In 2008, the Church sought to impose their
current religious tradition of the definition of marriage on all others. The Church was in favor of religion overruling the rights and freedoms of all others in order to impose oppression against LGBTQ in California and the United States.
http://www.preservingmarriage.org/
PRESERVING THE DIVINE INSTITUTION OF MARRIAGE
An Official Web site of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
© 2008 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.
PRESERVING THE DIVINE INSTITUTION OF MARRIAGE wrote:What’s the harm?
If Proposition 8 fails, religious liberties and freedom of speech may be curtailed. Included are the rights of religious organizations to speak out against positions they view as harmful and the rights of parents to teach their children their own values and beliefs.
The above statement is simply not true. Freedom of speech and religion for the Mormon people are guaranteed rights under the US Constitution. What the Mormons are really saying is that they are afraid of the changing social attitudes and values of the American people regarding gay marriage. Mormons fear they will appear intolerant and perceived as homophobic persecutors by freedom loving people everywhere. The legalization of gay marriage in no way curtails the Mormons from continuing to denounce the so-called evils of homosexuality at their church pulpits. They may freely teach whatever religious values and beliefs they want to their own children. The notion that religious rights will be curtailed just because gays have the legal right to marry is nothing less than fear promoted by a prejudice church -- namely, the Mormons.
The following statement made by the Church website demonstrates that Mormons want to restrict LGBTQ couples to second class citizenship with reduced rights under the law:
PRESERVING THE DIVINE INSTITUTION OF MARRIAGE wrote:Does Proposition 8 take existing rights away from same-sex couples?
No. All the rights gay couples have in current civil unions will still be in force.
The rights granted to gay couples under civil unions are limited in scope and have fewer privileges than those who are legally married. The definition of marriage is two persons that choose to enjoy a union together. This is a free country and religions do not dictate the definition of marriage or how people must live their lives.
PRESERVING THE DIVINE INSTITUTION OF MARRIAGE wrote:Don’t gay and lesbian couples deserve to be happy?
The argument of happiness is really just a diversion. Proposition 8 is about protecting the legal definition of marriage and religious freedoms.
The Mormon argument “happiness is really just a diversion” is insulting! The Church belittle the happiness of LGBTQ people as if it were only a
diversion tactic. But isn’t it the Mormons that are using “happiness” as a diversion tactic when they constantly quote Alma 41:3 in their anti-gay sermons, “Wickedness never was happiness?” The argument that wickedness (homosexuality) never was happiness is in itself a diversion tactic offered up by Mormon leaders to convince their people that gays really aren’t happy. Thus, the Church judges all LGBTQ people under a single blanket.
The Church claims that Proposition 8 is about protecting the so-called legal definition of marriage. Isn’t it really about enforcing their religious traditions and mandating their values as the standard for all American citizens? They claim their religious freedoms are at risk just because gays legally marry. How so?
Clearly, it is the Mormons that are putting the civil rights of LGBTQ people at risk and denying them the right to pursue life, liberty, and happiness, afforded and guaranteed under the Constitution.
PRESERVING THE DIVINE INSTITUTION OF MARRIAGE wrote:Isn’t Proposition 8 about intolerance?
Proposition 8 isn’t about hating gay couples or their lifestyle. It’s about protecting the institution of marriage.
Not about hating the gay lifestyle? What?
The statement contradicts countless official statements made by leaders of the church and squarely opposes the basic tenet that teaches:
Hate the sin but love the sinner. The Church attempts to sugar-coat their position and fool people into thinking they don’t hate the gay lifestyle. But the Church in reality views the gay lifestyle as a life of sin. They hate it! They want to impose their values on everyone else and deny the right to marry the person of one’s choice. The Church wants to force its definition of marriage on everyone else. That is oppression!