elton on religion

Pop music star Elton John recently participated in a chat with Jake Shears of the Scissor Sisters. Much of their talk focused on homosexuality and the music scene. During their conversation, Elton said the following:

From my point of view I would ban religion completely, even though there are some wonderful things about it. I love the idea of the teachings of Jesus Christ and the beautiful stories about it, which I loved in Sunday school and I collected all the little stickers and put them in my book. But the reality is that organised religion doesn't seem to work. It turns people into hateful lemmings and it's not really compassionate.

What seems to be apparent from all this, especially in light of past statements and actions?

1. Elton believes that one of the biggest wrongs in this world is that there is "hatred and spite against gays."
2. Elton believes that since religion has historically "banned" homosexuals, religion itself should be banned.
3. Even though he apparently subscribes to no "organized religion," he is still somehow able to say to a few photographers, "You should all be shot."
4. Two years ago, he called some Taiwanese photographers "vile, rude pigs." This does not mean, however, that he is a "hateful lemming."
5. It is apparent that Elton doesn't realize what the teachings of Jesus were actually all about.
6. It seems that Elton wants everyone to think as he does in this matter, even though those people would then become one of his "lemmings."
7. Elton most likely "celebrates diversity," especially when everyone thinks as he does.
8. It does not appear that Elton John has ever demanded - or even merely requested - that he himself be banned.