Elton John has called for religiojn to be banned, does he have a point?

Question

Elton John says religion encourages hatred.

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.

Answer 1

Elton John made a very valid point. However it is not only homosexuals who are singled out for hatred by religious groups. They attack other religions, they are unable to even stop killing people of the same religion who worship in a slightly different form and of course atheists are counted as fair game by everyone. Banning religion looks, on first glance, to be a solution but the history of attempting to ban things paints quite another picture. Look, for example, at America's try at banning alcohol in the Prohibition days - all it did was to force drinking underground and to create the still existent organized crime families. I think that proper education is the only way the yoke of religion will ever be lifted from man's shoulders - but don't hold your breath waiting for it to happen.

Answer 2

Here are some of his quotes from the article. I think religion has always tried to turn hatred towards gay people. From my point of view, I would ban religion completely," he was quoted as saying.

"Organized 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? 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?" he said.

"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 anymore.

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

Religion turns people into hateful lemmings I would agree. Only a percentage of religious people are hateful.

Answer 3

Observing religion or not is ones own wish and others should not tell or advocate for banning religions, be it Elton John or anyone. It is the right of the people to follow their religion or the religion they wish. But they should not be fanatic and do all nonsense in the name of spreading it and converting people to their fold. All should follow some ethics and policy in observing their religion.

Answer 4

He was very careful with his wording -- please be as well.

Elton John said that in his person view he thinks religion should be banned. He gave considered reasons and mentioned gay friends who love their religions. He did not in anyway call for religion to be banned, although the religious right will phrase it that way in order to vilify him more.

He definitely has a point. I think it needs to be stated this starkly as well.

I especially like what he said about the need for religious leaders to come together to address violence that is committed in the name of religion. I include gay-bashing in that, but accept that suicide bombings and shock-and-awe campaigns must take priority.

Answer 5

Oh, so Elton John says it, and it's suddenly a big deal. Greg Graffin and Bad Religion have been saying this in their music for almost 2 decades.

Answer 6

Throughout history men have fought over religion, and now in modern society many governments have established religious liberty. Why go back to oppression and violence by not only trying to restrain heresy, like done in the past, but instead to restrain all religion? Such an idea would be more destructive than any war between religious ideals. Instead the government should only concern itself when someone attempts to advance their religion by use of violence.

Answer 7

I can agree with Elton's call for a ban... I don't think he and I would agree on the reason for it, however. He might be inclined to see the main issue as freedom from oppression for gays while I am more likely to look at the greater good which could exist in society of homogeneously acceptable logic-based truth.

My idea of a ban might be different, too. Rather than out-right refusal to allow religions to exist, (something which I feel would fail completely,) I'm inclined to think that simply removing their tax exempt status and their educational funding would be quite a good beginning as well as a prudent first step.

I'll add that I see a great deal which is good in religion... I hope that you all of opposing doctrines will try to get together and find enough common ground to satisfy your differences peacefully, identify the good, share it and spread it. I also hope that you will look forward enough and see that for the betterment of all mankind, advancement of only those of your beliefs which are universally palatable and fundamentally useful to all the worlds people will finally result in a greater likelihood of worldwide peace. I believe it's time to reorganize religeon into something which is much less spiritual and more more practicle.

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Post Script: Please read the answer given by "U.K.Expor..." Well said UK.

Answer 8

No he doesn't. Religion doesn't teach hatred of gays, just intolerance of sin. Christians don't hate gay people, we are just disgusted by the lifestyle. I can have gay friends as well as straight friends, there's no problem with it and Christianity doesn't teach me to hate.

Since being gay is a sin, most gays have his views.
It's like the child who throws a temper tantrum because his mommy won't buy him a toy.

If EJ wants to be gay, that's his problem. He shouldn't get angry because people disagree with his lifestyle. If he made that choice, then he chose the baggage that comes along with it.

I chose to be in the military. When I get sent off to war, I don't go crying to the president. It's part of the job that I chose.

For people who say it's not a choice, I disagree. Please provide the evidence not given by gay psychiatrists or scientists.

**Lapin and Sam,
If I could give you guys 2 thumbs up each I would. Those were some great answers. Here's an extra thumbs up each !!

Answer 9

OK, by Reggie's (Elton's) own logic, let us consider that he has a valid point. Since homosexuals have done less than "religion" to help the poor and work for world peace, it would make sense to say we need to ban homosexuality.

I don't agree with this logic, but apparently Sir Reggie Dwight does.

Answer 10

He's not very tolerant, yet he wants people to be tolerant of him.

No one is forcing Elton John to join a religion. He should live and let live.