Mormon Church Surprises Everyone By Supporting Respect For Marriage Bill
Western Christocentric religions aren’t necessarily thought to be the most innately supportive of LGBTQIA+ rights, but the Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints (aka the Mormon Church) has made a public statement in support of the Respect For Marriage Act and affirms their belief in individual rights, reports The Guardian.
MORMON CHURCH APPRECIATES RELIGIOUS PROTECTION IN THE BILL
After affirming the church’s position that homosexuality is a sin, the statement also mentions that the Mormon church believes that LGBTQIA+ people do deserve rights. “The doctrine of the Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints related between a man and a woman is well-known and will remain unchanged,” the statement reads. “We are grateful for the continuing efforts of those who work to ensure the Respect For Marriage Act includes appropriate religious freedom protections while respecting the law and preserving the rights of our LGBTQ+ brothers and sisters.”
The Mormon faith has had a history of supporting anti-LGBTQIA+ legislation such as California’s proposition 8, reports The Guardian. Since then, the Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints has begun accepting members who are queer, albeit keeping their stance firm against same-sex marriage.
DNA OPINION
The core tenet of any Christian faith is acceptance and love of all. By releasing this statement in support of the bipartisan Respect For Marriage Act, the Mormon Church embodies the balance that legislators in congress are attempting with the bill. The church has remained steadfast about their beliefs and desire to keep their religious traditions, but they recognise the inherent rights of all people and want to work together to achieve a mutual respect. “As we work together to preserve the principles and practices of religious freedom together with the rights of LGBTQ individuals, much can be accomplished to heal relationships and foster greater understanding,” says the church.
