A few days ago I wrote a blog about my feelings about California's Proposition 8 and also on my opinion about homosexuality and gay marriage. I've recently received a couple of comments to that blog that I would like to respond to, so here it is.
First off, I asked for respect of my opinion when posting comments which I don't feel I received. I fully understand that there are many individuals that disagree with my opinion, including many of my close friends. I respect and welcome that. However, accusing someone of not following the prophet because I disagree with a stand that was made, is extremely offensive. Unfortunately, it seems to be a tactic that is used quite often by members of the LDS church, more often in Utah than elsewhere. Heavenly Father gave me this brain to think, question, analyze and wonder with and I'm grateful for that. I fully believe that he wants us to question everything; it will only make your testimony stronger, as it has mine.
I was not always of the opinion that people are born gay, though I've always thought that everyone should have the same rights as anyone else. It is through questioning, study and prayer that I've come to the realizations that I have. It is also through knowing and caring about people who have come out. I've noticed that many people who are so against gay marriage and homosexuality have not been a spectator to the agony that many go through before accepting who they are and coming out. A family member of a close friend recently came out after years of self-hatred, depression and anger about the feelings they'd ALWAYS had. Now that this individual has accepted that they were born this way and loves themself for who they are, they are happy. This person is also a strong member of the church and have one of the strongest testimonies I've ever seen. If it were your sister, brother, best friend, child, whoever, would you deny them happiness because you were always told that they were wrong? Would you shun them until they "decided" to live up to your standard of "normal" again? I certainly hope not. If so, I pity those individuals around you.
I'm not one who likes to debate (that would be my sister Halley). But I will always stand up for and defend those that I love and those that I feel are being treated unfairly. I will also fight, tooth and nail if I am attacked for my beliefs. Stating your opinion and attacking someone else because you disagree with them are two very different things. Please sit back and think about your approach before commenting. The only MORAL issue here is that we need to treat everyone the way that Christ taught us, with LOVE and without JUDGEMENT.
The last point I would like to make is this: I know that living in Utah, I'm most likely in the minority with my opinion. However, I had the courage to post a blog with said opinion and will happily voice that same opinion if asked and often, even when I'm not asked. My name and face are all over this blog, so that anyone would know who is stating her opinion. If you have such a strong belief about this (or anything else), have the courage to tell people who you are! By hiding behind the title of "anonymous" you just show that you are afraid. If you truly believe something, don't be a coward about it. State it proudly and stand by it! I would respect you and your opinion completely. Currently, I think you are a coward.
9 comments:
Brit,
I thank you for sharing your story of my sister!!! After knowing her and many of my other friends, I know they do not chose the gay/lesbian lifestyle. Why would anyone chose it, it is full of hate and discrimination. I agree 100% on voting NO on proposition 8 and voting YES goes completely against our constitutional rights. People can argue left and right that allowing same-sex marriages will ruin society. How is that possible. What is so wrong about giving these loving couples the rights that any other couple has? They love each other and suffer through this pain together. Why do people care so much to give them the benefits of health insurance, buying properties together, death benefits when one is dying, ect.... Can someone please tell me how this could ruin society? I just don't see it.
I just want to say Kudos to "Jonathan". Though I disagree with you, I respect you and your right to your opinion. Thank you for coming forward.
WOWOWOWOW brittany!!! Look what you've started!!! :) This has been a subject that I have actually tried to stay away from. I feel that this is one area in my life that I am TRULY (cuz we all know it doesnt happen often...) I am truly humble about. I feel so conflicted when it comes to this kind of stuff, because I haven't quite figured out how to do it as the church teaches....(the TRUE way the church teaches) which is that we are all God's children. We do not, and shall not judge others. But God also calls us to uphold our beliefs and not only stand by them, but he calls us to DEFEND them. I think this subject falls right into that category. How do I respect and love them, but defend and stand for the truth? Ugh....I don't know how. I don't know why people are gay. It's clear that it's not always a choice...but, would God wire someone to be something he is 100% against? This is why I don't try to understand. The truth is...I would probably vote yes on 8...but thank goodness I don't have to make that decision! What really has me disappointed is the way LDS members are handling this matter...and I really feel it's only tearing people further apart...and causing contention in ALL our hearts, for different reasons, but it's becoming a battle that I can't pretend to fight. Just look at your own blog...look at the anger and vigor some of your readers have expressed....Many people have lost touch with being graceful, and respectful. People are more concerned with looking "spiritual" and "obediant". I'm especially saddened that individuals OUTSIDE of California have felt that it is their personal duty to get everyone to vote yes on 8. This isn't something we should be pushing for in th CA state, those individuals should focus in on a state where they CAN make a difference. It's a better time to think about "What IF this comes to Utah? How will we handle it then?" but certainly not something that I think we should try to be pulling for in a place where we hold no jurisdiction. Wow, I've ran on for quite a long time...but I just hope that my message in this blog is of grace, and tolerance, and of self-evaluation. We should all REALLY think about ways to be EXAMPLES others, ways that don't include flat out telling someone they are WRONG, or that they are not good mormons...xoxo janelle...interesting enough - the word verification that I have to type in to publish this is: diverse...how symbolic!
Brittany! I wasn't going to comment on either of these posts, because I totally respect your opinion, and your right to it! But I changed my mind (on commenting, that is...) :) Since you've read my blog, I know you know where I stand...however, I agree that we need to love and accept people who can't really change who they are. I think a gay/lesbian couple should definitely be entitled to the tax/health/etc. benefits of marriage. I just don't think it should be called marriage. I don't think the actual definition of marriage (between a man and woman) should change. But that's me. We can disagree and be friends, right? If you're interested in reading the church's statement on why they're pushing so hard for prop 8, here it is:
http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/commentary/the-divine-institution-of-marriage
Maybe all this debate will hurry Tristan along. Or are you being induced tomorrow? (From your comment on facebook, it sort of sounds that way). GOOD LUCK! Can't wait to meet him!
Simply put.
WWJD
“The Church has joined a broad-based coalition in defense of traditional marriage. While we feel this is important to all of society, we have always emphasized that respect be given to those who feel differently on this issue. It is unfortunate that some who oppose this proposition have not given the Church this same courtesy.”
Seriously. The opposition who is accusing the Church and its members of being 'hateful' 'bigots' 'racist' and everything else, have made it very clear where those true feelings lie.
"Make no mistake about it, brothers and sisters, in the months and years ahead, events are likely to require each member to decide whether or not he will follow the First Presidency. Members will find it more difficult to halt longer between two opinions. President Marion G. Romney said, many years ago, that he had 'never hesitated to follow the counsel of the Authorities of the Church even though it crossed my social, professional or political life.'
"This is hard doctrine, but it is particularly vital doctrine in a society which is becoming more wicked. In short, brothers and sisters, not being ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ includes not being ashamed of the prophets of Jesus Christ. . . . Your discipleship may see the time when such religious convictions are discounted. . . . This new irreligious imperialism seeks to disallow certain opinions simply because those opinions grow out of religious convictions.
"Resistance to abortion will be seen as primitive. Concern over the institution of the family will be viewed as untrendy and unenlightened.... Before the ultimate victory of the forces of righteousness, some skirmishes will be lost. Even in these, however, let us leave a record so that the choices are clear, letting others do as they will in the face of prophetic counsel. There will also be times, happily, when a minor defeat seems probable, but others will step forward, having been rallied to rightness by what we do. We will know the joy, on occasion, of having awakened a slumbering majority of the decent people of all races and creeds which was, till then, unconscious of itself. Jesus said that when the fig trees put forth their leaves, 'summer is nigh.' Thus warned that summer is upon us, let us not then complain of the heat." (Neal A. Maxwell, "A More Determined Discipleship," Ensign, February 1979)
My name is Javier Eduardo Chavez, and I approve this message.
Let em have it girl!
So sad that Proposition 8 was passed!! Although I do not think that it is the end of the fight. It just gives me more motivation to keep on fighting!!!
Post a Comment