Nov 12 2008
Prop 8
As you can imagine, I am extremely relieved that Prop 8 passed in California. However, with this small success for the protection of the family unit comes great sorrow as well. I’ve never seen such outright hatred and intolerance displayed in the United States before. I’m not referring to those who voted for Prop 8 as some might assume. Yes, I’m sure there are some who voted for it who are intolerant of those of the alternate lifestyle persuasion, but I am referring to those who were against Prop 8. Wasn’t part of their argument that we should be understanding and tolerant of all people? Or are they using a different dictionary from me? One that states that tolerance means you are only expected to be tolerant of people with the same view point as yourself? Wow, does my local Borders or Barnes and Noble have that dictionary?
Yes, they have their freedom of speech. Yes, they have every right to make signs, create petitions, go door to door, and stand around on government grounds trying to be heard. I suppose they even have the right to make commercials consisting of disgusting lies in order to sway people from voting for Prop 8. They can come up with all kinds of downright lies and present them as facts, they can take information and skew it before presenting it to the public and think nothing of it because they hope it will further their case. But when those who disagree with them use faith and religious conviction to further the the passing of Prop 8, suddenly there is a problem. Those who agree with Prop 8 are suddenly bigots and intolerant. Why? Why is it that those who believe God intended one man and one woman to be together in marriage are suddenly being spotlighted as terrible people? Maybe I don’t understand the definition of intolerance. I really should get to the bookstore and see if I can find that new liberal dictionary.
This subject is very personal to me as I’ve recently been ridiculed for my support of Prop 8 and as I’ve recently read reports on what those against Prop 8 have been doing to undermine those who support it, and specifically, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. It saddens me that a huge group of people would congregate outside of an LDS temple and verbally attack temple patrons. That they would picket a temple of God because those going inside might not believe same sex marriage should be legalized is something akin to a child’s temper tantrum. Instead of taking the time to think about what they are doing, they just do. Instead of taking time to look in the mirror and see the intolerance and hatred in their own faces, they assume that is what drives everyone of the opposite view point.
Now, something I find incredibly sad. Those of you who read this blog who are not familiar with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, may not be aware of this next bit of information. Members of the LDS Church who desire to enter the temple must first receive a recommend from their Church leaders. In order to receive this recommend they must be interviewed and show that they are living worthily to enter the House of the Lord. There is a series of questions put to them, one of which asks if they align themselves with any group or organization which works toward something contrary to the teachings of the Gospel and the leaders of the Church. I know that there are members of the Church who are sympathetic to the anti-Prop 8 cause and have gone so far as to protest it, putting signs in their yards, joining in the picket lines and groups of people calling for what they refer to as “tolerance” but in reality isn’t. These members of the Church will not be able to honestly answer this particular question from their Church leaders in a way that will allow them to proceed into the temple.
There are many who don’t believe that religion should play any part in the decision of legalizing (or not) same sex marriage. But then there comes the issue of the Bible. It is plainly described as something vile and sinful. Those who are faithful Christians should not be asked, or expected, to separate religion from such a decision. However, if there are those who insist on us coming up with other reasons for disagreeing with legalizing same sex marriage, I will be happy to present some very good reasons in my next post. Right now, I’m going to go play with my kids.
Good post - and I was also glad - and surprised - it passed.
From the LDS Newsroom: Church Responds to Same-Sex Marriage Votes. An excerpt from this article:
Before it accepted the invitation to join broad-based coalitions for the amendments, the Church knew that some of its members would choose not to support its position. Voting choices by Latter-day Saints, like all other people, are influenced by their own unique experiences and circumstances. As we move forward from the election, Church members need to be understanding and accepting of each other and work together for a better society.
I understand your point of view, but I don’t think it’s appropriate for you to say that anyone who opposed Prop 8 is not worthy of a temple recommend.
I hadn’t thought about the worthiness of a temple recommend until I spoke with a bishop on the subject and he brought it up. The fact is, the question is there in the temple recommend interview. A yes answer to that question would have to cause a bishop and stake president to pause and think before handing out the recommend. Of course it would be up to the individual bishops and stake presidents to decide for each member who came to them in that situation, however, the question is there and one who aligns himself with the anti-prop 8 would need to answer in the affirmative since the Church did come out and make a particular stance on the issue.
I appreciate the excerpt from the article. I’m not surprised by anything in it. Of course the Church understands that not everyone in the Church is going to feel the same way due to their own situations and circumstances. This particular issue is closer to home for me than some may imagine. My experiences and circumstances have led me to be sympathetic to those with same gender attraction. I have friends and family who have chosen an alternate lifestyle. I love them very much and it pains me to know that they are disappointed. However, I personally feel that supporting the legalization of gay marriage will not be for the betterment of our society. It is difficult to say that because I believe very much in equality and civil rights, however, I understand what would come about by allowing the legalization of gay marriage. I don’t presume to know all the implications, but I understand that the Lord does.
I agree with you to the extent that those who actively affiliate with the anti-Mormon rallies (in front of Mormon temples, for example) would not be able to deny involvement with a group opposed to the church. Of course, people who simply disagree with, but are not actively attacking, the church’s position would probably not fit that same profile.
As an aside, from a completely non-religious point of view, there is absolutely nothing in the evolutionary record indicating any primate (human or otherwise) has been able to propagate offspring by means of a homosexual relationship. This indicates such behavior is unnatural. And now, following eons of history, we silly humans are trying to declare the converse is true — that such relations are natural and should be accepted? It makes no sense.