As you say, this bill isn’t about forcing Mormons to change their beliefs or practices. Here is a summary of what is proposed:
I’m guessing that the Church’s opposition is driven by men. It’s also worth noting, again, that this isn’t about forcing Mormons to do anything different than they already do. It’s no threat to religious freedom whatsoever. The Church is seeking to force non Mormons into not doing something that the Church thinks is wrong. There is nothing wrong with this bill. In fact, there’s a lot right with it.A YES vote would support creating a right to abortion before fetal viability—defined as a fetus’ ability to survive without extraordinary medical measures—and after fetal viability in cases of medical emergency; providing protections against professional discipline and civil and criminal liability for healthcare providers; and codifying a statutory reproductive right to freedom and privacy.
Like Prop 8, the Church has made an error of judgement on this one. At least they are being honest this time about using donations to try and force their opinions on Non Mormons. Were Church Apostles 50% women (rather than 0% women), this would never have happened. 15 old Mormon men trying to tell all non Mormon women in Idaho what they can and can’t decide with regards to their own reproduction.
Imagine the uproar if the roles were reversed and the legislation was about telling the Mormon church that they cannot refuse to solemnise same sex marriages. How would the Quorum of Male Geriatrics feel about that?
By all means inform your members of the Church’s position as far as the bill is concerned for Mormons in Idaho. Send a letter to be read at Church, mention it at Conference. But funding and agitating activism to force through a view is something the Church has said that is wrong…when it’s directed against them. But here they are trying to generate the same thing that they don’t want to experience themselves. They couldn’t be more two-faced.
