Feb 08 2009
The Mormon Church and Proposition 8. Potential Violations of Church and State.
No one can deny that religion plays a major role in the American life. “In God We Trust,” marks our currency; “One nation, under god,” remains as a prominent reminder within our pledge of allegiance. But how as a people do we distinguish where god, or any religious faith starts, and the government ends? Earlier this year it was revealed that the Mormon Church made contributions of roughly $190,000 towards the “Yes on Proposition 8″ initiative in November. The initiative, in some respects worked, with the aid of the Mormon Church, ratifying Proposition 8 and opposing Gay Marriage in California. Today in the nation, we take a look at the sanctity of marriage in the eyes of god, as well as the legal and moral implications of a government in which religious organizations take an active role in the development and change of the rule of law.
Within the United States there are several established religions, however a large majority bounding from 76-78% of the nation’s citizens identify themselves as Christians. And unlike any other developed nation, the United States has a firm religious majority. However, there still remains a large majority of citizens who claim no religious affiliation within the nation, and it’s growing larger with every year. Studies show that around half of American adults leave the faith tradition of their upbringing to either switch allegiances or abandon religious affiliation altogether.
Though our nation is primarily a Christian one, it is not wholly so, as many other established religions hold sway over the hearts and faith of millions of United States citizens. And the opinion on the issue of gay marriage varies from individual to individual, providing a diverse definition on the morality, and legality of the debate. And it seems that even the written word of god is disputed among individuals of the same faith.
But where does a church’s faith stand publicly on the issue? The LDS church stands firmly opposed to same-sex marriage, stating that “Marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God, and the formation of families is central to the Creator’s plan for His children. Children are entitled to be born within this bond of marriage.” Followers of the Mormon Church traditionally stick to this principle. However, while considered to be the fourth largest Christian denomination in the United States, there are still many of other Christian faiths that consider the Mormon Church to be seperate in belief from core Christian principles.
But the support of Proposition 8 does not stand alone with the Mormon Church, however the funding provided by the church and the basis of the funding does stand to be questioned. In the opinion of this writer, I find the church immoral, and hypocritical. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has long held to the doctrine of separation of church and state originating in part from the long antagonism local and state governments have had towards their faith. Mormon writings have affirmed “[n]o domination of the state by the church; No church interference with the functions of the state; No state interference with the functions of the church, or with the free exercise of religion; The absolute freedom of the individual from the domination of ecclesiastical authority in political affairs; The equality of all churches before the law.”
What these affirmations boil down to is that the Mormon Church shall not interfere with the functions of the state, the state shall not interfere with the functions of the church, but the freedom of the actions of the individuals is still provided for in political matters. A belief that similarly coincides with the Constitution and the First Amendment.
However, where is the distinction made on when the actions of the church interfere with the functions of the state? the “Yes on Proposition 8″ initiative funded roughly 4 million dollars in its campaign, the Mormon Church’s funding was less than 5% of that campaign. In some individual’s opinions the act of participating in any lobbying by a public church would be considered obstruction of separation of church and state. Let alone lobbying for what others would consider to be an obstruction of civil liberties.
But in the end, the issue is unclear, and undefined. A lack of sufficient evidence has been presented to alligate the LDS church of any crimes. But the question remains on whether it is as cut and dry as it seems to be. Do the matters of the economy in a government where the Churches remain exempt from most taxes magnify the seriousness of the potential offense? As a citizen do you believe the LDS Church was justified with its actions? Where do you draw the lines for where a single religion, among many takes part with the active government?
The questions of today may bring more answers, but in the end, they also spark more questions. We can hope for more discussion on the matter to find some semblance of a conclusion.
Ah yes, the old distortion of “Separation of church and state.”
Separation of church and state is meant to keep the government from imposing it’s own religious rule on the peoples - think Church of England.
That being said, why are so cowardly as to only go after the LDS church? Is it because you know its unpopular in the circles of christianity and therefore view it as an easy target?
Do I support them? Yes I do. I also support the catholic church, evangelicals, atheists, blacks, latinos, and every other group, and or individual, that voted their conscience.
Why don’t you?
I’m as equally opposed to the establishment of the LDS Church as any other organized religion. It’s my personal opinion that faith is what brings people together to work for the better of society, but it’s religion that tears them asunder, causing internal conflict with undefined interpretations of the “Word of God”.
I was baptized in the Mormon Church when I was 10 years old. I will admit it gives me some bias, as I’ve seen the best and the worst of what a mormon-majority society has to offer.
That being said, while you may see this as an attack against the LDS Church in general, I consider it more as a topic of news with their actions at the center of an arguably immoral action.
The question on how far one entity is allowed to push their freedom needs to be asked, and I felt using the church’s own words against them to be necessary. Because in a society where the organized religions are exempt from a multitude of taxes while the economy is suffering, only to use that benefit to impose their own beliefs upon those that may not share their concern is a society that needs to re-analyze its priorities.
I personally find that for a religion that claims it will not interfere in the actions of a state, to blatantly oppose the decisions of the administration and put its own backing to an issue that opposes civil liberties to be immoral, hypocritical, and closed-minded.