If I belonged to a church and they told me to support something I didn’t agree with I hope I would use my critical thinking skills to come to my own conclusion. But I believe that’s why I don’t belong to a church. If my past experience is normal, churches by definition are trying to get you to support some idea that you at least start out as feeling skeptical about (that is, if you weren’t born into it). They only count themselves as really successful when you push away your doubts and follow them blindly. Right?

But then, I do believe churches should allow you to pick and choose what facets of their belief systems you subscribe to.

It just doesn’t seem to me that most religions work that way.

Thanks for bringing up such a great point. It’s kind of ridiculous they’ve received such a large amount of money from a multiple organizations geared towards defending Prop. 8, yet claim neutrality. Isn’t that indicative of something? At least for those of us paying attention. Reading through the links you attached, it’s sick just how ass-backwards they make their argument.

“We ask that you do all you can to support the proposed constitutional amendment by donating of your means and time to ensure that marriage in California is legally defined as being between a man and a woman.”
http://www.nationformarriage.org/site/apps/nlnet/content2.aspx?c=omL2KeN0LzH&b=3837659&content_id={ECF1005A-5A36-4E4D-856E-C953F7F4D8D6}&notoc=1

Except it’s not their place – that sentence alone should lose them the tax-exempt status.

Disgusting, disgusting, disgusting. It never ceases to amaze me how hypocritical faith can make people.

Tax exempt status: Seriously, do you suppose the Church doesn’t have a bevy of tax attorneys from DC to SLC and back vetting every press release? These people have many qualities, but dumb ain’t one of ‘em.

Members of the Church who I know are generally people of independent thought and good conscience — quite free of bigotry. For saying as much, I’m curious to see if my login works here tomorrow

During one of these discussions, my dad mentioned the concern of (with regards to legalizing same-sex marriages) the church/bishops being sued when refusing to perform or allow same-sex marriages. While this is only one of the points we discussed, this struck me as very interesting. I argued the point that the church, by its traditions, already has many “rules” set in place that questions who is considered worthy to enter the temple or to hold a calling, etc. The Mormon church campaigning for Prop 8, to me, seems to be fueling the fire and creating hostility.

Historically, the church has been a little behind the times if you look at the changes that have been made with church policy YEARS after United States law had been changed. (i.e. segregation laws, etc.) Obviously this is a bit different, but it still makes me question the motives.

As for your question, it is exactly this complete control over how you think and vote that lead me to leave the church at a very young age. The church leadership can give all the lip-service to “free agency” they want, my experiences taught me that even when official disciplinary councils aren’t used, the trials in the church hallways, gossiping and “worrying for their testimony” that goes on with the membership is even more hurtful.

Dissenting opinions are never welcomed, and this has been the case from the getgo. Any one wondering, look a little into the Mormon church’s history regarding the Equal Rights Amendment.

I’d love to hear if Jon’s sources are correct and that actual callings are being given out regarding this Prop. (From memory, it was all very hush hush the last time we went through this. Though my non-citizen father went door to door, and I can’t imagine him doing that without someone telling him to).

Also frustrating? http://www.iprotectmarriage.com the teen targeted website supporting ‘Yes on 8′.

Make sure to take the video quiz.