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LDS Church calls for balance in gay and religious rights

Gay Rights Mormon Chu_byuh web.jpg

BYU-Hawaii students said the LDS Church’s press release concerning its position on religious and gay rights on Jan. 27 was a good reminder about loving others despite differences.Krista Muaina, a senior in elementary education from California, said she thought the press conference was not meant for members of the church so much as the public. “Even though we know how we are taught to love everyone regardless of sexual preference and how we believe in religious freedom, the public need to be reminded.”Elder Dallin H. Oaks said: “Because we are frequently asked for our position on these matters, the Church asserts the following principles based on the teachings of Jesus Christ, and on fairness for all, including people of faith:• “We claim for everyone the God-given and Constitutional right to live their faith according to the dictates of their own conscience, without harming the health or safety of others.• “We acknowledge that the same freedom of conscience must apply to men and women everywhere to follow the religious faith of their choice, or none at all if they so choose.• “We believe laws ought to be framed to achieve a balance in protecting the freedoms of all people while respecting those with differing values.• “We reject persecution and retaliation of any kind, including persecution based on race, ethnicity, religious belief, economic circumstances or differences in gender or sexual orientation.”Elder D. Todd Christofferson said this press release does not indicate a shift in the LDS Church’s doctrine.Elder Oaks shared several examples of infringement on religious freedom that have caused these concerns. He said in “one of America’s largest cities, government leaders subpoenaed the sermons and notes of pastors who opposed parts of a new antidiscrimination law on religious grounds.” He also mentioned how the “head of a large American corporation was forced to resign from his position in a well-publicized backlash to his personal beliefs.”“When religious people are publicly intimidated, retaliated against, forced from employment or made to suffer personal loss because they have raised their voice in the public square, donated to a cause or participated in an election, our democracy is the loser,” Elder Oaks said. “Such tactics are every bit as wrong as denying access to employment, housing or public services because of race or gender.”Sister Neill Marriott, a member of the Young Women’s general presidency, was part of the press conference panel. She said the church believes sexual relations other than between a man and a woman who are married are contrary to the laws of God. “This commandment and doctrine comes from sacred scripture and we are not at liberty to change it,” she said. “But, God is loving and merciful. His heart reaches out to all of His children equally and He expects us to treat each other with love and fairness.”McKinzie Norton, freshman in graphic design from Kansas, said, “I’m sure there’s at least some opposition against the church for this announcement, but it’s important that everyone is treated fairly.” Uploaded Jan 29, 2015
Writer: Samone Isom