Posted on 09/21/2013 3:06:48 PM PDT by nickcarraway
Abba legend Björn Ulvaeus has made veiled criticisms of Islam in a wide-ranging interview with the Wall Street Journal saying "less religion in the world would be better".
"Look at all the misery in the Middle East for example. All these countries have Islam in common, and far too few dare to criticize Islam as an ideology, and what it's doing to these countries," the 68-year-old told the paper.
"I know I might get punched in the face for saying these things, but my conviction is that less religion in the world would be better."
Ulvaeus, who caused controversy earlier this year for making insensitive comments about the Boston Marathon disaster, was keen to point out his views weren't targeted towards a particular faith or people who practice religion.
He is a member of Humanisterna (Swedish Humanist Association) which campaigns for an end to religious oppression and an open secular society.
Ulvaeus said his native Sweden is an "open, liberal, secular and democratic country" that is not overly religious.
"Religion is the root of so much misery in the world and I've always thought there is lack of criticism against it," he continued.
In 2009 Ulvaeus made a plea to the Swedish government to rethink its policy on faith-based schools.
"There's probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life," he said in a column published on The Local.
The former member of the seventies pop quartet said that Sweden should stop using tax money to fund private religious schools.
"A religious education makes it more difficult for children to form their own views on the world. It puts obstacles in their way that not all are capable of overcoming," he said.
Ulvaeus also killed off any prospect of an Abba reunion by saying he wants the fans to remember them during the heyday.
"I don’t think that four geriatrics wheeled on stage is what we should leave as our legacy," he said.
Not less religion.
Just less Islam.
Criticizing Islam could be his Waterloo.
I can believe that tha ABBA star doesnt know from whence the NAME of the Band ABBA came form...
Abba is the transliteration of the Aramaic word for father. It occurs three times in the New Testament. It is always used as a direct address to God the Father
WOOPS
Hey, that atheistic socialism turned out so well in the 20th century. Only 100 million people murdered. (smirk)
Did Abba really have a heyday?
If they did I don’t remember it. I must have taken a long nap that day.
Actually, ABBA’s name was formed from the first names of the band’s members....Agnetha, Bjorn, Benny, and Ani-Frid.
That it happens to be the same as the name as the Aramaic name of “Daddy” is coincidental.
a Band peopled by folks named Geoffrey Olad and Daniel wouldnt like call their band GOD....but.../s
You should have criticized Christianity and assured yourself another fawning music award instead.
Zero islam would be better.
Less legitimate religion would be terrible. Less of political/terrorist movements masquerading as religion would be a very good thing.
Less devils religion, aka islam. Then it would be better.
To understand Muslims, one must know what’s in the Koran and this book will provide that knowledge:
The Complete Infidel’s Guide to the Koran
An audio copy can be found at:
http://www.tantor.com/home-consumer.asp
Christianity is not a religion.
“Religion is the root of so much misery in the world and I’ve always thought there is lack of criticism against it,”
This man clearly has never visited North Korea. No matter, his country has already been taken by Islam.
“There’s probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life,”
I’m hazarding a guess and saying this tool probably read ‘The God Delusion’ and thought it had been written by a philosopher.
Here's where the (senile?) entertainer goes off the rails.
Is Sweden funding madrassas? Islam is the only religion I know of that lies, insults, kills, maims, bombs, stabs, beheads, amputates and eat other human beings.
Unless he can demonstrate that ANY other religions do the same, he is a total moron.
Most Christian religious schools just educate, and yes, teach about that fictitious God, which belief hurts absolutely no one.
Why dump on all religions because one is a sick, criminal one?
No God? The poor fellow has never heard of Pascal’s Wager?
Typical brain addled European.
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