California Catholic Bishop Calls Anti-Proposition 8 Ad “A Blatant Display of Religious Biogtry and Intolerance”
In a disgusting display of intolerance the supporters of California Gay Marriage unleash an attack ad aimed at the LDS (Mormon) Church.
In what one Catholic bishop called “a blatant display of religious bigotry and intolerance,†a commercial advocating a “no†vote on Proposition 8 depicts Mormon missionaries invading the homes of a lesbian couple.
The California ballot’s Proposition 8 would restore the legal definition of marriage to being between one man and one woman. Earlier this year, the California Supreme Court imposed same-sex marriage on the state.
In the 60 second commercial, produced by the Courage Campaign Issues Committee, two missionaries knock on a door and say they are from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They tell the lesbian couple “we are here to take away your rights.â€
They enter the house, take away the women’s rings, and ransack their home looking for their marriage license. Finding it, they tear it up.
At the close of the commercial, the missionaries walk away, saying “that was too easy, yeah, what should we ban next?â€
“The message behind the commercial is the Mormon Church is literally invading the houses of Californians through their TV sets, spreading lies and taking peoples’ lives away from them,†Rick Jacobs of the anti-Prop. 8 Courage Campaign told CBS Channel 2 KUTV. “The church has been hiding behind its secrecy.â€
Jacobs said the commercial will air today in various parts of California on MSNBC and CNN.
Watch this ad embedded above. It is WAY over the top in targeting one single religion.
Bigotted, you betcha.
The Church of Latter Day Saints responds:
“The Church has joined a broad-based coalition in defense of traditional marriage. While we feel this is important to all of society, we have always emphasized that respect be given to those who feel differently on this issue. It is unfortunate that some who oppose this proposition have not given the Church this same courtesy.â€
The California Catholic Conference condemns:
The California Catholic Conference on Monday condemned the ad as “bigoted and intolerant.â€
Most Rev. Stephen Blaire, Bishop of Stockton and President of the California Catholic Conference, commented in a press release, calling the ad “a blatant display of religious bigotry and intolerance†and expressing dismay any public media outlet would air it.
“The YES on 8 campaign is not about discrimination and intolerance; it is about restoring the traditional definition of marriage for the good of society and children,” said Bishop Blaire. “All individuals and groups, whether religious or not, have both a right and a responsibility to participate in a civil debate about this important issue. From the beginning of this campaign the Catholic Conference has stressed the importance of mutual respect and denounces this type of religious bigotry.”
Face it folks.
After today’s Proposition 8 election, which will be close, the winning side will have to try to reconcile the societal angst of the losers. The election is about winning hearts and minds not a single electoral event.
Certainly, this bigottted attempt to seek revenge against one religious group (and a group Flap adds has been persecuted in the United States since the 1800’s) will do NOTHING for any type of reconciliation or understanding.
The No on 8 Committee should immediately condemn this independent expenditure ad and ask the Courage Campaign to pull it off California airwaves.
Technorati Tags: Gay Marriage
8 Comments
Laurie
A big thank you to the Catholic Church, and all others who stand up and say this is wrong. The last time I checked, religious people still have the right to vote and the right to donate money to the political cause of their choice. It saddens me to see this important issue turn so ugly. It’s really sad that Americans have forgotten the art of argument and debate in an effort to share opinions and work together to make a better world. Instead we stoop to name calling and ugliness.
Molly
This commercial is so FALSE. To create a commercial that will be seen by any amount of people, you should research the hearts of the people you are portraying. By passing Yes on Proposition 8 we just want to redefine the definition of marriage something sacred to us, not to pilfer someone’s home. That is a ridiculous commercial. I hope everyone that watches realizes it is a lie and trash.
William Kritzberg
No question, this is a very tough ad. However, in what way is it false? The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is a major backer of the the pro-Proposition 8 forces solely because they want to impose their view of morality on people who don’t share it. If Prop 8 passes, the fictional couple in the ad would indeed see their metaphorical wedding license torn up.
Also true is that a large proportion of the pro-8 funding is from out-of-state, which is what the “home invasion” theme is all about.
If the LDS people would mind their own business, then they wouldn’t be exposed to such criticism. This is the polar opposite of the type of oppression LDS people suffered early in their organization’s existance when, if I recall correctly, they were driven out of their communities by bigots who thought their way of live was inimical to social order.
Sean
Bigotry? What about the bigotry of Prop 8? Fuck Mormons in the ear!!!!
Fred Quarnstrom
I pledge allegiance to the Flag
of the United States …
with Liberty and Justice for ALL.
Never in my life has the last 5 words of the Pledge of Allegiance meant more
and been closer to the truth.
This evening is an evening that will be remembered like only a few other
days in our history.
McCain’s speech tonight showed him to be the true statesman and American
hero that he is. I do feel sorry that he lost, but the time has come to show
that America really is reaching equality of opportunity.
We have seen the beginning of a new age. An election of the people achieved
in large part by the people via grassroots organization and even the
internet.
Fred
Robert Nelson
Having been born into and a member of the Mormon faith (a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints), I am appauled at the involvement our church has had in both Proposition 22 in 2000, and Proposition 8 in 2008. How sad is it when a religion has to preach from the pulpit about hate, encourage it members to vote yes, and encourage its members to support financially and otherwise to the “Yes on 8” cause. Its absolutely shameful. Religion has its place in America, but not in the ballot box. The separation of Church and State wasn’t placed there for naught. Members and non-members of the LDS Church have EVERY right to voice THEIR opinion, but the Church, of it chooses to do so (and fund a large part of both propositions personally) should lose its non-profit status as a religious organization since it clearly does not understand boundaries.
This commercial, while a dramatization, is dead on CORRECT. The Mormon Church, and soon to be, not my Church any longer, has NO place in this debate, and shouldn’t be dictating from Utah what’s happening for California voters. Its about time someone came out with a commercial PERSONALLY identifiying the Mormon Church as the driving force behind this destructive measure. God taught us to love everyone… not love some, and treat others with hate… as well as why would a religion, that was driven out of Illinois and Missouri by those who would not tolerate us (as Mormons), participate in such a blatant way to divide people in such a way. If the Mormon Church believes, as it does, in one man and one woman marriage, then don’t worry… the temples won’t be invaded by same-sex couples. The Church has NO right to be involved… although its members, as INDIVIDUALS obviously can, as we are all INDEPENDENT or should be independent voters no matters what the Church states. The Church is not a voter, and therefore has no right, and no purpose in involving itself once again in a campaign of hate, lies, and mistruths. If only this commercial had played on mainstream network television… I couldn’t have been happier if it had… but sadly it did not, at least in my network market. This is a shameful proposition to begin with… let everyone live and love as they wish… be respectful one one another’s FREE AGENCY to do as they wish, to love as they wish. If one man loves another man, or one woman loves another woman, let them marry. How does that threaten the Church or your marriage? It doesn’t! That’s the point. I am glad for one, that the Church has finally taken such a stupid stance, that I now can leave the Mormon Church with grace and dignity and not be a associated with hate any longer. While I have never hated, my association with the Church as caused me to be lumped in with a bunch of nut cases. Not all Mormon’s (and actually a large part do not, obviously not the majority) believe in the “live, let live” thinking and that everyone should have the right to do as they please without undue influence from their religion and that religion plays NO part, or should play NO part in this debate. The “Yes on 8” campaign is shameful and should bury their heads… stating children would be taught homosexuality in the schools? Don’t you parents know what your children are taught? I do… and they surely aren’t taught anything about relationships or sex with your WRITTEN permission in the State of California. I found the “No on 8” campaign commercials and its people to be, in the majority, not all, to be respectful, kind, and considerate… and DEFINITELY had accurate commercials. It is unfair and it is wrong to deny those who love one another not to marry. What a sad sad day… that we divide the people of our state by adding to the STATE CONSTITUTION something that we BAN, versus a right we give. The first time in California history where we have just added to the constitution something that blocks or takes away a right from an individual based upon stupidity, ignorance, intolerance, and mostly just plain biased-based propoganda from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. A Mormon no more I say. Its just disgraceful that there is no longer a separation of Church and State… and the involvement religion will go to not only support a proposition but pay a LARGE part in a proposition’s defeat to disallow what is already law. Whether you agree with the California Supreme Court or not, we did violate the equal protection clause… and now we just solidified it into the CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA that there is no longer a “equal protection clause” and that discrimination now rules the roost. How sad is that??? Well, at least there is one thing good about this… it exposed THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS for what it is: filled with hate, intolerance, ignorance… and has the ability to BUY an election… oh, that’s not ONE election but now TWO… Proposition 22 in 2000 and Proposition 8 in 2008. Hopefully someone or some organization will sue to strip the Church of its non-profit status… as it should, or file whatever necessary complaint there is to be filed with the IRS as they are the designating power. I for one will submit my videotape of a Sunday Sacrament Meeting where the “Yes on Proposition 8” was specifically referenced (not metophorically) and members were encouraged not to vote, but to vote “Yes on Proposition 8” and again repeatedly referenced the Proclamation on the Family the Church put out a few years ago. That’s called preaching from the pulpit on secular issues, elective issues, propositional issues, that the Church needs to have its non-profit status removed. I for one can’t wait for that chicken to come home and roost. I will revel in that day for sure.
Rick
For crying out loud. I am so sick of liberals being upset that we Christians are trying to impose our views on the rest of society and that we are intolerant. Total tolerance is a myth and is impossible to achieve. You are just as intolerant for my beliefs as I am for your actions. By voting ‘no’ on prop 8 you will be legislating your morality on me, that gay marriage is fine and if I don’t agree, well that’s my problem. You non-believers (and that includes “Christians” who dismiss the Bible’s teachings) just don’t see that along intolerance of my intolerance is not tolerance. Also, why would you expect me to vote against something if it goes against my morality? I wouldn’t do the same to you.
Kidd
It a good thing that somebody knows what they are talking about. Its wrong, and well their sexuality can be cured. All they have to do is love the opposite. My view it starts in the home, and not letting there children expose to church. Gods way is for male and female to mate; NOT the same sex. When you are attracted to the same sex that when its time to pull out the bible and start reading and go to bible study, and if it’s helpful prayer is the medicine. It’s against the bible and what we are taught when we were young.
It is not a good example for children. If makes them believe that this is normal, but its not. It starts thing like harassing because they have somebody or know that is gay. It causes the child to be a criminal. It’s not healthy, and it’s dangerous to themselves or people around them.
Thanks are to God.