LDS Church Didn't Expect Their Hate to be Returned

The LDS Church (Mormons) were an integral part of the passage of Proposition H8 in California as well as the Arizona Amendment 102 and the Florida anti-gay Amendment. They funneled money and people to help in the passage of all three amendments and pretty much encouraged (translation: intimidated and coerced) their church members to do this. Now, the church and the LDS members do have the right to participate in the democratic process. However, they do not have the moral right to use intimidation tactics on their own members or lie, coerce and use misinformation to get what they want at the expense of equality for an entire group of people. And the LDS Church is not alone in this bigotry. The Catholic Church as a whole and many evangelical protestant churches participated as well, but the LDS church, because of their immense control of their members, had an advantage that many other churches did not. The LDS Church keeps detailed records of all their members including tithing so they basically know what their members make each year. They used those records to make sure that these people made contributions to the passage of these amendments. These church members were "encouraged" (translation: coerced/intimidated/forced) to comply both with money and with volunteering to aid the passage of these amendments.

From Box Turtle Bulletin:

We know Arizona state Senators who didn’t want to be present for the vote to place Prop 102 on the ballot, but were coerced and harassed by their bishops and other church members into cutting short their vacations to cast their vote.

Once on the ballot in California and Arizona, we know that Mormon prophets called on their followers to give of their “time and means,” and that this call went out to all Mormons in California and Arizona, as well as in Utah.

We also know that the Arizona anti-gay campaign was under the direct leadership of some of the most prominent LDS members in the state.

By some estimates, more than $20 million of Mormon money went to fund the $36 million California campaign, while an additional estimated $3-7 million funded Arizona’s $8 million campaign.

But now that the LDS and Catholic Church are being called on their bigotry, they are crying foul.

From the Leaders of the Mormon Church:

It is disturbing that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is being singled out for speaking up as part of its democratic right in a free election.

Members of the Church in California and millions of others from every faith, ethnicity and political affiliation who voted for Proposition 8 exercised the most sacrosanct and individual rights in the United States - that of free expression and voting.

While those who disagree with our position on Proposition 8 have the right to make their feelings known, it is wrong to target the Church and its sacred places of worship for being part of the democratic process.

Once again, we call on those involved in the debate over same-sex marriage to act in a spirit of mutual respect and civility towards each other. No one on either side of the question should be vilified, harassed or subject to erroneous information.

And from the leaders of the Catholic Church we get the following flat out lies:

Meanwhile, the Roman Catholic Church was also a target for supporting Proposition 8.
"Proposition 8 is not against any group in our society. Its sole focus is on preserving God's plan for people living upon this earth throughout time," Cardinal Roger Mahony, archbishop of the Diocese of Los Angeles, said in a statement Thursday.

Excuse Me? Pardon my French, but WTF? What other group beside LGBTs were they targeting? The answer: no other group. All three of these amendments were designed specifically to take away the right of same sex couples to marry. End of discussion. The Catholic Church LIES. Isn't that against their religion? Oh, but of course these are the church leaders and they don't have to follow the rules they lay out for all of their members. That's only for the little people to obey. (Add a whole bunch of other swear words here.)

Well, I've got news for all of the fundie religious leaders from the LDS to the Catholic Church right down to the little fundie evangelical churches around the corner. We will not take your lies and your deceit and your legislating against us lying down. You want to be a part of the political scene? You want to try to legislate against us with scare tactics and lies? Then expect to be called out by us. You want to dish it out, then be prepared to take it.

As I said in a post before:

This fight is just beginning. We will not stop. We will not rest. We will not give up until we have the equality that we deserve as American citizens!

There are marches and gatherings being planned for the California area. Keep track of what is planned by checking the link below. If I find other links for other places, I will add them. Some gatherings already planned are listed below also. If you are in the area and can go, please do so. We need everyone to help.

Community Gatherings

Saturday November 8

San Diego12 Noon 1st Avenue & UniversityMarch to 30th Street & University Avenue in North Park.

Laguna Beach,5:30 p.m. City HallMarch to Main Beach for candlelight vigil.Parking available at Act V parking lot at 1900 Laguna Canyon Road Shuttle busses will be running every 15 minutes. Bring signs, flags, candles (or flashlights), whistles, and dress for a cool evening.

Los Angeles6 p.m. Sunset Junction in Silver LakeSunset Blvd and Santa Monica Blvd

Sunday, November 9
Sacramento, California.1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Capitol West Steps
San Jose2 p.m. Billy DeFrank LGBT Community Center938 The AlamedaQuestions? gloria.defrank@gmail.com


Update: Towlerroad also is keeping a list of marches and gatherings and promise to add info as he hears of it. Check him out as well:

Towlerroad