Did we or did we not tell that this interview was going to become a problem?
Singing icon Elton John Elton John is coming under fire for his recent remarks on religion and Jesus’ sexuality in an interview with Parade Magazine. At least two Christian civil rights organizations, including The Catholic League of America, have issued statements slamming the “Rocket Man” singer for “ignorance” and “intolerance” after Elton called Jesus a “compassionate gay man” in the interview published last week.
“I think Jesus was a compassionate, super-intelligent gay man who understood human problems,” John, 62, told Parade at the time. “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.”
Catholic League president Bill Donohue is livid over the pop star’s statements and promptly issued a scathing release ripping Elton as a “sexual deviant.”
“Jesus was certainly compassionate, but to say He was ’super-intelligent’ is to compare the Son of God to a successful game-show contestant,” Donohue said. “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.’”
The ultra-conservative Christian Voice is also taking offense with Elton’s remarks. Stephen Green, director of right-wing group, has dismissed the gay claim as “rubbish.”
“The Bible says Jesus was without sin and that rules out homosexuality,” he said. “This is a desperate cry for attention.”