Pharrell Williams reveals he’s replacing the word “God” with “the universe” in his music, and surprised fans have been asked to show some understanding as this doesn’t mean he stopped being a believer. He’s a “good Christian”, a Universalist. Yes, he is.
Image: Pharrell Williams
According to Christian Post, Pharrell’s reason for swapping the words aren’t far-fetched from trying to embrace people with diverse cultures and religious beliefs–in his music.
He wants his music to impact on how people who place their faith in science receive the Bible.
The music artiste and producer featured in a collaboration with famous gospel musician Kirk Franklin for their song “123 Victory Remix”. While promoting the song, both musicians appeared on the Beats 1 Radio show, the OTHER tone.
There and then, Williams expressed his wish that science and religion could strike a perfect partnership, and seek to understand each other.
Image: Pharrell Williams
“I don’t think the church gives enough credence to science. On a scientific level, there’s departments in your brain for everything that you think,” Williams said.
“All of your thoughts come from your brain..and there’s a part where it falls under religion. And certain people just don’t have that.
“I’m just saying certain people chemically on a chemical level …they wouldn’t believe no matter what it is that you’ve told them.
“But I think a cool way to bring people together is to say, ‘look you don’t have to look at it in a faithful or religious way. Read it as a text,'” he said.
“Replace the word God with ‘the universe’ and It starts making more sense to you.”
The preacher continued, taking time to draw a line where his own religious beliefs in God lies.
In his words: “Now I know that there’s power in that word. I’ve experienced it. I’ve seen it.
“But everyone has their journey and not everyone is going to believe. But I think it’s really important to get us to understand…because if you have a difference of opinion I think it’s smarter for you to understand your difference of opinion than to not know at all.”
Williams continues: “I think the easiest way for us to get to know each other is to share each other’s beliefs and our differences and get to know them and understand them.”
Image: Kirk Franklin
On his own part during the radio show, Kirk Franklin explained that busy Williams had always wanted to work with him on a few music projects, adding that he made sure they did something great this time.
“I told him about the song idea, this was in December of last year. He heard it and he said ‘I think I’ve got a better idea,'” Franklin recalled.
“How do you say no like that? He was extremely busy. When you’re blessed to work with someone with a talent like that, you wait. And you wait until God’s divine time.”
Image: Pharrell Williams
In a previous interview with GQ Style magazine, Williams explained his religious beliefs as a Universalist.
The 43-year-old said: “… On paper I’m a Christian but really I’m a Universalist.
“Do I think that Christianity is the only way? No. I think the only route for everything is their connection to God … There’s religious dogma that gets involved, something for the greater good and sometimes for not so great reasons … But they give you a way, a vehicle to get to God.”