American rapper Clifford Joseph Harris, Jr., popularly known as T.I, has explained why he does not go to church despite being a Christian.

The Alanta star said he was raised in a Christian household and believes in the “realness” of God, but the church, to him, is a business.

Speaking in a recent interview with Gospel musician Kirk Franklin, T.I accused Christian clergy of “twisting” the Bible and exploiting their congregations.

“I have never been a church person. I grew up in a strong Christian household. My grandma and auntie were very strong in prayer. So, I know how to pray and I know the word. And I know God is real, I’ve seen his presence and his hands in my life. But I have never felt the connection with the church,” he said.

“To be honest, I don’t think the church is real. I think it’s a business. It’s like a show. It’s like public-speaking, like TED talk. And sometimes, the clergies try to twist the word of God to benefit them.”

T.I also said that he doesn’t believe that he needs to pay tithe or make any financial commitment to a church before God could bless him.

“Y’all telling me.. I gotta pay this joker.. for my God to hear my prayer ??? Mehn I’m outta here,” the rapper said.

He added that he doesn’t believe there needs to be a middleman in his relationship with God in the form of a clergy.