I ran across this article from a few months ago about comments Elton John made about religion.
"I think religion has always tried to turn hatred towards gay people," John said in the Observer newspaper's Music Monthly Magazine. "Religion promotes the hatred and spite against gays."
I think many homosexual activists have also mischaracterized moral disagreement with homosexuality with hatred. I think also many people, when truly considering it, are disgusted at the prospect because it is not natural. But gays conclude from someone's moral opposition is hatred. I do suppose that there is some animosity concerning this issue, but it is not just the fault of religion. Even if some did have spite or hate against gay people? So what?
I, as a Christian, have many folks that do not like me because I am a Christian. So what? As long as you don't beat me up, etc because of it...And if someone does this to me, I don't care why, I just don't want them to do it. It would not make me feel any better to have someone beat me up in love.
He continues: "From my point of view, I would ban religion completely. Organized religion doesn't seem to work. It turns people into really hateful lemmings and it's not really compassionate."
He does not sound very loving toward religion or the "hateful lemmings". I don't care if he doesn't like us. But don't pretend it is ok for him to call names or call for a ban of religion [which incidentally has done more good, overall, for society than any non-religious ideology] and not okay for the religious to do the same. {I would argue that most religion does not advocate hatred toward people and not all hatred turns to any physical form of harm. He is apparantly hateful and nonreligious, so we don't need religion to affect what we hate or don't.
Derrick
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A good friend who would witness to me during my "Pre-Christian" days used to say," Dislike the sin, not the sinner." That in itself assisted me in my decision to become a Christian. Many things did, but I never forgot her statement.
<<"I think religion has always tried to turn hatred towards gay people," John said in the Observer newspaper's Music Monthly Magazine. "Religion promotes the hatred and spite against gays.">>
Apparently, Mr. John forgets about the civic religion that accompanied the homosexuality of the Canaanites (Lev. 18, 20) and also forgets about the acceptance of homosexuality among "liberal Christian churches" today. But then again, maybe he will reject the report that I have just given in this regard until he verifies the report with his own senses, lest he be a lemming like me as a religious person.
<<He continues: "From my point of view, I would ban religion completely. Organized religion doesn't seem to work. It turns people into really hateful lemmings and it's not really compassionate.">>
Hmm, where do you begin with an analysis of something as pathetic as this?
1) "'...Doesn't seem to work.'" Okay then, what are the functions of "organized religion," and does every one of these functions correspond with what Mr. John believes the functions to be?
2) "'It turns people into really hateful lemmings....'"
Right; I suppose that would explain the many schisms and sects of Islam, Judaism, and Christianity especially where not only does not everyone accept everything that comes from the pulpit (hence some church splits) but liberal Christians trip over themselves (and the Scriptures) not to appear to be hateful to anyone.
3) "'...And it's not really compassionate.'"
*Rolls eyes* I hate stupidity and foolishness. I'm not too crazy about Elton John's music either. =)
Russ, I have heard that said also, and it is true as far as it goes, but I think more is at stake than just that and I think Kwame makes some points that highlight that.
I think Kwame is right when he makes mention of the acceptance of "liberal churches that accept homosexuality". John most likely does not care about these churches because he would rather blast "organized religion" and I would suspect that he is mostly referring to conservative Christianity.
I think, you make a good point when you say you hate stupidity and foolishness. :-) This reminds me of what Koukl says about seemingly intelligent people and how they make stupid mistakes when it comes to spiritual things.
My guess is that Mr. John is bashing "organized religion" (see: conservative faiths-Christianity in particular since it seems they are most vocal in their rejection of the normalness of homosexuality) because they challenge his deviant behavior.
It is not normal and even if he was born with homosexual tendencies, the parts don't fit in their basic reproductive function. You don't have to be a rocket scientist to see that.
Thanks guys,
Derrick
Simply Stated, God made something for the gals and the guys. God created sex. He made it great because procreation is wonderful. This wonder takes a guy with a gal. It also falls under the direction of His rules. A tinkler and a tinkler don't go with the rules. A TaaTaa and a TaaTaa don't either. It takes a man and a woman. Sorry for the simplified terms, but I think the message is as clear as can be while still being civil :-)
I think that one of the biggest problems with Elton John's comments is that he confuses disagreement with hatred...like what you said, Derrick. I do not hate my friends that practice homosexuality. I do not treat them differently. But, I do not agree with their moral choices and will not support them in those choices. However, I think that there are many Christians who do act harshly towards homosexuals. Either way, that does not give Elton the right to do name calling when that is what he is speaking out against.
I suppose I should make an apology. My writing methods cut to the exacting ways of my thinking. My terms may have been too descriptive for a Blog that was created from a person I totally respect. In as much, that is me. I know those who know me know that. I meant no disrespect to Derrick's Blog by my descriptive response. Derrick, sorry if I was inappropriate. Sometimes my writing just gets on a roll.
No problem, Russ. Though I think the main point is not the homosexuality factor but the hypocritical nature of Elton John's ideas. (as is often the case with many who object to a conservative point of view, but have no real argument)
Remember that ideas have consequences.
Derrick
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