Atheist Ricky Gervais would fight for people's right to have religion, even though their beliefs are wrong | God Discussion
Actor and comedian Ricky Gervais was interviewed this month on CNN's Piers Morgan Show about his atheism and views on religion.
"When someone's arguing with me that the earth is 5,000 years old, yes, I'm smiling," he told Morgan about his Twitter debates. "Of course, I'm smiling. The fundamentalist view of the creation of the earth is rather like an episode of the Flinstones, so I have to laugh."
He said that god-fearing Americans should not take exception with his lack of belief. "I say to them," referring to those who are offended by his atheism, "tell me the reasons why you don't believe in all the other gods and that's the reason I don't believe in yours. I've got nothing against people who believe in god at all, you know. In fact, if it did make you a kinder person, and you did good things in his name, then great, but there's the rub. It's when — I've seen some of these religious fundamentalists saying that they've told their 5-year-old children if they turn out gay, they will burn in hell. That, to me, is child abuse. That's nothing to do with religion or spirituality, that's child abuse. So that's why I'm passionate."
Morgan asked about the Republican candidates who make anti-gay remarks based on their religious beliefs. "Well, this goes back to offense [...] Just because they're offended by someone being gay, it doesn't mean they're right. You know, it's a strange thing, they say that being gay is a choice. Being gay isn't a choice. You know, I want to go, 'You try it then. Here's a choice, have a go. See how much you like it.'"
The comedian spoke highly of America's opportunities and the freedoms in both America and England to criticize. "Freedom of speech to me one of the most important things discovered, and I'd fight for that right. And even though I don't believe in God and don't believe in — I treat all religions the same — even though I believe they're wrong, not morally wrong [...], but if someone said, 'We're banning religion,' I'd march to not ban because it's your right to believe what you want, and it's your right to be wrong, and I'll fight for that right."
