What do you think of Elton John's statement about banning religion?

hi julia
first of all thanks for starting such a meaningful discussion.
now coming back to ur question.
what i believe is that what ever elton john had said was just because he has received criticism from every corner of the world.
everyone even church which symbolises equality and as christianity is expounded as eagalatarian religion has left him in the time of crisis.
the time when even god's representative so to say and those who are well versed with bible hv refuted him i can understand that is a moment of complete agony and despair.
a moment of complete hopelessness just because he has diff inclination thn natural?
so in this agoinising cry he had such a thing.

Of course, Elton John's statement is motivated by his bitter experiences. But if we take the matter more seriously, putting the faith element apart, what the organised nature of religions do is nothing but judging others! Think about that...and say whether there is any way out.

I don't think Elton is against banning faith. He's just against organised religion. Frankly I don't think he cares about rude indviduals but he cares about religious organisations who make no effort to adress major issues that affect the lives of many people. How many people could have been saved from Aids if the church allowed the use of condoms just to name an example? How many lives can be saved in church leaders oppose war instead of supporting it?

Religion has its purpose but at some point it becomes counter-productive and hinders mankind from progressing spiritually. Too often, religion becomes nothing more than an effort to keep the institution alive. The Catholic religion had become irrelevant and even dangerous with the many scandals rocking it. The hierarchy was more interested in hiding the scandal than in protecting young children from the predations of powerful pedophiles masquerading as men of the cloth. I am sure Elton had some thoughts to back up is statements.

there is no escaping religion causes a lot of problems. At the end of the day every religion wants you to be a good, respecting person and I find it sad we need ANY religion to have faith in that way of life

I mean all these wars and people using religion to brainwash people - there are a lot of evil people out there and some hide behind religion. I think we need faith but it should be a united faith because we all form groups and these devisions are not healty

We are a race. The human race. When you break it down further you ask for trouble and yes I think faith can be found not just in what you follow but in how YOU believe live should be lived

goodluck