Mormon Church Encouraging Bigotry—Again
A great deal has been said by many people on the subject of the letter the Mormon leaders wrote urging Mormon faithful to “[d]o all [they] can to support the proposed constitutional amendment” against gay marriage in California. It was Cog’s post—and the subsequent discussion—that finally inspired me to write about it myself.
As I mentioned in a previous post, I was personally involved in the Prop. 22 push in California in 2000, along with many, many other Mormons. When I think back, it’s like I was a different person. I wasn’t just a fanatical Mormon who despised gays, but I was also much more authoritarian, more punitive, and interested in legislation that would outlaw behavior I didn’t agree with—a philosophy that makes no sense to me now, at least when it comes to non-harmful behavior.
I guess the question is, is gay marriage harmful? And the answer is: it doesn’t matter, because it can’t possibly be more harmful than cohabitation, which is not illegal and happens all over the place, by gays and straights. The same goes for gay adoption: gays have and raise children, and there is no jurisdiction in which this is completely illegal—nor can I think of a way to consistently legislate against it, if the idea is so heinous to society. Consider a single lesbian mother raising her natural offspring. How is this scenario made worse by her having a loving lesbian partner, and the partner adopting the children? Now, how is it made worse if she and her partner are married to each other?
Gay people exist. They are not going away. Gay relationships exist. They are not going away. Gay parents exist, and they are not going away. Gay people, gay relationships and gay families are part of society. Society is strengthened when they are strengthened and society is damaged when they are attacked and denied legitimacy. The Mormon church and the “pro-family” groups are acting as enemies of society in their battle against gay marriage. This is a fact that should be openly recognized by gays, straights, Mormons, non-Mormons, the religious and the non-religious alike.
June 30th, 2008 at 4:31 pm
I have a hard time understanding Mormon leaders, and this is why: Let’s break it down to two basic things:
LOVE ONE ANOTHER
and
JUDGE NOT
That being said, how is this considered having Christ-like Behavior? Why can’t we be kind & respectful to each other? I don’t tell my Mormon friends or family what to do, or what to believe, and all I expect in return is to be treated likewise.
If I were to marry, which I probably will very soon (before it is possibly taken away), what impact does it have on anyone? None, zippo, nada. I repeat, none, zippo, nada.
If nothing else, I hope this instruction from the Mormon Leaders at least gives some members pause.
June 30th, 2008 at 8:11 pm
Why the religious feel the need to control everyone around them is an enormous mystery. And incredibly irritating for those of us being bossed around. Why can’t they mind their own beeswax?
Good luck on getting married! I hope you do. That is so exciting.
July 8th, 2008 at 2:37 pm
After giving it some thought, I decided it was important to stand up and make sure you knew that not all Mormons–not even all practicing Mormons who believe in the core principles–support the Church in taking this stand. There are many of us who question the dogma that homosexual behavior is innately sinful, and many others who oppose the mingling of religion and government (I personally lean towards the former category, but feel I have to stick to the latter argument if I’m to have any hope of being listened to be listened to by most believers). I wrote a long post against federal Constitutional Amendment a couple of years ago, and recently highlighted Jeffrey Nielson’s thoughtful and brave stand. And I know we are not alone as the Petition “Signing for Something” shows.
I just thought I should share, for whatever it’s worth.
July 8th, 2008 at 2:54 pm
It’s worth a great deal. I’m glad you spoke up for your side. You are not alone, and I didn’t mean to imply that all Mormons supported their church’s doctrine or their stance in this area. Even if I don’t agree with your religious convictions (nothing personal, of course) I have nothing but admiration for people like you and Jeffrey Nielsen who insist on voicing unpopular opinions from within the Mormon church. It’s not something I could ever have done.
July 10th, 2008 at 3:27 pm
I would like to thank Derek for the links, I will spend countless hours reading. I have friends who are still active Mormons & we share a mutual respect for one another, which is all I have ever asked for.
November 6th, 2008 at 1:23 pm
[...] or who at least thought the Mormon church should keep its nose out of politics. Looking back at the post I wrote at the time, all I can think is how naïve I was to allow something so small upset me! Because what followed [...]