Taylor Tomlinson's latest Netflix stand-up special, 'Prodigal Daughter', was filmed at Fountain Street Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan, a venue that embraced her edgy material. The special, released on 24 February, includes sexual themes, strong language and jokes about religious topics such as the crucifixion and foreskins.
The comedian, who wears a cross necklace and a leather jacket in the show, explores her conservative Christian upbringing and religious trauma. 'I have religious trauma. Anybody else have religious trauma?' she asks the audience. 'It just means you grew up in church, you're not religious anymore, but now when you kind of feel good, you feel kind of bad about it.'
Fountain Street Church leaders said they welcomed Tomlinson because of their congregation's progressive stance on issues such as abortion access, free speech and LGBTQ+ rights. The church, founded in 1869, has a history of hosting controversial speakers, including Eleanor Roosevelt, Winston Churchill and Malcolm X.
'We have a significant population of reconstructing Christians, refugees from the toxic theologies of Christian nationalism or right-wing Christian fundamentalism,' said the Rev. Nathan Dannison, the church's leader. 'They hear in Taylor's comedy a lot of the same frustrations and values and radicalism that has been a part of Fountain Streeters' lives.'
