Posted on 11/04/2008 10:11:00 PM PST by Grig
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints issued a statement today in reaction to what some are calling a particularly vicious attack ad in California's Proposition 8 battle over same-sex marriage.
The ad, targeting Latter-day Saint missionaries, started on the Internet and is scheduled to air on TV tomorrow.
The anti-Proposition 8 group Courage Coalition released the ad on YouTube. In the ad, two young men dressed as Mormon missionaries visit a lesbian couple then proceed to confiscate their wedding rings and tear apart their marriage license.
While experts we talked to called the ad "offensive" and "over-the-top," Courage Campaign leaders say it's a final attempt to influence votes.
"It went up on YouTube this weekend, and we were able to find some money to put it on the air tomorrow. Had we been able to go quicker, we would have," said Courage Campaign founder Rick Jacobs.
Latter-day Saint Church leaders issued this statement today: "The Church has joined a broad-based coalition in defense of traditional marriage. While we feel this is important to all of society, we have always emphasized that respect be given to those who feel differently on this issue. It is unfortunate that some who oppose this proposition have not given the Church this same courtesy."
A communications scholar says negative ads are part of the American election process, but this ad goes beyond that.
"These young men rummaging through these women's house, or that sort of thing, you know, smacks of the same fear factor that if you're not with us real Americans, then you're terrorists. It's so bizarre, it's over the top," said Dr. Dennis Alexander, professor emeritus of the University of Utah communications department.
Alexander continued, "It's this assault attack, where one goes after the character of the individual, or in this case, the character of a church, or whoever they think are the proponents or opponents of it, and it's annihilation politics."
Polls in California show the vote is likely to be very close. Tonight, it's too close to call: only 3 points separate the sides, and that's within the margin of error.
We'll have complete coverage of the vote tomorrow on Eyewitness News.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
Despicable. The news report says it’s too close to call, within the margin of error (3%). I thought it was passing. Florida passed theirs. Here’s hoping.
If there is going to be some violence in this country it may be directed against those who supported Proposition 8.
I live across the street from the second largest Mormon tabernacle in the world. Tonight there was a guy out in the median holding a sign that read, “Stop the Mormons, vote no on prop. 8”. I though it was a little tasteless.
The only good news of the day.
If there ever was a “hanging by a thread” time, after the US Civil War (War of Northern Aggression)
I’m thinking
It may be here......
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
The LDS “church” should worry about where it is in relation to the teachings of Jesus Christ, and less of Joe Smith.
“The ad, targeting Latter-day Saint missionaries”
That can get someone killed. Those guys are in plain sight, vulnerable, and this could start a trend of seeing them as an easy, available target for a bashing, whenever some gays are a little buzzed and in a bad mood.
Pot meet kettle.
Who are you to judge?
(No, I’m not a Mormon.)
Thank heaven. At least one bright spot in an other wise dismal day!
Replying to Prop 8 passing!
Sorry LDS for the terrible slur! The devil is alive and active!
Lets not bash fellow believers, please. This was a terrible video. LDS has a right to be offended!
I wouldn’t say it is here today, but today all the pieces are in place to make it that way. The constant theme of hard time in General Conf kind of indicated Obama would win.
Feels kind of like being a Jew in the early days of Nazi Germany. First you demonize, then you disarm, then you destroy.
My family and I are together reading the Book of Mormon again. We just finished reading 3rd Nephi and are almost done with Mormon. Very appropriate chapters for the times we are in right now. Given their comments after the election yesterday, my children know full well the implications of a nation electing to place a Gadianton robber as its leader and choosing evil over good.
I’m not worried about the Mormon church as an institution but I am worried about planting in people’s minds that those easily accessible 20 year old missionaries are a valid target to use to vent your anger at.
I think that pointing those two targets out to the mob is going to lead to violence and deaths if the idea takes hold.
Congrats and thanks to all who worked on it.
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