Consider this your warning. If you have EVER been offended by anything I have said regarding Proposition 8, you should stop reading now.
My brother-in-law posted a blog about the need for tolerance on both sides in the aftermath of the Prop 8 debate. I agree with him, in that I am personally against illegal forms of protest, (i.e. online hacking of LDS sites, white powdery substances sent to LDS Temples, etc.). I have absolutely NO PROBLEM with protesting in front of temples and churches, boycotting businesses that supported Prop 8, and any other forms of peaceful democratic protests exercised.
(Imagine your best whiny voice here) However, there are some who now feel singled out and they don’t think it’s fair. Boo hoo hoo. (Go back to narrative blog voice now…) From the local community to the 50+ of online blogs I peruse, I hear and read about these crybaby Mormons and their “poor-picked-on-us” mentality.
My feeling is that you can’t bully your way to a Constitutional amendment and then cry the role of the victim. If you want to know why Mormons are the ones being singled out, here is a very simple analysis.
1. Can anybody present a letter signed by the Pope encouraging Catholics to “do all you can to support the proposed constitutional amendment by donating of your means and time to assure that marriage in California is legally defined as being between a man and a woman”? No, but the Mormons can.
2. Did the Catholic Church, or any other church, create a political machination that exposes loopholes to maintain their tax-exempt status while directly overlapping their current ecclesiastical programs and boundaries with voting districts in order to maximize votes on the issue they wanted passed? No, but the Mormons did.
3. Do Catholics have a history of American legislation directed at them regarding marriage definitions and, therefore, makes their participation in marriage discrimination legislation extremely hypocritical? No, but the Mormons do.
4. Did the Catholic governing leadership make congregational assignments to Catholics from out of state to participate in the political systems in California? No, but the Mormons did.
5. Which religion boasted of the most financial donations to the Yes on Prop 8 cause? Mormons are quick to point out that (at best) they only represent 2% of California’s population. True but that 2% raised (depending on the source) 40-50% of the funds for the Yes on Prop 8 campaign and the number may be higher because donators may not have indicated religious affiliation as LDS.
I fully support those who are protesting this injustice. I join with my brother-in-law in saying that I do NOT support the tactics used by the extremists within the protesting groups. However, I fear his message was lost, in that, we need tolerance on both sides and then to allow the democratic processes to work in our country. Just as I ask the world to not identify all Mormons as discriminating Zionist politicians, I also request that all gays not be lumped together with these extremist groups performing illegal activities.
There is an argument that if Prop 8 had not passed, the Yes on 8 campaigners would not be protesting to the same levels that are being done right now. Well, of course they wouldn’t. When all is said and done, it means nothing to them. Why should they protest? Now they just get the self-pat on the back and the “Yay, we stood up for Jesus.”
Contrast that now with homosexual citizens knowing that, day in and day out, they are expected to pay the same taxes as everyone else but not receive the same rights as the rest of the state. Consider now the number of lives and families that will hang in limbo for the next 12-24 months while they wait to find out if their marriages will remain intact or if they will face involuntary divorce forced by “the will of the people.”
The thoughts of “what-if-someone-tried-to-take-away-my-right-to-marry” didn't weight heavily enough upon the minds of 52% of the voters. Whatever happened to “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets” (Matthew 7:12)?
I guess the Golden Rule doesn’t apply to gay people…
I thought about trying to explain the historical role of violent opposition (or the fear of violent opposition) in bringing about social change but decided against it. Not because I doubt the necessity of it but only because it is so inflammatory I can dedicate an entire blog to it later, plus I didn’t want the Wah-Wah Mormonhood to have something else to cry about.
Maybe instead of whining and complaining so much you all should graciously welcome these unbearable amounts of persecution and rejoice “that (you) were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name” (Acts 5:41). “These things remain to overcome through patience, that such may receive a more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, otherwise, a greater condemnation. Amen” (D&C 63:66).
Or you can just shut the hell up…
6 comments:
You know...I should NOT be commenting now. I've not commented on any of your Prop 8 blogs in awhile. Just enough to say I support you, love you, blah blah blah. Which you didn't want.
But, I'm feeling a little contrary and open and feel like writing a little something.
First off, I don't think this was the correct response for most - but, I couldn't help chuckling while i was reading your post. Granted the extreme measures are just that - extreme. Protesting is just that: protesting. That's how it works.
In our country and society it is allowed, and encouraged, to raise up your voice so that others can hear what you are saying. It wouldn't be American, the country that we all love, if this weren't so. One of our beloved and famous historical incidents was a protest - the Boston Tea Party. We are proud of that little bit of disgruntlement. Back to the current issue: nobody was hurt, signs were raised, probably a little bit of chanting. And a couple people took it a little too far. The actions of said couple people is not indicative of the vast majority.
I totally lost my train of thought...got all tangential on ya.
Oh yes, I'm a mormon. So, I'll be saying "we" (though i disagreed with many actions taken, views expressed of our church during the last several months). We can't stand up at the forefront as the leaders to protect marriage - and then, get mad when our visible position is used for protestation. We wanted to stand and be counted. We got our way. We can't complain that everyone is not pleased with our behavior. We wanted the position. and not we've got to take it. That's part of leadership. Position is yours, as well as the responsibility.
No-ers were/are passionate about equal rights for all citizens. Just because the Prop8 votes are over with, does not eliminate that passion. We, as a state, stripped an entire group of people of some of their civil rights...do we really think they will or should just stay home and get over it? And we weren't the only ones.
And now it's time. Yep, it's time. I've stood behind T this whole time, and let him take the brunt of the protests (in our circle). He knows I'm with him. And now so do you. I stand next to him now. The vote may be over, but the issue is not passed (clearly).
In interest of honesty and timing. I now have to confess. I did not vote. I didn't. My heart and brain just would not let me stand and say "yes". And my faith wouldn't let me say "no." So, I took the cowards way out, and said neither. I wanted to stand with the Church that I love, but I couldn't; and I don't agree with where they wanted me to stand. Either way, I stand with TJ.
This has been months now. And I guess it will not be ending any time soon.
I'm not sure if i've said anything clearly. I tend to ramble. I've got a lot more thoughts swirling around in my mad brain, but, i think that's enough for now.
I wish someone would tag me as a Wah-Wah Mormon. Because I laugh at your face. Like you said bro you can't group all mormons together. Hell I'm alot different then all the mormons I'm around but I guess that makes me who I am. It's funny because I know a bunch of Poly's that didn't care about the protesting but as soon as the groups started defacing property and sending envelopes and all that they where going to go down to the protest and handle it the Islander way until they where told not to. Pretty funny I think. You should stand up for what you believe in and except the recoil of your choice because not everyone is going to see eye to eye with you. (Not directed at you T.J. directed at everyone). So good post now lets listen to good music and have a drink to good ol days and are health and freedoms to write blogs and voice are opinions.
Well Sonny, I haven't heard you crying about how unfair the Mormons have it so you are safe from being a WahWah Mormon.
There actually is a video of some Polynesians who went down to the LA Temple and started ripping down all the signs the protestors put up. It was funny because everyone was intimidated and wouldn't mess with them.
I like what you said about standing up for what you believe and accepting the consequences of our actions. That is my whole complaint against the Mormons who are whining now. Did they really think there wouldn't be public consequences for their actions?
Anyhow, maybe I can move to Utah and not worry about politics...my rebellious calls for democratic equality will just be swallowed by tidal waves of theocratic conservatism.
nice post, and though the disclaimer said it would offend, I don't think it did, you know which post of yours (there was only one) set me off. I agree with some of what you say and some no, but that's whats great about being individuals.
As for the protest, they have a right to do it as long as they don't do the illegal activities involved. As I said on Chris' blog, my lesbian friend was pissed when she heard about the white powder thing.
Also, the point was made that we shouldn't be surprised at the reaction and protest of our Church, very true. If Mormon's want to "stand up and be counted," then be ready to reap what ye sow. If they want to peacefully and legally protest, so be it, it's their right! Will we try to take that right away from them too?
As for the whole issue, same lesbian friend told me that a supreme court took a case on gay marriage that will be decided in Spring, I'm pretty sure that that is the CA supreme court, not the US supreme court, but I'm not sure...
Anywho, great post and comments by all.
signs and protests are cool and legal, it's the defacement of property (i.e. the writing on walls) and illegal stuff that offends. Good post!
For Amanda to give you a "good post" is a big deal for her. like I said, this blog was very unoffensive and well-spoken. Kudos! Hopefully though, it wakes up some people who don't realize why they are protesting.
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