What do you make of the LDS gay discrimination thing?

[MikeWaters]

In short, LDS church says it supports legislation that would prevent discrimination against gays, but would also insist on protection for first amendment rights to discriminate if required by religious beliefs. For example, that BYU could prevent a gay couple from residing in its student housing.

You read the SLTrib articles and it is portrayed as a relatively progressive move.

You read the NYTimes and now TheDailyBeast and it is portrayed as a cynical attempt by the LDS church to get ahead of the curve and try to carve out a place where it can discriminate against gays before its essentially too late and is forced into accommodation or ostracization.

One cited example was how Peter Vidmar had to resign his representation at the London Olympics due to his support for Prop 8 and the controversy that caused.

In this LDS press conference one of the Apostles said that it is not prohibited for members to oppose gay marriage, just that it would be prohibited to go against the church and its leaders and to advocate that others do so.

[ChinoCoug]

Positive response from some liberal outlets:

Although the LDS's prophet hasn't described a holy revelation directing a revision in church doctrine on same-sex marriage or gay rights in general, the church has shown a rare capacity for introspection and humane cultural change unusual for a large conservative religious organization.

http://www.motherjones.com/mojo/2015...rt-lgbt-rights

http://reverbpress.com/discovery/mormons-gays-got-back/

[ChinoCoug]

Originally Posted by MikeWaters

You read the SLTrib articles and it is portrayed as a relatively progressive move.

You read the NYTimes and now TheDailyBeast and it is portrayed as a cynical attempt by the LDS church to get ahead of the curve and try to carve out a place where it can discriminate against gays before its essentially too late and is forced into accommodation or ostracization.

.

We were behind the curve with the priesthood ban. We learned our lesson.

[ChinoCoug]

So the church had two options to deal with the onslaught of support for gay rights:

1. Swat everything that moves in that direction (Prop 8).

2. Do what the NY Times says it's doing.

[MikeWaters]

It remains to be seen if eventually we will be taught that a faithful gay marriage is ok, and such members can be in full fellowship.

Eternal marriage between the same sex seems a step too far from our doctrine, which very much is about the male-female dyad (and in multiples with polygamy). Eternal gay increase is not something that currently makes sense.

[ChinoCoug]

If it weren't for that we'd approve gay marriage tomorrow.

[MikeWaters]

If you had a gay son would you prefer he have a series of unmarried boyfriends, or would you prefer he be married to a lifelong partner?

I know which I would prefer, all other things being equal.

[ChinoCoug]

Pass.

[MikeWaters]

some of us can't pass. We are living it.

[MikeWaters]

a FB friend linked to an article positively reporting on Mike Huckabee's stance on being gay. That it is a lifestyle choice akin to drinking or swearing.

My FB friend said he agreed with this, and said it was very much in line with the apostles' recent news conference.

So there you go.

That news conference was largely worthless in clarifying anything to the rank and file members. Some liberal Mormons liked it, some conservative Mormons liked it. And many of us are left scratching our heads.