Posted on 12/06/2008 3:43:22 AM PST by restornu
Elder Neal A. Maxwell discusses the fundamental beliefs of Mormons and religion and contrasts it with the aspiring state religion: The Secular Church.
"Since the people of California voted to reaffirm the sanctity of traditional marriage between a man and a woman on November 4, 2008, places of worship have been targeted by opponents of Proposition 8 with demonstrations and, in some cases, vandalism. People of faith have been intimidated for simply exercising their democratic rights. These are not actions that are worthy of the democratic ideals of our nation. The end of a free and fair election should not be the beginning of a hostile response in America.
The Church is keenly aware of the differences of opinion on this difficult and sensitive matter. The reasons for this principled stand in defense of marriage have already been articulated elsewhere. However, some of what we have seen since Californians voted to pass Proposition 8 has been deeply disappointing.
Attacks on churches and intimidation of people of faith have no place in civil discourse over controversial issues. People of faith have a democratic right to express their views in the public square without fear of reprisal. Efforts to force citizens out of public discussion should be deplored by people of goodwill everywhere.
We call upon those who have honest disagreements on this issue to urge restraint upon the extreme actions of a few that are further polarizing our communities and urge them to act in a spirit of mutual respect and civility towards each other."
-The First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Fundamental Beliefs of Mormonism
CTR
Proponents of Prop 8 are commiting H.A.T.E. crimes. Why isn't law enforcement hunting these maggots down??
Ripping the cross off an elderly woman is contemptable.
However, This whole argument is ridiculous.
While conservatives are ranting about the passage of Gay Marriage and gays are demanding gay marriage...the whole issue could be over with very simply.
The problem is that “civil unions’ do not cover enough of the legalities. It is NOT about religion. It is up to the churches, synagogues etc to decide if they want to “marry” gays. and our laws do not have to legally allow marriage of gays.
The discrimination legally that “gays’ face is the SAME discrimination that “singles” face. If the “civil unions” could legalize “a legally designated significant other” for ALL singles in this country to:
a) allow for the sig other to receives soc security benefits
upon the death of the single person
2) dispense with the “married” filing of taxes
3) allow for sign others to receive pensions, life insurance, and property upon the death of the single ( without the court battle that marrieds don’t face with family members)
3) allow medical decision making
this whole issue would disappear. Our “married” statutes discriminate against single people, not gays
They are out to make a point against the Churches, e.g. after the judges in MA gave gays the right to be married, 4 gays sat with their arms around each other during Mass at my Mom's church. This scene was played out in other Churches across Boston. I don't know if they went to Synagogues but it was definitely done in Catholic Churches.
That is then very very stupid on their part!
And how ridiculous, they don’t hold to the Catholci church laws. If they would focus on the “singles’ issues they would get what they wanted. then they could go get married in the Episcopal churches.
that kind of behavior shows stupidity in getting a goal accomplished. As for them sitting with their arms around each other, that is also inapproriate. While I am at it, I don’t appreciate non-gay couples schmoozing in church or children bringing games to church or disrupting the mass, If the parents can’t get an 8 yr old to sit quietly for under an hour...take them to the nursery in church.
Great video! I miss Elder Maxwell.
In a day when many churches are running around befuddled or even panicking at how things have turned out in these times, it is comforting to know that our leaders have known and expected this for some time. They are not surprised or unprepared, and they also know that in the end the good guys win out.
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