SOUNDBITES — “I do, absolutely. I’m not proudly defacing the book, but it’s a choice between removing that page and throwing away the whole Bible. And I’m not really the first: I got delivered a package of 40 of those pages—Leviticus 18:22—that had been torn out by a married couple I know. They put them on a bit of string so that I could hang it up in the bathroom. … It is in the bathroom, yes, but it’s too much of a curiosity to actually put to use.” —Sir Ian McKellen, admitting he tears out pages in the Bible that supposedly condemns homosexuality
ian mckellen
‘I’m not proudly defacing the book, but it’s a choice between removing that [anti-homosexuality] page and throwing away the whole Bible’
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YellowRanger
I read that whole thing in my head in his voice.
Nick
In this case it’s okay to throw out the baby along with the bathwater
Josh
To believe the Bible requires a certain intellectual laziness or complete ignorance. That’s why religion is going out of business. I call it an “Awakening.” It’s about time.
ChicagoJimmy
I’m with Nick, throw the whole book out. Any good in there is far out-weighed by the bad.
tavdy79
Josh, I’m not sure that “lazy” is an adverb I’d use to describe the theological gymnastics most Evangelicals perform in order to make the Bible comply with their prejudices. There’s a huge amount of mental effort required to achieve that degree of irrationality. By the same token “ignorant” isn’t all that realistic either: considerable intellectual capacities are required to perform the necessary philosophical contortions. Of course, once they’re at the end of the necessarily convoluted game of mental twister, their arguments are stretched so thin and are so precariously balanced and interconnected with mobius-like circular reasonings that knocking just one hole in their logic (or rather pointing out their lack of it) causes the whole thing to collapse like a house built on sand.
romeo
Maybe monotheism was just an aberration that has run its course. After all it was imposed by force for political reasons, particularly Christianity and Islam. Perhaps we should go back to the old traditional religion of the West. It was way more realistic and natural, and it had way more aesthetically beautiful metaphors. Besides, Zeus rocked. Total switch-hitter. Loved him some Ganymede. LOL !
Qjersey
Bible paper and the Book of Mor(m)on paper will do in a pinch when you are out of big bamboo
dontblamemeivotedforhillary
Lord of the Rings was a better written work of fiction and it was all about getting rid of that goddamn ring!
fierced
Nazi’s, space aliens, illiterate hicks, self-righteous demagogues, conspiracy theorists : people who create religions
Did a “Grandma” ever create a religion?
jarvisbearcub
I see no problem with Ian doing this, as many evangelicals pretty much do the same with the story of David and Jonathan, not to mention the bits that talk about not accumulating wealth.
But religious wisdom or knowledge and rationality are two different things. Of course this book is not scientific, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have deep insight for some.
Washingtion Guy
gee we are so accepting of those with faith on here lets see only one of the first 10 comments is not demeaning. Its funny to be demeaned by the community you belong to and are fighting for your rights with and by those out side it who you share a common faith with.
I also don’t see how making fun of religious people is a helpful past time when we need those same people (since unfortunately our rights continual end up being voted on by the public)to help us.
romeo
Chillax Washington #11 — anyone who’s been around the corner in this life knows that REAL “people of faith” are a small minority. People say all kinds of crap that they think they’re supposed to say when polled. Truth is most people live by their stomachs and their sex organs. Not as many people really believe as you guys would like to think. Most people live in this world. A lot hope for the next, but they are by no means sure of it.
“People of faith” can just deal with a little sarcasm off the Queerty website considering all the hyprocritical sh*t the guys on this site have had to take off them. “People of faith” are always going to have those dumbass passages in Leviticus to deal with.
Def
Christ in a top hat! How I love Ian McKellen