The dampening of HOPE

I just read my good friend Amanda's post on the election of Barack Obama.

At the same time I was reading an email I got which contained the LDS church's request after the passage of Prop 8. It was a call for civility and respect between the opposing sides.

The juxtaposition of the election on such a monumental scale with hope and progress into the future to the passage of hatred, bigotry, and intolerance in proposition 8 was hard to handle.

For the beginning of such an amazing night for me - the election of President Elect Obama, the gaining of a Democratic Majority on the County Council, the gain of 3 house seats in Salt Lake County and one Senate seat - it ended so poorly.

This is the email I received and was reading (bolding done by me):


Please note the paragraphs that talk about how we should treat each
other (both sides in this debate) and that the church never has had
any objection to medical, probate, hospitalization, and fair housing
for anyone. Members of the church who have worked to stop Prop 8,
like Steve Young's wife, should also be treated with respect. All
parties involved in the democratic process, should not be subject to
harassment and outright scare/hate tactics as members were at the
Oakland Temple and other places. This is not the end of this debate.
It will rise again in the three states where it passed. We can use
the democratic process for change without hate. The peaceful change
of power in the U.S. with President Obama should show the whole world
that democracy is alive and well!


Church Responds to Same-Sex Marriage Votes
11/05/2008 12:59 PM MST
SALT LAKE CITY - Since Proposition 8 was placed on the ballot in June
of this year, the citizens of California have considered the arguments
for and against same-sex marriage. After extensive debate between
those of different persuasions, voters have chosen to amend the
California State Constitution to state that marriage should be between
a man and a woman.

Voters in Arizona and Florida took the same course and amended their
constitutions to establish that marriage will continue to be between a
man and a woman.

Such an emotionally charged issue concerning the most personal and
cherished aspects of life — family, identity, intimacy and equality —
stirs fervent and deep feelings.

Most likely, the election results for these constitutional amendments
will not mean an end to the debate over same-sex marriage in this
country.

We hope that now and in the future all parties involved in this issue
will be well informed and act in a spirit of mutual respect and
civility toward those with a different position. No one on any side of
the question should be vilified, intimidated, harassed or subject to
erroneous information.

It is important to understand that this issue for the Church has
always been about the sacred and divine institution of marriage — a
union between a man and a woman.

Allegations of bigotry or persecution made against the Church were and
are simply wrong. The Church's opposition to same-sex marriage neither
constitutes nor condones any kind of hostility toward gays and
lesbians. Even more, the Church does not object to rights for same-sex
couples regarding hospitalization and medical care, fair housing and
employment rights, or probate rights, so long as these do not infringe
on the integrity of the traditional family or the constitutional
rights of churches.

Some, however, have mistakenly asserted that churches should not ever
be involved in politics when moral issues are involved. In fact,
churches and religious organizations are well within their
constitutional rights to speak out and be engaged in the many moral
and ethical problems facing society. While the Church does not endorse
candidates or platforms, it does reserve the right to speak out on
important issues.

Before it accepted the invitation to join broad-based coalitions for
the amendments, the Church knew that some of its members would choose
not to support its position. Voting choices by Latter-day Saints, like
all other people, are influenced by their own unique experiences and
circumstances. As we move forward from the election, Church members
need to be understanding and accepting of each other and work together
for a better society.

Even though the democratic process can be demanding and difficult,
Latter-day Saints are profoundly grateful for and respect the ideals
of a true democracy.

The Church expresses deep appreciation for the hard work and
dedication of the many Latter-day Saints and others who supported the
coalitions in efforts regarding these amendments.


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I've decided to take my response to this statement from the LDS church off my blog.

I do it for one reason.

Unlike the anti-family agenda the LDS church has decided to promote with its words and action - my family relationships mean more to me than the words I feel like expressing now.

I only ask that you evaluate if what the LDS church is asking for in this statement is what they give back on this issue.