Posted by: John Schroeder at 07:09 am, November 6th 2008
Proposition 8 is now a part of the California constitution!
That is probably the best news from an otherwise difficult election for conservatives and Republicans. In very large part, we Evangelicals must thank our Mormon cousins for that fact. They, along with our Catholic brethren, were better organized than us and that provided a base from which we could ALL work together to get this job done. What more, as we have chronicled here, Mormons took the brunt of the abuse, derision, and even threats of physical harm that came with this effort.
And like us, they have given thanks to the Almighty that is ultimately in control, even if their understanding of that Almighty is a bit different than ours.
I cannot help but wonder how much more thankful we ALL might be today if we had been more willing to embrace these religious cousins a few months ago – but alas, politics is always about governing today and looking forward to the next election.
Said John Mark Reynolds:
In the battle for the family, however, traditional Christians have no better friends than the Mormon faithful. It would be wrong if that support were taken for granted.
We are intolerant of the false attacks on Mormon faith and family. We stand with our Mormon friends in their right to express their views on the public square.
We celebrate the areas, such as family values, where we agree.
A heart felt thank you may not win points from other friends who demand one hundred percent agreement from their allies, but it is the decent and proper thing to do.
Thank you to our Mormon friends and allies!
Hard to do better than that. The "Ruth Youth" ministry proclaimed yesterday "International Mormon Appreciation Day." Very appropriate, yet still inadequate.
In addition to our thanks, Mormons deserve our protection. They have been oppressed in ways during the Prop 8 campaign that this nation has not seen since the 1960's and the civil rights movement. The rhetoric has been deplorable, but moreover, we have seen instances of vandalism, property destruction, and some leaders in the fight currently find themselves with armed protection because of the threats made against them and their families.
Our nation will not and cannot tolerate this sort of behavior - it is incumbent on all of us to stand against it, and the best way to do that is to stand between the Mormons and the forces that would perpetrate such evil.
Now I am sure the Mormons can, and probably want, to take care of themselves, but as a Christian, it is my duty to protect the innocent and free the oppressed. To turn a blind eye in this circumstance is not only ungracious, it is simply unChristian.
Make all the theological distinctions you want, but in the political arena we are yoked with the Mormons (he said borrowing some religious imagery) and it is darn well time we started acting like it.
Absolutely, positively thank the Mormons - but don't stop there. Stand up and be counted against the evil that has been perpetrated towards them in this campaign.
As Christians we can do no less.
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And thank you right back, John. We long desired to stand with our Christian brothers and sisters and fight what is right in this nation. As pointed out, we do agree on family, values, country and the Bible. We want only to find this common ground and build on it so that we preserve what God created.
To thank you. You have lightened my heart his day.
So grateful Prop 8 passed. What is discouraging is the number of LDS people who are now bitter or leaving the church because they think they know better than the Prophet. I hope I will always be humble enough to follow the prophet, no matter the issue.
ReplyDeletethat was wonderful to read, candice. Thank you for posting it--i probably wouldn't have seen it otherwise. I agree with you. As a "mormon" becoming a little nervous with every day's unfolding news, it brought a little peace back to my heart. :) God blesses the peace-makers.
ReplyDeleteHow gratifying to read this and feel the heartfelt comraderie of a fellow American who shares our values concerning the family. It truly lifted my spirits.
ReplyDeleteThanks for giving us the opportunity to read this, Candace.