his spiritual values are rooted in Christianity and complemented by an appreciation of multiple faiths. This blend of beliefs influences his advocacy for justice and social change.
John Legend and Chrissy Teigen’s Decision to Baptize Their Child
Although John Legend and his wife, Chrissy Teigen, do not regularly attend church services, they chose to baptize their daughter, Luna Simone Stephens, in the Catholic Church after her birth in 2016. The baptism took place in a Catholic church in Italy during one of their trips abroad, and both Legend and Teigen shared photos of the event on social media.
The couple received criticism online for their decision, as many fans believed Legend was raised Baptist. However, this choice reflects Legend’s flexible spiritual views, which appreciate his Christian background and other faith traditions.
For Legend and Teigen, the baptism seemed to carry more cultural and spiritual significance rather than strict religious doctrine, given their irregular church attendance. The occasion appeared to be meaningful for the couple, prompting them to share it publicly.
Broader Spiritual and Social Views
While John Legend maintains his Christian roots and chooses to baptize his daughter, he approaches faith in a way that transcends strict doctrine. He engages with moral questions about making the world more just, focusing on the core ethical teachings of various religions.
At the 2020 Sundance Film Festival, Legend articulated his views on faith:
“All our religions talk about treating others how you want to be treated, the golden rule concept. I think the point of religion is to teach us how to live in community with one another, commune with one another, understand and respect each other, and figure out what morality is and live morally.”
Legend’s approach to faith emphasizes the moral wisdom shared by different religions, prioritizing community, empathy, and ethics over strict religious adherence. This universal view aligns with his activism, such as supporting political candidates like President Joe Biden on issues like immigration reform and racial justice and his philanthropic efforts toward criminal justice reform.
At the SBND festival, Legend further explained how his spirituality intersects with his work as an activist and artist:
“Part of my music career has been about love and struggle, and part of it has been about my spiritual journey and growth. Those things intersect…I’m on this journey to become a better person all the time and be more thoughtful, conscious, and conscientious in the way I live my life.”
Alignment with the Social Gospel Philosophy
John Legend’s views on morality and justice resonate with the Social Gospel movement, which emerged in the late 19th century among Protestant Christians. The Social Gospel emphasizes applying Jesus Christ’s teachings to address real-world humanitarian issues like poverty, inequality, crime, racial injustice, and labor rights struggles rather than focusing on strict theological debates or moral condemnation.
Although Legend does not explicitly identify with the Social Gospel, its principles align with his spiritual faith and social consciousness blend. This movement’s emphasis on making faith a driving force for social action mirrors Legend’s approach to his spiritual and activist pursuits.
John Legend’s Experience with Discrimination Within Christianity
John Legend, raised in a predominantly Black Pentecostal church, has not explicitly discussed experiencing racial discrimination within that community during his upbringing. His departure from strict religious affiliation seems more related to seeking a broader spirituality than negative racial experiences in the church.
However, Legend has spoken about facing discrimination in predominantly white Christian spaces as an adult. In a 2020 interview, when asked about experiencing discrimination within Christianity, he shared:
“There are spaces where when I enter into them as a Black person, I can feel that I’m in a minority status and that the space was not necessarily made for me. You feel like an outsider and being viewed through a different lens.”
While he did not detail specific incidents, this acknowledgment reflects the marginalization he sometimes faces as a Black man in specific Christian environments. This likely fuels his desire to focus on the unifying spiritual lessons faith offers rather than the politics or racial divisions within religious institutions.
By addressing discrimination within some Christian circles, John Legend highlights the need for greater inclusion and belonging, advocating for faith communities to fully embrace the universal values of compassion he admires.
Promoting Social Progress Within Christianity
When American Christianity intersects with politics in ways Legend views as contrary to compassion and justice, he uses his platform to advocate for change:
“When I think about the cultural meaning of Christianity in America, there’s a form of it that violated everything I believe in. And that supported slavery, racism, bigotry, xenophobia. That cultural Christian ethic often justified the human rights violations that have happened in this country.”
Despite this, Legend remains hopeful that faith communities can evolve, continuing:
“I also know that the same faith tradition was used to justify abolition, civil rights, fighting poverty and hunger, giving to the least among us. I want us to wrest that tradition back in the public sphere away from the people who have abused it.”
John Legend uses his voice to challenge the intersections of faith, power, discrimination, and social justice, urging the American church to live up to its highest values equitably.
Identifying as “Spiritual But Not Religious” (SBNR)
John Legend, who believes in God and maintains a Christian identity without adhering to formal church doctrine, likely identifies as “Spiritual but not religious” (SBNR). This identity describes people who:
- Believe in a higher supernatural power or reality beyond the material world
- Practice spirituality through prayer, meditation, appreciation of nature, and a quest for purpose and meaning
- Do not closely associate with organized religion or strictly follow religious institutions or authorities
This contrasts with those who are “Religious and spiritual,” adhering closely to traditional religious doctrine and regularly participating in organized faith communities.
Based on Legend’s statements and spiritual practices, he aligns more with the SBNR identity, maintaining core spiritual beliefs while not conforming to one institutional faith tradition.
Describing how his song “Light” aligns with this orientation, Legend told Billboard magazine:
“It’s a spiritual song but not necessarily tied to a specific religious tradition. It’s more about that feeling that the light is always there.”
This captures Legend’s broader SBNR worldview, honoring spiritual light across traditions beyond one specific dogma.
John Legend’s Religious Identity
Summary:
- Upbringing: Raised in a Pentecostal Christian environment
- Current Identity: Spiritual believer in God without strict religious affiliation or devotion to a specific denomination/church
- Orientation: Best described as “Spiritual But Not Religious” (SBNR), appreciating multiple faiths while maintaining Christian beliefs that shape his values and worldview
- Key Priorities: Applying spiritual values such as compassion, justice, morality, and unity to inspire his activism, music, and social consciousness
John Legend maintains his Christian roots while embracing a universal spiritual perspective that respects various faiths and ethical worldviews. He aims for justice and liberation for all.
Conclusion
John Legend has evolved from his Southern Pentecostal roots to adopt a more flexible spiritual identity, appreciating multiple faith traditions. His Christian ethical foundation continues to shape his worldview, emphasizing compassion, justice, morality, and spiritual growth.
Rather than adhering to strict church doctrine or politics, Legend focuses on humanity’s shared quest for purpose, meaning, love, and mutual understanding. These spiritual goals drive his musical creativity and passionate activism for causes such as criminal justice reform, healthcare equity, and political inclusion.
While not overtly “religious,” John Legend’s spirituality fuels his fight against all forms of discrimination. He strives to steer Christianity away from bigotry towards its highest values of service and liberation for all. This foundation supports both his songs and advocacy.
In his journey to “become a better person,” as he describes it, John Legend exemplifies how inclusive spiritual views, rather than exclusive dogma, can support artistic innovation, dedicated activism, and creating a more just global community.
Frequently Asked Questions About John Legend’s Religion
Q1: Was John Legend raised Baptist?
No, John Legend was raised as a Pentecostal Christian, regularly attending his maternal grandfather’s church. He has never identified as Baptist. The confusion may arise from Pentecostalism’s historical roots in the Baptist and Holiness-Methodist movements, but Pentecostal Christianity is its denomination, emphasizing manifestations of the Holy Spirit, like speaking in tongues.
Q2: What church does John Legend belong to?
As an adult, John Legend does not belong to any specific church. He was raised in his grandfather’s Pentecostal Christian church but does not currently affiliate with that or any other denomination. He maintains a general Christian identity.
Q3: What denomination do John Legend’s parents belong to?
John’s maternal grandfather was a Pentecostal pastor, and his mother likely attended the same Pentecostal church. Her current religious affiliation is unclear. John’s father, Ronald, struggled with addiction issues and was less religiously involved.
Q4: Is John Legend religious?
John Legend identifies broadly as Christian but does not consider himself devoutly religious. He maintains spiritual beliefs but does not regularly attend church or strictly follow religious doctrine. His faith orientation aligns more with being “spiritual but not religious.”
Q5: What gospel song did John Legend perform?
Early in his career, John Legend recorded a cover of the traditional gospel song “I’ll Fly Away.” He performed the song live on shows like American Idol and BET’s Celebration of Gospel. Legend also covered Marvin Gaye’s gospel-styled ballad, “Wholy Holy.”