McKellen: On God And The Devil

International News, By Christian Taylor, 17th November, 2009

In a recent interview with the LA Times, actor Ian McKellen has spoken about organised religion being our enemy, and closeted actors making ‘deals with the devil’.

“I increasingly see organised religion as actually my enemy,” said McKellen. “They treat me as their enemy. Not all Christians, of course. Not all Jews, not all Muslims. But the leaders… Why should I take the judgment of a declared celibate about my sexual needs? He’s basing his judgment on laws that would fit life in the Bronze Age. So if I’m lost to God, organised religion is to blame.”

He also talked about actors who make a deal with the devil to stay in the closet.

“The conventional wisdom is that if you are gay, you cannot play the romantic straight lead in a movie. They’d rather have ‘don’t ask, don’t tell.’ The proposition from Mephistopheles as you sign the agreement that you will become a Hollywood star is that you will lie about yourself. That’s selling your soul. This business may involve disguise, but it’s about telling the truth. And I don’t think a closeted actor in this day and age can act as well as an actor who is out.”

Related Videos

Tori Amos - Part II 30 November, 2009

Your Thoughts

jimjazz

said on the 17th Nov, 2009

Love McKellen! Heard him on Triple J once. I hope I'm as nutty as he is when I'm 70. He rocks.

urbanpitch

said on the 17th Nov, 2009

Checkmate! McKellen couldn't have said that any better

local_warming

said on the 18th Nov, 2009

yep, his poster is now on my wall as well.

Kruger

said on the 21st Nov, 2009

Sir Ian McKellan one of my all time favourite actors certainly has a wit and god damn it does he have balls. Good on him for speaking the truth there is nothing worse in this life than having to bottle everything up because there isnt a "appropriate space" to let it out. Society is so fucked up double jointed on one side, Business and Commerce and all the lack of ethics it has come to represent. then add on the other hand Religion and invariably involved is politics and governance and from there it is easy to see how convoluded the world is.

blueterrace

said on the 24th Nov, 2009

He summed it up perfectly.

otter_qld

said on the 24th Nov, 2009

Why is that religious leaders think that they can impose their chosen beliefs

Asherbella

said on the 24th Nov, 2009

Because they need (and crave ) an air of authority in order to maintain thousands of years of tradition. People need to be lead by 'experts'. It's safer that way. They (the masses) can't trust themselves to administer wisdom to themselves. Religious leaders are theological & spiritual 'experts'. They have to be that way. Otherwise they are out of a job. Beliefs are pedalled as tradition. If it's old, established & filled with an aspect of fear (they call it 'awe') the religion keeps it's power & following.

Xiphias-Gladius

said on the 24th Nov, 2009

Good on you Ian. Your advice is wise--I can sware you sound like gandalf. I share your opinion of organized religion. They are evil. Shame huh. Asherbella has it spot on!!! Cheers! XG

rain

said on the 1st Jan, 2010

i had no idea he was gay!!!!!. i always did like him too, hmmmm, something to think on. he has a point for sure, actors that are closeted dont give their roles their all because they are holding back, i mean i know i would go and see a movie with an actor i know is out in it than one that is closeted but you just know is gay. have to say he makes good points.

To post a comment, you need to be a SameSame Member

Log-in now or signup for a new account