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Hundreds protest over Prop. 8

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Ben V. | 7:38 p.m. Nov. 6, 2008
Sarah, it is what occurs after that document is handed to married gay couples. It's a moral issue, and the moral consequences which occur. And the issue of God endorsing only the temple marriage is ludicrous. We believe as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that we are to adhere to the laws of the land, but that those laws be morally inclined. This would also support a law banning gay marriage.
Liberty | 7:38 p.m. Nov. 6, 2008
Now let's see if we've got this right. Some militant members of the gay community are basically declaring war on the Catholic Church, Evanglical Christians, the LDS Church, Jehovah Witnesses, African-Americans, Orthodox Jews, and Moslems because these groups voted contrary to the gay agenda on Prosition 8.

The gay community claims that the pro-proposition forces don't really need to worry about militant homosexuals taking this marriage issue into the courts and classrooms of America, that their fears are unjustified, so there is no need for this propistion.

And they are about to prove it by harassing these groups, protesting and take this issue into the courts. Have I missed anything?
LDSareRight | 7:39 p.m. Nov. 6, 2008
Homosexual rights groups had already prepared lawsuits that would have forced California schools to include the homosexual agenda in all curriculum under the guise of "equal representation" in order to "teach tolerance and respect for other's views". The lawsuits also had a goal to forbid any verbage in California schools that would note that homosexual behavior is linked to mental illness, and that no scientific study has evern concluded that the behavior is innate or immutable.

Once those were passed, lawsuits were ready to remove use of public property and tax exemption from "any religions body that descrimnated against married couples" -- and the Boy Scouts of America, the LDS Church, and the Roman Catholic Church were already named defendants.

Thank you, California, for saving your children from this great wave of indoctrination into the homosexual lifestyle and the attacks on religion which were to follow.
Comments continue below
To Sarah | 7:40 p.m. Nov. 6, 2008
Homosexuals already have all the rights of married couples in California other than a piece of paper that says your union is considered a marriage under the eyes of the state of California. This is about CHILDREN ultimately and where they should be allowed to be placed first and foremost...in a traditional (same as it's been for thousands of years) heterosexual union or with a homosexual couple. Homosexual couples want children they can get no other way. While I know they can love children well, children come from a natural union of man and woman and that is God ordained. If Prop 8 were to pass no doubt homosexual couples would sue single mothers who didn't want to consider them for a potential adoption. Don't believe me? A lesbian couple already sued a California Doctor who would not perform invitro fertilization for them on religious grounds. He referred them to a Doctor who would, but they sued anyway and he lost the case as well as his FREEDOM to practice his religious convictions in a medical procedure that was not a life or death situation. The courts said religion can not take presedence over what THEY dictate is bigotry.
Re: former mormon | 7:41 p.m. Nov. 6, 2008
You are a fake, you never were a member of the LDS church. We don't send in our resignations to leave the church! Caught you lying didn't I?
RE: Wheat and the Tares | 7:46 p.m. Nov. 6, 2008
Good point for sure! And in my experience, it is these type of public situations that actually open the door for the missionaries and the members to share our beliefs and bare testimony of what we know. Although it may not be the case in other circumstances, bad publicity is publicity nonetheless, and good publicity at that. The church will be just fine after this issue has been decided. Those who leave the church will be the ones with the terrible weight of grudges and sore feelings, which will more likely weight themselves down to unimaginable pain and regret. As a member of the church, I pray for those individuals and hope that the mercy extended towards me on so many occasions will be extended to them as well.
John Pack Lambert | 7:49 p.m. Nov. 6, 2008
Miles McPherson, the pastor of The Rock Church in San Diego is no Mormon, but a clear supporter of Prop 8. I could list hundreds of more such examples.
As much as I would wish to believe that a large percentage of African-Americans in California are Latter-day Saints, I know that most are not and so the fact that African-Americans voted the most heavily of any racial group in favor of Proposition 8 indicates that at least some historically black churches have spoken in favor of it.
We are making friends with people who actually believe in God, and loosing friends among those who say God is dead. The humanistic opponants of Prop 8 would never in a million years have joined the LDS Church, so there is no real loss to this church in the battle.
Nathan | 7:52 p.m. Nov. 6, 2008
This will be overturned and one day I will marry my partner in your temple. The day will come my friends just brace yourselves.
Travis | 7:54 p.m. Nov. 6, 2008
I am not ashamed of the Gospel Of Jesus Christ! I will stand by my vote of Yes on Proposition 8
Anonymous | 7:57 p.m. Nov. 6, 2008
Reprisals
Icky | 7:59 p.m. Nov. 6, 2008
dear moderator. You allow mormon bashing. But my sarcastic comment is not allowed? This was the exact point I was trying to make about how tolerance doesn't go both ways.
Re: Re formon mormon | 8:00 p.m. Nov. 6, 2008
What are you talking about you freak. Look up the word in a dictionary. You have no idea what you are talking about.
worried! | 8:01 p.m. Nov. 6, 2008
I have gay friends who I love, I'm LDS! the church teaches us to love all people and that is what I and the church do! but it doesnt mean we have to like what all people do! We dont believe in same sex marriages, whats wrong with us saying that? the catholic's say that, JW's say that and yet it is our church that is being targetted and called a cult! In the bible it tells us how Adam and Eve was placed on the earth to populate it, it would have been a whole different story if it had said Adam and Steve! I truely do Believe that yes Gay People should have their rights and stand up for what they believe in! but so should every body else, the church is standing up for what it believes in Eternal families of 1 man and 1 women to be married, yet it seems to me that people are saying we cant have the right to save this devine joy we have been given, please stop calling us a cult we are not we are just standing up for what we believe just like the gay community is doing.
Mormons destroying religion | 8:01 p.m. Nov. 6, 2008
And I love this story. I have decided that if Mormons want to narrowly define what I call legal marriage then I will narrowly define what I call legal religion. Since this church was found by Christian values meaning that only Christian churches should be recognized(sorry Bhuddists, Jews, and other "religions" effected, religion only matters if you worship Christ). I choose not to recognize the LDS church as Christian because they are polytheistic among other things. If they are not Christian they cannot be recognized. I urge others to consider this movement.
LDS in CA | 8:01 p.m. Nov. 6, 2008
AMEN to sarah and the others. You are right on. I love your comments. Ways to go.
Haun's Mill | 8:02 p.m. Nov. 6, 2008
You would think that a people who were driven from NY, OH, and Illinois would have learned tolerance. You have become the same people who persecuted your ancestors. Never use the LDS "victim" card again.
To Dennis Wofford | 8:02 p.m. Nov. 6, 2008
The church has endured much worse and only grown.
ScottAZ | 8:05 p.m. Nov. 6, 2008
Thank you Californians for doing what is right. We here in AZ also did what is right. The Church will progress.
Civil Rights | 8:07 p.m. Nov. 6, 2008
You are minsing words. 2Nephi 5:21 states: "And he had caused a cursing to come upon them, yea, even a soar cursing, because of their iniquity. For behold, they had hardened their hearts against him, but they had become like unto a flint; wherefore, as they were white, and excedingly fair and delightsome, that they might not be enticing unto my people the Lord God did cause a skin of blackness to come upon them." As the people were once white they are now because on their iniquity a people with black skin. You also go on to ask hypothetical questions, my answer is that we could play hypothetical all day, however the only thing that is real is that the LDS Church is acting in a bigoted fasion. Their are many things I love about the LDS religion, however in this case they are absolutely wrong. What is happening in California right now is that people are letting them know how wrong they are.
Tony D. | 8:07 p.m. Nov. 6, 2008
Those in favor of "GAY" marraiges are missing the point of marriage.Marriage meens when two become one. In order for two to become one (as in humans)a child must be born.THATS THE FRUIT OF MARRIAGE!
John Pack Lambert | 8:08 p.m. Nov. 6, 2008
To Tom,
There is a big difference between not opposing and supporting. The Church does not oppose such things, because they are largely political issues.
The accusation that the church controls any state legislature is false. The claim that it controls such state legislatures in Idaho and Arizona is down right ludicrous.
John | 8:09 p.m. Nov. 6, 2008
Bottom line is, the Mormons wanted to be the poster child for Yes on 8. There are pluses and minuses to doing that. This is one of the minuses.

I am LDS and voted against this, but it's over, for now. For anyone that says that I am not following the prophet, well you show me your two-year food storage, perfect home teaching record, and how many neighbors you invited to church this year. No one is perfect when it comes to following the prophet. But some of us are sincerely trying to understand this political move in light of the gospel. Sometimes the answers don't come easy. In the meantime, I am following what I feel is right.
Icky | 8:09 p.m. Nov. 6, 2008
I'm with you Brother Icky. Please everyone tolerate and accept my feelings I can't help either...I can't stand watching Gay Pride Parades where men dress up in strange or no clothes at all with little children following them in the crowd. When I was growing up my mother would have had the police arrest them because they were doing sexual acts on the street in front of kids while parading around. I guess it's okay now by society, but my concience and my stomach say NO WAY!
To: Re: former mormon | 8:11 p.m. Nov. 6, 2008
"you never were a member of the LDS church. We don't send in our resignations to leave the church! Caught you lying didn't I"

I don't know if I would call it a letter of resignation but also sent a letter to the Church Office Building (COB) to ask that my name be taken off the membership list.

One week later I received a letter back saying it had been sent to the local Bishop. I never did hear from anybody for about 4 weeks.

Then I got a letter from the COB that my name had been taken off as a member.

My partner did the same thing as well as several of my family members.

Members are leaving because of this.
re worried | 8:11 p.m. Nov. 6, 2008
How can anyone out there believe you are sincere in your love of your gay friends when you use hurtful terms like "Adam and Steve." Oh the wit. For shame.

I am LDS in Costa Mesa and voted No on Prop 8. But given your ability to make a joke of the situation, looks like I'm not the only one who didn't "follow the prophet." This is why our church is being targeted. People like you have no tact whatsoever.
Leroy | 8:14 p.m. Nov. 6, 2008
Dark days ahead for the mormon church. Dark days indeed, as membership in your church will dwindle and testimonies will all but dry up for these actions. You people should have stayed in Utah. CA does not need the influence of bigoted and closed minded people.
To LDS are right 7:39 | 8:16 p.m. Nov. 6, 2008
Can you source that?
RexidaWyo_NC | 8:21 p.m. Nov. 6, 2008
It amazes me how this group of people place themselves above the laws of the land. You can see the markings they left on the Temple fence columns, but they're a peaceful people. Yea right! It started with the Mayor of San Fransico thinking he was above the law (pro 22) that established parameters on same-sex unions. Now they protest in front of the temple. That is there right but as the writing on the wall shows some of them have no class.
For those of you who would cast a blanket over the rights established in the Constitution of the United States I will say find a copy and read it. AMENDMENT #ONE declares, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;" This means that all churches have every right to exercise there religion. I humbly declare that God has a prophet on the earth today. We are taught to hear the counsel of the prophet, ponder, and pray about it and then act. To those who are offended by this, it is your choice and one that everyone on this earth must make for themselves.
Idaho established its law.
Geoff | 8:21 p.m. Nov. 6, 2008
The Gays have a choice to abstain and become a moral member of the church. Don't blame us, blame yourself. The church has taught you better than that and you are always welcome to return and live a straight life. Think about what is important. We did not do it to you, you have choices also.
Amazed | 8:21 p.m. Nov. 6, 2008
The truth and fundamental nature of the family organization is something that detractors cannot accept. They know it is true and they have chosen a different path. To accept the truth would be an acknowledgement of fault. They instead, choose to be the accusers of their brethern day and night before the court of public opinion. Hoping to marginalize the truth and anyone that stands for it with blaming and accusing recriminations. The thing about blame is you cannot see straight when you're locked into its hold. Their creed is "It doesn't need to be true, only damaging."
re re worried | 8:27 p.m. Nov. 6, 2008
I'm so sorry for the offence my comment may have caused I wasnt trying to offend any one, I just tried to make a little humor on a subject that people are getting mad about thats all I was trying to do again I am deeply sorry if that comment has caused offence, as it really wasnt my intention to do so! I ask that you forgive me for that, I always seem to try and bring humor into places at the wrong time agaig I'm so sorry!!
THANKS OBAMA | 8:29 p.m. Nov. 6, 2008
It was the high black voter turnout that ultimately passed Prop 8. Blacks, on the whole, also see homosexuality as perversion.

THANKS OBAMA!
Anonymous | 8:31 p.m. Nov. 6, 2008
I agree with You guys don't get it | 7:04 p.m. Nov. 6, 2008

�This is no longer about waht is moral not moral or discrimination. It is about hysteria. It is about how the LDS church fed the hysteria and now does not have the skills to stop it. This has now fallen into an irrational rage"

The LDS church has unfortunately been used by a coalition of so called Christian churches and due to their ability to motivate / contact people and raise money have become the fall guy.

I don�t think the church planned on it going this way.

Dave | 8:36 p.m. Nov. 6, 2008
Yep. The gay community just lost any sympathy I had towards them with their behavior towards those on the other side of this issue.

If anyone is bigoted or intolerant, it's them.

I've been sympathetic in the past. That's no longer the case.
Common Sense | 8:39 p.m. Nov. 6, 2008
Wow. Absolutlely comical that they have the nerve to disrespect a second decision of the people - the absolute foundation of democracy and freedom. Instead they choose to go back to their democracy-degrading methods of using liberal judges to legislate from the bench.

They pretended to be civil until they lost a vote and now the true colors shine. Saw this coming from a mile away. The picture tells it all.
Sherry | 8:41 p.m. Nov. 6, 2008
Marriage is not a religious act. It is a legal act. You pay to get a marriage license and one is required by law for a marriage to be enforced. The religious part of a marriage -- one performed in a church or elsewhere if at all -- is a separate act and one that churches can govern on their own. The Constitution of the United States protects marriage between people of the same sex. It is an inherent right. There is no difference between denying people of the same sex to legally marry and denying women or Black Americans the right to vote. It is unkind. I never met Christ, but I have no doubt he would have supported same sex marriage much as he supported all those who everyone else in his time shunned. All he did was love. And that is the answer. Love all human beings equally.
Sherry | 8:46 p.m. Nov. 6, 2008
Thank you "No Wonder" (7:36 p.m.) above. Yours legal description is absolutely correct.
Jim | 8:48 p.m. Nov. 6, 2008
I am LDS and have a gay brother who lives in the bay area. From the time my brother (also an RM) made his announcement, it took over a decade for my parents to begin to acknowledge him as there son again. He and his partner are one of the 18,000 couples which have been wed. The LDS stand on this and the influence the church has over my parents, and my brothers convictions as a gay man have once again torn apart my family. I am saddened by the LDS Church's approach and tact on this manner as it has a deep grasp on my parents and the church has once again torn apart my family. I find it sad that people will blindly respect the word of the church over love and respect for one another, especially family members.

BTW I am active but reserve the right to make my own decisions. I for one think the church made a mistake being so vocal on this one and used very little tact.
I love it | 8:49 p.m. Nov. 6, 2008
The talk of the Church going down, threats of how bad the repercussions will be, we'll "regret this forever" - I'm really starting to feel a lot closer to saints of previous ages.

Thanks for the bonding moment!
anom | 8:50 p.m. Nov. 6, 2008
This has very little to do with civil rights, but it is about morality versus immorality. That is why Christans oppose it. People who are jumping on the band wagon and are criticising religion and others, under the guise of civil rights have a very poor understanding of God and his laws. Mainstream religion does not support gay marriage. It is immoral. The large and spacious building gets fuller and fuller each day.
To Civil Rights again | 8:50 p.m. Nov. 6, 2008
What is happening in California is that the majority of voters let everyone else know how wrong it is to make homosexual marriages legal for MANY reasons both moral and legal. And when you reference 2Nephi 5:21 you are doing so without understanding and it's a cope out to not answer my hypothetical question because as LDSrRIGHT pointed out our very right of religious expression was on the line if Prop 8 failed as homosexual school indoctrination lessons were already planned along with many lawsuits against our church and others. I see the homosexual indoctrination has worked on you. Which is in a nutshell "unless your church has no stance on moral issues of sexuality and believes in nothing but what we believe in than it is a bigoted church that is out to ruin our right to express ourselves in complete sexual anarchy and teach it as good to all the little children of the world". Sorry, but I draw the line when it comes to indoctrinating MY children to be okay with perversions against the commandments of the Lord.
Bob | 8:52 p.m. Nov. 6, 2008
There are already laws in place that restrict who can be married...this is not a new issue and the laws in place were not put there by the Mormons.

For example, the law says that a person cannot marry more than one spouse; cannot marry a sibling; and cannot marry an animal.

For those that support gay marriage, do you also support re-defining marriage broadly enough to allow these other types of marriage? Once we re-define it, where does that re-defining stop? Surely others will challenge the definition on the grounds mentioned above, and if there is no strict definition in place, nothing would stop it from being re-defined in multiple ways that possibly even gay marriage supporters would not agree with.
Sherry Talbot | 8:53 p.m. Nov. 6, 2008
From an ex-mormon who also sent in her "resignation": The Book of Mormon says that "and he [God] denieth none that come until him, black and white, bond and free, male and female; and he remembereth the heathen [that would be me]; and all are alike unto God . . . . (2 Nephi 26:33).
Former Mormon | 8:53 p.m. Nov. 6, 2008
Yes, we do have the right to resign, just the same as any other organization. It was MY choice, not some stupid church court, which has no authority over me. If you doubt me, please contact Charles A. Didier, my former mission president and President Emeritus of the First Council of Seventies. I forwarded a copy to him and he sent me a gracious reply. You may also contact the bishop of the Cottage Park Ward here in Sacramento. I would give you his name, but Deseret News wouldn't print it. Have a good day!
Jeff Jacobberger | 8:58 p.m. Nov. 6, 2008
The campaign you Utah Mormons funded was based almost entirely on lies. Your tens of millions of dollars was spent lying to Californians--you lied and said that if Prop 8 was defeated, churches would be forced to marry gay couples. A lie. You said that children would be forced to learn about same-sex marriage. But in California, all parents are entitled to opt-out of any sex or family education. You spent tens of millions of lying to Californians.
And now your church asks people not to spread lies about Mormons?
Too late, folks. Your church leadership let that cat out of the bag. We now have carte blanche to say whatever we want about you bigots.
And when you complain, you are being hypocritical. Apparently you really are cultists and not Christians. Because if you were Christians, you wouldn't be ignoring the log in your own eyes while calling attention to the splinter in ours. Jesus would have a word for you people-- it is "Pharisee." Your self-righteous morality and disdain for love and kindness marks you for God's fury when judgment day comes.
Not the aame | 8:58 p.m. Nov. 6, 2008
As a black man I'm don't like this movement comparing themselves to us.

We fought for our rights to sit at the front of the bus, drink from the same fountains, etc. This movement is an intolerant push for special rights because they already have every right I have today!

And they wonder why it felt right to defend marriage for all of us.
Get a life... | 8:59 p.m. Nov. 6, 2008
California has spoken...now grow up and just accept it!!! Quit trying to blame it on church.
To Haun's Mill | 9:05 p.m. Nov. 6, 2008
You are so right.
To: Not the same | 9:08 p.m. Nov. 6, 2008
RE: "We fought for our rights..."

In other words, "We got our piece of the pie now and we ain't gonna share it with you."
Two Hands | 9:11 p.m. Nov. 6, 2008
This was such an interesting chain of events. On one hand all the liberals who hate Bush and thought he was running again were so involved to get Obama voted in for change.On the other hand it so happens that he is black which really got the black and latino voters out in droves. Historically Blacks and Latinos are not cool with the gays and that is where the vote was lost. They really should have supported Hillary a little more but she would have lost to McCain but the gays would have been able to marry.

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Damian Dovarganes, Associated Press

Some 1,000 demonstrators rally Thursday outside the Los Angeles LDS Temple in Westwood to protest the LDS Church's support of Proposition 8, which California voters narrowly approved Tuesday.

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