Gospel Singer Erica Campbell: 'My President Doesn't Have to Be Christian'

By Julie Brown Patton
Mary Mary
Gospel duo and sisters Erica and Tina Campbell say the U.S. president doesn't need to be a Christian or a pastor, that the person should rather be an educated person capable of understanding the diverse needs of U.S. citizens.  Mary Mary

Erica Campbell of the groundbreaking gospel duo Mary Mary said, "My president doesn't have to be a Christian. They have to be a good president. Just because you're a Christian doesn't mean that you can run the country. You have to be so well-educated and so well aware of so many issues."

Campbell made this statement during a recent interview with the Grio while promoting the new season of the WEtv series, Mary Mary, along with her sister Tina.

Erica told Grio she also believes the next U.S. president needs to be able to understand the diverse needs of the country's citizens.

"I don't need a president who is just going to serve the African-American community, because my Spanish, Caucasian and Asian neighbors need to be catered to as well. I need a capable president who understands social security, who understands our police departments all across the country," said Erica.

"The fact that we don't have clean water in Flint, MI, in the United States of America is absurd. I need a president that can candle all of that."

Tina said her bottomline is that Christians need to understand the president is not their pastor. "There's no one president that we all agree with on every single issue. We have to be just honest about that. At the end of the day, whoever my president is, you're not my pastor, you're not my spiritual leader. So I don't need to agree with all that you agree with."

The Campbell sisters grew up in Inglewood, Calif. They began singing as small children in their local church.

They broke through music barriers in 2000 with their pioneering crossover hit, "Shackles (Praise You)," and went on to win four Grammy Awards, two American Music Awards, 18 Stellar Awards, four NAACP Image Awards, a Soul Train Award and two BET Awards.

They have created seven albums with uplifting messages.

One online poster on the Grio website, Sheila Ann, said "She is right, as a follower if I only voted for the president based on whether or not he was a follower I would never vote. In biblical days they were of different religious backgrounds. I concur you need more than Christianity to be president. And if you know your word, you pray for all government officials as we are instructed to; furthermore, if you believe in prophecy then you believe some things are predestined and necessary."

Willie Nixon said what Erica is saying is that "you don't have to be a Christian to be a 'good' person, smart or capable. America never was a Christian nation and never will be."

Nikia D-Shiznit was in agreement because "our founding fathers made it their business to separate church and state."

"Hum, I see it's going to be real easy to get some to wear the mark of the beast," stated Jacqueline Newsom.

    Most Popular
  • Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Faith-based films often receive mixed reactions, and The Last Supper is no exception. The movie attempts to bring a fresh perspective to one of the most iconic moments in Christian history, but does it succeed? Some reviews from critics and audiences provide insight into its strengths and shortcomings.

  • ‘The Chosen’ Season 5: The darkest season yet—What to know before watching

    The wait is over—The Chosen is back with its fifth season, and this time, things are getting intense. The new episodes dive straight into the final days of Jesus’ life, covering some of the most emotional and dramatic moments in the Bible. If you’ve been following the series, you already know that The Chosen isn’t just about retelling familiar stories—it’s about bringing them to life in a way that feels real.

  • Massacres in Syria: Over 1,000 dead, including Christians and Alawites

    Syria’s coastal regions have been devastated by a series of massacres, with reports indicating that over 1,000 people—many from Christian and Alawite communities—have been killed in brutal attacks. Entire families have been wiped out, and survivors are fleeing in search of safety as sectarian violence escalates.

  • Kim Sae-ron and Wheesung: The tragic irony of Korean society and the principles of happiness

    Not long ago, the media was in an uproar over actress Kim Sae-ron’s passing. Just months before, the same people who had relentlessly criticized her for her DUI incident were now expressing sympathy, saying, "The world was too harsh on her." The irony is impossible to ignore.

  • Newsboys move forward as a quartet after Michael Tait’s departure

    After more than a decade as the lead singer of the Newsboys, Michael Tait has officially parted ways with the band, marking a significant shift in the Christian rock group’s lineup. The remaining members—Jeff Frankenstein, Jody Davis, Duncan Phillips, and Adam Agee—have assured fans that they will continue forward, embracing a new season of music and ministry.

Top Stories