(Un)Crucifying the (In)Famous, Taylor Swift!

Before I begin, let me put this out here... I am not a Swiftie. I am making this post so I could elaborate on what I felt as a bystander from both the religious and spiritual people calling the 2023 Time's Person of the Year, a devil (or being used by the devil). As someone unfamiliar with her music (except that she's infamous for writing songs about her exes), I only know parts of her songs being used in social media as BGM, I asked my son why Taylor is being called a devil by some religious and spiritual people.

Is there anything in her songs that makes people claim that she sold off her soul to the devil? My son said that it is probably because she is famous. As I browsed Tiktok after dinner last night, I saw a video of some Christian creator showing how one of her performances included witch costumes, big serpent props, and a devil's mask. And I was like, oh this is why. As it was only a few minutes after our talk, I sent the reel to my son. He said to me that Ms. Swift has a song where she puts all the "names" and "labels" of the people to her as the theme of her "Reputation" era. I didn't know she was called a witch, a snake, and the devil by people before. So instead of seeing the reason why both the religious and spiritual people call her such, I was impressed at how she got the courage to "fight back" by using all the hate thrown at her into another creative endeavor. Although I am not a fan of using such imagery, I can understand what she was trying to show, "you think this is me, right? " "Let me show you how you portray me to be". She snapped back at her haters and bashers and gave them that scary imagery of how they painted her reputation with such vile words.

With my Tiktok's algorithm watching Taylor Swift's clips, I saw another before I slept last night. I stumbled upon a video of her saying there still exists a double standard between men and women, why are Ed Sheeran and Bruno Mars who were also writing songs for their exes and their current love lives not "Red Flags" but sweet or brave, meanwhile, she is being called out for "overreacting" or being "over-emotional".

I feel for her but at the same time, I am glad that she is a strong person that can transmute those negativities into something positive like a creative inspiration. Some people would not be able to take all the vile words being said to her.

This morning during breakfast, I saw another Christian creator reacting to another video saying that she is being used by the devil using her song "Cruel Summer" as an example. The man in the clip questions her "uncommitted relationships", about it being painted as painful and beautiful.

It is unfair to Taylor Swift to receive harsh words for creating something beautiful from her pain. She is transmuting very negative experiences of heartbreak and pain by releasing her emotions through her songs that in a way "heal" people because having a song that they can relate their experience to is like having that "silent friend" accompanying you through that difficult time. And before we judge her dating or relationship choices, let us be reminded that NO ONE doesn't want to be loved, every one of us has experienced that longing for that warm feeling, only we tend to get burned after some failed relationships and ugly break-ups.

Isn't it our role as adults or parents to guide our children with their choices by laying the foundation early on? If we could build a good relationship with our children, we could discuss topics like pain, heartbreak, and failed relationships over a Taylor Swift song. I mean, we can even say, "Look, no one is immune from heartbreak or pain, even if you are THE Taylor Swift." Instead of crucifying her and labeling her as the devil, why not teach our children the importance of self-love and self-respect? Why not take it as an opportunity to remind them that we should love ourselves enough to be independent and not rely on romantic relationships to feel whole and find happiness? Why not use her life as an example to remind our children about the norms of society and any deviation may lead to a compromised reputation? Why not point out the lessons that can be learned from her life and her experiences (through her songs)?

Let us not be like the people who crucified Jesus Christ before. We may not be in a time that can openly hurt people physically, but let us not lash out at people with our vile words, name-calling, and labeling. Let us not crucify other people for expressing their truths instead, we can guide other people especially our loved ones and children so that they can make informed choices of what songs to listen to, who to emulate, and allow them to make choices on what experiences and who are the people that they will allow in their lives. Remember, we could only remind them and not force our beliefs on them. And if you are like me who prays to God (yes, I am spiritual, and yes, I believe in God.) maybe we could include Ms. Swift in our prayers and hope she will soon learn the lesson she needs to understand to stop the vicious cycle of failed relationships.

To those who are visual and auditory learners, here's a reaction video to this particular topic.

https://www.tiktok.com/@olethsmusings/video/7342477734825807109?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7309004313900025345