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Prop. 8 protest draws thousands in Salt Lake City
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What you all are failing to realize is that members of the LDS church contributed an estimated $20 million dollars to the Yes on 8 campaign - that is more than half of the total amount of money received by the campaign. Acegrace posted, "Are these protesters not aware that the LDS were only 1% of the population of California..." Yes, the protesters are aware that members of the LDS church are only 1% of the California population. That is precisely whey the LDS chuch is being protested against. We are angry that members of the LDS church contributed over 1/2 of the money to Yes on 8 but make up such a small percentage of Californians. When you look at the numbers and the facts, it's quite easy to see why the LDS church has become the target of gay marriage supporters.
We saw it in the late 70's and 80's in So Cal, Nationally with the ERA controversy (similar arguements here as well) and when ever we get FREE NATIONAL PRESS.
CHEERS TO THE PROTESTORS!!! Smile and Wave everyone
When Mormon people look for someone to marry, this is often done within the confines of the church, is it not? A lot of Mormon people, particularly here in Utah, only want to date other Mormons.
Isn't being LDS a choice? For further help, since being gay is apparently a choice, would you please tell us when you chose to be straight? If you chose to be LDS, and it's a choice, then choosing to be gay implies that someone had to consciously make that decision. So when did you choose? Because I know I never chose to be gay. It surprised the heck out of me, that's for sure!
"There is a double-standard for gay people to participate in a free speech rally but then condemn the Church and it's members for doing the same thing by encouraging members to speak up on a matter which goes to the heart of the teachings of the Church - marriage and family."
The Church asked us to participate in the electoral process and vote and speak out on this issue. Those who support same-sex marriage aren't asking these protesters to participate in the electoral process and speak out on the issues instead they are asking them to disrupt our right to worship, and prevent us from worshiping as we see fit. Had Prop. 8 failed the Church would never have asked members to join a protest outside of the ACLU and Churches who opposed Prop. 8.
We respect the right of people to disagree and to peacefully participate in the political process and we would never target those who voted differently than we wanted. This is more than a double standard since we have never done anything like this to them nor would we but maybe we should reconsider that and find out where they worship and live and protest.
"When the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints made the decision to become involved in a political question, it became fair game for political protest."
That's fine with me. Post your real name and take a public position on this political issue because then it makes you fair game for political protest.
Any member of the Utah legislature or state, city or county government who attends this rally will find a thousand people marching around their blocks on next Friday. If they take a position on a political issue it makes them and organizations they belong to fair game including their families.
"When any church or religion takes a political position, as opposed to a religious position, it opens itself up to political protest. The Church should bear this in mind the next time it gets involved in political issues."
When any individual or public official takes a political position, as opposed to a personal position, they open themselves up to political protest. Voters should bear this in mind the next time they get involved in political issues because we are coming to your Churches, your places of work and your homes to protest.
Further, we warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.
�We call upon responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society� (Ensign, Nov. 1995, 102).
My2Cents,What important reasons were given for such a stand on families? What consequences would come to pass in our society if such marriage was accepted endorsed?
Some, however, have mistakenly asserted that churches should not ever be involved in politics when moral issues are involved. In fact, churches and religious organizations are well within their constitutional rights to speak out and be engaged in the many moral and ethical problems facing society. While the Church does not endorse candidates or platforms, it does reserve the right to speak out on important issues.
We Latter-day Saints declare in scripture: "We believe that religion is instituted of God; and that men are amenable to him, and to him only, for the exercise of it, unless their religious opinions prompt them to infringe upon the rights and liberties of others�. We do not believe it just to mingle religious influence with civil government, whereby one religious society is fostered and another proscribed [prohibited] in its spiritual privileges, and the individual rights of its members, as citizens, denied."
(Doctrine and Covenants 134:4, 9)
Your own doctrine speaks out against what your church is doing.
Consider also that the turnout was ridiculously high, especially due to the draw of a hotly-contested presidential election. So, a large percentage of eligible voters cast their ballot for Prop 8. I would bet the by-county turnout/vote exceeded the votes in the last election for our representatives.
I have accepted that a majority of people wanted Obama. Please accept that a majority of people want some protection for the tradition of marriage.
I don�t understand how Mormons can be so close-minded and so judgmental towards gay people.
So, I guess you must be planning some hate-filled demonstrations at the Cathedral of the Madeleine, the First Baptist Church, and the offices of the NAACP and LULAC. After all, there were many more Catholics, Evangelicals, Blacks, and Hispanics, than there were Mormons that voted against Prop 8.
As a resident of mid-town Sacramento, I can say folks, we have two very different cultures in our land, a land where "pop culture" now even elects presidents as the office is marketed as a product such as "Rockstar"!
"church tonight in SLC if I could. Let's show the world that right has prevailed."
We must defend our rights and stand up for ourselves and if they think they can get away with this they are wrong because there will be members there to see who speaks and next week we will be having a similar march around their places of work, their Church and their homes.
The article states that Representatives Scott McCoy, Christine Johnson and Jackie Biskupski will attend and speak at the rally.
If they do decide to take a public position on this issue we should plan an event for next week where we march around their homes on Friday. If the Church is protested for taking a stand as our representatives on religious and moral matters than the legislators are fair game to be protested for taking as stand as political representatives of those who disagree with us.
Let's show our solidarity and defend our rights against those who would oppress and impose tyranny upon us.
I feel that they have every right to make a stance on issues like this that affect the world because they are one of the only organizations that produces results when it comes to making the world a better place. They are the only ones who back up what they preach.
America should be greatful that there is an organization like the LDS church that actually has a backbone and stands up for what they believe.
27 "And if the time comes that the voice of the people doth choose iniquity, then is the time that the judgments of God will come upon you; yea, then is the time he will visit you with great destruction even as he has hitherto visited this land."
I certainly believe that the church should encourage its members to uplift and support what is good for the society as a whole, encouraging memebers to up hold these values, and share them with others. The same values that have blessed our nation our families and the world for years. Is surely not wrong.
The acceptance of "such (just one example gay marriage) in society will surely lead to grave consequences that would hurt our family and society as a whole.
Of course this all depends on the veracity of the Book Of Mormon. So those of you who can't believe this and are losing your testimony of the church I would encourage you to read it. It will help stay on the right path in these perilous times.
"You can't vote on minority rights! This is a Supreme Court issue not a ballot issue!
James Madison, a Founding Father, said:
1) "The will of the nation being omnipotent for right, is so for wrong also; and the will of the nation being in the majority, the minority must submit to that danger of oppression as an evil infinitely less than the danger to the whole nation from a will independent of it."
Thomas Jefferson said,
1) "[Bear] always in mind that a nation ceases to be republican only when the will of the majority ceases to be the law."
2) "We are sensible of the duty and expediency of submitting our opinions to the will of the majority, and can wait with patience till they get right if they happen to be at any time wrong."
3) "If the measures which have been pursued are approved by the majority, it is the duty of the minority to acquiesce and conform."
This isn't a Supreme Court issue nor are your rights violated. Rights aren't granted or taken away by the government. Freedom of speech isn't a statute passed by majority unlike marriage so the latter isn't a right.
Shaun Williams
Those familiar with scriptural precedence will know there are many scenarios just like this. Things will get dark for a time but the other side always loses if we stay faithful.
Look up the Israeli 6-day war. Faithful should not fear being outnumbered.
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