The new rules state that gay people who marry are “apostates” – meaning they are viewed as having abandoned the Church.
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The changes marked a dramatic detour from the religion’s recent push to carve out a more compassionate stance on LGBT issues.
Nathan Kitchen, a gay Mormon father of five, said that gives him hope his children will be allowed to keep enjoying all the faith’s privileges. The change was made to clarify that only children living with same sex couples as their primary residence were included. “This is an unfortunate side effect of being Mormon – every member is a “missionary.’ Also know that while your name is considered ‘removed, ‘ you will still be counted among the alleged ’14+ million” members until you are 110 years old”. “I feel a few joy now and much less anxiety for my kids”.
” … which I think is definitely a sign of how many people really support the LGBT population and don’t like what (the church) is doing to families”, she said.
The idea behind the policy is to help avoid potential conflicts for the child between the church and their gay parents, church officials have said.
The policy changes have lit a fire for Mormons who already had other doubts, Swallow said.
He said the furious blowback is leading to widespread speculation that church leaders are working on revisions to the policy, which was leaked to the public after being emailed to church leaders around the world.
The policy announcement stands out in this era, even among religious conservative groups that oppose gay equality, because it appears deliberately aimed at discouraging gay families from church, including children.
All children are to be treated with utmost respect and love.
An informal poll of people who had joined the event’s Facebook page revealed that the vast majority who were resigning Saturday or planned to mail in their letters later either marked “I haven’t believed [in church theology] for years” or were “Inactive”.
“We want this event to make a statement to the church today that its treatment of those we love has led us to this moment”, event organizer Lauren McNamara said.
“We had an incredible turnout”, he said.
The clarification that existing members would not be impacted by the new rules did not result in a reduction of resignation letters, according to Naugle.
More than 1,000 people plan to attend the “mass resignation” rally on Saturday at a park across the from the church’s headquarters in Salt Lake City.
Numerous protesters were no longer active church members, but the new policy made them want to officially cut ties.
Earlier this year, Pope Francis said in a sermon that Roman Catholic priests should not refuse baptism to anyone who seeks the sacrament.
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The document was released in the final days of a tight race for mayor in Utah’s Salt Lake City and follows a June Decision by the US Supreme Court legalizing same-sex marriage.
