This shouldn't be

It shouldn't be possible that a highly organized group, faith-based no less, can raise money and help to pass a ballot initiative in another state. And yet it's becoming clear that the passage of California's Prop.8 defining marriage as between a man and a woman, was made largely possible by the organized efforts of the Mormon Church in Salt Lake City.

I was heartened to see that I'm not the only one who feels this way; that members of the Mormon Church also recognize the role their church leaders played in passing a ballot proposition that so blatently denies same sex couples the opportunity to build a family.

This comment was posted in response to Judith Warner's latest blog entry.

I am so sorry that so many people in California (and elsewhere) believed the lies and distortions paid for and distributed by the people and organizations pushing for Prop 8’s passage. I was heartsick to find the names of friends and relatives on the Mormon “big donor” list. The “No on 8″ campaign seemed completely blindsided by the influx of money from outside California. Now there are demonstrations, now there is energy, but too late.

Throughout this entire sorry spectacle, I still have not heard one cogent, logical, sensible argument about how gay marriage would hurt my marriage or anyone else’s marriage.

The courts will have to overturn Prop 8 on the grounds that it violates gays’ fundamental rights. Overturning it will enrage the pro-Prop 8 groups, who will mount yet another costly campaign. For Prop 8 alone, the latest figures only with respect to Mormon participation show that 59,000 families donated some $77 million — the lion’s share. Now Mormons are unhappy that their chapels and temples are protest sites. They expected that the targets of their Salt Lake leaders’ policies would quietly accept having their rights taken away?

As a final thought, directed to my Mormon family and friends: the LDS church’s 13th Article of Faith states, “We believe in being honest, true, … benevolent, and in doing good to all men….” How is printing, disseminating, emailing, and telephoning messages filled with fear-based untruths and distortions being “honest and true”? How is taking away other people’s rights being “benevolent and … doing good to all men”?

Unfortunately, as I know all too well from my own several decades of devoted participation, Mormons place obedience to their leaders over listening to their own hearts and consciences, and over thinking for themselves. And as with civil rights for blacks, and the ERA for women, the Mormon church once again finds itself on the wrong side of history and morality.

— mofembot in France

Tears of Joy

Five days later, and the excitement and joy hasn't abated.

There are a few times in my life that I remember as defining historical events, where it was evident that something momentous was happening which would change us all. Some were frightening or sad -- the assassinations and riots in the 60's, the end of the VietNam war and Nixon's resignation, and more recently the horror of 9/11.

But the last event of such significance that was so filled with hope was the fall of the Berlin wall almost 20 years ago.

On Tuesday night something changed. Everywhere crowds of people were in the streets, dancing and cheering, with tears running down their faces. Can anyone remember seeing hundreds of people shouting with joy in front of the White House in any election in the past? Five days later we still have economic challenges, climate change fears and an abysmal health care system. And yet there's something different.

Six days ago we wondered if it would ever be possible for us to overcome the enormous problems we face, and what sort of world would be left to our grandchildren.

Today we are realizing that our grandchildren will know a world that has the potential to be so much better simply because we have allowed ourselves to walk away from prejudice and divisive stereotypes. Today I feel a renewed sense of possibility. And all because of one remarkable man who has managed to convince millions that things can be better with the simple words "Yes we can".