Joel Campbell with the Mormon Times wrote the following article on the LDS Church and Prop 8. In my opinion this is the best article I’ve read on the topic. I’ve also posted some of my own thoughts below. Enjoy:
I thought I was done with writing about the aftermath of Proposition 8, but the Mormon Media Observer can’t ignore the endless drone of reporting, name calling and finger pointing in the blogosphere, news media and public square. Here’s to setting the record straight.
Exploiting bigotry against Mormons
A University of Montana professor said it best when he told an AP reporter that Mormons had been singled out for “selective indignation” by activists who support gay marriage. This week a National Review editorial put latter-day saints’ Proposition 8 support into context.
“To date, 30 states have voted on initiatives addressing same-sex marriage, and in every state traditional marriage has come out on top. But somehow the fact that Mormons got involved during the latest statewide referendum constitutes a bridge too far? In truth, Mormons are a target of convenience in the opening salvo of what is sure to be a full-scale assault on much of America’s religious infrastructure, which gay activists perceive as a barrier to their aspirations. Among religious groups, Mormons are not the biggest obstacle to same-sex marriage — not by a long shot. But they are an easy target. Anti-Mormon bigotry is unfortunately common, and gay-rights activists are cynically exploiting that fact.”
The Dallas Morning News called out activists on some of their tactics.
“A cause, no matter how just, can only be harmed by thuggish tactics. Our pluralist democracy depends on a citizenry committed to working out differences with civility. The protesters who made the most enduring difference over time did not infringe on others’ rights; they were peaceful, not violent. Their unwavering devotion to the high road frustrated their opponents and swayed popular opinion. The right to free speech is only meaningful if all Americans are at liberty to exercise it without fear for their property or their safety. There’s a world of difference between we shall overcome and we shall overrun.”
Proposition 8 opponent and Fresno Bee columnist Bill McEwen was a little more blunt:
“Since California voters approved Proposition 8 three weeks ago, gay-rights activists have been their own worst enemies. You’ve protested at Mormon temples and evangelical churches in Southern California. You’ve gotten mad at black voters who overwhelmingly supported the gay-measure ban. Talk about dumb. Confronting people at their places of worship doesn’t help your cause nor does it advance the IDEA that marriage is a civil right. The only thing these protests have accomplished is to anger the very people you need to win over — and embarrass your supporters.”
Alfred Gunn, an LDS guest columnist in Washington state also helped put the LDS beliefs into context.
Church’s retreat?
Stephen Stromberg, an Economist reporter writing in the Washington Post, claimed that the LDS Church seemed to be less willing to take credit for its participation in Proposition 8 passage after the post-election protests. The fact is that the church has consistently explained its role in a broader coalition and takes a bold stand that is now supported by a democratic election. Instead of helping to clear up century-old stereotypes and misperceptions, Stromberg instead chooses to reinforce them.
“It’s unusual for an institution to shrink from responsibility for a victory at the ballot box. But being Mormon isn’t quite like being, say, Southern Baptist. The highly centralized LDS Church makes a lot of Americans nervous, and it has done so since Joseph Smith founded the movement, which was driven out of state after state before settling in the Salt Lake Valley. Where some see an efficient religious organization that requires unusual devotion from its members, others see conspiracy, even cult.”
Instead of the scenario that Stromberg paints, I would argue that gay activists have been trying to frame the story “gays vs. Mormons” long before ballots were cast. In turn, the media, including the venerable Los Angeles Times and Wall Street Journal, all ran major stories using this simplistic frame. It was reinforced by activists who started black-listing Mormons who contributed to the cause and then sharing their findings to the media. In many cases, the media were sometimes co-opted by Proposition 8 opponents as they laid out an easy story for journalists to report.
Stromberg is not alone. The New Yorker’s Hendrik Hertzberg goes on a long anti-Mormon rant about the “irony” of polygamy and same-sex marriage. (Please see the earlier Mormon Media Observer column responding to the polygamy irony argument.) It’s not the first time Hertzberg has piled on the LDS Church. He did it during Mitt Romney’s campaign when he wrote a long-winded mockery of LDS beliefs, which he called “breathtaking.”
Where’s the outrage?
Wall Street Journal writer William McGurn also pointed out some of the irony in some of the recent attacks on Mormons.
“In modern America, of course, these acts all come under the banner of ‘tolerance.’ And it’s interesting that all those so outraged by the alleged disrespect toward the Koran shown by Guantanamo prison guards (the most sensational report was later retracted by Newsweek) appear unperturbed by the ugliness directed against our Mormon brothers and sisters. The temptation can be to saddle up the horse and ride out to take one’s assigned place in the Great American Culture War. Except for one little thing. What we have in America is less a culture war than a constitutional war. And if we could just straighten out the latter, we’d go a long way toward diffusing the former.”
Possibly worse, “South Park” producers are saying they are considering a mocking “Mormon Musical” on Broadway. Would sophisticated New Yorkers put up with a bigoted lampoon of Jews or Muslims on stage?
Thankfully, people of faith are standing up for latter-day saints including those signing an online petition. See a Mormon Times article and a column here. A rabbi also wrote an emotional “We Are All Mormons.”
Civility
Unfortunately much of the public discourse about pro-marriage proposition seems to demean those who espouse it. Charles Haynes, a First Amendment scholar, said those of both sides need to respect that each other holds beliefs they disagree about.
“Both sides, of course, have a First Amendment right to make these arguments and to attack one another with zeal. Mormons or members of any other religious group are free to enter the political fray and argue vigorously for what they believe. And supporters of gay rights are just as free to fight back. What shouldn’t get lost in the melee, however, is that fighting hate with hate can be destructive and counter-productive. Just who is on the side of history in the marriage debate remains to be seen. But here’s a prediction: The side that wins minds and hearts with robust but civil discourse is far more likely to prevail.”
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So here’s my take: I am not so much concerned about what the rest of the world thinks of the LDS Church. I am not concerned about Utah’s supposed “image” problem or threats of a Utah boycott. It isn’t going to happen. I’m not concerned about how this may negatively impact the Utah business community. Long term - it won’t have an impact. Its time for people to stop freaking out over it.
What I am much more concerned about (or maybe interested in as I observe) is the impact this debate has had on the membership of the LDS Church. I think its interesting to see the various opinions. Yes, everyone has an opinion - myself included. But for me it boils down to this: I’m a card carrying member (Mormons know what I’m talking about and that is who this is directed to). That changes things for me.
We’re real big in the Church on free agency and common consent. That’s all fine but whose side are you on? To those card carrying Mormons who are openly opposing the Church on this issue - how will you answer questions about sustaining the President of the Church or the question about agreeing with groups whose teachings or practices are contrary to or oppose the Church? How will you answer these questions next time you sit down for your recommend? Again, whose side are you on?
As for me, I have raised my hand and sustained the man and that is where I now and always will stand.
I’ll leave comments open on this one but I will not approve any anti-Mormon ranting so don’t waste your time.
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Boston.com has published an 