Elton John has sparked outrage amongst the sorts of people who enjoy being outraged after he suggested that Jesus might have been smart, compassionate and forgiving. Oh, and gay. I think it's the gay thing they were most upset by. Though one group has taken offence at Jesus being called intelligent, too. John told Parade: "I think Jesus was a compassionate, super-intelligent gay man who understood human problems. On the cross, he forgave the people who crucified him. Jesus wanted us to be loving and forgiving. I don't know what makes people so cruel.
Try being a gay woman in the Middle East - you're as good as dead". In a statement responding to Elton's interview, the president of the US Catholic League For Religious And Civil Rights, Bill Donohue, said yesterday: "Jesus was certainly compassionate, but to say he was 'super-intelligent' is to compare the son of God to a successful game show contestant. More seriously, to call Jesus a homosexual is to label him a sexual deviant. But what else would we expect from a man who previously said: 'From my point of view, I would ban religion completely'? We're not sure what's worse - John's ignorance or intolerance. In any event, if we thought we could persuade him to issue an apology, we would try. But given his recidivism, we won't even bother to ask. One thing is clear: someone needs to straighten John out".
Note the accusation of "intolerance" against Elton, before the threat of "straightening" him out. I'm not sure if by that he means that someone should give John a good talking to, beat him up, or try to cure him of that nasty case of gay he's come down with. Or all three. Others responding to John's remarks have, of course, pointed out that the Bible clearly states that homosexuality is an "abomination". Though, as everyone surely knows by now, the Bible says all kinds of crazy stuff. Have you ever read the bits about periods? There aren't enough turtles and baby pigeons in the world for all the sacrificing that needs to be done in that area. Plus, while we'd not like to comment on John's specific assertions in this latest interview, it is true that Jesus was an unmarried man in his thirties who always hung around with a load of other guys.
Just an observation, is all.
Permalink: http://livemusic.fm/news/elton-john-thinks-jesus-was-gay
Posted 19th February by bennyboy
