Was the Mormon Church involved with California's Proposition 8?

Answer 1

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (commonly called the "Mormon" Church) does not generally get involved in political affairs, but will occassionaly in matters of moral issues.

In the case of Proposition 8 in California, the Church encouraged it's members to vote against legalizing gay marriage, as Church members and indeed most of the Christian world believe that homosexual activity is a sin. The Church also encouraged those Church members that have the means to support the campaign financially, so that the word could be spread.

While the Church has done this in several states - including some that were having similar voter propositions the same year - they have never received so much backlash and publicity for it as they did in California. This backlash involved vandalism of several church buildings, demonstrations at churches and temples, and in some cases, violence against individual Church members.

While the Church does not advocate legalizing gay marriage, they do support other gay rights initiatives, such as those for housing and employment equality. This is based on their belief that all people all children of God and should be treated with respect and love, but that marriage is ordained of God and designed to only be between a man and woman.

Most Church members support some sort of 'domestic partner' or 'civil union' legislation, which grants homosexual couples the same legal rights as married heterosexual couples, but without the title of 'marriage'.

You can read more about the Church's involvement with California Proposition 8 at the "Related Links" below.