Christian Glee star says Jesus would accept homosexuals

Actress Kristin Chenoweth is a self-identifying Christian who has sparked controversy by speaking out about her support of the gay community in an interview with lesbian and gay publication The Advocate.

The LGBT publication asked the TV and theatre star: "What would you ask people who cite Christianity as their justification for passing laws that discriminate against people?"

Chenoweth replied, "I would ask, 'What would Jesus do?' It sounds so cliché and Pollyanna-ish, but I have a feeling if he were on the earth today, he wouldn't be walking around saying, 'You’re going to hell' and 'You're wrong, you're wrong, you're wrong.' I think he'd be accepting and loving."

Chenoweth is best known for her theatre and television roles such as Glinda in "Wicked" and April Rhodes on "Glee". The actress is also releasing her fourth studio album Some Lessons Learned on September 13.

Chenoweth is not new to controversy over her conflicting beliefs. In 2005, she was fired from a "Woman in Faith" concert for her support of gay rights.

Analysts for Focus on the Family refer to pro-gay Christians as a part of a larger movement called "Pro-Gay Revisionist Theology". Leaders of this movement claim Christians' prejudice against homosexuals leads them to misread biblical texts about homosexuality.

Christian Research Institute's Joseph P Gudel says, "I realise that it is not 'politically correct' to speak critically concerning any person or group. Nonetheless, true Christian love does not ignore immorality and the lives ruined by it, but speaks out in the hope of helping those individuals."

Contradictions are not Chenoweth's concern, however. "I don't judge you for your opinions, so please don't judge me for mine," the actress said in response to critics.

"I read my Bible and I pray and all of that – I really do," Chenoweth told The Advocate. "But at the same time, I don't think being gay is a sin. Period."