Well, tell me why, not? Elton John wants to cry out to ban all religions. Why can't I say ban homosexuals? Why would I get a visit from the ACLU if I was serious about that statement, but Elton John doesn't? I doubt that it has to do with the difference in our income levels or public stature.
I used to like Elton John and his songs, no matter how off the wall he's been, until he decides to go and make such a dumb statement as "ban all religion." Let me tell ya, that right there is being a bleeding heart and sensitive that liberals claim to be.
Sir Elton claims that "I think religion has always tried to turn hatred towards gay people. Religion promotes the hatred and spite against gays." Just because you hate the Church, doesn't mean the Church hates you. Your statement is so wrong. Sure you have sinned, I have sinned, we all have sinned, but the Church doesn't teach to hate homosexual people, and the Church doesn't teach to hate me for my sins. What does the Church teach? Well, let's take a look (CCC 2357-2359):
Homosexuality refers to relations between men or between women who experience an exclusive or predominant sexual attraction toward persons of the same sex. It has taken a great variety of forms through the centuries and in different cultures. Its psychological genesis remains largely unexplained. Basing itself on Sacred Scripture, which presents homosexual acts as acts of grave depravity, tradition has always declared that "homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered." They are contrary to the natural law. They close the sexual act to the gift of life. They do not proceed from a genuine affective and sexual complementarity. Under no circumstances can they be approved.The first paragraph defines homosexuality and speaks on homosexual acts. It states that homosexual acts are "intrinsically disordered," not intrinsically evil, not banned, or anything else you've been told. It goes on to describe what that statement means, "They close the sexual act to the gift of life. They do not proceed from a genuine affective and sexual complementarity." The last line ("Under no circumstances can they be approved.") might sound harsh, but we have to take it in context. Remember, the "they" is refering to homosexual acts (read sex), NOT homosexuALS themselves.
The number of men and women who have deep-seated homosexual tendencies is not negligible. This inclination, which is objectively disordered, constitutes for most of them a trial. They must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided. These persons are called to fulfill God's will in their lives and, if they are Christians, to unite to the sacrifice of the Lord's Cross the difficulties they may encounter from their condition.
Homosexual persons are called to chastity. By the virtues of self-mastery that teach them inner freedom, at times by the support of disinterested friendship, by prayer and sacramental grace, they can and should gradually and resolutely approach Christian perfection.
The second paragraph deals with homosexual people. What does it say about homosexual people? "They must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided." The Church said it right here, homosexuals are people and they deserve respect, compassion, and sensitivity just like everyone else. What does it say about unjust discrimination and hatred towards homosexuals? That's right [it] should be avoided. And that paragraph just keeps getting better and better for homosexuals. WOW! That's supposed to promote hatred. Unless I'm off my rocker it says that hatred and unjust discrimination are sins.
The final paragraph tells us that homosexual persons are called to chastity. And pretty much describes the exact same call for single people, married people, priests, and religious.
Mr. John, I think you need to check your sources next time. Just because church-going people seem to spew hatred, does not mean that is what the Church teaches. By your statment and by your philosophy, I should then resolve that all homosexuals hate me (a church-going person) and therefore call out that homosexuals should be banned now doesn't it?
Paix du Christ!
