>and you're basing that on the fact that she trained to be a
>singer outside of church?

yup.

>that her STYLE, not her drive, not her technical skill or
>meticulously honed ability to sing while doing aerobics, has
>nothing to do with growing up singing in youth choir and
>junior choir?

her style owes more to Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey and the like than any youth or jr choir. that's what i'm saying, yes.

from what i've heard/read/seen about her background there was little time for choir in her life. it was all pretty much school & DC practice in that basement. to the point where Kelly and/or those other 2 moved into the Knowles house so they could practice!

>if that's your opinion, that she's a liar and church ain't
>influence her, fine. but just make it plain, doggie.

i wouldn't go so far as to say she's a liar b/c my mama taught me better than that © Destiny's Child. but i'm saying that i agree w/Affy's theory that she brings up church as a way of stamping her work w/some authenticity b/c that's important in today's music marketing.