Elton John: Religion encourages hatred

[Lewis]

LONDON (AP)  Organized religion fuels anti-gay discrimination and other forms of bias, pop star Elton John said in an interview published Saturday.

"I think religion has always tried to turn hatred toward gay people," John said in the Observer newspaper's Music Monthly magazine. "Religion promotes the hatred and spite against gays."

"But there are so many people I know who are gay and love their religion," he said. "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."

John also criticized religious leaders for failing to do anything about conflicts around the world.

"Why aren't they having a conclave? Why aren't they coming together?"

John said those in his own field have been similarly lax.

"It's like the peace movement in the '60s. Musicians got through to people by getting out there and doing peace concerts, but we don't seem to do them any more," he said. "If John Lennon were alive today, he'd be leading it with a vengeance."
http://www.usatoday.com/life/people/200 ... gion_x.htm

 

[ChristineES]

I think Elton John has totally lost his mind. He is a hypocrite, he talked about hate? He himself is showing hatred against religious folks! Is he so blind as to not see that?

 

[Gabbylittleangel]

Many years ago, when Elton befriended Ryan White (A Christian) he began to learn of the Lord. The story, as I remember it, is that while Ryan laid sick and dying, he would ask Elton to read Scripture to him. I know Ryan prayed for Elton to be saved.

Perhaps if we all agreed with Ryan's prayer, Elton's heart would be turned toward the Lord once more.

 

[Lewis]

The Lord can change Elton's heart. But Elton has been a homosexual all thses years. And I have been a fan of his from his very first album. But although he is a very giving and caring person' he is of the world.

 

[peace4all]

I think Elton John has totally lost his mind. He is a hypocrite, he talked about hate? He himself is showing hatred against religious folks! Is he so blind as to not see that?

no.. Organized religous folks.

Having a religion, and following Jesus Christ, doesn't mean you have to be so outward, or a gay basher, or a lemming. There are plenty of "Christians" that are spiritual and religous, but in their own way, and not in the way of the masses.

 

[ChristineES]

Not all Religious people go around gay bashing. I don't judge anyone, not homosexuals or anyone else. It is between that person and God.
I don't consider myself religious but faithful to God.

 

[peace4all]

but when you organize religion together, they tend to try to accomplish goals their religion sets out.

Some people think that a goal of Christianity, is to say, Ban stem cell research.

Others, think that a goal is to bash homosexuals, and make them feel worthless.

Not all christians want to ban stem cell research, and not all want to bash homosexuals, however, when you organize people together like that, it is easy to start hating those that are on the outside.

 

[Gabbylittleangel]

John said those in his own field have been similarly lax.

"It's like the peace movement in the '60s. Musicians got through to people by getting out there and doing peace concerts, but we don't seem to do them any more," he said. "If John Lennon were alive today, he'd be leading it with a vengeance."

Not all christians want to ban stem cell research, and not all want to bash homosexuals, however, when you organize people together like that, it is easy to start hating those that are on the outside.

Oh, I see what you are trying to say.

If only we would all stop following the Holy Spirit, instead follow John Lennon instead, and have a peace concert with a vengeance.
Perhaps Sir Elton could put on his

suit and lead us all in the way everlasting. Lets get started. Anybody got anything with a chapter and verse on peace concerts?

 

[Lewis]

But I will agree with John on one thing. Christian leaders' not all of them are lax, But most don't do the act of interposition and stand up for the people. Many churchs won't do anything outside their church's front door. We are to lead the world' and we fall way short. The Gospel is being spread because of things like TBN' but we fall short in other areas. And when I was younger being a hippie' I went to a lot of peace rallies and some of this relentless joining together of the people did bring about change. And we stood up to resistance by the establishment. Even though sometimes they would kill us (Kent State) the (Civil Rights Movement and Dr King) and relentless protesting of the Viet Nam war. Christians don't do this stuff anymore.

 

[lawhammer]

I totally agree, Christian leadership has simply got to stop appeasing some people. It's the old "give 'em an inch, they'll take a mile" thing working here.

I think Elton John has totally lost his mind. He is a hypocrite, he talked about hate? He himself is showing hatred against religious folks! Is he so blind as to not see that?

He also lied about his sexuality for decades. Elton John is a lost soul, he expects to be tolerated but not to tolerate, typical arrogant athiest.

God help him.

 

[SputnikBoy]

I think what Elton John might be saying is that if Christians were to put as much effort into collectively trying to combat MAJOR issues that affect thousands or millions of people as they do in poking their noses into MINOR issues that involve someone's sexual orientation, then Christianity would be seen to be far more credible in the eyes of the world.

To involve one's self in tackling major issues takes effort and commitment. Effort and commitment. Both rather 'dirty' words to many Christians. To 'gay bash', however, takes no more effort than angrily regurgitating what other fellow Christians are saying. No actual thinking is required. Just venom. For many, sadly, THIS is what present-day Christianity is all about.

 

[SputnikBoy]

I totally agree, Christian leadership has simply got to stop appeasing some people. It's the old "give 'em an inch, they'll take a mile" thing working here.




He also lied about his sexuality for decades. Elton John is a lost soul, he expects to be tolerated but not to tolerate, typical arrogant athiest.

God help him.

One feels the need to lie about their sexuality in order to avoid judgmental remarks such as yours.

Shame on you and your arrogant and sanctimonious post!

 

[Lewis]

One feels the need to lie about their sexuality in order to avoid judgmental remarks such as yours.

Shame on you and your sanctimonious post!

All come on Sput' there was nothing wrong with that remark' from a Christian standpoint man. And also the Bible says that we will judge the world. And if something does not line up with the Bible' we have the right to call it what it is.
We don't have to bite our tongue for anybody' when speaking about God's system of things. The Bible is against gay acts. And we are supposed to voice that. If you call it bashing so be it.

 

[SputnikBoy]

All come on Sput' there was nothing wrong with that remark' from a Christian standpoint man. And also the Bible says that we will judge the world. And if something does not line up with the Bible' we have the right to call it what it is.
We don't have to bite our tongue for anybody' when speaking about God's system of things. The Bible is against gay acts. And we are supposed to voice that. If you call it bashing so be it.

I stand by my convictions on this issue, Lewis.

 

[peace4all]

All come on Sput' there was nothing wrong with that remark' from a Christian standpoint man. And also the Bible says that we will judge the world. And if something does not line up with the Bible' we have the right to call it what it is.
We don't have to bite our tongue for anybody' when speaking about God's system of things. The Bible is against gay acts. And we are supposed to voice that. If you call it bashing so be it.

I could of sworn I read somewhere that God is the final Judge, and that God will judge people, and you shouldn't have to.

I thought it read somewhere to follow in the path of jesus. Jesus never condemned people for being non Christian (well, he atleast seemed not to)

also. Do unto others, as you wish done onto your self. You are complaining about what this man believes. yet, when someone complains about Christians using the masses to achieve hate, he is the bad person?

 

[SputnikBoy]

Whatever YOU believe, peace4all, seems to be more and more appealing to me as each day goes by.

I recall well-known atheist, Madelyn Murray O'Hair, as a guest on the Phil Donahue show circa 1992. An angry Christian woman called in to tell O'Hair that she (O'Hair) was doomed to hell-fire and torment because she was an atheist. In response, O'Hair said how typically aggressive this was of a follower of a religion that is supposed to espouse love and acceptance. Even in her 'atheism', O'Hair was most aware that Jesus' love was a love that was supposed to be unconditional and boundless. Would that Christians were so much less self-righteous and so much more Jesus-like.

 

[Rick W]

I've said this before. As time goes on social trends will drift further from anything Godly. We are already seeing this happening within christianity in general with such issues as homosexuality, female clergy and various other liberal precepts. Anything to do with christianity is being attacked today accenting that drift.
In Jesus's day it was the Pharisees and the Sadducees that led the people down the wrong path and Christ was not pleased with this as we all know. And He said so as we see from Matthew 23:13 through Matthew 23:34 even to the point of calling them hypocrites, blind guides, fools, serpents, generation of vipers stating their end saying "therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation", "ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves" and "how can ye escape the damnation of hell". Which is basically what the woman said to O'Hair. His words weren't exactly terms and phrases that would be held as a

"love that was supposed to be unconditional and boundless".

Christ did not teach unconditional tolerance and acceptance of everything another cares to do, say or believe.
So many will leave the faith behind for their own desires and many will view this as "separation within the church" citing such instances as evidence that it's christianity that is wrong and not the more liberal ways of thinking. In actuality the chafe is being sifted out preserving the body of believers who continue to hold to the truth of God's Word not being "tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness".
The rift will widen, that's inevitable. Christianity will be attacked more vigorously as time passes and that too is inevitable.

 

[Rick W]

Luk 17:4 And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.

Where is the repentance of those who advocate tolerance in all things leading to sin against God? Instead, under the name of love, they hold fast to their wayward beliefs with little or no regard to biblical morality. An unrepentant heart seeks no forgiveness and asks for no mercy.


1Co 13:4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
1Co 13:5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
1Co 13:6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
1Co 13:7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
1Co 13:8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

But:

1Co 5:11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such a one no not to eat.
1Co 5:12 For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within?
1Co 5:13 But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.

Heb 12:5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:
Heb 12:6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
Heb 12:7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?
Heb 12:8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye

, and not sons.

How can this be?

The top icons of the entertainment industry advocate a secular love using fame and fortune to further an idea of love much different from the love in the bible. The sexual revolution was a product of the "peace movement" that sold it's brand of love, the love of liberalism, as tolerance to all, acceptance of sin... transgression against God. I hardly think Elton John or John Lennon are pillars of christianity.

 

[Lewis]

I've said this before. As time goes on social trends will drift further from anything Godly. We are already seeing this happening within christianity in general with such issues as homosexuality, female clergy and various other liberal precepts. Anything to do with christianity is being attacked today accenting that drift.
In Jesus's day it was the Pharisees and the Sadducees that led the people down the wrong path and Christ was not pleased with this as we all know. And He said so as we see from Matthew 23:13 through Matthew 23:34 even to the point of calling them hypocrites, blind guides, fools, serpents, generation of vipers stating their end saying "therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation", "ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves" and "how can ye escape the damnation of hell". Which is basically what the woman said to O'Hair. His words weren't exactly terms and phrases that would be held as a
Christ did not teach unconditional tolerance and acceptance of everything another cares to do, say or believe.
So many will leave the faith behind for their own desires and many will view this as "separation within the church" citing such instances as evidence that it's christianity that is wrong and not the more liberal ways of thinking. In actuality the chafe is being sifted out preserving the body of believers who continue to hold to the truth of God's Word not being "tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness".
The rift will widen, that's inevitable. Christianity will be attacked more vigorously as time passes and that too is inevitable.

Good stuff.

 

[jgredline]

Lewis
Don't mean to ''HIJACK'' your thread because this is off topic, but I love your signiture.. It ''rocks''