"The moral footings of society continue to slip, while those who attempt to safeguard those footings are often ridiculed, picketed and persecuted ... It would be easy to become discouraged and cynical about the future—or even fearful or what might come—if we allowed ourselves to dwell on only which is wrong in the world and in our lives."This is an obvious reference to the aftermath of proposition 8 in California. By opposing proposition 8, the brethren were attempting to safeguard the moral footing of California society. Why it's not important to safeguard the moral footing in other states and countries where gay marriage is, or may soon be, legal is still a mystery.
President Thomas S. Monson, April 5, 2009
However, I think this statement is significant because President Monson has declared that the church is not backing down. While not stated explicitly, it is obvious that the brethren continue to believe that it is our moral imperative to oppose gay marriage. Let there be no confusion, president Monson has retraced the line in the sand.
So, what side of the line am I on?
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I am truly sorry president Monson - but I'm just not with you on this one. While I agree that the moral footing of society is slipping - I do not agree that gay marriage is either the cause or a symptom. Gay society is known for its promiscuity - so isn't it a good thing to bring family values into the gay community? Shouldn't we be promoting committed monogamous same sex relationships rather than demonizing them?I guess I'll just stand over here with the morally-corrupt society-endangering family-destroying homosexuals. At least they accept me for who I really am - and not who I pretend to be.
13 comments:
I will gladly stand with you, Abe.
God bless us!
I'm so glad that we get people like you and Sarah who do wish to stand with us, even though you don't have to! I love you both!
I didn't watch much of conference, but I did hear that part from Monson and definitely felt a line in the sand being drawn. It saddens me that the church's course for the next bit will be one strengthening the already rampant homophobia, rather than becoming more loving and more Christ-like with those not like them.
I felt like a lot of what was said today seemed to be pointed towards Prop 8... but at the same time, the brethren made their statements pretty broad. I am sure Monson indirectly referred to Prop 8, but I think he was also referring to a lot of other things going on the world today.
I couldn't listen to conference, both for practical and other reasons. I've kids and stuff.I also have a difficult time listening to the brethren speak. I much rather prefer to read the talks.
But I do wish I could've watched more of it so I'd have something to blog about as to my reaction.
That said, I'm sorry to hear President Monson say these things, though I do agree with the latter part of his statement "It would be easy to become discouraged and cynical about the future—or even fearful or what might come—if we allowed ourselves to dwell on only which is wrong in the world and in our lives."
I've TBM friends who needed to hear this.
But if a line in the sand were drawn, I'm on your side. And I guess I stated as much in my own blog post today (forgive a plug?)
Just know you're not alone. I, too, will "stand over here with the morally-corrupt society-endangering family-destroying homosexuals."
I'm sorry, but my take is more along the lines with Evan... I thought the talks, including the remarks of Pres. Monson were much more broad. I tried to read into it what you see and I concluded I could read any issues of "morality" fitting into it - which has always been the position of the church in drawing a "line in the sand".
Don't get me wrong. I don't think the fight has stopped - but do you really feel these remarks were directed to gay marriage verses immorality, pornography, etc. in general?
do you really feel these remarks were directed to gay marriage verses immorality, pornography, etc. in general?
I am not aware of Mormon's being "ridiculed, picketed and persecuted" for our stand on immorality in general, pornography, etc.
Although, I do agree that his comments were to be taken in general - I think he made a specific reference to the aftermath of proposition 8 - and in so doing has declared that nothing has changed regarding the church's position
"I am not aware of Mormon's being "ridiculed, picketed and persecuted" for our stand on immorality in general, pornography, etc."...Amen...I think he was referring to Prop 8.
There is plenty of porno downloading in Utah. More than any other state. Eek. Maybe he saw the article about it in the paper.
"think he made a specific reference to the aftermath of proposition 8 - and in so doing has declared that nothing has changed regarding the church's position"
The entire premise of your blog is strange to me. I'll admit I've only spent a few minutes here, but from what I gather it appears you're anxiously waiting for the Church to change their doctrine to accommodate your desires. I won't pretend to understand what you're going through, but it basically sounds like you're a Mormon that doesn't really believe in a few fundamental principles of Mormonism (i.e. follow the prophet, no deviation from declared doctrine. . .)
it basically sounds like you're a Mormon that doesn't really believe in a few fundamental principles of Mormonism (i.e. follow the prophet, no deviation from declared doctrine. . .)
Richard,
You'd be surprised to find how many of us are in this boat right now. I am a straight woman, married to a gay man, and the church is everything to me. Until 9 months ago, I was the epitome of a Molly Mormon/follow the prophet type of woman, but my husband's coming out and the Prop 8 campaign have literally turned everything I thought I knew upside down.
Join us for a while in this blog world and you might start to understand the dilemma we face.
The entire premise of your blog is strange to me.
Yeah, being married, Mormon, and gay kinda does that to a guy.
it appears you're anxiously waiting for the Church to change their doctrine to accommodate your desires.
Change doctrine? No! Change of attitude? A resounding Yes!
Think of how you feel when you hear people making fun of Mormon's - and you'll get an inkling of how we feel sitting in our Mormon church meetings listening to fellow saints blame all of societal ills on the gay community. A big problem with proposition 8 in California is that it has empowered many of the members of the church to ramp up their homophobic rhetoric.
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