Carrie Underwood's recent endorsement
of equal marriage rights for gay and lesbian couples in an interview
with the UK's The Independent has drawn both cheers and jeers
from country music fans.
In the interview, the 29-year-old
Underwood, who won American Idol in 2005, made a strong
statement in support of equal marriage rights for gay and lesbian
couples.
“As a married person myself, I don't
know what it's like to be told I can't marry somebody I love and want
to marry,” the country music star said. “I can't imagine how
that must feel. I definitely think we should all have the right to
love, and love publicly, the people that we want to love.”
Underwood, a devout Christian who was
raised Baptist but worships with her husband in a non-denominational
church, added that her church is “gay friendly.”
Many commenters on AOL Music's The
Boot cheered
Underwood.
“It's good to see a Christian
actually practicing the love of Christ. Thank you,” wrote Jason.
“Carrie is just one of the many
people who understand that love, compassion and support is what
Christ came to Earth to preach,” wrote marshlmusic. “Unless
people want to start living their entire lives based on laws of the
land thousands of years ago, you are going to have to accept that gay
people are just like everybody else. And Christ will be accepting
them into heaven. The only question is, what will you have to say to
him when you get there?”
But Underwood also received many
critical comments.
“I'm very disappointed in Carrie. …
The Bible says what is [sic] says, and you can either follow it or
not. It is explicit in the Bible that men do not lie down with men
and women the same … God will judge Carrie, not me,” wrote a user
named jlvowell.
“Equal rights … yea sure!!! Carrie
Underwood read the bible. Honey!! The bible says Adam & Eve,
Not Adam & Evan,” Carol wrote.
“If GOD says it makes Him sick …
then to all Christians alike … it should make them sick to their
stomachs as well,” wrote Neal.