The interference of the LDS Church in California politics is deeply troubling. No, scratch that. It’s infuriating. It’s hateful. And it’s wrong. If I hadn’t already written my exit letter, I’d be tempted to rejoin the Mormons just so I can resign again in protest over this issue.
What’s the worst thing about the Mormon Church’s support of Prop. 8? Hmm…
- The idea of parochial Mormons denying marriage to people they don’t even know, and thinking it’s the will of a supernatural being whose will they are uniquely qualified to know.
- Quotes by sanctimonious old gits like these.
“What we’re about is the work of the Lord, and He will bless you for your involvement,” apostle M. Russell Ballard said during the hour-long meeting, which was broadcast to church buildings in California, Utah, Hawaii and Idaho.
- The duplicity of a church that claims to be politically neutral, only speaking out on ‘moral matters’ — and then redefining political issues as ‘moral’ when it pleases them
- Enshrining bigotry and inequality in the California constitution
- Millions of dollars in LDS money going to support all of this. From Sully:
Californians Against Hate released figures Tuesday showing that $17.67 million was contributed by 59,000 Mormon families since August to groups like Yes on 8. Contributions in support of Prop. 8 total $22.88 million.
- A tax-free religious group getting to act like a PAC. Once again the priest class is vying for political power, just like in the good old Dark Ages.
Well, there’s a lot that’s detestable about this. Mormons should be livid, even if by and large they’re not. For my part, I’m just hoping that this proposition goes down and goes down hard. I want this to be an embarrassment to the leadership of the Mormon Church. I want them to wonder why their Special Pal in the Sky didn’t come through. I want Mormons to see more and more pictures of happy gay couples at weddings with the rice and the bubbles and the cake, and after they’re through freaking out about living in the End of Days, I want them to notice how happy the newlyweds look, and I hope time will help them reconsider.
I don’t have much to spare these days, but I’m donating to No on 8 because I think this is a huge deal. I’m used to religions making lots of empty doctrinal pronouncements, but when they use their baseless theology against other people, I say it’s gone far enough.
Californians: please vote against this. Even if the news anchors call all the eastern states for Obama early, don’t let that stop you from getting to the polls.
25 October 2008 at 6:00 pm
I’m thrilled to see the LDS Church involved in such an important issue to protect our families. It’s hard enough raising children without a very small, very loud minority trying to force its immoral and repulsive lifestyle down our throats. We’re not forcing them to marry members of the opposite sex nor are we prohibiting them from practicing a perverse lifestyle. They aren’t satisfied with tolerance, they want acceptance, by force if necessary. I applaud all efforts to pass the law that marriage is between one man and one woman only.
25 October 2008 at 11:38 pm
Does anyone else think it’s ironic that Mormons are pushing a ‘one-man-one-woman’ view of marriage?
You’re just making it harder on yourself when the Lord eventually reinstates polygamy.
26 October 2008 at 7:38 am
To borrow Spencer W. Kimball’s phrase, the Church’s involvement with Prop 8 leaves me ‘appalled and frightened.’
Lynn Wardle, the BYU guy spearheading the LDS legal and academic efforts on Prop 8 was visiting Perth this past weekend. Seems like a nice bloke, but I don’t think he was impressed at my comments on the subject.
Daniel, the irony is not lost on me. I’ve been making a point of drawing attention to it every time the subject comes up.
26 October 2008 at 8:34 am
OMG, what did you say?
8 November 2008 at 12:02 am
It is fine for the church to state a position and encourage members to vote their conscience. I usually disagree with the church on most things and do what I want anyway. However, raising money and doing other activities at a church level is wrong IMO.
As far as this issue is concerned, it is best for a society to encourage marriage between men and women and not grant this right to other groups. However, I do not believe religion should be involved in enforcing societal norms.