While a lot of high-profile metal musicians insist on saying dumb shit, Rob Halford continues to be the coolest dude in metal. In a recent interview with NME, the Judas Priest frontman (who came out publicly in 1998) made his thoughts about the current state of things in America very clear.

“Don’t get me started on the Christian right pushing the LGBTQ community under the bus. They’re passing laws here where if you’re gay you can lose your job, based on whether the people who run a company follow a religion that doesn’t accept people like us. It’s horrible. America is supposed to be the world’s leading superpower and some of this stuff is medieval. It’s not a country where you feel especially safe, and I do think I feel less safe now. You are aware that by walking down the supermarket you might get shot. But I try not to let that stuff intrude on my life. The politicians, the media, they want you to be scared and I refuse to be.”

Halford identifies as Christian, having turned to religion after embracing sobriety in the ’80s. In fact, this interview comes from the promotional circuit for his new Christmas album, Celestial. Still, his version differs from the views of the so-called Christian fundamentalists in his home state of Arizona who use their beliefs as an excuse to oppress others.

“I’m just into the basics really. Try to be a good person, treat others as you’d like to be treated – that stuff was instilled in me as a kid. I’m not much for labels, but I think there’s a big difference between religion and spirituality “

I think we can all agree that the world would be a better place if more people followed his lead. Tell us what you think in the comments.

Purchase Celestial by Rob Halford with Family & Friends here.