Mormon church restates opposition to gay marriage
Mormon church leaders have restated the faith's unequivocal position against gay marriage in a letter to members in Argentina, where the government is debating whether to legalize gay unions, the Associated Press reports.
"The doctrine of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is absolutely clear: Marriage is between one man and woman and is ordained of God," said the July 6 letter from church President Thomas S. Monson.
A copy of the letter and its English translation began circulating over the weekend on websites for former Mormons.
Church spokeswoman Kim Farah on Monday confirmed the letter was sent to local leaders in Argentina, where the faith has more than 371,000 members, according to a 2010 church almanac. The country's population is more than 41 million.
Argentina's Senate is debating whether to approve either gay marriage or a civil union law. The country's other legislative body — the House of Deputies — approved same-sex marriage legislation in May. President Cristina Fernandez has promised not to veto the measure if it reaches her desk.
The letter falls short of calling for political activism by members in Argentina, but is an echo of a 2008 letter from Monson to Latter-day Saints in California. Monson had called for Mormons to give their time and money to help pass Proposition 8, a state ballot initiative to ban gay marriage.
The church was seen as a driving force behind that initiative's success, with members donating tens of millions of dollars to the campaign.
In a statement, Farah said "the church has taken no official position on the legislation being considered" in Argentina.
Still, Mormon historian D. Michael Quinn, said the letter is a significant step in political activism for the church outside the United States.
"They have not urged (members) to take political steps, but they are taking a half-step in that direction," said Quinn, a former professor at the church-owned Brigham Young University who was excommunicated and is gay. "It demonstrates two things: how much an issue this for the LDS leadership, and what they are willing to risk."
Quinn said he did not know if the Utah-based church, which has more than 13 million members and a presence in more than 170 countries, had ever drafted similar letters in other countries where gay marriage has been made legal.
Farah could not immediately confirm whether the letter was the church's first such statement abroad.
Since the 1990s, the church has been politically active in defeating same-sex marriage initiatives across the U.S. and was a signature on a letter seeking a marriage amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
The Argentina letter was directed to congregations in the Buenos Aires area and states that it is a response to concerns stemming from the proposed legislation that would change the definition of marriage.
The letter encourages members to review the "Proclamation on the Family," a 1995 statement from church leaders that set out traditional marriage as a sacred institution ordained by God and the family as a fundamental pillar of society.
Comments
Quoting from the blog post:
"Since the 1990s, the church has been politically active in defeating same-sex marriage initiatives across the U.S. and was a signature on a letter seeking a marriage amendment to the U.S. Constitution. . . (and) a 1995 statement from church leaders that set out traditional marriage as a sacred institution ordained by God and the family as a fundamental pillar of society."
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The Mormon Church can adopt any stance it wants within the Church itself. No one can force the Mormon Church to alter its position – THAT is what freedom of religion is all about; however, if the Church ITSELF campaigns publicly and coerces or forces its members to back an amendment to the US Constitution that defines marriage – then that crosses the church/state wall in my opinion. Any member of the Mormon Church can sign petitions or work to enact such a law; but if the Church itself goes “politicking,” it is defying the 1st amendment and thus risking its position as a tax-free institution – a law that can be enforced by the IRS.
Posted by: LouisVA | July 13, 2010 8:34 AM
IRS regulations do not prohibit exempt organizations from campaigning on behalf of issues. They are only prohibited from campaigning on behalf of candidates.
I'm sure their lawyers have drawn a razor's edge to delineate what can be done. And then they do it, as much as they can.
Posted by: Dana | July 13, 2010 9:56 AM
I stand corrected, Dana. You are indeed right. Man, I hate it when that happens (grin>.
Posted by: LouisVA | July 13, 2010 12:23 PM
There's an upside to that though. Churches that want to fight for the rights of the poor and oppressed are free to do so. For every Mormon Elder who fears that two men or two women will promise to love, honor, and cherish one another there are hundreds of priests and pastors who fear a child will go hungry, an innocent man will be executed, or an unjust war will be waged.
If a church wants to waste its money on a symbolic gesture of profound bigotry they only indict themselves.
We all choose our priorities, and by our fruits we are known.
Posted by: Dana LaRocca | July 13, 2010 1:44 PM
Dana - You make an excellent point. Although I am against it personally I don't see it as something that should consume any church's time or resources. There are far too many people in need, oppressed or suffering in some other manner to spend so much time simply trying to use the secular law to force a moral concept on others who do not share it. There are far more pressing needs the Mormons and any other church including my own should focus on. That last sentence says it quite well.
Posted by: ravensfan | July 13, 2010 2:10 PM
I f a church throws good money on bad issues then it will have less money for anything worthwhile. The battle against homosexuality and gay marriage is a wasted and anachronistic battle--it should stop. It has no meaning in this day and age when every single family--including that of conservative Dick Cheney, knows a person who is openly gay--a friend, a good relative, a helpful neighbor, a favorite writer, a much enjoyed artist, visionary, actor or filmmaker. Churches have to engage and accept gays. It is a waste of human potential when they discriminate and make being gay an unacceptable choice to abhor or condemn.. But churches will be churches. They are inured to Biblical statements they always interpret to mean something entirely different from what the more liberal sections of the population interpret them to mean. This will be a never ending fight with no resolution in sight.
R Anon
Posted by: Anonymous | July 13, 2010 2:14 PM
rAnon,
And that is why our (I am speaking as a Gay man) fight must be in the courts, legislatures, and streets --- and not in the churches. In an increasingly un-churched America, the religious community has less and less of a voice on this issue, although, as you point out elements within it will always work against us.
Basic decency, a respect for diversity, and a wish to honor and promote commitment and monogamy among couples (secular values that *should* be those of the church) will prevail in the end, though.
But ... "the church" is not monolithic. Many faith communities welcome Gay folk and stand ready to sanctify our marriages. And their number is growing. We have to remember that.
Posted by: BankStreet | July 13, 2010 5:45 PM
Too bad for you Mormons they passed the bill (ha ha).
Posted by: kwolf443 | July 22, 2010 11:09 PM