Silly Things Mormons Say #1 (Just The First Of Many, I Assure You)

Earlier this summer, I went to a barbecue at a cousin's house. That side of my family is as TBM as it gets (almost to the point of being ridiculous), but they're good people and they mean well.

As an exmo, I am now more "in-tune" so to speak of the silly comments that TBM's make without even really thinking about what they're saying or how it might affect those around them - especially those of us who have radically different religious views. Of course, since most of my extended family aren't even aware of my apostasy from THE church, I'm privvy to some of the more asinine comments because they assume I'm still in the same sinking boat that they are.

Anyway, at the barbecue, I overheard some woman that I don't know (probably one of their friends and/or neighbors) make a comment about anti-mormons. At the time, the whole Mormons-getting-blasted-by-the-Jews-for-baptizing-them-posthumously was prominent in the news media. This older woman at the barbecue was talking about "nothing can stop this work" and that she either knew or heard of a man (I can't remember now which was the case) who was very vocal against the church and was apparently some kind of speed bump on the road to the church's plans of world-domination.

She said that this man was trying to stop "the lard's" work and since the mormon god is some sort of cosmic, unstoppable juggernaut who can't stand any form of competition, he "removed" the man by giving him a heart attack and killing him.....six months later.

I couldn't help but shake my head in disgust after hearing the statement. This woman just didn't realize how stupid she sounded. So this supposed omnipotent, omnipresent, all-loving-yet-stragely-vengeful god, couldn't find any other way to remove the obstacle who was this unnamed man and saw fit to just kill him, but for some reason, had to wait 6 months to do it.

C'mon, lady. Let's pull your head and think through this. Could their POSSIBLY be another explanation, such as the guy just had a lousy ticker or unhealthy eating habits and just didn't exercise enough, thus causing his heart attack? It just simply HAD to be the lard who took him out of the equation?

Silly...just silly.

My 2 Cents on Prop. 8

It seems to me that the LDS "church" is once again sticking it's nose where it doesn't belong with regards to California's Proposition 8.

First of all, what exactly IS Prop. 8? According to the entry on Wikipedia:

"Proposition 8 is an initiative measure on the 2008 California General Election ballot titled Eliminates Right of Same-Sex Couples to Marry. If passed, the proposition would change the California Constitution to eliminate the right of same-sex couples to marry in California. A new section would be added stating "only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California."

The "church" wants everyone in California, nay, THE ENTIRE WORLD, to believe and act and think just like they do. They want to prohibit otherwise law-abiding citizens (you know, those *gasp!* GAY people) from marrying each other and having the same rights and recognition that all us fantastic straight people have. (Please note my sarcasm here!)

The "church" has admonished their flocks in California to donate their time and resources in support of this ridiculous amendment that basically encourages close-mindedness, hatred and discrimination. (see the Salt Lake Tribune article "Young Mormons urged to join fight against gay marriage in California" by Peggy Fletcher Stack: http://www.sltrib.com/lds/ci_10671847 ).

As I see it, the "church" is welcome to enforce their own little rules and regulations upon their own members, but they have no right to push their religious agenda and ideals on anyone else. Are the gays knocking on the temple door demanding to be married within it's so-called "holy" walls? Not that I've seen. What does it really hurt to allow two men or two women, who love and care for each other to have the same rights and privelages as a heterosexual couple?

The answer, quite simply, is nothing. It doesn't hurt anyone or anything (although it might offend some people who are too stubborn - or stupid - to just let go of their bigotry and arrogance and just let other people live their own lives.)

For the record, when I was an active TBM, I allowed those blowhards in religious authority to convince me that a gay lifestyle was sinful, wicked and an abomination in the eyes of god.

Let me just say that I'm glad I'm not that guy anymore!

I've worked with and gotten to know some gay men at a previous job and I came to understand them and respect them - much more so than the holier-than-thou "brothers and sisters" of my faith. I came to realize that gay people are among the least judgmental and/or arrogant in the community, whereas most of the mormons I knew were quick to judge and condemn those with opposing views and lifestyles.

We should celebrate love in all its forms - be it straight or gay. It's a precious thing and should be encouraged and supported, not feared, hated, or limited in any way.

What's my bottom line? I am whole-heartedly AGAINST Prop. 8.

Say NO to bigotry and discrimination. Vote NO on Proposition 8.