The extremely homophobic anti gay Mormon Church has declared a major but not so shocking decree that LGBT Mormons & their families in gay & lesbian relationships are now apostates & their children can not be baptized without separating themselves from their parents.
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The rules, issued to local leaders around the world on November 5, prompted a flurry of discussion on Mormon websites, with the idea of targeting kids ruffling even conservative Latter-day Saints who rarely question church decisions. Also, he says, the church wanted to “protect children in their innocence and in their minority years” from the problem of having “the parents feel one way and the expectations of the church …” “Adults who choose to enter into a same-gender marriage or similar relationship commit sin that warrants a Church disciplinary council”.
Meanwhile, the church has attempted twice in recent weeks to clarify the new policy – once via a 10-minute video interview with D Todd Christofferson, a member of the 12-man leadership group that assists the church’s president and his two counselors, and once with a statement issued on Friday.
After the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision last summer to make gay marriage legal nationwide, church leaders wanted “to draw a firm line and encourage consistency among local leaders”, the Friday news release said.
A mass resignation event is scheduled in Salt Lake City, where Mormons will gather to resign and support each other.
Lorie Winder Stromberg, a Mormon who advocates for women’s ordination, said “this is the first time” she recalls Mormons from across the entire ideological spectrum all disagreeing with a church policy.
“The fact that it affects children really upset people”, Utah attorney Mark Naugle, who is helping people resign from the church, told CNN.
The church “tweaked” its new policy on baptism of children of same-sex couples, The Salt Lake Tribune reports.
Mason said one possibility for revisions would be to address rules for children with only one gay parent, perhaps those with parents who are divorced. But, he said the group still considers it “incredibly cruel” that the church is forcing children of gay parents to disavow their parents’ sexuality. In reality, very few same-sex couples would bring children for the formal Church ordinance of naming and blessing, since this creates a formal membership record.
The church backed a landmark Utah state law passed this year that added anti-discrimination protection for LGBT people while shielding religious rights.
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Last week the Mormon Church updated its Handbook, the book of rules that lays out official Church policy.
