Is Mormonism Christian?

I found this interesting article while surfing the web not working today. It is a little long but it's definitely worth the read. It points out some obvious questions about the Mormon church as well as tries to answer if Mormonism is Christian and why.

I have my opinion on the matter, but that's just me.

God hasn't forsaken you, despite what they tell you.

Last Saturday, Jesse and I attended the 2nd Annual HRC Utah Gala. (For pictures of us at the event, go here). It was quite fun (except for no dancing *sigh*). We had so much fun last year that we decided that we must go again at any cost. Lucky for us, we have great friends who paid for us to go.

The speaker this year was The Right Reverend Gene Robinson. During the VIP reception (which, Jesse and I attended, of course), the Reverend introduced himself to everyone who was there. We thought it was very nice of him to take the time after a long flight and talk personally with all the guests. Jesse and I also noticed that he took the time to say hello to every volunteer. You know you've met a true Christ-like person when he or she says, "Oh no, the honor is all mine," when you say, "It's an honor to meet you" and you know they truly mean it.

Reverend Robinson spoke about his faith and his homosexuality and how the two go hand-in-hand. He is not ashamed of being gay nor is he ashamed of being a religious person. It's possible to be both, he exclaimed, even though the other side says you can't.

I didn't think too much about his speech as I am a Christian and my church is one of the few that sanctions and performs gay commitment ceremonies. I believe that gay couples should be allowed to marry as gay relationships are just as sacred and loving as straight ones. In my mind, there is no difference because marriage is not about gender, it's about love.

As I was standing line for coffee after dinner, I was talking to a woman (who was a tad drunk) about how she enjoyed the evening. She said that everything was fun until the "religious speech." She did not like the fact that the Reverend "flung his religion on the rest of us." I was confused by her comments because that's not how I interpreted his speech at all. He talked about love, understanding, and compassion and how that relates to religion and the gay equality movement.

Contrary to popular belief, you can be a religious person (Christian even) and openly gay (or gay-loving). I know. Shock and awe!

I think that, in Utah, there is more intolerance of religions among the gays, due in part largely to the LDS Church. So many openly gay people are former Mormons, and have been spurned by friends, family and neighbors just because of who they are. While I'll never know what a gay person goes through when coming out and leaving the Church, and I was ostracized from the Mormon Church as well, I will never understand how people who claim to be "Christian" are anything but.

When you come out of the closet, does the handbook you are given say that you have to stop believing on God? I mean, just because you are gay doesn't mean you have to stop believing in Jesus.

Being gay doesn't define Rev. Robinson. Being a Man of God does. He has extraordinarily resolved the supposed conflict between the two and found happiness and strength.

A while ago, I came across this website. I read with interest the various passages from Mormon doctrine that people believe proves the case for the LDS church to accept and believe in gay marriage. While it doesn't change my views on the Church, it may help others.

God doesn't stop loving one of his children simply because of who he or she chooses to love. Anyone who tells you otherwise is not a true Christian at all.

Families Can Be Together Forever

On Sunday, in LDS churches around the country, the following letter was read:

Dear Brethren:

We are informed that the United States Senate will on June 6, 2006, vote on an amendment to the Federal constitution designed to protect the traditional institution of marriage.

We, as the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, have repeatedly set forth our position that the marriage of a man and a woman is the only acceptable marriage relationship.

In 1995 we issued a Proclamation to the World on this matter, and have repeatedly reaffirmed that position.

In that proclamation we said: "We call upon responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and stregthen the family as the fundamental unit of society."

We urge our members to express themselves on this urgent matter to their elected representatives in the Senate.

I wonder if God really told these men that gay marriage is wrong. The God I believe in loves all his children and doesn't care who they marry or what sex they are attracted to as long as they are happy and safe.

I wonder how many closeted young men and women living in strict Mormon households will be pushed further into the closet with this statement. I wonder how many will be pushed even further into thoughts of despair and even suicide.

I wonder if the many religions that support this discriminatory amendment truly believe that gay marriage is the downfall of society. I'm sorry, but if Britney Spears and Kevin Federline are allowed to not only get married but also procreate (twice even!) then it should be more than ok to allow two men or two women to marry each other.

One of the reasons I left the church was this so-called "Proclamation on the Family." It is a very hurtful proclamation that says if your family is not a certain type of family then your family is wrong. I'm certain that children are worse off if parents are divorced or stay in abusive relationships than children who have two dads or two moms.

I believe that if the church really did believe in helping protect the family, they would ensure that families are kept together instead of torn apart by such proclamations.

I also believe that the Constitution is a sacred document and should not be changed for matters like this. Marriage is a personal contract between two people and government should stay out.

I didn't want this post to turn into an "Action Alert" but the more I write, the more upset I get. Please take 5 minutes to sign this postcard to your Senators to ask them to vote no to the Federal Marriage Amendment. Do it now as they are scheduled to vote on it June 6.

I couldn't wish for better father figures for my daughter then my boys. They are not the downfall of society and it breaks my heart when they say my boys don't deserve to marry the ones they love.

I like City Boys ;)

Lately, I have been reading intently the struggles of four gay, Mormon men. Their blogs are quite fascinating to read as I grew up Latter-Day-Saint (LDS, aka Mormon) as did many of my boys. The struggles of these four men are eye-awakening and heartfelt. I feel so awful for them and have expressed that everything will be okay if they just be themselves and accept how God made them.

A common theme among these bloggers is that they have a hard time dealing with their sexuality. It's hard for them to call themselves "gay" when they feel that "being gay is immoral and evil," which is what they have been taught all their lives. One in particular, Peculiar Mormon, is having an extremely difficult time reconciling the fact that he's gay. He calls it "Same Sex Attraction" and considers it a medical disease.

Yes, that's right. People out there believe being gay is a disease. I know he's having a hard time in his life right now and he just wants everything to turn out okay. But, I feel that not being true to oneself is much more harmful than trying to be something else. (Does that make any sense?) His big hang up, it seems, is that he's just not comfortable with the whole "gay" thing.

And I can totally understand what he's thinking. When most people think of gay men, they either think of Jack on "Will & Grace" or a promiscuous, color-coordinated drama queen. Sometimes, stereotypes are true.

SIDENOTE: For those of you who continue to go to the club every night and have unsafe sex with random men. STOP! Ew.

As I was saying, it can be a hard thing to overcome the stereotypes you've been taught to believe. However, I can attest that there really is more to being a gay man than the clubs, clothes, drama, sex, etc. (I don't know from personal experience but bear with me).

You see, my boys are quite different than your typical gay boy in his twenties. Scott and Jesse grew up in stable LDS households. Their families are still very active in the Church and both went to BYU (an LDS-run University). It was hard for both of them to come out to their families because of the teachings of the Church. But growing up LDS has made them into the unique, healthy, wonderful men they are today. The morals they were taught have affected how they view the world and their relationships.

Jesse, at the age of 22 (I hope your age isn't a secret), has been in a committed relationship with Brian, 25, for almost three years (in March). (I think it's about time they got married since they've been living in sin for so long, but that's just me. hehe xoxo) Scott's relationships have ended because the other person wanted out. I think that part of the reason was that Scott just wasn't "gay" enough--meaning he didn't like to do the typical gay things like his boyfriends wanted to do--clubbing, partying, etc. By the way, Scott is single. (Just thought I'd throw that out there).

Neither Jesse, Scott nor Brian has a very salacious past (well, Jesse has told me tidbits about his so I'm not sure and Brian's past, well, it's in the past). By no means are they sluts or would ever want to be. We have one mutual friend who is and believe me, we often joke and dry heave at the thought.

It is possible to be gay and not fall into the stereotypes. Being gay doesn't even mean that you have to "live the lifestyle." I know men who are active Mormons and openly gay. One teaches Sunday School. He lives a celibate lifestyle yet still considers himself gay.

My boys have all left the Church for various reasons--none of which pertains to the Church's stance on homosexuality. My boys are prime examples that there is more to being gay than people think. You can be a good, moral person and still be gay.

There is more to the gay lifestyle. I see older gay couples who have been together for years arguing about what plants to get for the garden next year and oh-my-gosh-! it is so cute and heartwarming.

So, if you want to see some good examples of healthy, gay relationships (older and younger) come on to Utah, we have more gays than you'd think! (And I know almost all of them!)

PS. This was my first post using Firefox. It's a little different than IE, but I enjoy it. I know you care, that's why I'm telling you.