LDS Church Calls For Understanding And Patience
The LDS church is calling for understanding, patience, and the rights of everyone to agree to disagree.
In a press conference on Tuesday at Church Headquarters in Salt Lake City, Mormon leaders emphatically declared their intention to support anti-discrimination laws for gay, lesbian and transgender people, but called for such anti-discrimination laws to also protect the rights of religious groups and individuals.
In 2009, the Mormon church backed nondiscrimination regulations for gays and lesbians in Salt Lake City. Today, Mormon leaders said they are now willing to support similar measures elsewhere, including laws protecting LGBT persons from unfair bias in housing, unemployment and public transportation.
But they warned that discrimination must not be allowed on any front: church leaders stated that religious freedoms have been “under attack” in recent years. “When religious people are publicly intimidated, retaliated against, forced from employment or made to suffer personal loss because they have raised their voice in the public square, donated to a cause or participated in an election, our democracy is the loser,” said Elder Dallin Oaks, a member of the church’s Quorum of Twelve Apostles. “Such tactics are every bit as wrong as denying access to employment, housing or public services because of race or gender.”
The examples cited by Oaks included: the mayor of Houston subpoenaing sermon notes last year from pastors who opposed an equal rights ordination (the subpoena was later dropped.); public pressure on a Mormon gymnast to step down as an Olympic liaison in 2011 because he had supported California’s Proposition 8; and the forced resignation of Mozilla CEO Brandon Eich because he had donated money to support the passage of Proposition 8.
“It is one of today’s great ironies that some people who have fought so hard for LGBT rights now try to deny the rights of others to disagree with their public policy proposals,” said Oaks.
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The press conference included no changes of Church policy or doctrine, be rather focused on “suggesting a new way forward.” Elder D. Todd Christopherson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said that those with different views on these issues can together seek solutions that will be fair to everyone.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has tried to strike a delicate balance on gay rights, supporting compassion but fighting against the legalization of gay marriage. The Church reaffirmed its stance that sexual relations outside of marriage between a man and a women are not allowed under Church doctrine.
“This commandment and doctrine comes from sacred scripture and we are not at liberty to change it,” said Sister Neill Marriott, a leader in the church’s women’s organization. She went on to encourage compassion and understanding “But, God is loving and merciful,” she stated. “Jesus ministered to marginalized outcasts. It’s for this reason that the church has publicly favored laws and ordinances that protect LGBT people from discrimination in housing and employment.”
Rep. Jim Debakis, District 12 and former Chairman of the Utah Democratic Party, said: “Since serving as a senator, and as the only LGBT member of the Utah legislature, I can say one of the joys of the job has been to meet and enjoy the company of LDS officials. I know that, together, we can build a community that strongly protects religious organizations, constitutional liberties, and, in addition, creates a civil, respectful, nurturing culture where differences are honored and everyone feels welcome.”
The Church called for respect on both sides, and and end to accusations of bigotry against those whose religious views oppose same sex marriage. It was also stated that religious freedom should also extend to Mormon physicians who refuse to perform abortions or artificial insemination for a lesbian couple, or a Catholic pharmacist who declines to carry the “morning after” pill.
“These are serious issues,” said Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, a member of the First Presidency of the Church, “and they require serious minds engaged in thoughtful, courteous discourse.”
