Anonymous | 1:58 p.m. Oct. 31, 2008
This is news how ?
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clholli | 2:08 p.m. Oct. 31, 2008
What light minded person thought a petition on such an issue would make any diffrence, on whether or not a church that suports the union of a man and a woman, would make any diffrence? Can we say (HELLO).
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bikeboy | 2:20 p.m. Oct. 31, 2008
The source of the statute is not the Mormon's Monson. He is just an advocate of the position taken by the Bible on the subject. Popular opinion is irrelevant in that context. Thus, why the petition? To "make" news by drawing attention to the Mormon position? To try to "embarrass" the Mormons publicly among their "modern" and more "liberal" neighbors? It was not likely calculated to change any opinions.
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Sarah Beth | 2:34 p.m. Oct. 31, 2008
As an LDS person in California, I fully support Proposition 8.
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Karlene | 2:52 p.m. Oct. 31, 2008
There are thousands of California LDS members who are happily contributing to the Yes on 8 campaign...and with every right to do so!
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FG | 2:52 p.m. Oct. 31, 2008
We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law? AN NOW THE CHURCH IS SPENDING OUR MONEY TO CHANGE THE CONSTITUTION OF CALIFORNIA? SHAME...
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TLewis | 2:57 p.m. Oct. 31, 2008
Gay and Lesbians aside from making death threats to Mayors and Church men are throwing every thing but the kitchen sink at proposition 8. Diane Feinstein a supporter of Gay rights is not considering the rights of children to have normal parents. Marriage is for the sake of a societies posterity not just for someones right to have anal or same gender sex. These people are promoting things that are against nature let alone against the historical family and children's rights. These people are just selfish and care nothing about children only their own lust.
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AMT | 3:04 p.m. Oct. 31, 2008
I grew up LDS in Northern California, and as I matured I was always impressed that the church appeared to work hard to stay out of political matters. I remember the bishopric and elders year after year encouraging members only to do their civic duty and vote according to their conscience.

So I have been inordinately saddened to find the church beginning to encourage its members to support particular measures, such as Prop 8. At a time when the LDS church is still widely perceived as being a sort of cult, its leaders choose to publicly involve themselves in a measure that seeks to deny civil liberties to particular individuals.

Vote your conscience on prop 8 - I'm not using this space to judge an individuals' choice. But I'm sad to see what i perceive as the LDS church attempting to be perceived as 'mainstream' by conservative churches. Working against Prop 8 is not going to make the church any more palatable to a hardcore evangelical churchgoer, whose mind is likely made up about Mormons. What it will do is discredit the church in the eyes of moderate individuals, who might otherwise be excellent prospective members.
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GaryTheTiger | 3:15 p.m. Oct. 31, 2008
The previous comment seems rather lie-filled to me. If gays were making death threats against officials, it would be making national news. The reality is that religious marrige is not going to be offered to gays and lesbians regardless if the church doesn't want to, and no church is going to be forced to marry a gay couple. This is about civil marriage. No religion should be trying to prevent civil marrage. The same people who would discriminate against gays and lesbians want to make sure that everyone else has to do so also, so they don't feel like the odd ones. For fairness to all, and to make sure that gays aren't singled out for special discrimination for all time, vote NO on proposition 8.
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nathan | 3:19 p.m. Oct. 31, 2008
When Jesus appeared to Native Americans did he ask them to make sure the laws of earthly governments followed his teachings, or did he ask them as individuals to follow him?

I imagine one doesn't save souls by legislation.
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manaen | 3:21 p.m. Oct. 31, 2008
Their petition would make some sense -- if the LDS Church actually donated $ to the Prop 8 campaign.
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It hasn't/doesn't/won't.
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BP | 3:23 p.m. Oct. 31, 2008
LDS members in California are welcome to support any California proposition or ballot initiative they choose to, and support it in any legal way they see fit. Nobody is arguing with that.

What has upset people is non-residents deliberately trying to influence political affairs in another state. How would you like it if a large number of citizens from, say, Vermont decided to begin influencing a ballot initiative in Utah? You'd ask, (rightly,) what business is it of theirs what your ballot issues are. And the answer is that it's none of Vermont's business. Just as Utah's ballot initiatives are none of Vermont's business, so are California's ballot initiatives none of yours.

And if you do feel that strongly about it, put your mouth where your money is. Go to California and stand in those protest lines. Don't hide behind your wallets; go to San Francisco and help your California LDS brethren.
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manaen | 3:24 p.m. Oct. 31, 2008
AMT,
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The LDS Church claims to be led by revelation from God. Our leaders are called to, well, lead. Most folks are comfortable with the idea that a prophet's role is to warn when the tribal wisdom is wrong - until he does it and then come the complaints that the prophet is out of step with the tribal wisdom. That's his job!
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Chris | 3:26 p.m. Oct. 31, 2008
The fact that the Mormon Church is contributing financially to this political initiative should invalidate its tax-exempt status. If the Mormons, or any other church wish to play politics, they need to start paying taxes - otherwise we, the taxpayers are subsidizing their activities.
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Anonymous | 3:26 p.m. Oct. 31, 2008
Every child deserves a mother and father. As a daughter and a mother I know that no woman could replace my father or my husband.

I feel so sorry for children in same-sex homes. They are missing a vital element of human relationships. Social science backs that up, but some people only like science when it agrees with their agenda.
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Re: FG | 3:28 p.m. Oct. 31, 2008
Keep in mind, it's the funds willingly donated to the church by faithful members of the church who are in full support of the Leadership of the church.
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John | 3:31 p.m. Oct. 31, 2008
Proposition 8 is NOTHING more than bigotry, discrimination, and hate. Doesn't anyone remember this show before? It was all about inter-racial marriage then and it was just as disgusting. Now the LDS and anyone supporting Prop 8 are playing the bigot as history replays itself and history will judge just as harshly. Denying love between two people? That's about as hateful as it gets.
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doxie_ellen | 3:35 p.m. Oct. 31, 2008
Either you are a tax-exempt church or a tax-paying lobbyist. If any church starts meddling in politics, they should lose their tax exemption! You can't be both!! I support equal rights for all, as proclaimed in the constitution!
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Kathy | 3:46 p.m. Oct. 31, 2008
I have no problem with legal civil unions with all the rights, however, I do have a problem with gay marriages performed in churches. Stop screwing with people's faith.
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Ignorant of the law | 4:10 p.m. Oct. 31, 2008
People clamoring for Churches pushing for specific to lose tax exempt status are speaking for a place of ignorance. They don't understand law, they just feel better saying, "Get them!" It may feel like justice to people but it isn't the way the law works. Oh well, enjoy the angst.
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No. Utah sees a major earthquake every 350 years. Last one? 350 years ago.