Greatful for those who speak up

My bishop from back home sent us this link today. My heart filled with comfort, peace, love, and hope as I read these wonderful words written by both Prop 8 supporters & opponents. I have always been taught to stand up for what I thought was right, but amidst all that has been happening to us as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints it has been scary to continue to do so. There is so much hate out in the world today, it just blows my mind and breaks my heart. I know it is such a sensitive subject on both ends, but the actions of some people have been out of control and extremely hypocritical. I just did not know how to respond because I was honestly scarred.

I haven't told this to many people, but I had an experience a couple of weeks ago that truly scarred me and broke my heart all at the same time. I had just gotten back from California, the Friday after election week. Jeff's flight came in later than mine so I decided to go to Temple Square and just ponder, pray, and feast upon the wonderful spirit there while I waited for his flight to arrive. Although alone, I had a wonderful time. I felt so much peace and joy, especially after the long hard week working on the election back at home. I was comforted in knowing that no matter what happens now or in the future, all will be ok.

When the time came for me to go pick up Jeff, I left one of the visitors centers to find I was locked in Temple Square because there were angry protesters marching around and around the building. My heart broke. Not really because I was scarred, but because I truly felt personally attacked. I felt so hated. Never before have I felt like this. Not trying to brag, but for the most part I have always got along with everyone I have ever met. All of my best friends growing up were not members of the church, and I always felt accepted and loved despite my beliefs. But this, this truly felt like a personal attack. The other part of me was scared as I was parked blocks away, it was dark, and I was all alone. I also felt a deep sadness for the people protesting. I understood why they were upset, but they were so filled with hate. I know that if the vote had gone the other way, I would of course been sad, but I like to think I would have had the thought, "well, the people decided and I did my best."

Anyway, the story is much much longer, but long story short, it was an eye opening experience, but it did frighten me a little. I felt as though things were only going to get worse from here. After receiving this email from my Bishop, I was comforted once again. I hope you will take the time to read though the latest release from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints dated Friday, Nov. 21, 2008. I will continue to stand for what I know to be true and right no matter what society will say or do to me. I hope you will do the same.

Measured Voices Provide Reason, Support Amidst Proposition 8 Reaction

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SALT LAKE CITY 21 November 2008 Following the passing of Proposition 8 in California, the Church released statements urging civility and reaffirming its position on the issue. The Church also noted that two Roman Catholic bishops released statements decrying religious bigotry against Mormons. The Church today points to additional third-party voices that provide useful insights into the reaction following the vote. Some of these individuals supported Proposition 8, and some were against it.

These materials may be helpful to the news media, bloggers, Church members and the general public in gaining a broader view of the aftermath of the Proposition 8 vote. All people of faith have cause for concern when others try to remove their legitimate voice from the public square.

Anti-Defamation League Condemns Criminal Activity Targeting Religious Institutions That Supported Proposition 8

"Although we strongly opposed Proposition 8, its passage does not justify the defacement and destruction of property. We urge Californians to channel their frustration and disappointment in productive and responsible ways to work towards full equality for all Americans. To place anyone in fear of threat to their houses of worship or their personal security because they have expressed deeply held religious views is contrary to everything this nation represents. Our Constitution's First Amendment protects freedom of speech, freedom of assembly and freedom of religion for all of us."

Dallas Morning News Editorial: Protest and Civility in a Democracy

“But a vicious minority is not satisfied with that. Some gay rights protesters have voiced sentiments about Mormons, whose church was active in advocating Prop 8's passage, that if said about gays would be condemned as hate speech. Vandals have struck a number of Mormon temples. Bash Back, a pro-gay group in Olympia, Wash., trashed a Mormon temple there, then issued a statement saying, ‘Let this be a warning to the Mormon church: Dissolve completely or be destroyed.’

“Gay rights extremists should ask themselves the same question. A cause, no matter how just, can only be harmed by thuggish tactics. Our pluralist democracy depends on a citizenry committed to working out differences with civility.”

Michael Barber, Professor of Theology, Scripture & Christian Thought at John Paul the Great Catholic University

“… we found it appalling that in the final days of the campaign, opponents of Proposition 8 ran an ad in which Mormon missionaries were presented as barging into a same-sex couple’s home, gleefully rummaging through their personal possessions and violating their rights. The ad attempted to ridicule people of the Mormon faith, even implying that it was wrong that they contributed money to the election. As a Catholic school, we stand beside our friends in the Mormon Church and of people of faith who work tirelessly to preserve the freedom of religion in America. We also strongly oppose any attempt to ridicule another person’s faith, even faiths with which we have strong historical and theological disagreements.”

The First Amendment Center — Charles Haynes: When the Marriage Debate Turns Ugly, No One Wins

“Mormons are taking the biggest hit from the opposition. But as protests, boycotts and blacklists targeting Mormons proliferate, it’s worth pausing to think about where this collision is headed. … Before this clash escalates further, both sides should exercise caution and reconsider their battle plans going forward.”

The Christian Post — Chuck Colson: So Much for Tolerance

“Two days after the election, 2,000 homosexual protesters surrounded a Mormon temple in Los Angeles chanting ‘Mormon scum.’ Protesters picketed Rick Warren’s Saddleback Church, holding signs reading ‘Purpose-Driven Hate.’ Calvary Chapel in Chino Hills was spray painted. Church members’ cars have been vandalized, and at least two Christians were assaulted. Protesters even hurled racial epithets at African-Americans because African-Americans voted overwhelmingly in favor of traditional marriage. What hypocrisy from those who spend all of their time preaching tolerance to the rest of us!”

Beliefnet.com — Rod Dreher: Stand By the Mormons

“Now is the time for traditional Christians — Catholic, Protestant and Orthodox — to come to the aid of our Mormon friends. They put themselves on the front line of the traditional marriage battle like no other church group. And now individual Mormons are paying a terrible price for standing up for something we all believe in. I don't know how we can stand with them from afar, but at least we can thank them, and speak out when we see them being abused. We might also think again about how we view them. … I have deep disagreements with Mormon theology. But they are our friends and allies and fellow citizens, and they deserve our thanks and support.”

John Mark Reynolds, Philosophy Professor at Biola University – California and Thank-a-Mormon Day

“In the battle for the family, however, traditional Christians have no better friends than the Mormon faithful. It would be wrong if that support were taken for granted. We are intolerant of the false attacks on Mormon faith and family. We stand with our Mormon friends in their right to express their views on the public square. We celebrate the areas, such as family values, where we agree. A heart felt thank you may not win points from other friends who demand one hundred percent agreement from their allies, but it is the decent and proper thing to do. Thank you to our Mormon friends and allies!”

The Volokh Conspiracy — Dale Carpenter: An Alternative to Anti-Mormon Protests

“Here's my advice to righteously furious gay-marriage supporters: Stop the focus on the Mormon Church. Stop it now. We just lost a ballot fight in which we were falsely but effectively portrayed as attacking religion. So now some of us attack a religion? People were warned that churches would lose their tax-exempt status, which was untrue. So now we have (frivolous) calls for the Mormon Church to lose its tax-exempt status? It's rather selective indignation, anyway, since lots of demographic groups gave us Prop 8 in different ways — some with money and others with votes. I understand the frustration, but this particular expression of it is wrong and counter-productive.”