And In This Corner... Elton John Vs. Religion

As reported on 365Gay.com: 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 towards 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."

Religious leaders have also failed to do anything about tensions and conflicts around the world, he said. "Why aren't they having a conclave? Why aren't they coming together?" he asked. 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."

We will have to see if there is any fallout or protect by religious activists over Mr. John's statements. But this is not the first time he's opened his mouth and said something controversial, and it hasn't really effected his career too much. I guess when you are as successful as Elton is, you can get away with this sort of thing more.

What do you think? Do you agree with him or not? Post comments please, I love to hear from my readers!