what is your opinion about what Elton John said?

Question

Elton John said that he feels that organized religion should be banned altogether because it promotes bashing of homosexuals and lacks compassion. He added on that there are too few leaders in religion today and that most religions are teaching hate rather than compassion towards people who are different.
What is your opinion to what he said? Do you agree or disagree or are you somewhere in the middle?
My opinion. I sorta agree with him. I can see what he means about bashing people but I don't have a problem with religions bashing people as long as those people are within that religion. I have a problem with them bashing people with their beliefs outside their religion.
Before you write anything rude. Remember he said organzied religion, not certain beliefs.

My opinion: example. If a religion bans gayness and if a gay person joins the religion I understand that religion calling that person all their bad names.
i just don't like it when they do that to someone who's not a member of their religion.

Answer 1

...Elton John said he "banned" it, whatever that means. I don't know when he became a ruler over all of us, but that proclamation is laughable. He leads a deviant and destructive (physically) lifestyle, which will probably cause him an early death. The Centers for Disease Control (hardly a right-wing organization) reports that the life span of the average homosexual male is 41. I do not rejoice in this.
...Sir Elton acts like a baby when he is here in the U.S. if anyone crosses him. He is a homosexual activist, which is unfortunate, for reasons already mentioned.
...While there is life, there is hope for Sir Elton and others. He needs, like all do, to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and be saved.
...Whosoever will, may come.

Answer 2

I think that Sir Elton is pretty much spot on.
One question for you, though -- what sort of religion that bashes it's own should be tolerated?

That is one of the many problems with ALL religions. If they are not bashing others, they are bashing each other through in-fighting.

It's all really absurd. Anyone who has ever studied the pure sciences and/or the *history* of religion knows the real deal. Apparently the overwhelming majority of people on earth have studied *neither*.

And that is a real pity.

Marx was right about at least one thing: Religion is opiate for the masses. Creepy but all too true.

I am very happy someone with the high profile of Elton John is speaking out, and speaking the truth.

Richard Dawkins and Sam Harris are others, and I highly recommend their books.

Answer 3

Elton John is angry, which is why he made this statement. He is tired of being bashed; so to speak.

Yes, some (or perhaps all?) religions do not condone homosexuality to my knowledge. Why? I don't know. It's all a personal choice... not up to religious leaders or religions to govern. THIS IS AMERICA! We have the right to make our own decisions regarding our behaviors whether it concerns gays or whomever.. not up to religion, government, etc. that's my opinion!

Do I think organized religion should be banned? No! Just do not participate if you disagree with their views.. it's as simple as that.
Elton John, by his own word, should not be any part of any organized religion. However, it's not for him to say who should or shouldn't worship and how, when, or where. If we did not have religious freedom.. we would be communists!

I'm a firm believer that gays should have every right that non-gays have; but dismiss organized religion??????????? It will never happen.. organized religion has and will always exist.. that's just the way it is Elton.. he knows it.. he's angry. Can't say I blame him, but the statement is really absurd, unfortunately.

That's all folks!

Answer 4

You can't BAN organized religion. We have freedoms here in the U.S. and U.K. And you would have to define what a religion means legally which would be next to impossible.

Having said that, I can certainly understand how he FEELS. I don't think anyone can argue a lot of religions -- if not most -- DO bash homosexuality. The world could definitely use more leaders. Too many religions act like they know it all and THEIR's is the only path. And don't get me started how much killing has been done throughout history "In the Name of God".

But all this I think points to our weakness as Human Beings. I think if people REALLY understood the teachings of Buddha, Jesus, Moses, etc. the world really WOULD be a much better place.

Answer 5

I know many religious folks who do not put down homosexuals. Elton John must be living in a different world; I know of no christian religious leader who preach hate against homosexuals; saying that marriage is between a man and a woman is not preaching hate against homosexuals...it's just the truth.
In some Muslim countries, being a homosexual can be a very deadly lifestyle; would Elton John go to Iran and condemn the Islamic leadership of being anti-homosexual? He would need a new head.

Answer 6

The job of religious leaders is to declare the truth. The truth is the same for everybody, not just members of my particular faith community. Most religions that I have heard of teach compassion and love for all people - including homosexuals. The problem is when the homosexual refuses to see the truth that their lifestyle is intrinsically sinful. Being gay - in and of itself - is not a sin. But, practicing a gay lifestyle is. Many homosexuals want to live a life of sin, but not be called sinners. That is where the problem is.

Every person deserves compassion and love. But, every person is also called to turn from sin - not deny that it exists.

Answer 7

The opinion of myself and others has no bearing on what he said. His belief is his and another persons is theirs. What organized religion does is set guidelines for others to follow. Different religions have different ideas of what God's word says. (That is if we are only talking about christianity) Our responsibility is to choose what tenet we want to follow and accept it. As a christian, I have always told people that my faith is what I believe and my religion is how I practice it. By accepting the tenets of that religion, I am in essence accepting all of that religions beliefs. Whenever we do that we have to be willing to defend that religion and live it. The world seems to think that everyone should bend everything for what it believes. Why should I or anyone else apologize for not believing what another does? If we don't stand for something, what is left? I get really tired of accomodating others. If someone wants to live a certain way, I don't have a problem with that and can have a good relationship with them. What I don't appreciate is people that think that I should alter my lifestyle in order to do so. What is good for one evidently is not good for another. Mr. Elton John is one of the greatest entertainers of my lifetime and I have great respect for his talent. But, his fame does not dictate to me how to believe. Whenever I quit following my heart and thinking for myself is when I will give up completely.

Answer 8

I owe him a great deal of respect for saying that. Few people are willing to go up against the big baddies of organized religion, but I suppose Elton John is braver and carries more influence than most. I agree with him completely, although I doubt one could ever ban organized religion.

Answer 9

First off, he's living in a dream world if he thinks there will be a ban organized religion. He is in a minority that is not strong enough to overthrow something so deeply embedded in societies the world over.

Second of all, he was generalizing a little too much. Let's face it. We know that what he means is organized Christianity as organized religion could also include Islam and other religions that are not based on the Bible. So to ban organized religion means to ban all organized religion of all beliefs, and that's just not going to happen.

I'm not a huge fan of organized Christianity as we know it today. Never was. Does this mean I don't go to church? Not at all. I go - faithfully. I participate - fully with my whole heart. I'm not a big fan of denominational Christianity because I see more emphasis placed on church creeds than on the Word of God in a great many of denominations. I see these things emphasized as more of a distraction from truly knowing God. Therefore, I stay as far away as I possibly can from any denominational affiliation.

I don't think it's possible for me to think objectively and open-mindedly about organized Christianity. I see a lot of pride there. I see a lot of holier than thou attitude there. I went to a denominational church as a kid, and I've been to a few since I've been on my own. And it never fails that in every church - while there are the ones all caught up in pride at being a part of the who's who of their denomination - there are also those who are the quiet, humble ones in the background who truly love God and walk with Him and have reverence for Him in their hearts. When one learns to recognize this it's unmistakable. They go to church on Sunday with a sincere heart to honor their Lord. I see that. More importantly, God sees that. However, there was a time when I was hurting and needed God and couldn't see it for all the pomp and circumstance painting an unsavory picture of an unmerciful God who plays favorites - when nothing could be farther from the truth. When I learned the truth about how He really is, I was grieved that I didn't know the truth sooner. And the only thing standing in my way all those years from knowing the truth was all the pomp and circumstance of religious ritual seeking, if it was possible, to corner the market on God and make like He's all for them and not for the rest of us. So, yeah, I probably will never be a big fan of this particular brand of Christianity.

Even so, I do not seek to do away with it. It's here, and it's here to stay until the end of the age of man when all things are restored back to their proper place of ownership and governorship. The only thing I know that I can do is love mercy, do justice, and walk humbly with my God.

Answer 10

I understand what Elton John is saying, how abused religion is. Religion isn't something that should be used to hurt people (like me!). But I am also very uncomfortable with the idea of government regulating religion. That should be an individual's choice, not a government law.