Deseret News | Reader comments: Interfaith service stresses the equal worth of all people

Reader comments
Interfaith service stresses the equal worth of all people

EM | 9:23 a.m. Nov. 24, 2008

I have thought about this word "EQUAL & EQUALITY". And I've come to the conclusions that we're not all equal, but rather different, and it's that difference that we need to be concerned with and to respect. EQUAL means the same, or the same rights and privileges, I'm not the same or equal to a gay, black, Chinese, poor, rich, etc. persons - I'm just different to them, and being different to them does not mean I'm entitled to dishonor, disrespect, or treat them with indifference than myself. God sees all people differently, but treats them equally based on the conditions of their hearts.

to EM | 9:55 a.m. Nov. 24, 2008

Well said. If we understand the nature of God then we can better understand how we are to treat people.I believe this is the desire of all latter day saints.Read our scriptures and apply them in our daily lives.If we do that we wont fail.

It All Depends on the Defintion | 1:31 p.m. Nov. 24, 2008

I find it pretty pathetic for Elder M. Russell Ballard of the LDS Church's Quorum of the Twelve to get up and speak about the equal worth of all people after the recent performance put on by his church over Proposition 8. "Equal" must be a relative term for him. Or perhaps he doesn't understand the meaning of the word.

Comments continue below

Marie | 1:41 p.m. Nov. 24, 2008

I think it is so awesome that these people, all from different faiths, can come together in one meeting and show love toward each other. That's what it's all about.

Randy | 1:58 p.m. Nov. 24, 2008

It would be great if the LDS church could learn from this lesson and change its disrespect towards others and their believes. The LDS church carries the believe that they alone have the one and only right answer, but until they can prove that they need to join in with others in teaching and choosing good just for goodness sake.

CATO | 2:00 p.m. Nov. 24, 2008

In response to "It all depends on the definition" Marriage has never been construed as a right. Neither is Health-care. Read the Bill of Rights. Read the Declaration of Independence. Marriage was taken away from the LDS Church in the 1890's hundreds of Marraiges were nullified. If you want to speak about "equality", or rights, first educate yourself, and then speak. You might look less uneducated that way.

re: it all depends | 2:03 p.m. Nov. 24, 2008

I think it's pretty pathetic for you to judge anyone.

Understanding First | 2:06 p.m. Nov. 24, 2008

Says the article "...all people are of equal worth, despite the spectrum of their differences."

The challenge is to translate a sincere belief of "equal worth" into equitable (let alone equal) treatment, given the seemingly juxtaposed nature of some human differences.

GeeBee | 2:06 p.m. Nov. 24, 2008

Perhaps they should have more of these meetings, but without preaching to their own choirs. Why not a meeting like this with atheists and the gay community?

level minded | 2:10 p.m. Nov. 24, 2008

Even today as benificial topics are conveyed, any LDS involvement is mocked. The principles discussed, seem to be sound. I'm not sure if comparing equality and differaces is really the point. An apple is and apple and will always be an apple. And an orange will always be an orange. Are they equal or are they different? Some fruits are poisionous and should be avoided. Does a person have the right to eat it with out being worned of its hazards? A sickness can be spread to the unknowing and they have to suffer the affects of the poison. So keep up the good work! We all need a litte help now and then.

CATO | 2:53 p.m. Nov. 24, 2008

I rescind my comments regarding the education of "It all depends on the definition." They were distasteful and ungentlemanly; however, I do stand by the principle of the comment. I still strongly feel, that before we judge others we must learn about the past, understand where they have been, and what has formed them, then and only then do we have a right to make an informed judgement, yes judgement.

LDS derangement syndrome | 3:02 p.m. Nov. 24, 2008

In every forum the Anti's must come forth. This was a nice article. Take it for what it is.

To: Gee Bee | 3:07 p.m. Nov. 24, 2008

Atheists and Gay's? It was an interfaith meeting, why would these two groups be relevant since they are not organized, (informally or formally) as faith groups? They would be relevant as members of the participating faith groups (well, maybe not the atheists), but I think the get together was very well defined as to it's scope.

To: CATO | 4:09 p.m. Nov. 24, 2008

Apparently "Equal" only applies to straight religious people then? Is that your definition? I thought the article said Elder Ballard spoke about about the equal worth of "all people."

I stand by my original statement.

I don't remember making any statement about the "right" of marriage. However, since you brought it up, it seems a bit incongruous that straights are able to marry civilly, yet gays are not. Is that "equal" under your definition (regardless of whether it is a "right")?

Anonymous | 4:22 p.m. Nov. 24, 2008

To: Gee Bee and Cato

So Elder Ballard meant only faith groups are equal?

tlpick | 4:32 p.m. Nov. 24, 2008

I thought it was a wonderful program. Every religion that was represented was emphasizing love for your fellow man. There was not one religion that did not mention that. I am sorry for those of you who still have a problem with prop. 8. Only 2% of California is LDS, even the LDS Church financial contribution was less than that of the Catholic Church. The people that pushed Prop 8 through were African American who listened to the Baptist preachers. So far all I have heard is good from other religions who also voted for Prop. 8. It has put the LDS in a much better light because they now know our moral values and what they stand for. I left this service with much more love and unity for my fellow man.

CATO | 4:34 p.m. Nov. 24, 2008

I rescind my remarks regarding the education of Definition. They were uncouth, uncalled for, and ungentlemanly; I do however stand by the principle behind the remark. I strongly feel that one must study history, learn of the past and present and the ideas and beliefs that make up a person or group of people before we have the right to judge them.
Regarding Prop. 8. The matter at hand is the definition of a word; Marriage. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is not against Homosexual Couples having equal rights as a Married Couple (all of which are already extended by current California Law, save Marriage.)Instead it is in favor of protecting something deemed by the Vox Populi of California to be in the realm of religion. Life, Liberty, Property, the Pursuit of Happiness, Speech, Petition, Assembly, Redress of grievances, Press, Bearing Arms, Protection against the unlawful quartering of Troops, Protection against Unlawful Searches and Seizures, due process, double jeopardy, self-incrimination, eminent domain, Trial by Jury, protection against Cruel and Unusual Punishment, All of these are RIGHTS, as defined by the Bill of Rights. Marriage is not among them. It has been taken away by the Government before.

To: CATO | 4:51 p.m. Nov. 24, 2008

You seem overly obsessed with the Bill of Rights. Does that mean ONLY those rights should be granted? What about the right to privacy? That is not in the Constitution either. Yet, I'm certain you would object to posting your medical records online for all to see, or your marital activities.

What about the right to an education? Not mentioned in the Constitution either. Equality before the law is however.

May I suggest you quit obsessing on the definition of "rights" and focus more on "equality." Then YOU will look a bit less educated yourself.

Anonymous | 4:54 p.m. Nov. 24, 2008

Equal worth of all people... except gays!

Reminds me of Animal Farm: All are equal, but some are MORE equal than others!

What a bunch of rotten stuff you Mormons are trying to cram on us!

tlpick | 5:04 p.m. Nov. 24, 2008

This interfaith conference was not based on Prop. 8. It was love for mankind. Which was expressed. Get over Prop. 8. The people voted and it passed. It is a done deal.

Marie Devine | 5:09 p.m. Nov. 24, 2008

Equal worth in God's eyes means God wants all people saved from destruction, pain and sorrow. Those who reject following His word, straight or gay, lose the protection and guidance of God because they refuse it. That is equality.

Interfaith meetings are supposed to be lifting up truth for people to gather to and to drop those things that are not written. In 2 Nephi 29 God says He has spoken to all nations and commanded them to write it and it shall be found to be the same. The Qur'an says to follow the whole Bible; Jesus said to live by every word of God; other religions say to follow scriptural injunctions. The various religions profess one Supreme God and the Sinai Covenant, Ten Commandments. UNITY and salvation follow obedience, no pictures or covetousness.

Deuteronomy 4:2 (do not add or take away from My word). Exodus 20:8-11 7th day Sabbath of rest, no work. Exodus 12, Leviticus 23 Passover, Weeks, Day of Atonement, Tabernacles. (This was the faith of Jesus Christ and the only ones who will inherit the holy city. The kingdom is following the King.) We need to fear God who cannot lie. Read Doctrines and Covenants.

Cato | 5:12 p.m. Nov. 24, 2008

The idea isn't whether all men are equal, because "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal." Rather the contest is for the rights of a religion; of the vox populi to determine the course of human events. "When in the course of Human Events it becomes necessary for one people..." to determine the destiny of their society for what they percieve to be the benefit of their Religion, their children, and all mankind, it is their right, it is their duty to take such an impassioned stance as has been taken. VOX POPULI has Spoken, the rights of the democracy has won out. Now who dares challenge her might. Not I!

CATO | 5:29 p.m. Nov. 24, 2008

I cling to the Constitution as bitterly as I cling to my religion and my Guns! Let Thomas Jefferson Stand as an example, Let us do Only that Which the Constitution says we can. Was it not you who was whining as President Bush supposedly "tore the constitution to shreds." Now once the Voice of the people in a MAJORITY have spoken others seek to play outside the rules set by the Founding fathers. When did the constitution become little more than a piece of paper?
P.S. The Right to Privacy is included in the Bill of Rights, Search and Siezure? Unlawful Quartering of Troops? Protection of Rights not Specifically Enumerated by the Constitution?
Is the Constitution the Governing document of the Nation, protecting, and limiting the rights of an individual?...only when convenient?
For the Record Homosexuals already have, and In my opinion do deserve the same RIGHTS as a married couple, such as, Visitation rights in a Hospital, etc. and are granted such rights in almost all the states in the Union.

mensa7 | 5:45 p.m. Nov. 24, 2008

Jesus and St John the Divine...WEPT

To: CATO | 6:38 p.m. Nov. 24, 2008

You are scary. Really. And you have a very warped understanding of the Constitution. Not gonna even try to talk logic with you.

JanSan | 7:11 p.m. Nov. 24, 2008

re: Yes, they wept - but what is your point?

I enjoyed this article -
I wish that we could find more of this attitude in these columns. I wish that the sore losers would stop trying to push the agenda S T I L L - work through the courts - I don't think you are really going to change anyones mind here. Work through the courts and let us have a column like this free from hateful remarks. THis is not doing your side any good - it is just making people upset with you. Why can't you spend your time coming up with laws that people don't have to fear (and please don't say we don't need to fear - that lie is old and has already been proven out many times over). We don't hate you - we would like to help you but we don't want to shoot ourselves in head by doing so. Instead of the hate - why can't we compromise more until we ALL can be satisfied?

Not equal | 7:52 p.m. Nov. 24, 2008

No one is "equal" to all other people! We are all born unequal. We are all born with differnt gifts and talents or lack thereof! None of us are equal, and we never will be equal. Equality under the law is a farce too. I pay more taxes than my neighbors therefore I am discriminated against and I have less rights! We are not intended to all be equal and we never will be! This is just more liberal stupidity run amuck! Some are more "equal" than others!

Matthew | 8:17 p.m. Nov. 24, 2008

Equality is a frame of reference and it is obvious it is not in the doctrine of the LDS church. Mormons have a very strange perception of reality and before any speaks up; no it is most definitely not the view of God the Father or his Son. Wow, there is much work to do in Utah before the millennia.

ironic | 4:09 p.m. Nov. 26, 2008

Equal "worth" is not the same thing as being equally "right", equally "righteous", or equally many other things. To claim LDS (or any other religious group) does not consider gays to be of equal "worth" just because we believe practicing homosexuality is a sin (as we believe God, not us, has determined) is ridiculous. We value the people, but do not condone the sin. As far as prop 8 goes, just because we stand up for the traditional definition of marriage when we see that redefining marriage will infringe on religious rights and the moral fabric of our society, doesn't mean we hate gays. Of course you already know that, which is why all of the hatred you spew out against us for our beliefs (while claiming we are the haters) is so ironic.

Niamhaine | 2:06 a.m. Nov. 27, 2008

I remember hearing once about a guy who joined the LDS church because he reckoned that an organization that inspired such expressions of hate and venom from other sources must have something going for it!

Why only pick on the Latter-day Saints here? There were many religions represented- are they all without blame except for the LDS? You could spend all day working out ways to take offence. Use your time for a better purpose. Anyway, get over the mistakes of the past. This is today- let's get on with making a better tomorrow in a world where, although we are 'different' we may be 'equal and respected'.

Tim | 4:35 a.m. Nov. 27, 2008

I think most of these miss the point. The title was "People of Equal Worth." All people, whether gay or straight, black or white, rich or poor, are WORTH the atoning sacrifice of Christ. He died for each and every one. That's what we are worth to God. The scripture says, For God so loved the WORLD... So we as his children must treat everyone as though he or she was worth the blood of the Savior.Of course we are not all equal, either in talents or means of living, but we are all of equal worth to Heavenly Father. And that's what this service was trying to represent, I believe.

Marie | 10:38 a.m. Nov. 27, 2008

The words "Equal despite differences" added to "be the change you want to see" should awake all readers to embrace the idea that God's love can embrace and show through us the means to have compassion for all - especially those with differences. The comments that focus on the differences (such as Proposition 8, etc...) are missing the point as they express that they are missing Heavenly Father's message of love to each of us individually! Love and Heavenly worth are both equal and equally available to those who see it within themselves AND express it to others...

End of the day | 8:03 p.m. Nov. 27, 2008

You Mormons can call it whatever you want, but for all practical purposes, your claims to "love" gays despite hating their sin, and your treating them as of "equal worth" is all hypocrisy! At the end of the day, they cannot go home to their legally and lawfully wedded SPOUSES like YOU can! Say what you wat, but until gays can enjoy that right, you are all the WORST kind of bigots and hypocrites!

Anonymous | 3:06 p.m. Nov. 30, 2008

I'm upset because I have a 9 year old grandchild who has a gay teacher and has to look at posters all over the school which say " This is a safe zone for all transsexuals, gay, lesbian, transgender, etc etc and straight at the bottom of the list. The 7 year old has to ask mom, what is a gay? Don't tell me an agenda is not being pushed on the children of all things. It's always the children that are being programed. It all boils down to this, and proponents of the propositions in many states don't want this indoctrination state sanctified and state enforced. Why can't these lifestyle choices be kept in some kind of decorum and not blasted everywhere. Where are the manners?

Todd | 8:05 p.m. Nov. 30, 2008

I'm getting tired.

I'm tired of angry "gay rights activists" or their sympathizers telling me what I believe, what I feel, what I know and don't know, and how logical or illogical I am. Here's a thought: rather than tell me how awful I am because I am LDS, show me your compassion, tolerance, and love by your actions, words, and thoughts.

There is a gay couple living around the corner from me (in Happy Valley!). They think they are being very stealthy by not telling anyone, but most people I know pretty much know who they are. If you go to their door, they are polite, but curt--they make it pretty clear they don't any friends. I think they're keeping quiet because they think that they'll be persecuted. Reality is, we're worried about them, and wish we could get to know them better. Where did they get the idea that they had to keep quiet about their lifestyle? Not from me, not from my bishop, not from their LDS neighbors. Who? You figure it out.

Todd

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