Here's a quote from Elton John that ought to be on the front page of every newspaper in the world. If anyone else in public life said it, they would face consequences for their intolerance. The statement appears in the course of a wide-ranging discussion with Scissor Sisters' Jake Shears on the current state of the gay scene and is printed in the Observer newspaper.
The discussion turns to religion: "From my point of view I would ban religion completely, even though there are some wonderful things about it. I love the idea of the teachings of Jesus Christ and the beautiful stories about it .... but the reality is that organised religion doesn't seem to work. It turns people into hateful lemmings and it's not really compassionate."
Here we have a prime example of the intolerance that is rife at the heart of the gay-so-called-rights movement. It's easy to see the steps that have lead to this arrogant opinion. First, Elton John assumes that gay sex is acceptable - an opinion held by many people; second, he identifies those who he sees as opposing this view (participants in "organised religion") ; third, he wants such people "banned" from holding those beliefs, if they are based in a religious world-view.
Admittedly, Elton John is not quite calling for a legal ban on organised religion (though one suspects that if one were put before Parliament, the logic of his view would be to support it.) He is expressing an opinion - that religion makes people hateful. That's his view and he's free to express it. The problem is what he wants to do in the light of his view on religion. If his only response to those who oppose homosexual acts on moral or religious grounds is to wish such people could be "banned", Elton John has become as intolerant as those he opposes.
Elton John apparently finds it difficult to conceive of living in a society where different people can co-exist while holding a variety of beliefs and opinions - some of which are strongly at odds with the beliefs of others. This, it seems to me, is at the heart of a free society. Banning opposing views is what fascists do. It's unworthy of a free and civilized society.
The discussion turns to religion: "From my point of view I would ban religion completely, even though there are some wonderful things about it. I love the idea of the teachings of Jesus Christ and the beautiful stories about it .... but the reality is that organised religion doesn't seem to work. It turns people into hateful lemmings and it's not really compassionate."
Here we have a prime example of the intolerance that is rife at the heart of the gay-so-called-rights movement. It's easy to see the steps that have lead to this arrogant opinion. First, Elton John assumes that gay sex is acceptable - an opinion held by many people; second, he identifies those who he sees as opposing this view (participants in "organised religion") ; third, he wants such people "banned" from holding those beliefs, if they are based in a religious world-view.
Admittedly, Elton John is not quite calling for a legal ban on organised religion (though one suspects that if one were put before Parliament, the logic of his view would be to support it.) He is expressing an opinion - that religion makes people hateful. That's his view and he's free to express it. The problem is what he wants to do in the light of his view on religion. If his only response to those who oppose homosexual acts on moral or religious grounds is to wish such people could be "banned", Elton John has become as intolerant as those he opposes.
Elton John apparently finds it difficult to conceive of living in a society where different people can co-exist while holding a variety of beliefs and opinions - some of which are strongly at odds with the beliefs of others. This, it seems to me, is at the heart of a free society. Banning opposing views is what fascists do. It's unworthy of a free and civilized society.
I'm reminded of a piece of graffiti I saw which read: "Oppress all oppressors and then hang yourself."
People who love freedom should be very concerned about Elton John's intolerance.
1 comment:
Well I don't think religion should be banned but religious differences are at the very core of many a bloody war. Certainly the Catholic church has no tolerance for Gays. Not being gay myself, I don't feel that like Elton John might.
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