Mormon Church Expresses Support For Same Sex Marriage Law

The nearly 17 million-member, Utah-based church said in a statement that the church’s doctrine will continue to view same-sex relationships as contrary to God’s commandments. However, he said he would support rights for same-sex couples as long as they do not infringe on the right of religious groups to believe as they choose. “We believe this approach is the way forward. As we work together to preserve the principles and practices of religious freedom along with the rights of LGBTQ people, much can be accomplished to heal relationships and foster understanding,” the church said in a statement posted on its website. Support for the Respect for Marriage Act being considered in Congress is the church’s latest step to articulate a more welcoming stance toward the LGBTQ community while remaining steadfast in its belief that same-sex relationships are sinful. However, her attitude towards LGBTQ people – including those raised in the church – remains painful for many. Patrick Mason, a professor of religion at Utah State University, said the church’s position was both a departure from and a continuation of its previous positions — respecting laws that work to protect religious freedom and ensuring they are not forced to perform same-sex marriages or to grant them official ecclesiastical sanction. “This is part of the overall theology of the church that essentially upholds the law of the land, recognizing that what they dictate and enforce for their members in terms of their behavior is different from what it means to be part of a pluralistic society,” he said. The faith opposes same-sex marriage and sexual intimacy, but has adopted a more welcoming stance toward LGBTQ people in recent years. In 2016, he stated that same-sex attraction was not a sin, while he argued that acting on it was. The bill, which has won support from Democrats and Republicans, is set for a test vote in the Senate on Wednesday, with a final vote as soon as this week or later this month. It comes after the US Supreme Court overturned the constitutional right to abortion, with Justice Clarence Thomas issuing a concurring opinion indicating that an earlier Supreme Court ruling protecting same-sex marriage could be under threat. The legislation would repeal the Clinton-era Defense of Marriage Act and require states to recognize all marriages that were legal where they were performed. It would also protect interracial marriages by requiring states to recognize legal marriages regardless of “sex, race, nationality or national origin.” It makes clear that the rights of individuals and businesses will not be affected. Utah’s four lawmakers — all of whom are members of the church — expressed their support for the legislation earlier this year. The church’s public stance stands in stark contrast to 14 years ago, when its members were among the biggest contributors to the campaign to support Prop. 8 of California, which defined marriage as between a man and a woman in response to cities like San Francisco issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Troy Williams, the executive director of Equality Utah, said it was “exciting” to see the church part of the coalition support the legislation. “Despite our differences we may have, we can always find common ground for laws that support strengthening all families,” said Williams, who grew up a member of the church. The faith opposes laws that would make it illegal for churches not to allow same-sex couples to marry on their property. However, he has supported state efforts to pass laws prohibiting discrimination in employment and housing as long as they specify respect for religious freedom. The Respect for Marriage Act does not fully codify the U.S. Supreme Court decision that upheld the federal right to same-sex marriage nor detail all the religious freedom issues of those who oppose it. Religious groups see it as a vehicle to convey religious freedom protections they couldn’t in the past, said Tim Schultz, president of the 1st Amendment Partnership. Schultz’s organization defends religious liberty on behalf of a coalition that is working on the issue — a coalition that includes The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. “Same-sex marriage has gained widespread appeal in our culture in large part because it hasn’t trampled on people who believe in traditional marriage,” he said.

Associated Press news editor Brady McCombs contributed to this report.

title: “Mormon Church Expresses Support For Same Sex Marriage Law " ShowToc: true date: “2022-11-13” author: “Eric Lupez”

The nearly 17 million-member, Utah-based church said in a statement that the church’s doctrine will continue to view same-sex relationships as contrary to God’s commandments. However, he said he would support rights for same-sex couples as long as they do not infringe on the right of religious groups to believe as they choose. “We believe this approach is the way forward. As we work together to preserve the principles and practices of religious freedom along with the rights of LGBTQ people, much can be accomplished to heal relationships and foster understanding,” the church said in a statement posted on its website. Support for the Respect for Marriage Act being considered in Congress is the church’s latest step to articulate a more welcoming stance toward the LGBTQ community while remaining steadfast in its belief that same-sex relationships are sinful. However, her attitude towards LGBTQ people – including those raised in the church – remains painful for many. Patrick Mason, a professor of religion at Utah State University, said the church’s position was both a departure from and a continuation of its previous positions — respecting laws that work to protect religious freedom and ensuring they are not forced to perform same-sex marriages or to grant them official ecclesiastical sanction. “This is part of the overall theology of the church that essentially upholds the law of the land, recognizing that what they dictate and enforce for their members in terms of their behavior is different from what it means to be part of a pluralistic society,” he said. The faith opposes same-sex marriage and sexual intimacy, but has adopted a more welcoming stance toward LGBTQ people in recent years. In 2016, he stated that same-sex attraction was not a sin, while he argued that acting on it was. The bill, which has won support from Democrats and Republicans, is set for a test vote in the Senate on Wednesday, with a final vote as soon as this week or later this month. It comes after the US Supreme Court overturned the constitutional right to abortion, with Justice Clarence Thomas issuing a concurring opinion indicating that an earlier Supreme Court ruling protecting same-sex marriage could be under threat. The legislation would repeal the Clinton-era Defense of Marriage Act and require states to recognize all marriages that were legal where they were performed. It would also protect interracial marriages by requiring states to recognize legal marriages regardless of “sex, race, nationality or national origin.” It makes clear that the rights of individuals and businesses will not be affected. Utah’s four lawmakers — all of whom are members of the church — expressed their support for the legislation earlier this year. The church’s public stance stands in stark contrast to 14 years ago, when its members were among the biggest contributors to the campaign to support Prop. 8 of California, which defined marriage as between a man and a woman in response to cities like San Francisco issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Troy Williams, the executive director of Equality Utah, said it was “exciting” to see the church part of the coalition support the legislation. “Despite our differences we may have, we can always find common ground for laws that support strengthening all families,” said Williams, who grew up a member of the church. The faith opposes laws that would make it illegal for churches not to allow same-sex couples to marry on their property. However, he has supported state efforts to pass laws prohibiting discrimination in employment and housing as long as they specify respect for religious freedom. The Respect for Marriage Act does not fully codify the U.S. Supreme Court decision that upheld the federal right to same-sex marriage nor detail all the religious freedom issues of those who oppose it. Religious groups see it as a vehicle to convey religious freedom protections they couldn’t in the past, said Tim Schultz, president of the 1st Amendment Partnership. Schultz’s organization defends religious liberty on behalf of a coalition that is working on the issue — a coalition that includes The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. “Same-sex marriage has gained widespread appeal in our culture in large part because it hasn’t trampled on people who believe in traditional marriage,” he said.

Associated Press news editor Brady McCombs contributed to this report.