Petition asking Mormon Church to reconsider its anti-gay positions grows...

[Are_grits_groceries]

RECONCILIATION

PETITION REQUEST TO

THE FIRST PRESIDENCY OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS

"Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. " -Matthew 25:40

A Plea for Reconciliation

“There is a saying that to understand is to forgive, but that is an error,. . . .You must forgive in order to understand. Until you forgive you defend yourself against the possibility of understanding.” -Marilynne Robinson, Home (2008)

We the undersigned, in the spirit of love and peace, earnestly seek to create a climate for reconciliation between the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and gays and lesbians who have been affected by the policies, practices and politics of the Church. We recognize that issues surrounding sexuality and gender orientation are complex; that understanding of these matters has evolved, especially over the past several decades, and are continuing to evolve as scientists, therapists, theologians and others continue to explore and ponder their meaning and significance; We believe that people of good will may have differing views about homosexuality, while maintaining amicable relationships.

True reconciliation requires that parties on both sides of this issue be willing to honestly examine their attitudes, behaviors (including past behaviors), policies and practices—and be open to understanding, forgiveness (both asking for and accepting), and apology.

For individuals who have suffered or been forced to watch a loved one suffer mistreatment, misunderstanding, or demonization as a consequence of the LDS church's official policies, actions, and teachings regarding sexual orientation, we understand that true reconciliation will require rejecting redress through hostility, will take time, and be a difficult process.

For Church leaders, reconciliation requires examining ways in which official statements, rhetoric, policy and practice have been injurious to gays and lesbians and their families and friends; have caused unnecessary pain and suffering, rejection, psychological and spiritual damage and even death. This means scrupulously acknowledging such practices as “reorientation”-- reparative, revulsion, and shock-therapies; such teachings as homosexuality being an evil perversion, a condition that is chosen and changeable and one that can be overcome through fasting, prayer, sacrifice and heterosexual marriage; and using scriptures that are taken out of context, mistranslated or that are highly selective to condemn homosexuality. It also means to repudiate publicly circulated articles, essays, books, speeches, and conference addresses that have stereotyped or demonized gays and lesbians.

We believe that the time is right for healing over this issue to begin, for those on both sides to manifest forgiveness, magnanimity, and especially, love. We believe reconciliation requires us to strive for open hearts and minds so that we might live together in peace and mutual respect. It is long past time for those on both sides to begin treating one another with greater dignity, respect and understanding.

http://www.ldsapology.org/

Who knew?

[customerserviceguy]

1. While it has a snowball's chance in hell

it is nice to see that not all Mormons are bigoted assholes.

My experience with them during the six months in 2005 that I lived in Utah (the worst ten years of my life) was different, but I guess we can all hope that in a few generations, they will put their heads out of their asses.

[Hydra]

2. GFL

The biggest gap in the religions that don't accept LBGTs is the idea on their side that it's a choice. After all, their book labels it a "sin" and not a condition.

Also, there's no real desire to reconcile, even though this issue will eventually kill them. The number of married men that come into my town for gay sexual relations is staggering, and it seems to get larger every year. How long can the "two worlds" continue to exist?

[Deja Q]

3. Attraction is not a choice. What people do with their attraction is.

My response transcends homosexuality and bisexuality, but the principles remain consistent:

* If two people are coupled, don't try to break up the relationship because you want to hop into bed with one of them
* Don't go around boinking all sorts of people (disease, heartache, unwanted children)

I could go on forever, but religion - while written during a time when there was a perceived belief gay people weer depriving the world of more human miracles, still had said a lot of things for reasons which, unlike any perceived threats of GLBT people, have not changed. (disease, heartache, unwanted children -- well, at least the first two for us non-heteros).

And given the stereotypes accorded GLBT people, that DOES add into some peoples' dislike - unfortunate but that's also reality.

I could also go into endless psychobabble about why people sleep around. (lack of trust, selfishness, self-dislike, want to break up relationships, just want physical gratification... for the case of gays or bis, being pressured into heterosexual relationships...)

Indeed, some of the latter are likely due because of peoples' stereotypes accorded against gay people, which doesn't help anybody. Or I still like to believe that, even these days... some books I used to own, gay-oriented, happily promoted flings over relationships... Sad to say, but even a porno tape I once rented advocated relationships above flings as a disclaimer (LOL, how many people would sit through that little disclaimer...)


Also, 'you' is an audience-generic qualifier, not personal :)