Deseret News | Reader comments: Leaders of gay Mormon group criticize church

Reader comments
Leaders of gay Mormon group criticize church

Strange | 5:53 a.m. Oct. 12, 2008

Gay Mormon?

Sounds like the biggest oxi-moron I've ever heard...

Surprise | 6:09 a.m. Oct. 12, 2008

How is this news? Is anyone surprised that a group of gays would find fault with a church that stands for sexual purity?

LdsNana-AskMormon | 9:17 a.m. Oct. 12, 2008

Well, "Affirmation" is wrong, on every count here. The leaders of the LDS Church, have seen what is coming to our society, from afar off. We are not seeing the negative results of same-sex marriage in a number of states already.

If you live in Mass., they have now publicly proclaimed that they will teach homosexual education to children. Regardless of how parents feel about it. It is the law.

Conn., just this past week, legalized same-sex marriage. They went to so far as to say the the "emotional benefits" of marriage, are a constitutional "right"!

In CA., just this past week - a charter school, where very young children attend, actually took these children on a field trip, to see their lesbian teacher, marry her partner.

I could go on and on... the point is, that our leaders do not need to scare us a members. They are educating us, and teaching correct principles with great clarity.

They have invited us to do all that [we] can, to defend that, which is at the very core doctrines of what we as LDS members believe.

Wickedness is all around us. We have eyes!

tDMg

Comments continue below

Better shop around folks. | 12:45 p.m. Oct. 12, 2008

Hey, if you want to be gay, then there are churches that will lower their standards and teachings and give into the sins of the people. But you will never find that in the LDS church, so maybe it is best to decide what you value more, your sexual lusts or your Father in Heaven. I am very grateful for a church that doesn't let the people govern it, that is called putting your trust in the arm of flesh. We are told in the last days that the wheat will be separated from the tares, when I was young, I never had a clue that it would be not just those who have given into the flesh, but families that want it justified also. Not me, no sir, my child has chosen to fall away for different reasons, but I am not going to get angry at the church cause it doesn't bend to her whims and wants. I love her, I pray for her and I accept her, but not her ideas, I won't sell myself short for anyone, even my own weaknesses, I reach far into my soul and gather strength and get stronger resolve.

erw | 1:31 p.m. Oct. 12, 2008

Better ID: "Homosexuals who want to be Mormon"

or "Homosexuals who want to criticize Mormons"

suzyk | 6:25 p.m. Oct. 12, 2008

To: better shop around folks...bravo for your defense of our church. All these people are suffering from guilt because of their choice to live in sin. They want their freedom of choice to be accepted, whether it is perverted or not. I echo your offer for them to go to churches that have much lower standards and teachings. I too am so blessed to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and would die if necessary to defend my testimony that it is the only true church on the face of this earth.

James | 6:41 p.m. Oct. 12, 2008

These previous comments just affirm the bigotry and hatred that exists in our wonderful christ-like culture here in Utah. What great representations of Christians we have among us! FABULOUS!

The Church is supporting Bigotry and Hate through Proposition 8!

JanSan | 9:11 p.m. Oct. 12, 2008

re:Janes
In the first place - how do you know that everyone who has made these comments are from Utah? I myself live in Idaho!
YES! there have been some not so nice comments on the LDS side just as there have been some not so nice comments on the side for gays YOURS INCLUDED!! I guess that would make you a hypocrite.
Just because we do not accept and promote a life style that we believe is immoral and against GODS law does not in my book make us bigots and hateful, it shows that we are standing up for what we believe to be true - which we have every right to do. Some do go to exremes (on both sides) and I am sorry about that. But just because we do not agree with your way of thinking does not make us evil.

Mike | 9:37 p.m. Oct. 12, 2008

James. The unfortunate part of your comment lost all meaning by turning to name calling instead of presenting a rational case as to why a church should accept an act that is considered to be sinful. Has the Church asked that they be expelled from restaurants, have their own drinking fountains, etc.? No, of course not.

The Church is supporting that marriage is between a man and woman. Those that have these tendencies are still loved, invited to come to church, along with the other activities. I'm not sure how this qualifies as a bigot. One could make an argument that this caucus is the bigot by forcing their beleifs on the masses. I don't agree with that personally, but you're logic would hold here per your prior comment.

I work with many that have chosen this lifestyle and consider many to be friends, but they also understand my choice and my support of Prop. 8 and respect that. It's all about the approach and true understanding of the issue.

nurser11 | 10:14 p.m. Oct. 12, 2008

This isnt' news. As a former participant in this behavior I can understand both sides...Thank goodness I knew what I was being taught at church was true BEFORE I had those feelings. I knew there had to be an explaination because I knew the church was true and there was no way I could deny that. So let's see....on one hand, PEACE, a family, HOPE....VS...on the other hand....confusion, bitterness, misery....church leaders LOVE and are ANYTHING but bigoted....

madame | 12:05 a.m. Oct. 13, 2008

hey everybody, love the person but hate the sin...big difference but still hard for us who are The children of A Heavenly Father who loves all His children...He gives commandment to help us be happy, you decide to not obey it is your choice but the consequences won't be your choice...let's think about it and stand for what is right..

Anonymous | 12:37 a.m. Oct. 13, 2008

If there ever was a den of wickedness it is the LDS "church". Get out of my life and stop trying to run the lives of gays and lesbians. It must be frustrating that you cannot run other peoples' lives as the LDS dictates your lives

Carlos | 11:08 a.m. Oct. 13, 2008

The church is right on this matter.

Anonymous | 2:20 p.m. Oct. 13, 2008

It surprises me that a church which has a non-traditional view of marriage written into its very scriptures could come out of the religious field and into the political field to denounce a legally established non-traditional view of marriage. Could it be a tinge of jealousy? Would you rather it be that many women can marry one man than two women can marry each other? I have to wonder.

It also makes me wonder how much longer the LDS church can stand behind its IRS dispensation as tax exempt when they are so clearly engaging in politicking from the pulpit. If the LDS church can generate $8.4 mill for a political cause, then let them use it to pay their property tax bills on all those fancy, exclusive temples.

J | 4:55 p.m. Oct. 13, 2008

Hello Anonymous

Marriage between man and woman is ordained of God. Family is central to the plan of salvation. Children are entitled to both a father and mother. These are the core belief of the Church. So, why shouldn't the Church stand up to what it actually believe and support Prop 8?

The Church is absolutely entitled to speak up for any moral issues even during a political process. It is a responsibility of any citizen or citizen group (religious or otherwise) to speak up and stand for what is true and right. Any attempt to silence such right/responsibility is exactly one of reasons why we should support Prop 8. Same-sex activists has been suing their way in court to silence views and believes contrary to their out-of-the-norm lifestyle.

Kate | 6:10 p.m. Oct. 13, 2008

I am a member of the LDS faith and we don't practice polygomy. Though we did in the 1800's this has sinces been changed. We believe that marriage is between one man and one woman.

Anonymous | 7:03 p.m. Oct. 13, 2008

J: I'm not questioning the LDS Church's right to speak out on any issue it feels moved to, but especially in these tough economic times, our collective communities have every authority to seek out all forms of tax revenue they are entitled to by law, including by taxing the property of those churches that act out politicly. Just tell yourselves, "It's for the children."

Kate: Read Section 132 and then the Official Declarations -- polygamy never stopped being doctrinal.

J | 11:46 a.m. Oct. 14, 2008

First, I will echo Kate's comment that members of LDS faith do not practice polygamy. I am a convert to the church for many years. I do not practice it. Members that I know personally who trace their ancestry to pioneers days DO NOT practice it today.

Anonymous, I don't know if you are aware that we believe in living prophet, i.e. the President of the Church has been given authority to speak on behalf of God. There is this document called "Official Declaration 1", where polygamy has been stopped for over 100 years. From President Woodruff through all his successors and to today's prophet President Monson, this has been upheld.

Your assertion to take away tax exemption status of churches are exactly the bullying tactics used by opponents of Prop 8. Any religious communities are just part of a bigger community of the country. They have every rights to speak up on issue without any threats.

The Deuce | 12:23 p.m. Oct. 14, 2008

I find it interesting that those who have spoken out against the LDS Church for their stance on marriage do not seem to understand the current doctrine the church supports. Part of the issue here is that the definitions of a number of words have been changed by everyone to support their view of the world regarding this issue. Tolerance now means acceptance according to those that support Gay/Lesbian marriage. Marriage now means anything goes by the same group. Those on both sides of the argument feel that one can only express their thoughts and ideas if it agrees with their own. Otherwise, they are called bigots. The other misconception is that of civil and legal rights. For those in California, there is no need to redefine marriage as the rights that the Gay/Lesbian side wants are already in place. Second, no one if taking any of these rights away from you. The issue is simply the definition of the word marriage. Churchs have the right to comment on what they feel are moral issues and individual citizens have the right to comment on what they feel are civil rights issues. There are personal agendas on both sides here.

Jim | 12:18 a.m. Oct. 15, 2008

In politics, LDS members are encouraged to vote in everything they can regarding their beliefs. When it comes to homosexuality, there is no difference of opinion. We are supposed to have children in this life, and homosexuals are unable to do so. Man and Women were made to compliment each other for a reason.

YY4U | 2:00 p.m. Oct. 15, 2008

The LDS Church is wrong on this issue. The California Supreme Court is right.

If you have not read the California Supreme Court's decision, you have no business commenting. Take your hands off the keyboard and step away from the computer.

Go read the decision. Then and only then, come back and make an intelligent, informed comment.

If you can't do that, just stay away from the keyboard.

J | 2:49 p.m. Oct. 15, 2008

Come on YY4U. You cannot stop anyone from speaking up through their keyboard. Nor should you be silenced. Open society can tolerate different views, though we don't agree with each other.

Honestly, it is not a matter of CA Supreme Court's decision. Incest is not mentioned in the constitution, but it does not mean it is legal. Prostitution is not mentioned in the constitution, but it is not legal. Even though polygamy is not disallowed in the constitution, it is not legal. In fact, they are criminal.

I feel it is silly that we should have to write in to the constitution such a triviality as marriage is between a man and a woman. Unfortunately, CA Supreme Court overruled people's will. BTW, it was passed by 61% of the people to define marriage between a man and a woman in 2000 through Prop 22. Prop 8 will put this issue out of the reach of the CA Supreme Court.

Please know this: Prop 8 is not to take away the benefits, civil right, or domestic partner right. It is to define (not redefine) marriage as it has always been across all cultures, protect children and strengthen families.

YY4U | 8:49 p.m. Oct. 17, 2008

J,

You still haven't read the decision. I can tell.

No, I cannot stop anyone from making ignorant, mis-informed, blind, stupid comments.

But I can sure try to stop people like you from making further fools of themselves by commenting without having read the California Supreme Court Decision!

Go read the decision.

Just do it.

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