Sir Elton John claims Jesus was a "super-intelligent gay man" in a controversial new interview.

The Rocket Man singer claims Jesus was "compassionate" and "understood human problems".

He told US magazine Parade: "I think Jesus was a compassionate, super-intelligent gay man who understood human problems.

"On the cross, he forgave the people who crucified him. Jesus wanted us to be loving and forgiving."His remarks sparked a furious reaction.

Evangelical minister Ian Watson, who led a campaign against gay clergymen in Scotland, said: "Jesus was a Jew and Jewish law regards homosexual practices as a sin. When Jesus challenged his enemies to prove him guilty of sin, they couldn’t do it. Therefore, I have no doubt whatsoever that he was not a gay man."

But the chaplain for Church of Scotland group Affirmation Scotland, the Rev Lindsay Biddle, said: "I think it’s wonderful for anybody, including Elton John, to imagine Jesus as being like them.

"This is very common, and in the Western world we do it all the time, imagining Jesus to be white when, in fact, he was a man of colour."

• Full story at the Daily Record.

• Filed under Church of Scotland, Scottish Christian News Monitor, Sexuality.