The Justin Bieber Controversy

Teen music sensation Justin Bieber was asked for his opinions on homosexuality, abortion, and premarital sex, but some think the questions posed by Rolling Stone were inappropriate.

In excerpts from the interview published on the magazine's website, 16-year-old Bieber is asked for his view on homosexuality and replies, "It's everyone's own decision to do that. It doesn't affect me and shouldn't affect anyone else.”

But it was his opinion on abortion that generated the most controversy for Bieber, portrayed as a squeaky-clean, hardworking, nonthreatening performer in the hit documentary, Justin Bieber: Never Say Never.

Rolling Stone originally had Bieber stating, “I really don’t believe in abortion. It’s like killing a baby?” The interviewer asked if cases of rape altered his opinion and quoted Bieber saying, “Um. Well, I think that’s really sad, but everything happens for a reason. I guess I haven’t been in that position, so I wouldn’t be able to judge that.” Many people took umbrage at the "everything happens for a reason" comment in relation to rape.

The magazine later amended Bieber's response to the question about rape that was initially posted, writing, "Due to an editing error, this story originally included an incomplete quote from Justin Bieber. The full quote, his response to whether abortions should be allowed in cases of rape, reads: 'Um. Well, I think that's really sad, but everything happens for a reason. I don't know how that would be a reason. I guess I haven't been in that position, so I wouldn't be able to judge that.'"

Numerous writers and bloggers have expressed confusion at why the interviewer would ask Bieber about such adult topics. Ryan White at The Oregonian writes, "He's 16 years old. He likes to have squirt gun fights with his fans and a play on Twitter and ... you're making the kid an "us" against "them" in your culture war?"