Saturday, November 8, 2008

My heart is breaking over some of the meanness and hatefulness I've been watching unfold in recent weeks. I can honestly say that among the people I know personally on both sides of this divisive issue, I have not witnessed any hate or bigotry. I have mostly seen love and compassion, conviction and passion.

I am not naive enough to believe that there hasn't been bigotry and intolerance elsewhere, but I don't understand why so much hate has been directed at people of my faith. The irony is almost overwhelming.

So this morning I really appreciated reading this statement from Bishop Weigand, Head of the Catholic Diocese.

"The ProtectMarriage coalition, which led the successful campaign to pass Proposition 8, was an historic alliance of people from every faith and ethnicity. LDS were included--but so were Catholics and Jews, Evangelicals and Orthodox, African-Americans and Latinos, Asians and Anglos.

Bigoted attacks on Mormons for the part they played in our coalition are shameful and ignore the reality that Mormon voters were only a small part of the groundswell that supported Proposition 8."

6 comments:

cabesh said...

Craig and I are a little bit "obsessed" with the goings on. Probably because we feel so far removed from them. But, we're constantly reading the articles, discussing the legalities and the feelings of people on both sides. We're trying to understand how the current protesters justify their actions when they seem so obviously hypocritical to us.

I am not surprised that the LDS church has been singled out, because it's a lot easier to target a peculiar people.

And I feel so much gratitude for Bishop Weigland of the Catholic Church.

La Yen said...

It frightens me that people can turn violent so quickly, and that a "minority" can rage against a "majority" and seemingly go unchecked. Last night my prayer was for someone in a position of prominence would speak out against the threats and violence, and I am so glad that it was answered! Now for someone on the other side to condemn the attacks...

La Yen said...

Also, I hope that when the attacks and threats are finally prosecuted that they are prosecuted as hate crimes under federal statutes.

Wendy said...

I was grateful to hear the Bishop's words also.

Back in highschool, over twenty-two years ago, I would never have imagined homosexuality to become such a political issue--and so divisive a one at that.

Justine said...

I read that this morning, too! And I hope things get calmer, but I have a sinking feeling that things are probably going to just get worse. I hope I'm wrong.

Anonymous said...

yes, I think the church's short-lived honeymoon with good press is over. But I still believe we can stand in the center of the church and be loving and compassionate (whether they think we are or not!).