Comments about ‘LDS Church donates to pro-Prop. 8 group’

This is a big story, despite the relatively small contribution amount mentioned in the article. There is bound to be some kind of a backlash from the public regarding the perceived erosion of the wall between Church and State, especiall given the favorable tax treatment the LDS Church enjoys. I've never seen the LDS church get such negative PR. A bit of payback, perhaps?

It will be interesting to learn which LDS leaders attended the meeting. Were the Church representatives General Authorities, Church Attorneys or representatives from the Church's Media Relations Department, the real decision makers

This isn't erosion of the wall between Church and State. If the state somehow endorsed the LDS Church, or if the LDS Church became the effective government, that would be erosion of the wall. But this? Regardless of tax laws, this isn't erosion of that wall in any meaningful sense.

The purpose of voting has always been for the people to express their opinion about what is best for society. That's precisely what the LDS are doing, along with any other conscientious person. That their opinion stems from their religious beliefs has nothing to do with it. The idea that people should as a rule keep their religion out of politics is hogwash that no founding father or intellectually honest person would ever agree with.

I think it is VERY sad that the church involves itself in politics. I think they will see the back lash when their proposition fails to pass. I hope it will lead to a better treatment of LDS members who are gay and lesbian.

to Paperboy:

What an inane comment. Do you actually believe The Media Relations Department is the decision making body for the church? You really need to get your medications checked.

These funds should be taxed. I don't understand why they are not paying taxes for these monies paid.
Please explaint to me.

You don't know what you're talking about. You seem to be scrambling for reason to make yourself feel better. It's one thing for the Church to donate to candidates and lobby lawmakers. That's fine under the IRS rules. When they go directly to voters, that's active campaigning and a clear mingling of church in the world of politics. Now, this issue is obviously political and moral, and church members should vote according to what they believe in - whether that be what the church says about the issue or not. But they should not be spoken down to or told to vote one way by their leaders.

The Church should definitely stand for something.
Any issue can become political. 50 years ago, people would have laughed in your face if you said gay people would have the legal right to marry.
The point is, religious issues are all being attacked and politicized. The Church didn't move toward politics. Quite the opposite--the world is attempting to undermine all things religious in an attempt to squash the very thing that makes them feel guilty about their sinful lifestyle.

This report simply shows that the church is following the letter of the law in its efforts to support California's Proposition 8 initiative. Some church representatives travelled to California to meet with other groups in support of the initiative. So the church reports that it covered their travel expenses.

Most people would see this report as an effort by the church to keep itself totally in compliance with all legal requirements, however small. If the church didn't file this report and someone from the other side found out, the opposition would make a big deal about it.

So, I say, good for the church; it's clearly squeaky clean in its compliance with all legal requirements.

You are absolutely right that the Church's Media Relations Dept is obviously not calling the shots on the Church's support for California Proposition 8. Otherwise a PR disaster of this magnitude would not be happening.

There is no way that the Media Relations Dept would allow the LDS Church make such clumsy, ill advised move and risk its image, reputation and public goodwill by backing such a controversial issue that troubles so many people. Proposition 8 is clearly despised not only by millions of California citizens, but by millions of people living in thousand communities around the world who care deeply about protecting civil rights everywhere.

I feel bad for the thousands of California LDS members who are risking their public standing following the counsel of the Church. They are watching their reputations go up in flames as they earn the scorn of their neighbors and fellow citizens by supporting an unpopular ballot initiative that although they may feel personally uncomfortable supporting, head for certain defeat.

I agree with Dodd, there's much more below the surface, than what people want to face.

But all will end, just as past civilizations have.

Sireofmany: Are you delusional? PR has nothing to do with the will of God. Either you believe in God and the TRUTHS he has revealed or you don't. If you don't, best of luck!
If you do then you really need to wake up and make an attempt at intellectual honesty.
God made his point with Sodom and Gommorrah. This isn't an LDS issue. It's a Christian issue. All TRUE Chritians are fundamentally opposed to the gay lifestyle and all that it entails, yet we do our best to be kind, tolerant, and respectful to the person. Not perfect, but striving to be.
Why won't all the ANTI Religion fanatics be honest? This is just one more hammer for you to attempt to batter all religion with, in the hopes that you can someday feel better about yourself.

Last time I voted it is a secret balot. I don't think that has changed. So if I were to vote in favor of Prop 8 there is only one person that would know. Me!

Now if I made it publicly known that I supported Prop 8 and someone thought differently of me who cares. I am standing up for my right to believe what I want. I am not going to change my beliefs to meet what some legislating judges or anyone else says should be right. I shall always believe that sexual realtions between two members of the same gender is wrong morally.

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ"

If a person or entity (i.e. the LDS Church)of integrity and strong moral character has true convictions in a matter of great value to them, they will support and defend those convictions regardless of the consequences.
I think the LDS Church's actions in this matter is an example of this.
I applaud the church's (or anyone else's)efforts to defend their convictions in a lawful manner.

People get so worked up about the separation of church and state. However, you will find it no where in official government documents, like the Constitution.

The entire idea is Jeffersons, which he laid down in a letter, which is meant to keep religion free from the state and not the state free from religion.

The founders clearly knew that this Government could not stand without a religious people.

Please do some studying before spouting incorrect ideas.

to Joe Dodd:

Are you delusional? Read my comment. I said no such thing. Someone responded to me and maybe you are mistaking their response as something I said. I am faithful LDS. I teach Institute. I am not anti religion in any manner. Maybe you should get your facts straight before you attack someone who is on your side. But, if you are that blind that you cannot recognize your allies maybe you are not on the correct side either.

The statements by Dodd and Patrick and Tanner are exactly how i feel!!!!

We live in a day where evil is called good and good is called evil.

For many, it's time to decide if they are truly on the Lord's "side"....despite persecution. Time for "the sifting."

Those who follow God's prophet need not fear the reputation of His church. NO unhollowed hand can stop the work!!!!

It's high adventure from here on out folks!

that I'm in favor or against proposition 8, but each year aren't we read letters from the pulpit that the church (LDS) will not be involved in politics or in advising the members on how to vote. With such said, and maybe I'm wrong, how does this stand up against the church making a donation on this matter. Doesn't that contradict what they say during each election? And what about the calls made from members at the churches request, the visits by church leaders to the people in California. Just seems like a contradiction of what we've always been told about the elections. Anyone care to enlighten???

To the 12:47 commentator,
The LDS Church meeting with a private political group has no relevance to the seperation of church and state.
Protectmarriage is a private, not a government institution.
Vote yes on 8, it is our only chance for freedom.

Where has freedom gone? Will government force our patriates that stand up for truth and justice to cringe and stand down? What have we become? Have we forgotten our childlike attributes of kindness and fairplay? Shame on those that are forcing our names into the open to determine whether or not we have skeletons in our closet to discredit our belief systems just because we have a higher sense of moral turpetude. The same moral fiber that our country was built on. Have you not seen the decay in the last century? Can you say that it is good? I would say let us vote without condemnation or repute!! Do not take the signs from our yards!! Do not take away our liberties!! Do not spray paint our homes with your vulgarities!! If you wish to fight, have courage enough to do it in my face, don't hide in the darkness and become as the gadianton robbers!!! Stand up for truth and justice, quit demeaning and abasing yourselves!!!