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Prop. 8 protest draws thousands in Salt Lake City

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From the church | 3:21 p.m. Nov. 12, 2008
Okay you win.
John Pack Lambert | 3:28 p.m. Nov. 12, 2008
I think that Brother Eckern went to far in apologizing for speaking in favor of traditional marriage.
I think the fact that people can not follow their religion and maintain their job is very disturbing.
seattle1 | 3:31 p.m. Nov. 12, 2008
Thanks to everyone who is protesting prop 8--an assault on human dignity, love, and civil rights. Human rights cannot be put up to majority vote. We will prevail!
Comments continue below
John Pack Lambert | 3:41 p.m. Nov. 12, 2008
I have found a more complete statement by Eckern. I think he brings up many valid points.
"I understand that my choice of supporting Proposition 8 has been the cause of many hurt feelings, maybe even betrayal. It was not my intent. I honestly had no idea that this would be the reaction. I chose to act upon my belief that the traditional definition of marriage should be preserved. I support each individual to have rights and access and I understood that in California domestic partnerships come with the same rights that come with marriage. My sister is a lesbian and in a committed domestic partnership relationship. I am loving and supportive of her and her family, and she is loving and supportive of me and my family. I definitely do not support any message or treatment of others that is hateful or instills fear. This is a highly emotional issue and the accusations that have been made against me are simply not true. I have now had many conversations with friends and colleagues,and I am deeply saddened thatmy personal beliefs and convictions have offended others." There is more, but this is his main point.
Idiots running the Asylum | 4:12 p.m. Nov. 12, 2008
The California Musical Theatre is spineless. That they allowed Eckern to resign just because he voted, and supported, his conscience, and considering that it was within his rights to do so, according to the statement by the theater, is unconscionable.

I guess the flip side is for everyone to start boycotting every project by every Hollywood type that donated money to the No on 8 cause.

The only betrayal here is that the California Musical Theatre tossed Eckern overboard to appease threats of a boycott.

Ever notice how you're only a "Free Thinker" if you share the opinion of the liberals? If you think differently, they will persecute you until your bones are picked clean.

I guess voting isn't the American way any longer.
John Pack Lambert | 4:31 p.m. Nov. 12, 2008
To the 4:12 comentator,
There was a good book on this subject entitled "Free Speech for Me but not for Thee".
Benedict Arnold | 4:39 p.m. Nov. 12, 2008
I would like to congratulate the California Musical Theatre for cowardice on a level I couldn't even hope to attain.
Re: Benedict | 5:09 p.m. Nov. 12, 2008
It was a business decision. The theater company wants to sell tickets. Any supporter of prop 8 will deflect interest, and any removal of said suppoter will result in more ticket sales. Expect to see a lot of this: the name, hometowns and workplaces of each financial contributor of prop 8 have been well-circulated.
to: Lambert & others | 5:22 p.m. Nov. 12, 2008
I am LDS and voted against prop 8. I view it as a secular matter, not religious. Because of those views most LDS posters on this site have called me an apostate, the BYU newspaper ridiculed people like me as "so-called active". Where is my "sacrosanct" (Scott Trotter's, church spokesman, word) right to vote as I please? Aren't my personal "circumstances and experiences" (church's words) valid reasons for voting against prop 8?

I see no difference in the rational for this poor treatment and the treatment Eckern received.
Anonymous | 5:24 p.m. Nov. 12, 2008
Not when they tie up traffic and freeway off ramps have to be closed for three and a half hours.
who cares | 5:28 p.m. Nov. 12, 2008
There are plenty of good moral people who will boycott the theatre in Sacramento. I know alot of people who are boycotting McDonalds, levi strauss, google and Spielberg movies. It goes both ways. Go ahead and boycott Utah. I'm sure the conference visitors will more than make up for the sundance festival and skiing. you don't need their filthy lucre.
Benedict Arnold | 5:37 p.m. Nov. 12, 2008
No, it was cowardice pure and simple. Do businesses really want patrons to make every decision based on what side somebody voted on in an election?

What was the percentage on this vote -- 52-48? Do businesses that supported No on 8 want to lose out on 52 percent of their customers? The Yes on 8 supporters are probably too mature to react in that way. But I suppose what's good for two ganders is good for a goose and a gander.

The fact that this theater forced an employee who had served them well for 25 years to resign because of his religious convictions is complete and utter cowardice. Talk about a religious discrimination lawsuit in the making.
HE REAPED WHAT HE SOWED | 5:54 p.m. Nov. 12, 2008
Mr. Eckern was not fired. HE RESIGNED.

I found his apology and self justification to be very typical of your Mormon double-speak.
Master Sower | 6:09 p.m. Nov. 12, 2008
You mean he was forced to resign.

I find it disgraceful that a man can vote his conscience -- and not even that, but for an amendment that PASSED -- and then be treated like this.

I agree with Benedict. This theater is cowardly.

Boycotting season is open.
Re: Benedict Arnold | 7:18 p.m. Nov. 12, 2008
A theater, of all places, with an invariably active gay and gay-friendly audience probably couldn't afford to keep him on staff. This company shouldn't have to suffer because of one staffer's indoctrinations against a participating minority. Presumably his name was on the financial contributor list, because there is no reason anyone should have had to disclose their vote to their workplace.

Another matter I am confused about is that while I oppose Prop 8 ad infinitum, I fail to see how sacrificing your position because your morals would be considered cowardly, or anything but gracious in your religious community. Your reaction seems especially paradoxical.
Re: Benedicta | 7:32 p.m. Nov. 12, 2008
The 52-48% ratio is surely not congruent to the voting demographic of an urbane and cultured theater-attending community, as illustrated by this resignation.
juls | 8:33 p.m. Nov. 12, 2008
I think that the reason why all the gays people in california are sore they don't have the right to do what natural. They are just genderly confused, that's all, they can't chose, but they can change, isn't that what all the crazies that voted for Obama want anyways? But I also don't think that it right for them to protest in front of our beautiful temples because we're doing what's right for our souls. Marriage is and always will be a sacred belssing for a man and a woman to partake in, to share their lives together and to bring beautiful children into this world together, and as we all know, you have to have two different parts to let that happen. It's just not natural for a little child to have two moms or dads, the natural thing is to have one mom and one dad and I strongly think that we should keep it that way.
John Pack Lambert | 8:39 p.m. Nov. 12, 2008
To the 5:22 commentator,
Do you follow God or Mammon? Do you sustain Thomas S. Monson as the prophet?
Are you ok with our enemies having showed LDS missionaries as house ransackers? With the initmidation of people on the way to the temple? With vandalism of chapels and the walls around temple lots? With people being forced out of their jobs because they headed the counsel of the prophet.
I call on all church members to boycott the California Music Theatre. Any organization that would foce someone out for following the teachings of their religion has no support from me.
Mea Culpa | 8:51 p.m. Nov. 12, 2008
I have posted several messages on these boards, both "pro" and "con." Try to figure out which are which! You are all so very very gullible!
Educate Yourselves | 9:06 p.m. Nov. 12, 2008
I suggest you all go to the SF Chronicle website (sfgate dot com). They have posted the database with all the names of individuals who donate money for and against Propositon 8, both in and out of the state of California. Then you can decide whom you want to boycott or support. This is NOT a witch hunt as some of you would suggest, but a matter of public record. Remember that next time you donate to such a political cause.
Tired of uneducated protestors | 9:35 p.m. Nov. 12, 2008
Actually, more money was contributed to the "No on Prop 8" side than the "Yes". It's interesting to note this, especially since the protestors keep trying to use it as their excuse to target the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Please educate yourselves first about such an issue, then you can protest all you want, with correct information.
a new lather to get into | 10:15 p.m. Nov. 12, 2008
Is it just me or is it rather disturbing that gas prices have fallen 50% in the past couple weeks?

Smells of cheese being dangled in front of a trap.

Creepy.
Eric Larsen | 11:48 p.m. Nov. 12, 2008
I doubt anyone will read my comment, but I have to say that I don't agree with homosexuality. I believe it is against the Plan of Salvation, and is therefore wrong. I choose to use my understanding of gospel principles to guide other aspects of my life. To segregate the two would be to live two lives (I believe most people refer to that as being a "Sunday Mormon").

I have read numerous reports and law briefings on the subject of Proposition 8, but my fundamental support of Proposition 8 stems from my understanding of the entire Plan of Salvation. I'm sure there are statistics of all sorts to be quoted on both sides of the argument. When people understand what the Plan of Salvation is and how each one of us fits into that plan, I think it puts this whole issue in perspective.

I hope there can be mutual understanding on the matter. This will be a subject most bishops in the Church will need to address, and therefore must understand. On the other hand, there needs to be understanding from the LGBT following of why Mormons believe what they believe.
butlerson | 1:00 a.m. Nov. 13, 2008
The Mormon church and the Catholic church et. al. unite to persecute another minority then have the nerve to complain that the persecuted demonstrate to protest the churches' backing of the stripping of another minorities' rights? What do they expect? When they attack someone they should expect to be attacked back, and rightly so. And none of these so called "Christian" churches has any record of acting in any way like Jesus himself taught. He never condemned homosexuals, but he sure condemned the rich and when is the last time you heard any of these "Christian" churches condemn the rich and call for them to be excluded and denied equal rights under the US constitution and bill of rights in our supposed secular state? Never, they wouldn't want to lose all that money. Hypocrites all!

The Mormon church has a short memory. They forget a very similar thing was done to them in the 1800s in Idaho when the Republican party (as usual) passed a constitutional amendment to remove Mormons' citizenship because they were disgusted by Mormon beliefs (doesn't this sound familiar now?). Those rights were not restored officialy until the 1980s.

Religion is what separates us from God.
RAproducer | 1:16 a.m. Nov. 13, 2008
Mormon and Catholic churches now MUST marry ANY heterosexual couple or be sued because of their arguments for prop. 8.

I created a youtube video on the subject... please search for fightbackon8 on youtube.

Their lies can be legally used against them.
Roger Carrier | 8:35 a.m. Nov. 13, 2008
Watch the Keith Olberman video on gay marriage (Countdown with Keith Olberman). He makes a good point in my opinion.
To Roger Carrier | 11:56 a.m. Nov. 13, 2008
I protest and boycott your opinion. (It doesn't matter whether or not it makes a good point -- if it's different than what I think, then I will protest and boycott you!)
Opinionated | 10:03 a.m. Nov. 14, 2008
Change is inevitable. Change is coming. Deal with it.
Anon | 11:47 a.m. Nov. 14, 2008
The church chose this gay marriage issue because Lesbians and Gays are a very small minority and thus easy to pick on. Lesbians and gays just want to be let alone. They are all too well aware of how many people regard them.
Mormons are a very small minority who constantly try to recruit new members and yet number only 12,000,000. Those within the bubble have no idea how unpopular Mormons are with many citizens.
They will now find out.
Supporter for Prop 8 | 9:55 p.m. Nov. 14, 2008
I support Prop 8 because the marriage between a man and a woman has been around for thousands of years. I don't have a problem with gay couples being together. I don't support the idea of gay marriage. Also, the LDS church did what the constitutional rights give them, the right to give the members what views to take and decide themselves. The church does not force members to do anything. The gay community needs to realize that other churches were involved in this too. The gay community and those who oppose Prop 8 are being disrespectful to the right of free religion.
berry | 12:49 a.m. Nov. 15, 2008
Right on... how else could you gays be born to this life if God's commandment that man and man be married, or woman and a woman be married? Maybe you should change prop. 8 from marriage to partnership or something. Why don't you just live together and leave marriage alone for a man and a woman! Please go home...
navajoe_nm | 10:20 a.m. Nov. 15, 2008
Religion is the root of all evil. It creates division between people all over the world and yet time over time again people dont see it. Why cant we live and let live. The world would be a better place if we did do that. Mormons fighting over one simple word "marriage". I think its stupid and a total waste of time trying to defend its definition. Gays on the other hand are fighting for the right to be treated equally as any other american citizen. See the difference now mormon brothers and sisters? There are gays born everyday and the day will come when we shall rise to overcome your bigotry.
Roger Carrier | 4:19 p.m. Nov. 17, 2008

Let�s agree meet on the steps of the Utah State Capitol at 1:00 PM on July 1, 2020. By then, this issue will be resolved, and I will accept your admission that gay marriage was no big deal.

If I'm lucky, I'll be 74, and I hope you live a long and happy life like me.

The arguments of the opponents of gay marriage are easily turned into the stuff of satire with a simple question. Will the marriage of Jim and Bob of Arbuckle City, California, really lead to the destruction of the United States of America? Answer: Of course, not.

The following countries have legalized same-sex marriage, and straight marriages have continued or increased and divorce rates have not changed: Netherlands (2001), Belgium (2003), South Africa (2005), Spain (2005), Canada (2005), and Norway (2008).

It�s fine to oppose gay marriage, but don�t make a law against it. Don�t restrict a person�s �free agency.�

The percentage of people who favor gay marriage will continue to rise until gay marriage becomes the subject of a well-deserved yawn. The young straight people will be the yawners as the old fogies of my generations leave the stage.
AlexD | 8:48 a.m. Nov. 18, 2008
Gays have the same rights as heterosexuals when it comes to marriage. A Gay man can marry a women if he choses. The definition of marriage is between a man and a human. It should not be based on your changeable desires. www.anotherway.com if you want to change. You can learn to like or dislike anything. The biggest lie told is that you can not change what you like. I say the truth does make you free. Knowing that you can change what you like is the most positive message you can know.
AlexD | 8:54 a.m. Nov. 18, 2008
What is wrong about the whole thing in this case is that four activist judges abused their judicial power and decided to create law. The three descending judges wrote a scathing letter against.
Proposition 8 was about democracy and the peoples will. The four judges should be impeached for abuse of power. Marriage is between a man and a woman. If Gay man wants to marry women, he has that right. If a Lesbian wants to marry a man, she has that right.
Roger Carrier | 10:44 a.m. Nov. 18, 2008
I believe those judges were appointed by Republican governors. You can't vote away rights. We life in a republic, not a pure democracy.

Alex: Read my post. The train has left the station. You just don't know it yet. Gay marriage is coming, and it will be good for America (I'm straight, married 40 years by the way).
anonymous | 7:00 p.m. Nov. 18, 2008
when the united states government took utah from the polygomist utahians that was democracy at work?-"democracy" had an impact on utah in the 19th century and now a similar "democracy" has no impacted california in the 21st century. you would all be in plural marriages right now if it weren't for "democracy." you can believe that the church doctorine changed through divine intervention, but I'm pretty sure it was at the barrell of a gun. look at yourselves before casting stones. polygamy was a choice, not a divine right...homosexuality is inborn, it is not a choice.
Trish | 3:35 p.m. Nov. 19, 2008
While I live in Utah and don't care for the LDS church or their way of doing things, Marriage is between a man and a woman. This does not mean that life partners should not be able to choose who they want to leave their things to should they pass on, or that they should not be able to visit their partner in the hospital. But marriage, no that is for a husband and a wife. If people really want to be upset with what the LDS church does then read of the what they believe, find out why African Americans where excluded from so many things in their church. The truth behind what they teach will scare the heck out of you and you will see why they are so nuts.
AlexD | 8:37 a.m. Nov. 20, 2008
Roger: I read your post. Many people are mistaken that you are going to see immediate repercussions on this social experiment. Take a look at what has happen to our public schools when values were removed from it by judges. It use to be that we worried about chewing gum but now we are worried about shooting guns.
AlexD | 8:43 a.m. Nov. 20, 2008
Roger: It does't matter who appointed the judges.
The bottom line is that they created law by redefining what marriage was originally designed to be. The right for women and blacks to vote was decided by legislature and not by judges. That is why thoses issues are not controversial. Like I said before, a Gay man can marry a woman and Lesbian can marry a man. They have the same rights that I do. Redefining marriage through corrupt activist judges is not the way to make change.
AlexD | 8:53 a.m. Nov. 20, 2008
To anonymous: Polygomy was done in order to increase the membership in church. It had practical purpose. The problem with it is that it is hard to get rid of. That is way it was necessary for the Lord to use outside forces. Polygamy was always considered wrong by God. Read it. It's right in the Book of Mormon. Read Jacob chapter 2 verses 27 thru 33. That scripture has always been there and it clearly states that Polygamy is done only to raise "seed" unto Lord.
AlexD | 9:11 a.m. Nov. 20, 2008
To Trish: African Americans were always allowed to be members of the LDS church. One of the reasons they were chased out of Missouri was because the church newspaper condemned slavery. The LDS church members never had African slaves, but I doubt most churches in the United States can not say that.
Elder Ballard was interviewed once and asked why he believes Blacks did not hold the priesthood until 1978. He said, and I paraphrase, that it was because the church needed reach a certain stage of maturity. Today the LDS church is one of the fastest growing religions in Africa.
AlexD | 9:17 a.m. Nov. 20, 2008
To Trish: I find your statement that what the LDS teaches "will scare the heck out of you" to be true.
Who wants heck to be inside you anyways? Is that evil?..LOL. The church explains that people who have never heard of Christ will get a chance to hear it in the Spirit World. That is the most positive message you can ever know. Others belief that those people are doomed, but the LDS church shows a positive and uplifting message that they will hear the gospel. That certainly "scares the heck of me" LOL.
Colored and LDS | 3:41 p.m. Nov. 20, 2008
Colored people like me are for Prop 8!! So what? Are u going to manifest in Watts, Compton?? Go ahead,chances are you will get blown off!!! The Church is true and its led by a prophet and thats it!! California has spoken and thats it!!! Tolerance?? Now we can see the real color of some!!Not all of them thankfully!You already have right so be grateful and maybe a little bit less ignorant please about the LDS church..In case you do plan to use violence just remember that mormons do know how to fight,i would if someone messes up with my family or friends just because of our religion! Be Aware!! Mormons are not going to be intimidated!
This Church will Stand,make no mistake and for me its worth dying for!
WOW! | 5:33 p.m. Jan. 7, 2009
Major hate on this blog! For all of you who believe gay people are the Anti-Christ and will destroy the world - do something REALLY Christian and get to know just one gay person before making up your minds.

Seriously - ignorance and fear will get you nowhere!

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Courtney Sargent, Deseret News

The Salt Lake Temple is visible from the site of Friday's rally, which included a march around the two city blocks surrounding Temple Square and the Church Office Building.

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