The violence and intimidation being directed against the LDS or "Mormon" Church, and other religious organizations - and even against individual believers - simply because they supported Proposition 8 is an outrage that must be stopped.
Excerpt from a full-page ad in Friday's edition (12/5/08) of the NY Times by the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty
Equality Utah understands the pain and frustration of many citizens in California, Utah and around the country regarding the passage of California Proposition 8. We see much of this frustration being expressed toward the LDS Church. We must engage in civil and peaceful expressions and conduct. There is no room for violence, vandalism or intimidation -- Equality Utah objects to these acts.Official Press Release dated 14 November 2008
The Utah Pride Center is deeply troubled by the recent vandalism of LDS churches and the suspicious mailing to the LDS Temple. These actions are deplorable and make our entire community fear for our safety. The Utah Pride Center hopes that authorities are able to quickly find those responsible for this deplorable behavior.
YES on California Prop 8
We're not married. Let's get that right. We have a civil partnership. What is wrong with Proposition 8 is that they went for marriage. Marriage is going to put a lot of people off, the word marriage.Elton John quoted in USA Today on 12 November 2008.
I don't want to be married. I'm very happy with a civil partnership. If gay people want to get married, or get together, they should have a civil partnership. The word "marriage," I think, puts a lot of people off.
You get the same equal rights that we do when we have a civil partnership. Heterosexual people get married. We can have civil partnerships.
YES on California Prop 8As an openly gay man, and I am deeply offended by the actions of the protesters with respects to prop 8. This is NOT MY COMMUNITY! My community is better than this.
I spent nearly 25 years working for the Los Angeles Police Department (I am now retired) and I have a lot of respect for the City and people who call it home. I will never support activity like this.
Since June 21st 1991, I was openly gay with The LAPD- so I know a bit about "hate" and discrimination! I was on the "skirmish lines" during the AB101 protests back in the 1990's as a GAY officer- I had rocks and bottles thrown at me by my own d*** community members- It was offensive then and it is offensive now.
When I see the photos in the LA times I see men and women who I know standing out on the skirmish lines with riot gear on- how shameful the protesters are!
Prior to this year’s election, I personally saw young men (who did not live in my community) out in the darkness ripping down "Yes on 8" signs out near my home...in LA County. They ran to a waiting car which was displaying the "rainbow flag." I shook my head in shame!
This is not who I am or what I stand for. Those involved should be ashamed of themselves and our community really needs to step back and take a hard look at themselves.
In the weeks leading up to the vote on Nov 4th, I and other voters frequently saw stories about Militant GLBT'S from the "No" campaign using violence to get out their message out. For Example, in Modesto, CA. a man was beaten and sent to the E/R- his crime? Posting "yes on 8" signs! In Fullerton, 5 gay men were arrested for the theft of "Yes on 8" signs after leaving a gay bar rally for "NO on 8". Acts of vandalism, and hate were by far more common with the "No" side (and sadly GLBT's) than the yes side. Now add to the mix that I know our community (GLBT) condones "goading tactics" when it comes to religion- I will not be a part of that!
I could care less about the actions of the YES side- they are not my community and I expect and require that my community act in a lawful, ethical manner-otherwise count me out!!!
Now I see images of a gay man jumping up and down on a LAPD patrol car in Hollywood while officers grapple with one on the asphalt. Now we have angry protesters blocking traffic and making threats towards a church- a house of worship. I am not Mormon- but I find the assault of ANY church deeply troubling and offensive- no matter what the name of it is! To say I was angry with the protesters was an understatement!
YESTERDAY! A GAY MAN from Palmdale, CA on MYSPACE said, "where is the [expletive] Mormon Church lets burn it down!" I took his remarks and sent them right to MYSPACE as TOS violations and then sent them to the proper law enforcement officials- THIS IS WRONG! The conduct of the GLBT community has crossed serious lines with this-there can be no excuse for this type of conduct.
I, AS A GAY MAN, WILL NEVER-EVER SUPPORT ACTIONS LIKE THIS! I will never knowingly associate with people who support actions like this- this is a basic violation of the things I hold dear in my life! Gay community or not means nothing- you cannot justify this type of conduct-NO WAY!
The Mormon Church is an easy target for those mindless protesters- the history of this church makes this clear. As I said, I am not a Mormon- but I respect the site as a church and respect it because of the values this nation was built upon.
Lori Jean, The director of the Los Angeles Gay and lesbian Center made remarks out in front of the Mormon Temple yesterday which could only be viewed as attempting to start a RIOT! I called her at the gay Community Center yesterday voiced my disgust for her actions as a community leader and the fact she claims to speak for the gay community. Lori Jean, The “director” of the gay Community Center in Los Angeles was a real part of the problem in trying to sell voters on Prop 8- she brings with her and “in your face” militant agendas when it comes to GLBT issues- “in your face tactics never work. Lori and her cronies at the Los Angeles Center clearly condone and advocate the use of “terror tactics” by radical members of our community to scar people and force agendas upon people- this is clear by the conduct of many in our community since the passage of prop 8.
If you are heterosexual and believe in God and then vote your beliefs- Lori and her cronies label you a “bigot” and “hate mongers” just to name a few. Support your beliefs and stand up for your values- Expect that Lori jean and get gay Gestapo’s will use cyber terrorism to post your information all over the internet! If you are gay and criticize her and the “movement” you are labeled a “self loathing gay man” (or a woman) which is OK with me- those protesters need me much more than I need them! I am happy with whatever label they choose to place upon me! I am sick of this whole thing-It’s time to move on.
The voters have spoken Lori Jean- from one gay man to a lesbian women-GET A LIFE AND MOVE ON! Let it alone! By keeping at this you run the risk of a nationwide back lash. Yes, all those protesters who showed up at LA’s CNN and were beamed all over the USA- yea that will cause people to support us! What a bunch of fools!
If you are going to label those who voted "yes on 8" as "bigots" then please feel free to add my name to that list because I voted YES on prop 8-A GAY MAN! Just because I am gay does not mean I will march in "lock step" with the rest of the GLBT community-there will be no "free pass" in my views for GLBT's who act in this way. I will never support the actions or a community who acts like this.
The best way we can think of in getting out our message is DIRECTLY IMPACT RESPONSIBLE GAY OWNED BUSINESS in this tuff economy and have them communicate to people like Lori Jean and the others that their actions do more harm than good. So, my partner and I have opted to BOYCOTT ALL GAY OWNED AND OPERATED businesses (bars-etc) anywhere in California until further notice. We have no intention of spending money in places which will only turn around and hand it to the militants who want to trample over other rights of others-no way no how! The GLBT community needs to understand that if they want the support of RESPONSIBLE gay men; like us-then they should act like a CIVILIZED ADULTS-not spoiled children throwing a temper tantrum.
To all the Str8 and ‘civilized’ people and readers of Los Angeles, this is one gay man who wishes to apologize for the actions of the GLBT community. Sadly, the actions of a few jerks in the GLBT community have not cast a stain on the whole community- we are not all like this nor do we support the actions of those who violate the law or act out in this way. I can only hope that news outlets like the Los Angeles times will seek out those of us who DO NOT SUPPORT THIS ACTIVITY AND LET US TELL OUR STORY! We have a right to have our feelings known also.
John
It is disturbing that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is being singled out for speaking up as part of its democratic right in a free election.
Members of the Church in California and millions of others from every faith, ethnicity and political affiliation who voted for Proposition 8 exercised the most sacrosanct and individual rights in the United States — that of free expression and voting.
While those who disagree with our position on Proposition 8 have the right to make their feelings known, it is wrong to target the Church and its sacred places of worship for being part of the democratic process.
Once again, we call on those involved in the debate over same-sex marriage to act in a spirit of mutual respect and civility towards each other. No one on either side of the question should be vilified, harassed or subject to erroneous information.
Official statment of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints dated 7 November 2008.
Link to official statement here
YES on California Prop 8
Allegations of bigotry or persecution made against the Church were and are simply wrong. The Church’s opposition to same-sex marriage neither constitutes nor condones any kind of hostility toward gays and lesbians. Even more, the Church does not object to rights for same-sex couples regarding hospitalization and medical care, fair housing and employment rights, or probate rights, so long as these do not infringe on the integrity of the traditional family or the constitutional rights of churches.
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.
From an official news release of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints dated 5 November 2008.
Full text here
YES on California Prop 8
"Homosexuality” is now used to suggest that numerous urges and actions that deviate from these norms hold equivalent status as an element of human nature, but the peculiar use of a natural organ or faculty does not change its nature. A man can walk around on his hands, but that does not turn hands into feet; and society ought not to be obliged to redesign sidewalks and staircases to accommodate compulsive “handwalkers” (manambulants?), even if they are born with the inclination.
No really existing class of persons of a specific, distinct nature corresponds to the word “homosexual” in the way that men and women are distinct, complementary kinds of human being. A claim for specific “homosexual rights” is, therefore, frivolous, and the word is merely an ideological construct aimed at undermining the sexual norms inscribed in human nature.
R. V. Young, Professor of English at North Carolina State University. He and his wife, who are parishioners at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Raleigh, have five grown children and eight grandchildren.
Vote YES on California Prop 8
The research literature on childrearing by homosexual parents is limited. The environment in which children are reared is absolutely critical to their development. Given the current body of research, the American College of Pediatricians believes it is inappropriate, potentially hazardous to children, and dangerously irresponsible to change the age-old prohibition on homosexual parenting, whether by adoption, foster care, or by reproductive manipulation. This position is rooted in the best available science.
American College of Pediatricians, January 22, 2004
Full article here
Vote YES on California Prop 8
I would like for the gays and lesbians of California to know what I mean by the “Yes on Proposition 8” sign in my yard. I want you to know what I am saying, and what I’m not saying, by driving around with a “Yes on Prop 8” sticker. Some opponents of Proposition 8 seem to view it as a referendum on whether we like gay people. I do not share this view. From my perspective, it would be tragic for the gays and lesbians of California to believe that every house with a Yes on 8 sign in the yard is inhabited by someone who hates them.
I’m voting “yes” on 8, not because of my views of gays and lesbians, but because of my views about marriage. I view marriage as a gender-based institution that attaches mothers and fathers to each other and to their children. Those of us who support Proposition 8 believe that children deserve at least the chance to have a relationship with a mom and a dad. That isn’t hateful toward anyone.
Jennifer Roback Morse, Ph.D., is an official spokesman for Proposition 8.
Full article here
Vote YES on California Prop 8
From the "Ten Principles on Marriage and the Public Good", the result of scholarly discussions that began in December, 2004 at a meeting in Princeton, New Jersey, sponsored by the Witherspoon Institute. This conference brought together scholars from History, Economics, Psychiatry, Law, Sociology and Philosophy to share with each other the findings of their research on why marriage is in the public interest. A consensus developed for sharing the fruit of their collaboration more widely.The larger empirical literature on child well-being suggests that the two sexes bring different talents to the parenting enterprise, and that children benefit from growing up with both their biological parents. This strongly suggests that children reared by same-sex parents will experience greater difficulties with their identity, sexuality, attachments to kin, and marital prospects as adults, among other things. But until more research is available, the jury is still out.
Yet there remain even deeper concerns about the institutional consequences of same-sex marriage for marriage itself. Same-sex marriage would further undercut the idea that procreation is intrinsically connected to marriage. It would undermine the idea that children need both a mother and a father, further weakening the societal norm that men should take responsibility for the children they beget.
Equal protection does not apply here. Interracial marriage, which I strongly support, is very different from same-sex "marriage." Race is an immutable characteristic. Unless you are Michael Jackson, you can't change the color of your skin. Homosexuality is very different. There is no gay gene. There is no accepted scientific evidence that homosexuality is immutable. This fact was acknowledged by our state Supreme Court in its May marriage opinion. Many African American civil rights leaders are legitimately upset because they believe the homosexual community has improperly hijacked the civil rights movement.
Dean R. Broyles, president and chief counsel of the Western Center for Law and Policy, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the protection and promotion of religious freedom, parental rights and other civil liberties.
What, though, can be a greater benefit to children and young people than growing up with their mother and father married to each other in a low-conflict relationship? We need to be supporting and strengthening the institution of marriage for the sake of children, not redefining and weakening it.
Salvatore Cordileone, auxiliary bishop of the San Diego diocese of the Catholic Church
Article: Letter sent to SD City Council
Full text of letter here
Vote YES on California Prop 8
A primary stated purpose for marriage is procreation, to bear and raise children, to the glory of God. It is well-established that a mom and a dad both nurturing and training children under one household, produce the most stable and balanced and content children and adults. Father and mother have unique roles and responsibilities in joyfully benefiting the child's healthiest growth to maturity, and for the advantage of all of society.
Gerald Christian Nordskog, chairman of the Ventura County Christian Leadership Council.
Full article here
Vote YES on California Prop 8
When you vote "yes" on Prop. 8, you understand the broader dimensions and implications of fundamentally changing the definition of the most important bedrock relationship of our society - marriage, and its inevitable corollary - the family. By inserting the true meaning of marriage into our state constitution you send a clear, concise message to our culture and our children that only the union of one man and one woman rightly qualifies to be called a marriage in its most basic form and purpose. Marriage was intended to create families, not just "loving, devoted" couples.
Reverend Jim Ortiz, Senior Pastor of My Friend's House Assembly of God and President of Whittier Area Evangelical Ministerial Alliance.
Vote YES on California Prop 8
Pressure is put upon legislatures to legalize unnatural conduct. They can never make right that which is forbidden in the laws of God.
Sometimes we are asked why we do not recognize this conduct as a diverse and acceptable lifestyle. This we cannot do. We did not make the laws; they were made in heaven “before the foundation of the world”. We are servants only....
We understand why some feel we reject them. That is not true. We do not reject you, only immoral behavior. We cannot reject you, for you are the sons and daughters of God. We will not reject you, because we love you....
We did not make the rules; they were revealed as commandments. We do not cause nor can we prevent the consequences if you disobey the moral laws. In spite of criticism or opposition, we must teach and we must warn....
Some think that God created them with overpowering, unnatural desires, that they are trapped and not responsible. That is not true. It cannot be true. Even if they were to accept it as true, they must remember that He can cure and He can heal.
Boyd K. Packer, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
Text of full article here
President Packer studied at Weber College and subsequently received his bachelor of science and master of science degrees from Utah State University. He received a doctorate in educational administration from Brigham Young University.
He was born September 10, 1924, in Brigham City, Utah. He served as a bomber pilot during World War II in the Pacific Theater.
Vote YES on California Prop 8
We believe that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God. We believe that marriage may be eternal....Gordon B. Hinckley, past president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
People inquire about our position on those who consider themselves so-called gays and lesbians. My response is that we love them as sons and daughters of God. They may have certain inclinations which are powerful and which may be difficult to control. Most people have inclinations of one kind or another at various times. If they do not act upon these inclinations, then they can go forward as do all other members of the Church. If they violate the law of chastity and the moral standards of the Church, then they are subject to the discipline of the Church, just as others are.
We want to help these people, to strengthen them, to assist them with their problems and to help them with their difficulties. But we cannot stand idle if they indulge in immoral activity, if they try to uphold and defend and live in a so-called same-sex marriage situation. To permit such would be to make light of the very serious and sacred foundation of God-sanctioned marriage and its very purpose, the rearing of families.
The constitutional arguments advanced by genderless marriage proponents fail not so much because of flaws of logic or coherence but primarily because those arguments are premised on a quicksand foundation—that is, the factually inaccurate narrow (or close personal relationship) description of contemporary American marriage. The successful constitutional arguments advanced in support of man-woman marriage succeed because they are ultimately premised on the factually accurate broad (or institutional) description of a complex whole—the marriage institution—that guides individual activity, sustains identity, gives sense and purpose to the lives of its participants, and thereby produces valuable social goods.Monte Neil Stewart, President, Marriage Law Foundation. In the Harvard Journal of Law & Public Policy.
The next generation needs role models of “father” and “mother”...the traditional concept of marriage, which is between one man and one woman, must be protected in order to make a healthy environment for the next generation, protect social stability and reduce the chance of people getting AIDS.
Rev. Thomas Wang at a gathering of more than 4,000 Chinese Christians from about 100 churches across the San Francisco Bay Area on Oct. 19 to support Prop. 8
Full article here
Vote YES on California Prop 8
We, as bishops, offer counsel to our Catholic people in California in their response to this radical change in California's public policy regarding marriage.
First, same-sex unions are not the same as opposite-sex unions. The marriage of a man and a woman embraces not only their sexual complementarity as designed by nature but includes their ability to procreate. The ideal for the well being of children is to be born into a traditional marriage and to be raised by both a mother and a father. We recognize that there are parents who are single and we laud them for the great sacrifices they make in raising their children.
Second, we need to recall that marriage mirrors God's relationship with us-and that marriage completes, enriches and perpetuates humanity. When men and women consummate their marriage they offer themselves to God as co-creators of a new human being. Any other pairing-while possibly offering security and companionship to the individuals involved—is not marriage. We must support traditional marriage as the source of our civilization, the foundation for a society that can be home to all human beings, and the reflection of our relationship with God.
Third, we need to remember that we are all children of God possessed of human dignity and that each of us is created in God's image. Protecting the traditional understanding of marriage should not in any way disparage our brothers and sisters—even if they disagree with us.
Quoted from "A Statement of the Catholic Bishops of California in Support of Proposition 8"
Vote YES on California Prop 8
As the proclamation clearly states, men and women, though spiritually equal, are entrusted with different but equally significant roles. These roles complement each other.... These stewardships, equally sacred and important, do not involve any false ideas about domination or subordination. Each stewardship is essential for the spiritual progression of all family members, parents and children alike.
M. Russell Ballard from an Education Week devotional address given on August 19, 2003, at Brigham Young University.
M. Russell Ballard is a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Prior to his call as a General Authority, Elder Ballard had interests in automotive, real estate, and investment businesses. He has served on many civic committees and boards.
Vote YES on California Prop 8
God-sanctioned marriage between a man and a woman has been the basis of civilization for thousands of years. There is no justification to redefine what marriage is. Such is not our right, and those who try will find themselves answerable to God.
Some portray legalization of so-called same-sex marriage as a civil right. This is not a matter of civil rights; it is a matter of morality. Others question our constitutional right as a church to raise our voice on an issue that is of critical importance to the future of the family. We believe that defending this sacred institution by working to preserve traditional marriage lies clearly within our religious and constitutional prerogatives. Indeed, we are compelled by our doctrine to speak out.
Nevertheless, and I emphasize this, I wish to say that our opposition to attempts to legalize same-sex marriage should never be interpreted as justification for hatred, intolerance, or abuse of those who profess homosexual tendencies, either individually or as a group. As I said from this pulpit one year ago, our hearts reach out to those who refer to themselves as gays and lesbians. We love and honor them as sons and daughters of God. They are welcome in the Church. It is expected, however, that they follow the same God-given rules of conduct that apply to everyone else, whether single or married.
Gordon B. Hinckley, former President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, from a discourse given October 2, 1999
Full text of the discourse here.
Vote YES on California Prop 8
The ancient definition of marriage as the union of one man and one woman has its basis in biology, not bigotry....As many courts have recognized, the primary societal good advanced by this ancient institution is responsible procreation.
I'm a liberal Democrat. And I do not favor same-sex marriage....Full article here
Legalized same-sex marriage almost certainly benefits those same-sex couples who choose to marry, as well as the children being raised in those homes. But changing the meaning of marriage to accommodate homosexual orientation further and perhaps definitively undermines for all of us the very thing -- the gift, the birthright -- that is marriage's most distinctive contribution to human society. That's a change that, in the final analysis, I cannot support.
This is much bigger than just a question of whether or not society should be more tolerant of the homosexual lifestyle. Over past years we have seen unrelenting pressure from advocates of that lifestyle to accept as normal what is not normal, and to characterize those who disagree as narrow-minded, bigoted and unreasonable. Such advocates are quick to demand freedom of speech and thought for themselves, but equally quick to criticize those with a different view and, if possible, to silence them by applying labels like “homophobic.” In at least one country where homosexual activists have won major concessions, we have even seen a church pastor threatened with prison for preaching from the pulpit that homosexual behavior is sinful. Given these trends, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints must take a stand on doctrine and principle. This is more than a social issue — ultimately it may be a test of our most basic religious freedoms to teach what we know our Father in Heaven wants us to teach.
Elder Dallin H. Oaks, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
Elder Oaks is a graduate of Brigham Young University (1954) and of The University of Chicago Law School (1957). He practiced law and taught law in Chicago. He was president of Brigham Young University from 1971 to 1980, and a justice of the Utah Supreme Court from 1980 until his resignation in 1984 to accept his calling to the apostleship.
He has been an officer or member of the board of many business, educational, and charitable organizations. He is the author or co-author of many books and articles on religious and legal subjects.
Full Text of Interview on the Subject of Same-Gender Attraction
Vote YES on California Prop 8
