Ban organised religion: Sir Elton
From the BBC.
Sunday, 12 November 2006
Sir Elton John has said he would like to see all organised religion banned and accused it of trying to "turn hatred towards gay people". Organised religion lacked compassion and turned people into "hateful lemmings", he told the Observer. But the musician said he loved the idea of the teachings of Jesus Christ and the beautiful stories about it which he had learned at Sunday school. And he said there were many gays he knew who loved their religion.
His comments were made in a special gay edition of the Observer Music Monthly Magazine, where he was interviewed by Scissor Sisters' Jake Shears. "I think religion has always tried to turn hatred towards gay people," he said. "Religion promotes the hatred and spite against gays. But there are so many people I know who are gay and love their religion." According to the singer-songwriter, 59, his solution would be to "ban religion completely, even though there are some wonderful things about it". He added: "I love the idea of the teachings of Jesus Christ and the beautiful stories about it, which I loved in Sunday school and I collected all the little stickers and put them in my book. But the reality is that organised religion doesn't seem to work. It turns people into hateful lemmings and it's not really compassionate." He also said that the problems experienced by many gays in former nations of the Soviet bloc, such as Poland, Latvia and Russia were caused by the church supporting anti-gay movements.
And he called on the leaders of major religions to hold a "conclave" to discuss the fate of the world - which he said was "near escalating to World War Three". "I said this after 9/11 and people thought I was nuts," he said. "It's all got to be dialogue - that's the only way. Get everybody from each religion together and say 'Listen, this can't go on. Why do we have all this hatred?'
"We are all God's people; we have to get along and the [religious leaders] have to lead the way. If they don't do it, who else is going to do it? They're not going to do it and it's left to musicians or to someone else to deal with it." He also said he would continue to campaign for gay rights. I'm going to fight for them, whether I do it silently behind the scenes or so vocally that I get locked up."
6 comments:
That's the most sense I have ever heard Elton say! He often comes across as a spoilt bitch, concerned only with himself.
I agree with him 150%! Organized Religeon often has nothing to do with the teachings of Christ or what HE was really about. It is a way for some of these leaders to push THEIR agenda, about everything and anything!
I believe if there is a God, HE or SHE Loves everyone...and not just certain people who think and believ as he/she does...If Religeon is NOT all embracing than it is just dogma!
Three Cheers For Elton John and for you too CK, my dear!
Imagine if you will a world without Organised Religion....
No Mega Churches (or any churches), no doctrine, no heresy, no blasphemy, no priests....
Everyone who feels so inclined finding their own way to their own God without attacking unbelievers in word & deed.....
Never gonna happen... [grin] but it's an interesting idea.....
when has organised relegion ever actually promoted tolerance over distinction and discremination, or charity and forgiveness over ignorance and judgement?
I've always thought of organized religion as akin to organized crime. It's a power hierarchy of men, controlling the masses for their own wealth and agenda. I believe in God, I don't believe in the churches of men.
Very true rca.... I think Jesus tried... but his message seems to have been perverted along the way.
V V - Nice analogy between organised religion & organised crime. I know what you mean. It does seem that once a religion gets organised that trouble follows shortly after!
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