Elton John: 'i Would Ban Religion Completely'

[Logan13]

Using Sir Elton Johns logic, maybe we should just ban homosexuality because many gays are hostile towards religion. You can't have it both ways guys.

ELTON JOHN: 'I WOULD BAN RELIGION COMPLETELY'
Sat Nov 11 2006 15:42:55 ET

Sir Elton John wants religion banned completely -- because he believes it promotes hatred of gays.

Speaking to the Observer Music Monthly Magazine the singer said religion lacked compassion and turned people into "hateful lemmings".

The PRESS ASSOCIATION reports: In a candid interview for a dedicated Gay issue of the magazine he shared his views on topics as varied as being a pop icon to Tony Blair's stance on the war in Iraq.

He said there was a lack of religious leadership, particularly in world politics, and complained that people do not take to the streets to protest any more.

Sir Elton said: "I think religion has always tried to turn hatred towards gay people. Religion promotes the hatred and spite against gays.

"But there are so many people I know who are gay and love their religion. From my point of view I would ban religion completely.

"Organised religion doesn't seem to work. It turns people into really hateful lemmings and it's not really compassionate."

He added: "The world is near escalating to World War Three and where are the leaders of each religion? Why aren't they having a conclave? Why aren't they coming together?

"I said this after 9/11 and people thought I was nuts. Instead of more violence why isn't there a meeting of religious leaders?

"It's like the peace movement in the Sixties. Musicians got through to people by getting out there and doing peace concerts but we don't seem to do them any more.

"If John Lennon were alive today he'd be leading it with a vengeance," he said.

Sir Elton said people were too busy blogging on the internet to go out onto the streets to stand up for what they believed in.

"They seem to do their protesting online and that's not good enough. You have to get out there and be seen to be vocal, and you've got to do it time and time again.

"There was a big march in London when Britain decided to join the war against Iraq and Tony Blair is on the record as saying 'the people who march today will have blood on their hands'. That's returned to bite him on the ass," he said.

Sir Elton compared his place in British culture with that of the Queen Mother's.

He said: "People come to me and I'm a bit like the Queen Mother. I never get those problems. I don't know what it is with me, people treat me very reverently.

Referring to his "wedding" to long-term partner David Furnish, he said: "It was the same when Dave and I had our civil union - I was expecting the odd flour bomb and there wasn't.

"Dave and I as a couple seem to be the acceptable face of gayness, and that's great."

He pledged to continue to campaign for gay rights saying: "I'm going to fight for them whether I do it silently behind the scenes or so vocally that I get locked up.

"I can't just sit back; it's not in my nature any more. I'm nearly 60-years-old after all. I can't sit back and blindly ignore it and I won't."

Developing...

[*Narkissos*]

"Organised religion doesn't seem to work. It turns people into really hateful lemmings and it's not really compassionate."

He added: "The world is near escalating to World War Three and where are the leaders of each religion? Why aren't they having a conclave? Why aren't they coming together?

Does he realise that mankind has always worshipped deities?

Even the most primitive and and minimally influenced nomadic tribes still in existent practise totem; ancestor; and/or earth worship.

Even prior to defined/'organized' religion there were clashes between mankind's sub-groups.. with the dominating clan assimilating the losing clan. The losing clan was alcurated... assuming the dominating clan's religion and social structure.

These are base facets... not specifically associated with any specific organised religion...tho many religious bashers tend to use the christian crusades as a prime example of how destructuve religions can be. When in fact, the 'annihilate, assimilate' precept is base to human nature.

[eliteforce]

all religions are against homosexuality-ofcource that doesn't mean you ban political movements or religions..for example germany shouldn't ban the Nazi party..they have a right to hate..its not illegal to hate

[Kärnfysikern]

He has a few good points though.

Organised religion doesn't seem to work. It turns people into really hateful lemmings and it's not really compassionate."

The world is near escalating to World War Three and where are the leaders of each religion? Why aren't they having a conclave? Why aren't they coming together?

But banning religion would be useless, people would just invent a new reason to hate eachother.

[alphaman]

He has a few good points though.





But banning religion would be useless, people would just invent a new reason to hate eachother.

On the first point -- Elton is the perfect example of someone who does not get it. Either you get it or you don't. It sounds simple -- someone who doesn't get it -- would read this and say, "well, duh.". But it really goes deeper than what it looks like on the surface. If you read the four Gospels -- the stories of Jesus' birth, ministry, crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension -- you'll find that in his ministry, there is a theme -- nobody got it! Jewish leadership didn't get it. They were thoroughly educated in the Scriptures, knew all the prophecies and just didn't get it. Anyone who studies the Gospels is baffled by how ridiculous it is, and how stupid they were. The disciples didn't really get it, and they were with Jesus every day and saw the miracles he performed.

I see people everyday that just don't get it. Elton John is clearly one of those people. To say that the teachings of Jesus Christ turns people into hateful lemmings -- that they're not really compassionate, is preposterous.
Him and most others that submit to their sin, will think that anyone who says it's wrong is hateful. While the compassionate thing to do is to let them know they're in trouble.



On the second point -- Religious leaders do have these types of meetings. I googled -- and look what came right up!

http://www.bread.org/press-room/rele...temID=28244406

There are meetings like this all the time, but it doesn't matter. This will not do anything. God's will is SOVEREIGN over all. In Scripture, it describes what happens up until the end -- and it isn't peaceful -- except for the seven years of peace -- and when that happens, it's about to get really bad.

[Ufa]

edit

[Phreak101]

Orgainzed religion has the possibility to be great! It's just exploited by the evils of man. I wonder what Mr John thinks about democracy? Or capitalism? Should we ban those too?

[Kärnfysikern]

I see people everyday that just don't get it. Elton John is clearly one of those people. To say that the teachings of Jesus Christ turns people into hateful lemmings -- that they're not really compassionate, is preposterous.

I think Eltons point is that many people do turn inte hateful lemmings, regardless of what a true belive should behave.

People (ab)use religion(dosnt matter if its christianity, buddhism or islam) to condone hatred. Its always been going on and it will always go on. To say that religion is inocent in that regard is to deny reality.

[Logan13]

I think Eltons point is that many people do turn inte hateful lemmings, regardless of what a true belive should behave.

People (ab)use religion(dosnt matter if its christianity, buddhism or islam) to condone hatred. Its always been going on and it will always go on. To say that religion is inocent in that regard is to deny reality.

The reverse is true as well. People like sir elton john try to devaluate religion for no other reason than to validate their own way of lives. In regards to being hateful lemmings, it sounds to me that elton has alot of his own hatred to worry about first. I do not think that the camera man that elton tried to get in a tussle with was at the airport on offical Church business, do you?

[SMYL_GR8]

I think Eltons point is that many people do turn inte hateful lemmings, regardless of what a true belive should behave.

People (ab)use religion(dosnt matter if its christianity, buddhism or islam) to condone hatred. Its always been going on and it will always go on. To say that religion is inocent in that regard is to deny reality.

This is the crux of the problem. Islam, for example, is based in forgiveness and love for fellow man, but its principles get twisted and taken out of context to justify destruction of other races. Mohammed never intended any of thism, but it is true--get rid of religions and people will find other justifications for hate and genecide.

[Kärnfysikern]

The reverse is true as well. People like sir elton john try to devaluate religion for no other reason than to validate their own way of lives. In regards to being hateful lemmings, it sounds to me that elton has alot of his own hatred to worry about first. I do not think that the camera man that elton tried to get in a tussle with was at the airport on offical Church business, do you?

Sure people abuse anything they can to condone hatred, we are a primitive animal. Scratch a bit on the surface and you can find or create vile hatred in the most avarage dude on the street in any civilised country.

[alphaman]

The reverse is true as well. People like sir elton john try to devaluate religion for no other reason than to validate their own way of lives. In regards to being hateful lemmings, it sounds to me that elton has alot of his own hatred to worry about first. I do not think that the camera man that elton tried to get in a tussle with was at the airport on offical Church business, do you?

That made me laugh out loud.

[biglouie250]

But banning religion would be useless, people would just invent a new reason to hate eachother.

there was a south park episode recently where in the future they went to war over whose Science was better......after all religion was abolished.





cant blame elton though, after what organized religion has done to homosexuals i can understand his feelings.

[Logan13]

there was a south park episode recently where in the future they went to war over whose Science was better......after all religion was abolished.





cant blame elton though, after what organized religion has done to homosexuals i can understand his feelings.

I believe that organized homosexuals have done more to hurt religion...And this effects us all, not just the homosexuals. We have come to a point in our society in which we are debating whether or not it is politically correct to say "In God We Trust" or "Merry Christmas", guess who played a big part in this?

[biglouie250]

I believe that organized homosexuals have done more to hurt religion...And this effects us all, not just the homosexuals. We have come to a point in our society in which we are debating whether or not it is politically correct to say "In God We Trust" or "Merry Christmas", guess who played a big part in this?

your saying the gays are responsible for "happy holidays"??? lol cmon bro! we have also come to a point in our society where a woman wearing a pasty(thats right there was no bare tit) on TV cause a national uproar. Meanwhile just tune to the spanish channel and youll see that on kids shows. I guess my point is.......pick your poison.

You have on one hand uptight douches that want to ban everything they deem to be indecent and violate our 1st amendment rights and want me to be punished because they cant police their kids or you have the pinkos who question everything and dont want god or christmas in our society....... i just wish everyone would mind their own ****ing business

[scriptfactory]

your saying the gays are responsible for "happy holidays"??? lol cmon bro! we have also come to a point in our society where a woman wearing a pasty(thats right there was no bare tit) on TV cause a national uproar. Meanwhile just tune to the spanish channel and youll see that on kids shows. I guess my point is.......pick your poison.

You have on one hand uptight douches that want to ban everything they deem to be indecent and violate our 1st amendment rights and want me to be punished because they cant police their kids or you have the pinkos who question everything and dont want god or christmas in our society....... i just wish everyone would mind their own ****ing business

For real...

[Logan13]

your saying the gays are responsible for "happy holidays"??? lol cmon bro! we have also come to a point in our society where a woman wearing a pasty(thats right there was no bare tit) on TV cause a national uproar. Meanwhile just tune to the spanish channel and youll see that on kids shows. I guess my point is.......pick your poison.

You have on one hand uptight douches that want to ban everything they deem to be indecent and violate our 1st amendment rights and want me to be punished because they cant police their kids or you have the pinkos who question everything and dont want god or christmas in our society....... i just wish everyone would mind their own ****ing business

In theory you are right. But the "uptight douches'" actions have not effected my day-to-day life. They have not attempted to change anything in my world, the other side has.

[biglouie250]

In theory you are right. But the "uptight douches'" actions have not effected my day-to-day life. They have not attempted to change anything in my world, the other side has.

they want to tell you what you can and cant watch on TV, what you should be able to read, they want to burn books like nazi's

[Logan13]

they want to tell you what you can and cant watch on TV, what you should be able to read, they want to burn books like nazi's

Again, NONE of that has even made it into my local newspaper. If it had, I would be on here complaining about it.

[3Vandoo]

religion is the most dangerous word in the dictionnary!

[Kärnfysikern]

Again, NONE of that has even made it into my local newspaper. If it had, I would be on here complaining about it.

You have never heard of anyone religiously conservative that want to ban porn?

[Logan13]

You have never heard of anyone religiously conservative that want to ban porn?

Do I hear about it on a monthly or even weekly basis, no. Does it affect my daily life, no.

[Kärnfysikern]

Do I hear about it on a monthly or even weekly basis, no. Does it affect my daily life, no.

Its not a problem here either thank god.

But its those kind of protect the children ****s that are the cause of roids beeing illegal and ephedrin.

[Carlos_E]

I believe that organized homosexuals have done more to hurt religion...And this effects us all, not just the homosexuals. We have come to a point in our society in which we are debating whether or not it is politically correct to say "In God We Trust" or "Merry Christmas", guess who played a big part in this?

your saying the gays are responsible for "happy holidays"??? lol

[biglouie250]

damn you carlos for being the real grinch that stole christmas!!!!!!

[Logan13]

Merry Christmas, Carlos

[Carlos_E]

damn you carlos for being the real grinch that stole christmas!!!!!!

Merry Christmas, Carlos

Bah Humbug!

[Hackamaniac]