John Rich of “Big & Rich” Country Duo Opposes Gay Marriage
In an interview with The Tennessean, John Rich of the country duo “Big & Rich” said he is an avid supporter of Fred Thompson’s presidential bid because he’s a conservative and the pro-lifer is against gay marriage.
Rich tells the paper, “I think if you legalize that, you’ve got to legalize some other things that are pretty unsavory.”
Sums up Rich, “It’s actually a risky thing for an entertainer to get into politics, but I’d rather take a chance on alienating some fans than sit by idly and watch Hillary Clinton go trotting into the White House.”
Wow. Naturally, Rich offended many people and quickly posted a retraction:
“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.”
- John Rich, of country music duo Big & Rich
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I agree. Fags shouldn't wed. Now if someone just had the courage to speak out against the niggers American would be a better place.
Hey - John (as well as everyone else) is entitled to their belief. I love my partner, Scott very much - we have been together 14 years and every day gets better - please man, don't call the police man! Hey John, you're not denying any tendancies are you? Doesn't matter - I still love you.
And if only we were allowed to put morons like you to sleep America (not American) and the world would be a much better place.
Thank you RIch! I went out this morning and purchased two more of your CD's and will purchase more to give away as I can just to support you. We rarely hear support for morals and values. I feel hope in our future when entertainers who have common sense are not afraid to stand up for the base this country was founded on. I grew up with a father who said you sometimes have to take a step or two back to more forward.
Blessings to you guys.
The base this country was founded on was freedom of religion and the pursuit of happiness. Part of freedom religion is the seperation of church and state which means that laws shouldn't be based on any one particular religion's beliefs. You're a moron. Morals and values? People like you and "Rich" claim that same sex marriage makes a mockery of the institution, but I would like to know how the heterosexual population with a 60% divorce rate doesn't do that already. Not to mention marriages of convenience for money or tax breaks or additional government welfare. A marriage is supposed to be a commitment and expression of love between two people who have decided to live their lives together, so why should same sex couples be denied that. Your morals and values seem to be about hatred and exclusion. You know I used to enjoy their music, but I will intentionally boycott this group from now on. Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy is one of the gayest songs ever written.
You must have liked the song until he said something you didn't like. This country was based on religion. I don't understand why people like you call Christians, or anyone who stands up against same sex marriage, or anything they believe in that doesn't fit your beliefs, morons. I don't know how many times I have been called closed minded because I do not believe in same sex relations, or abortion, or anything of that matter. If you look at the physical anatomy of a human being, common sense tells you that same sex relations of any kind are wrong and not meant to be. Anyway, what I don't understand is why I am closed minded, but those who think that same sex relationships are right, do not try to see my point of view. Isn't that just as moronic and closed minded?
Andrew, before calling someone else a moron, here's a couple of things to clear up:
The marriage debate has nothing to do with religion.
There is no "60%" divorce rate. Not even close.
The truth is that there is no one who opposes gay marriage who supports the laundry list of complaints you have about marriage. Most would probably agree that divorce and 'marriages of convenience' etc. are not good things for the institution of marriage or for society.
Marriage is an endorsement of a relationship by society, the intent being to promote a stable setting to produce and raise the next generation - it's not some idealistic endorsement of love. So how does gay marriage fit into that equation?
Throwing a fit rather than engaging in a mature conversation doesn't advance your position in any way.
First of all, I don't think that anything that was said by the previous person would fall under the category of a mature discussion. I didn't throw a fit. Yeah I called that person a moron, but after that, like you, I discussed my points. Then what are the exact figures concerning divorce rates? Where do you stand on the issue Otto, before I engage you any further in this discussion? It has been my experience when I have had conversations concerning this issue with others that they believe marriage is a symbol of love between a man and a woman. Most people who would deny this right to same sex couples often refer to it in a religious context, specifically stating that it was not God's intention. The marriage debate has everything to do with religion and people's religious beliefs. My point in saying those things is that people say same sex marriage makes a mockery of the institution. I don't believe, as you do, that marriage was created to promote a stable setting in which to raise the next generation. I do think it grew out of a need to consolidate power and resources. But going with that thought why do you automatically assume that people of the same sex cannot provide a loving and stable environment for a child? Personally I think love should be a factor in marriage, actually a big one. Do you disagree with that?
What about underage lesbians? You have to agree that they should be allowed to get married!
Actually to be serious for a minute, I think if homosexuals started calling themselves "gay-sexuals" they would have an easier time, and would be allowed to get married.
"50% percent of first marriages, 67% of second and 74% of third marriages end in divorce, according to Jennifer Baker of the Forest Institute of Professional Psychology in Springfield, Missouri.”
So I was a little off. Also, if the main purpose of marriage is to create a stable environment in which to raise children then what about people past the age of child-bearing who wish to get married? Should they be allowed? What then is the purpose of their union?
Who is this guy? John Rich? Never heard of him.
Check out our trailer on Gay Marriage. Produced to educate & defuse the controversy it has a way of opening closed minds & creates an interesting spin on the situation.
Why are those who do not believe the way you do considered to be closed minded? If you do not except our fight against gay marriage, you are just as closed minded.
I don't agree with same sex marriages, but I definately do not hate or judge gays or lesbians...it's not my place. Who are we to judge? God will judge us all in the end...besides what do you think he will say to all of us who hate and discriminate...no sin is worse than another. So we all are equally guilty. Has anyone ever thought about that? People need to step back and look at their own lives and fix that before critizing or judging other's lives...including me..I'm not pretending to be perfect here.
John does enough cocaine and alcohol to kill a horse! He's also been accused of giving a girl herpes!
yeah whatever
Fuck that John Rich Hasn't given any girl herpes.... It's hard to give that when you don't have it!
i dont agree with same sex marriages but we cant judge gods children we are all judged in the end that is all that matters but thanks for saying something john rich more people should be like me and you
Why isn't John Rich allowed to have an opinion? Yes, he lives his life in public, but so do the Dixie Chicks, who publically bashed an American President during wartime. This country was founded by people fleeing from an intolerant government and has been a refuge for many in the years since. John Rich shouldn't be held to a different standard than any other American. Maybe if we took our focus off entertainers we could really see the big issues at hand. Personally, I don't agree with homosexuality, but my sister is a lesbian. I've seen her struggle with this issue our entire lives - it's not a decision she made, like "Wow! Today I think it would be fun to be gay!" - no she has struggled with her life choice and faced very harsh judgement from people who claim to love her. It hurts me to watch my sister hurt. I love her - NO MATTER WHAT and I want her to be happy. I don't want her to be denied the happiness I have with my husband. Maybe John Rich doesn't understand the struggles gays face, but judging him for voicing his opinion is just as wrong as judging someone who lives a different lifestyle. It's ignorant and doesn't really serve any purpose. It fuels hatred. God may hate a sin, but he loves the sinner and we have all sinned and fallen short of God's glory. God loves John Rich. God loves Bill and Hillary Clinton. God loves gays, though He doesn't accept the lifestyle. Maybe we should focus on the fact that God loves us -all of us-so much he would rather send His son to die than live without us. Maybe if we treated eachother with Godly love we wouldn't have to resort to throwing mud at eachother, such as John Rich does cocaine and John Rich has herpes. Maybe we should remember that John Rich is a real person and entitled to his opinion -it really doesn't matter who agrees. Furthermore, whether or not John Rich does cocaine, is a raging alchoholic, or has herpes really has nothing to do with anything.
Why isn't John Rich allowed to have an opinion? Yes, he lives his life in public, but so do the Dixie Chicks, who publically bashed an American President during wartime. This country was founded by people fleeing from an intolerant government and has been a refuge for many in the years since. John Rich shouldn't be held to a different standard than any other American. Maybe if we took our focus off entertainers we could really see the big issues at hand. Personally, I don't agree with homosexuality, but my sister is a lesbian. I've seen her struggle with this issue our entire lives - it's not a decision she made, like "Wow! Today I think it would be fun to be gay!" - no she has struggled with her life choice and faced very harsh judgement from people who claim to love her. It hurts me to watch my sister hurt. I love her - NO MATTER WHAT and I want her to be happy. I don't want her to be denied the happiness I have with my husband. Maybe John Rich doesn't understand the struggles gays face, but judging him for voicing his opinion is just as wrong as judging someone who lives a different lifestyle. It's ignorant and doesn't really serve any purpose. It fuels hatred. God may hate a sin, but he loves the sinner and we have all sinned and fallen short of God's glory. God loves John Rich. God loves Bill and Hillary Clinton. God loves gays, though He doesn't accept the lifestyle. Maybe we should focus on the fact that God loves us -all of us-so much he would rather send His son to die than live without us. Maybe if we treated eachother with Godly love we wouldn't have to resort to throwing mud at eachother, such as John Rich does cocaine and John Rich has herpes. Maybe we should remember that John Rich is a real person and entitled to his opinion -it really doesn't matter who agrees. Furthermore, whether or not John Rich does cocaine, is a raging alchoholic, or has herpes really has nothing to do with anything.
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