More backlash: 1,000 protesters in front of L.A. Temple

[_asbestosman]

I drink Mountain Dew.

[_Seven]

I have already received a few e-mails from TBMs claiming "persecution" and angry that we are the only ones targeted while Catholics and other religions are given a free pass. They can't understand it.
Mormons feel validated by persecution and the temple protests will only strengthen their convictions.
If Catholics or Jews or EVs, etc. had been the money/power, and organized effort behind Prop 8, I guarantee they would be targeted right now.
It is kind of ironic to see Mormons preach morality in marriage as the main power behind Prop 8 when they had so radically changed the definition of marriage with polygamy not so long ago.

Even more ironic would be if LIBERALS legalize polygamy.

I have sent this article in reply to those persecution e-mails landing in my inbox:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/fred-karg ... 36018.html
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, whose followers are more widely-known as Mormons, has swooped into two election battles against gay marriage this year. The Mormon Church is exercising its might in both California and Arizona like never before. If passed on November 4, Proposition 8 in California would immediately eliminate the right of gay and lesbian couples to marry. In Arizona, Proposition 102 would write this discrimination into their Constitution by defining marriage as only between a man and a woman. In both states, the Mormon Church has hijacked these campaigns.

On June 20th, three days after same-sex marriage became legal in California, the top leadership in the Church, known as the First Presidency, sent a letter to be read to all Mormons to "do all you can to pass Proposition 8." The Wall Street Journal reported on September 20th, that church members were told "their souls would be in jeopardy" if they do not donate money. Mormons are already required to give 10% of their income to the church, so these donations dig further into the savings accounts of its followers.

Despite tough economic times, an amazing 59,000 Mormon families have succumbed to substantial pressure from church elders, and have given huge amounts of money to California's Yes on 8 campaign. These Mormon families have given a staggering $18.6 million since June 1st and the total grows daily. This represents 77% of all money raised and 88% of all individual money raised (not including funds from the big out of state organizations). In Arizona where a gay marriage ban is back on the ballot after losing just two years ago, Mormon families have contributed nearly all of the $6.9 million to the Yes on 102 campaign. What is going on here?

Blog reports are popping up indicating Church elders are calling certain members and arranging one-on-one visits to discuss a prearranged "suggested donation amounts." The Wall Street Journal reported that one conference call arranged by the Church had between 40 and 60 participants. A Church elder told everyone on the call that he should give $25,000 to Yes on 8. Analysis of the California Secretary of State website shows that worked. There have been 81 contributions of $25,000, and dozens more of between $26,000 and $$500,000.

Not all members are convinced this is the best idea. Andrew Callahan stood up to the church's call for donations, saying it struck of discrimination, and he refused to donate. This incredible display of coercion explains why many members are scared to say no. Callahan's case is going to be reviewed AFTER the election.

An article by Daniel Scarpinato in the September 17th Arizona Daily Star details a growing opinion that this battle represents Mormon attempts to clean up its battered image. With court cases continuing to link Mormon fringe groups and polygamy, this could be a crafty attempt to resuscitate their image, at the expense of gays and lesbians.

Last week in Salt Lake City, a group of 40 Mormons who support gay marriage delivered protest letters and bundles of carnations to church headquarters in an appeal to end the church's support of the ballot initiatives to ban same-sex marriage.

These courageous protesters were there to "out" the Mormon Church for forcing so many Mormon families to give vast sums from their savings to these two ballot propositions. Because of this Church mandate, families are being torn apart.

How many of these tens of thousands of Mormon families, who have contributed the $18.6 million, have gays and lesbians in their immediate family? How many parents are forced to give thousands of dollars publicly at the expense of their gay son or lesbian daughter? What about a gay brother or sister in the family? Or an aunt or uncle or cousin or brother-in-law who is gay? What permanent damage does this cause these innocent victims of the Mormon Church's power grab? How many families will be irreparably damaged by their actions?

In its quest to show the Catholics, Christians, Evangelicals and other religions that it has the money and power to take over these hateful campaigns, they are hurting more than just those from whom they wish to take away equality. They are tearing apart the very families they claim they are there to help.

[_Brackite]

Collegeterrace:

Did You do your Civic Duty, and Voted in this Presidential General Election? Did you get out to Vote, and did you Voted No on Proposition 8, Which Proposition you were and are very Personally Much against?

[_SatanWasSetUp]

You reap what you sow bigots.

So, where's the backlash against African-Americans who largely voted to get this passed? (Note: I strongly oppose any retaliation against African-Americans--they have suffered more than their share).

You're comparing apples and oranges. They aren't protesting California Mormons for voting for it. People are free to vote. They're angry at the organization and money opposing Prop 8 that originated from Salt Lake City. If the Nation of Islam, headquartered in IL, or the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, in Alabama, had funneled 20 million dollars through their members to California to defeat Prop 8, I'm sure gays would be very angry at those organizations. Although, I do agree that protesting those two churches would be a little more political hazardous.

[_Jason Bourne]

Gee one little Church, a minority of the population at that, had all this power to push through prop 8 all on its little own. As for the protesters, I guess that they are a ok with free speech only when one agrees with them

[_Jason Bourne]

LOl. The Mormon brand is going to be quite tarnished. Better get a new PR campaign going. :P

Lately it seems that about 1/2 of the political blog entries I read that mention Prop 8 negatively also mention the Mormon Church, also negatively. You reap what you sow bigots.

I think it is just as bigoted to call people who disagree with you bigots. The Mormons have not acted out of hate nor have they been violent or nasty. And what of the hate being displayed by the protesters. Last I checked CA followed the procedure required for resolving issues like this. Were the Mormons the only ones who had influence over the out come?

[_Jason Bourne]

I don't know if this is true. Only 6% of all Californians are black (Source: U.S. Census Bureau) and this was a good comment I came across.

Remember, only about 6% of Californians are black. The extra black turnout amounts to less than 2% of the total California voters. Even if every single one of those people voted for prop 8, that wasn’t enough to swing the election; it would have passed even if they had all stayed home. Plus, many of these “new” black voters were younger people, who were probably less friendly to prop 8 than the black voter population generally. Plus, Obama also brought out many non-black voters who tended to be younger and more liberal than the average voter.

Prop 8 would clearly have passed without Obama on the ballot, and my guess is the margin would have been even larger.

What % of CA is Mormon and how many of them voted for Prop 8. I do now know but it is small and guess what? The Mormons were not the only ones that carried it. They could not have done it alone. I guess 52% of voters in CA are bigots based on the bigoted accusations here.

[_Jason Bourne]

I would like to see the gays and the Mormons wipe each other out like the yarn spun by Smith concerning the two "Jaredite" factions. Then Christians can inherit the earth. :D

Another reason why I choose to reject the republican party-Religious wacko and haters like this dude here.

Yarn? Perhaps. Do you believe the Bible is literal CC?

[_Some Schmo]

The LDS Church really was the muscle behind prop 8 in massive disproportion to the Mormon population in Cali. That's why people are made at them.

Like I said, the church is being punished for being well-organized. The nerve!

I'm assuming you're being tongue in cheek about this, but in case anyone's taking this idea seriously, I'll just point out the obvious that they are not being punished for being well-organized. They are being punished for funding the movement to stick people's noses where they don't belong.

If anyone is actually kidding themselves that this is simply about the "definition of marriage" and not about bigotry toward a minority, I'm thinking the koolaid shall take you soon. Drink up!

[_Dr. Shades]

As for the protesters, I guess that they are a ok with free speech only when one agrees with them

With all due respect, you're missing the point.

If the church had stopped at free speech, no one would've cared.

They took it many steps further, however. Rather than just making a statement and being done with it, they gave marching orders to their members, required donations, and funneled lots of tax-exempt (i.e., unlevel playing-field) money into the campaign.

If the Muslims had the power to influence legislation like that, wouldn't you, too, be a tad bit unnerved?