Mormons, an honest question for you. Do you wish a different denomination had led all funding for prop 8?

Question

Does it make you sad in any way that your denomination (which is about 2% of our population) individually contributed over 1/3rd of the cash for the advertising in favor of prop 8?

Do you think you'd be protested less if your 2% funded a more 'appropriate' percentage of this proposition? you know...like maybe 2% of the funds?

Answer 1

Yes, we'd be protested less if we'd contributed less. People have a right to protest, but regardless of how much Mormons contributed, it doesn't justify this...



-Envelopes containing white powder sent to LDS temples in California and Utah, and to site associated w/ Catholic church.

http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=4787495



-Vandalism of private property

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzMI6YC5zQI



-Vandalism of churches

http://www.sacbee.com/101/story/1382472.html



-Book Of Mormon Set On Fire On Church Door Step

http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/17964575/detail.html#-



And the fact remains, if Prop 8 had failed, Mormons would NOT have boycotted, protested, vandalized, etc. any of the groups that donated to "No on Prop 8."

Answer 2

Welcome to the United States of America. If you haven't noticed special interest groups are all over this country throwing money at what they believe. Why not? This is a free country. Why would we as Mormons be sad. This is an issue that we strongly believe in. I would have been in favor spending 5 times what we spent if I thought it would make a difference. The people of California aren't brain dead either. Even though funded 1/3 of advertising, Californians ultimately made up their own mind. I find it interesting to think that everyone believes it was the Mormons who had that much power.



Also, you obviously disagree with the Church's stance on same gender marriage. I would like to point out that while everyone is screaming at us (the Mormons) on this issue to be open minded, no one is open minded about our beliefs. So I just remind everyone to be tolerant of our views and beliefs even if you don't believe the same way we do.

Answer 3

I really enjoyed this quote. I read it months ago as well, and it speaks to the overall perspective we must have when dealing with such an issue. The statement has great foresight and it is important to heed the warnings. I'm glad the silent majority won; however, we should not be silent. We should expose the lies of people being 'born gay', of marraige being afforded to all only because of love, and that what one couple does in their bedroom does not affect all of us.

Answer 4

NOPE - the LDS church had the emotion to get the information to voters so that they would pass this important proposition. It really doesn't matter since the anti-prop 8 people would have attacked us even if we were a minor player.



remember the LDS church donated NO MONEY!

Answer 5

I don't care who funded. I am just glad the Prop passed!! Besides that I am sure the LDS Church saved some money to fix the vandalism of people who know nothing about respect and rights.

Answer 6

As far as I know, my denomination did not fund it but MEMBERS of my denomination did. I am Australian... so I don't really care either way.



However, I DO wish that people would stop talking about this non-issue on Y!A. It's just a verbal jangle that has no purpose but to blame. No-one's perfect... so what's the point in finger-pointing?



We believe what we believe. Personally, I think those individual members were right to donate their private funds for supporting a good cause. We have to do what we feel is right... I can't regret that at all. But I can regret the reaction that some people have to it.



Peace



EDIT: I feel that protestors are making those who voted even more sure that they made the right decision. I need to point out here that Americans are not so mindless as to do something just because it was advertised that they should. I am assuming that the reason the majority of people voted the way they did is because THEY AGREE with the sentiment. That is what democracy is all about.

Answer 7

No they don't. The vast majority of them (There are a few exceptions) who were so happy that Prop 8 passed, and that they were finally able to "protect their marriage and kids". What kind of fragile marriage is that to be affected so much by two men or women getting married? Just pure bigotry and hate. Gay marriage should NOT be a two-sided issue. Their opinions are based on RELIGION and religion only. The US is a SECULAR country, and separation of church and a state is a must. So saying that voting on a civil right is democracy is just too hypocritical.

What are their defenses? "It'll ruin our kids", "It'll destroy marriage"...That's just plain stupid. I feel so sad that again, another right is taken from us, and people voted yes on making LGBT community 2nd class citizens. Mormons should know better, because they had a bit of persecution in their history (LGBT was persecuted a lot more since religion took over), and they should know at least a bit of what persecution means.



It's really sad how bigotry blinds people.

Answer 8

If the LDS Church had donated less, and not encouraged its members to vote and contribute to Yes on Prop 8, the attention might be less. But the fact remains that the church did indeed donate, and issued a letter to everyone encouraging them to donate money individually. In my humble opinion this directly violates Separation of Church and State, not to mention there should be no Ballet that directly conflicts with our Constitution. Yes, Prop 8 was Un-Constitutional.



It is very disappointing to know that people do not see the dangers and down right evil of Prop 8. Taking away rights from any group of people, even just one person is wrong. What is happening with vandalism and other negative interaction, is actually not as extreme as one might think. I remember from school reports of riots, killings, police brutality and even fire hoses used on people who opposed separation of blacks and whites. In history wars, rebellions, and revolutions when a people was repressed.



I for one am not gay, but if it came down to it, I would be out there fighting side by side with them. Everyone person who is alive deserves to be treated the same as everyone else. Even the classification of civil unions and marriage being separate but equal is discrimination.

Answer 9

ummm sorry but you have your information wrong... you say that the actual domination ( which i translate in to church) contributed the money... yet it was the people OF the church that did it out of their own pockets.. why should that be sad? every one else had the opportunity to spend their money as they wish so why cant we? why are WE such a big deal? yeah because we donated money.... but it was ours to spend.... none of it came from church funds. my family alone donated 1000 dollars...what makes me sad is that the gays call us haters and bigots and other horrible names for supporting something we believe in yet they think its justifiable to protest (illegally i might add because they did not have a permit) and not call that hate? that is what makes me sad...we are citizens of this great country and have just as much a right to stand up for what we believe in without persecution... yes we are 2% of that state BUT we werent the only ones to contribute...

70% of the black community contributed

60% of the Hispanic community contributed as well

it was not just us.... and its not our fault we are a more organized church to have the means to do so...

Answer 10

I wish it was better understood as to why their is an objection by the LDS church.



All I know that is if I was in Cali and someone got up in my face as has been done, they would quickly find out that I am not the best example of a Mormon. I am no pascifist. I give them a fistful of steel. Suddenly I am breaking into the chorus line of a Rage Against the Machine song. I have to go listen to it now.

Answer 11

We have always been persecuted for what we believe in. In fact, in the 1800's, there was a infamous "extermination order" granted by Governor WIlburn Boggs of Missouri to kill Mormons on sight.



I am glad I belong to a religion that stands up for what they think is right, even in the face of persecution and harassment.

Answer 12

nope, in fact im almost proud... but I don't really care either way. I just would have been sad if they supported no.

Answer 13

Blahhhh...why'd you have to ask this question, Jeff? It's showing me the true colors of people I otherwise respected.

Answer 14

No, it would make me sad, if the Church and it's members had not stood firmly for what we believed.



I am pleased to be part of a group that believes so strongly in certain things, that they will stand up for those beliefs regardless of the opposition. I could not respect a church that set it's doctrines and beliefs according to the popular opinion. God's way is not always popular or PC.



If Prop 8 had failed, we would not have violently harrassed the groups responsible for passing it, that is for sure.



Edit**



What actually makes me sad is the way the people opposed to prop 8 are behaving. Since prop 8 passed, Churches and temples and individual members homes have been vandalized. LDS members have even been forced out of jobs they have held for years. We live in a country that was founded on the principles of freedom of speech and religion. Yet we are not being allowed to voice our opinions without being called vile nasty things. We are not able to openly practice our religious beliefs in parts of the country right now.



I have discussed my feelings on this with you in the past. I harbor no ill feelings towards homosexual individuals. I don't treat those who I know any differently than my hetreo freinds and aquaintences.



This whole debate seems very onesided to me. As long as we agree with the other side then we are fine. But since we choose to have our own opinions, we are hateful and bigoted. That is what makes me sad.

Answer 15

Each side spent lots of money. Let's not single out the LDS folks who supported it, because as you mentioned, the LDS voters made up a tiny fraction of those who voted for Prop 8.



Please tell me you're not buying into the violent extremism that is becoming the trademark of Prop 8 opponents...?

Answer 16

It really doesn't bother me...

Answer 17

AFAIK, Mormons are now making a point of claiming that they didn't make those donations...



like they "didn't" cast the spell of posthumous baptism in the name of holocaust surviviors.



Church of LDS either lied about not intending to continue those baptisms or lied about having the means to stop them, but they lied. A liar is a liar.



As far as I'm concerned, Latter Day Saints is now Lying Daily Stinkers.



By the way, I don't agree with vandalism, but, frankly, when you deny a group human rights that's what happens. In every population there are those that respond with violence to being oppressed. The larger the population you oppress, the more likely vandalism and terrorism will occur.



I, myself, will not engage in such acts until the last appeal to justice has been made. After that, all bets are off. These anti-gay marriage people would gladly kill me, and I'd die for my family.

Answer 18

Should they be sad?



They voted for what they believed in. I commend them for not being intimidated. I'd much rather see that than a group who sways with the highest bidder.

Answer 19

in the past, we've been persecuted, harassed, assaulted, raped, stolen, beaten, evicted out of our homes, and even kicked out of the country once, and yet we're almost 14 million strong. a little protest near our temple is NOTHING!

Answer 20

My mormon friends are proud that they stood up for what was right.