I gave this story some time to settle not because I agree or disagree with the church but because I wanted to see what would happen as a result of the church's action in the matter. For those outside of the Salt Lake area you might not have heard the story. The Salt Lake City Council was voting on an ordinance that made it illegal for a business in the Salt Lake City boundaries to fire someone for being gay and that someone cannot be turned down housing for being gay. What surprised most people was that the church dropped by and made a public statement that they were not opposed to this legislation on the grounds that it was fair, and well thought out legislation that protected basic human rights and that the church felt that the ordinance was not an attack or did violence to the institution of marriage.
Watch this News Video if you want a summary:
I couldn't help but think as to why the church would need to come out and say anything at all. The first and obvious response would be to pander to all the critics that the church doesn't hate gays, but they are simply pro-marriage. That answer has merit, but I think that there is more to this. I believe this legislation also could have gone much further and to a point where the church would have come out against another gay "legislation". Notice that the legislation doesn't say that you have to hire someone because they are gay which would be strictly against the church policies. It says that they can't be fired because of being gay. Any other version of the law could have put the church in some pretty hot water.
In either case, I think this was a smart move by the church. Still there are some who think that this law IS a threat to traditional marriage. Watch this news story. What's your take?
Why does the church have to come out and say anything at all? It sounds like you are questioning your testimony that the church is directly by God. Why else would you speculate on why this happened in the first place? The devil can rationalized any thought in the very elect. You need to do some serious praying.
ReplyDeleteMy concern is that the church is becoming more intertwined with political things which is a dangerous road to travel down considering that was one of the main reasons Gov. Boggs issued the extermination order and the mobs drove the Mormons from Missouri. Another concern is that people unquestioningly follow what is released in church news. We need to be cautious to follow the first presidency and our own testimonies which should be in agreement with each other, and not blindly follow church members simply because they are LDS. Case in point Harry Reid or even Mitt Romney. Blindly following them is the same rationale that got us Obama and it's irresponsible. Anyways, what I'm saying is that things are wrapping up rather quickly if the church is again having to come out and issue official statements on political matters.
ReplyDeleteI am not questioning the move by the church. I am interested in learning the reasoning is all. I wouldn't even qualify that as being questioning, just learning. Mr Geoff, I am not sure where you think I am basing my testimony on this, in fact I think I was showing how I was gaining a testimony of this action. I find no fault in doing so. In fact I think it is our responsibility as Saints to find the truth in all actions.
ReplyDeleteGWH,
The Church has never been separated politically. Joseph Smith was very involved with seeking redress from the Government for the persecutions that happened in Missouri. Brigham had issues with polygamy, etc. The fact that the church has a voice is actually a good thing considering the lack of a voice we have had historically. In this way the church obtaining a political voice has helped open doors for the work that were closed historically.
Yeah it is a little scary, but it shows that we the people should not stand idly by while the world determines our future. The church is showing that we as a people should have a voice and we should use it. Who else should be an influence in the world today other than the priesthood and women of righteousness.
With regard to this issue, I am not sure why the gay people even wanted this legislation to begin with. Why do they want being gay an issue? Why would you want to work for someone that would fire you because you were gay. I think the church was right in what they did. Because they show that they don't hate gay people on an issue that perhaps the gay people shouldn't have been looking for to begin with.
Well for one it legitimizes the concept of homosexuality being a differentiating characteristic which has the effect of furthering homosexuals' agenda. I'm tired of the comparison between homosexual's whining and the civil rights movement. Sexual preference should not even be an issue when it comes to discriminatory practices because it's not a defining characteristic, it's something which can only be revealed by someone. I know the counter-argument for this one but I'll wait to see if someone presents it. Anyways, I would expect to find much more discrimination amongst homosexuals and their disdain for the traditional family. They seek redress for crimes never committed, and they do it preemptively. This world is out of control.
ReplyDelete