The LDS church has received flak for its rigid stance against same-sex marriage.
A speech given by Dallin H. Oaks, a top leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has reiterated the religious opposition to marriage[/tweetit] between same sexes on September 30. Oaks, a member of Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, reminded followers scattered all over the world that children must grow up in a household consisting of a woman and a man. His stance denotes a theological opposition to same-sex marriages. It also goes against the grain of increasing social acceptance of same-sex families and the children being raised in them. The LDS or Mormon church is one of the multiple conservative faiths tiptoeing the minefields which comes from striking the correct balance.
Mormon Leader Stands Firm on Stance Against Gay Marriage[/tweetthis]
Oaks knows this. He said such a belief can place Mormons in “conflict with family members or friends.” He acknowledged the stance is a mismatch with present U.S. laws, as same-sex marriage was legalized in 2015. He repeatedly said that the LDS document The Family: A Proclamation to the World, will remain unchanged.
The LDS church, based out of Utah, received a severe backlash in 2008 when it fought for a constitutional ban spearheaded by Proposition 8 in California. The ban was applicable on gay marriage. The effect was that the LDS leaders spent a number of years crafting an LGBT tone which was more empathetic towards the latter. This stance hiccuped in 2015 after the church adopted a number of rules which banned children of gay parents from getting baptized until they reach 18 years of age. The policy attracted fierce condemnation from the gay church members and also their supporters.
Members of the LDS church in 2016 finally updated a website made in 2012. The new text reassured members that being attracted to the same sex will not be construed as a faithfulness measure or sin. The church, however, reminded its members that engaging in gay sex violates the fundamental doctrinal beliefs. These will not change under any circumstances.
Oaks on September 30 reminded church members that the spiritual laws of the church say children must be brought up in a heterosexual household. They should not grow up in the midst of gay parents or unmarried couples who live together without engaging in marriage nuptials. The top theologian said that those who want exaltation should make their own personal choices in their family lives as per the way of the Lord when that is found to be different from the fashions of this world.
#LDSconf still-back asswards as always https://t.co/JNFDrtIgBc
— Ryan Sandoval (@ryandsandoval) September 30, 2017
Resources
- The Los Angeles Times
- Chicago Tribune
- Time
- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints -The Family: A Proclamation to the World
- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints -Mormon and Gay
- World Religion News -Thousands Announcing They Will Leave the Mormon Churh Tomorrow
- World Religion News -‘Mormon and Gay’: LDS Says You Can Be Both