ADL Denounces Church Vandalism following Prop 8’s Passage
California voters approved Proposition 8, a ban on same-sex marriage, on Tuesday.
A Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints chapel was tagged by vandals who are apparent opponents of a same-sex marriage ban that voters recently passed.
The outcome has sparked protests across the state from those who opposed the measure, including a massive demonstration in front of a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints chapel in Los Angeles on Wednesday.
The church encouraged its members to work to pass California’s Proposition 8 by volunteering their time and money for the campaign. Thousands of Mormons worked as grassroots volunteers and gave tens of millions of dollars to the campaign.
The Anti-Defamation League today denounced the recent spate of vandalisms that have occurred at religious institutions across the state in response to the passage of Proposition 8.
ADL issued the following statement:
“Although we strongly opposed Proposition 8, its passage does not justify the defacement and destruction of property. We urge Californians to channel their frustration and disappointment in productive and responsible ways to work towards full equality for all Americans. To place anyone in fear of threat to their houses of worship or their personal security because they have expressed deeply held religious views is contrary to everything this nation represents. Our Constitution’s First Amendment protects freedom of speech, freedom of assembly and freedom of religion for all of us.”
The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the world’s leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry.
It was the featured song the other day – Home Teachers in the Night – that gave it away for me.
haha. The funny thing about moosebutter is I didn’t know any of them were LDS until I happened to click through their bio pages when I went looking for that Star Wars a cappella song. :-)
Heathers last blog post..Best musical Star Wars synopsis EVER!
Heather, I didn’t know you were LDS – not that there was any reason why I should have – although Moosebutter gave me a clue. :)
Growing up spending summers in northern Illinois I spent a LOT of time hanging out with an LDS family that lived across the street. They had a son and daughter near my age and their house was a much more pleasant place to be than mine. I even went to Temple with them once or twice.
So often when there is a political backlash against people of an individual faith it stems from gross generalizations that result in people outside the faith seeing its members as holding to monolithic and unvaried views. If they knew individuals within the group they would better understand how varied the beliefs of individuals really are.
This election has really done a good job of addressing that situation. This morning on NPR there was a report on how Catholic bishops are trying to come to grips with the fact that over 50% of active Catholics voted for Barak Obama despite his position on a woman’s right to control her reproductive health.
I don’t usually get into religious or political discussion, because my religion is personal, and politics is not my thing, and I don’t enjoy arguing. I don’t live in CA and was not involved in any Prop 8 stuff. Hardly heard anything about it, besides what I saw on the news or read online. I don’t quite know what to say, but feel I should say something, so here goes…
I’m LDS (Mormon) and I voted for Obama. I respect what others believe and how they live, and I hope they will offer me the same respect. I don’t think political, religious, or lifestyle difference should keep people from being kind, friendly, and supportive of one another.
And I think JD is one of the smartest, most helpful, friendly people I’ve met through blogging. :-)
Heathers last blog post..Best musical Star Wars synopsis EVER!