He made an unfortunate statement once on a radio show - but the radio show tilted way right - and I'm guessing in that space he said what the host's listeners wanted to hear; the industry line was that he was 'baited'. He retracted and apologized for that interview - but it's haunted his PR ever since. I wouldn't call John Rich homophobic necessarily - just very rural and small-town in his mindset. (if that makes any sense to diffrentiate) That small-town God is involved in everything point-of-view.
Here's what he said recently when asked about his gay marriage rant on conservative radio:
"“My earlier comments on same-sex marriage don’t reflect my full views on the broader issues regarding tolerance and the treatment of gays and lesbians in our society. I apologize for that and wish to state clearly my views. I oppose same-sex marriage because my father and minister brought me up to believe that marriage is an institution for the union of a man and a woman.”
“However, I also believe that intolerance, bigotry and hatred are wrong. People should be judged based on their merits, not on their sexual orientation. We are all children of God and should be valued and respected.”
am I saying that I agree with John Rich? of course not. but I don't think in speaking from how he was raised and his religious point-of-view - that its necessarily deliberate hate speech either. It's a free country and he's allowed to say/think what he likes.
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branchandroot
no subject
Date: 2009-04-28 01:06 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-04-28 01:14 am (UTC)Here's what he said recently when asked about his gay marriage rant on conservative radio:
"“My earlier comments on same-sex marriage don’t reflect my full views on the broader issues regarding tolerance and the treatment of gays and lesbians in our society. I apologize for that and wish to state clearly my views. I oppose same-sex marriage because my father and minister brought me up to believe that marriage is an institution for the union of a man and a woman.”
“However, I also believe that intolerance, bigotry and hatred are wrong. People should be judged based on their merits, not on their sexual orientation. We are all children of God and should be valued and respected.”
am I saying that I agree with John Rich? of course not. but I don't think in speaking from how he was raised and his religious point-of-view - that its necessarily deliberate hate speech either. It's a free country and he's allowed to say/think what he likes.
what do you think?
no subject
Date: 2009-05-01 01:31 am (UTC)