February 19, 2010 | Celeb Watch

Elton John says Jesus was gay

Elton John isn't afraid of a little controversy, so his recent comments about Jesus are not that surprising.

"I think Jesus was a compassionate, super-intelligent gay man who understood human problems," he told 'Parade' magazine. "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."

The assertion is nothing new. Jesus' insistence on maintaining the company of men over women, and his struggles to support minorities (including sexual minorities like prostitutes), have made some people question whether he could have been gay.

U.S. Biblical scholar, Morton Smith, even said the Bible contains an interesting passage of an affair between Jesus and a young man risen from the dead: "And the youth, looking upon him (Jesus), loved him and beseeched that he might remain with him. And going out of the tomb, they went into the house of the youth, for he was rich. And after six days, Jesus instructed him and, at evening, the youth came to him wearing a linen cloth over his naked body. And he remained with him that night, for Jesus taught him the mystery of the Kingdom of God."

Maybe we should start a new campaign: Elton John for Pope?

Elton John: 'There's A Lot Of Hate In The World' [Parade]

Was Jesus gay? [SpiritRestoration.org]