Jahaziel, one of the most important UK artists in the history of Christian hip hop, released a statement this week to renounce his Christian faith.

Jahaziel’s record label, Xist Music, which is home to Gemstones, Swift and Sean Simmonds, among others, responded with a statement of its own. Xist announced that the parties have agreed to part ways.

“There’s definitely no love lost between myself and Sean, and our brother Jahaziel,” Xist CEO T. Black said. “Every one of us has to take their own path when it comes to their relationship with God, and Jahaziel’s is simply taking him in a direction which is different from the one we claim here at Xist Music. But, we definitely wish him all the best, and he and his family are in our prayers.”

Jahaziel’s statement, which he posted on Facebook, is below.

“I need not explain myself to anyone,” he said, “but I feel the need to make a quick statement. A short while ago, I turned away from 20 years as a professing Christian. I had a good job with a church organization, a house provided by the church, a large social circle of like-minded people, a career in gospel music, a worldwide fan base, a respected reputation and status within Christian and non Christian circles … etc.

“Having left Christianity, I may have lost many/all of these things, but what I have is worth more than all of them combined. I have my integrity. When I first joined Christianity, I was told ‘you must believe this book is God’s infallible word’ … Before I’d even read the book!! How can one decide for themselves whether a book is accurate and true BEFORE they have even read & investigated the book thoroughly?!

“Anyway… contrary to many opinions, I have met some great people in church and learned some great principles from Christianity/the Bible. These principles, however, are not exclusive to any religion.

“I have experienced Christianity in literally 100’s of contexts, so my perspective on Christianity is quite an informed one. I have met many sincere Christians, both church goers and church leaders, and although I have not seen every one of the 40,000 Christian denominations currently in existence I think I have seen enough to personally make a general conclusion regarding Christianity in the broadest sense.

“Now, after 20 years of being vocal about the positives of Christian faith, I would like to take some time to be equally vocal about the negatives I have found. i.e Christianity and its controlling dictatorship, its historic blood trail, its plagiarized Bible stories, characters and concepts, the many human errors of the Bible and its contradictions, the brutal nature of its God, its involvement in the slave trade, the crusades, the inquisition, the witch hunts, its second-class view of women, its masculinization of God, its emasculation of men, its financial corruption … you get the drift.

“So YES I will go on, and I will not be silent as some have asked — my integrity will not allow me to be so passive against mass corruption. In all love. J”

Editor’s note: Don’t you dare leave a comment before you pray.