Right here.
I looked to see if I could recognize any of the names. Any from Southeastern Idaho? What about Bloggernacle?
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Right here.
I looked to see if I could recognize any of the names. Any from Southeastern Idaho? What about Bloggernacle?
Jesus in Idaho Falls 
I would be embarrassed for any well-known Mormon bloggers who signed that petition, given that e-petitions aren’t worth the pixels they’re printed on. They’re just emotional comfort food for the outraged and nothing more.
However, I scanned the list and didn’t see any names I recognized.
You would be surprised by the influence of an e-petition, BJM. I signed one last year in asking my alma mater to apologize over racism. The sincere institutional apology appeared on the internet in the fall. It was a God-honoring process and beautiful outcome.
Too bad, there wasn’t an e-petition that the First Presidency become Triune God and Gospel centered.
But in the days, months, and years ahead, I don’t think the American LDS Church will move in that direction because of the continual pressure within and without toward an altogether different direction. President Obama’s emphasis and leading. Liberal tolerance. Multi-points of view. Pluralism. Diversity. Liberal scholarship in the continual reshaping of texts. It would be hypocrisy to accept or at least be enamored by all this and not be accepting, too, of the gay lifestyle.
“It would be hypocrisy to accept or at least be enamored by all this and not be accepting, too, of the gay lifestyle.”
Uh, don’t think so, if for no other reason than to do so would create a huge schism. Look at what’s happened in the Episcopal Church. Plus, the whole thrust of Mormonism as “the cult of the [patriarchal] family” mitigates against it.
I read thru the list and one of my very good friend’s husband signed… he is a wonderful man, gentle and kind and his brother is gay. I can see why he signed.
I don’t think this petition will change anything. It may help soften the way they treat homosexuals in the LDS community, but change policy … not going to happen.
Kind regards,
gloria
Bridget Jack Meyers,
I proudly signed this petition. Yes, in itself it may not make any change. How much did Rosa Park’s refusal to give up her set do by it’s self? How much did the march of 100’s of thousands on Washington Square to hear the “I Have a Dream” speech? Nothing by themselves. This petition and others like are an opportunity to stand and be counted. What side of history do you wish to be on?
Todd ~ I think there were a lot of events leading up to the Bob Jones University apology, not the least of which was that it coincided with our nation electing a black President. Besides that, did your BJU petition require information that could be verified such as full names, addresses, phone numbers, etc.? This gay marriage petition only requires initials or just a first name, and thus names can easily be made-up and submitted. I really don’t think the FP is going to be all that impressed that McKenna and Rickey and E.L. and Danielle signed a petition.
I also think that this apology is incredibly silly and self-serving because it claims that both sides must examine the wrongdoing in their actions and behaviors, then it only rattles off the things which the LDS church has done wrong and needs to apologize for. Where’s the apology from the gay rights community for all the ugly protests and vandalizing of LDS properties and running commercials like this? Whatever happened to both sides examining what they’ve done wrong?
Gail F. Bartholomew ~ The fact that you are comparing your signing of a silly online petition to Rosa Park’s refusal to give up her seat and thus get arrested for her cause shows that you really do not grasp the issue. Online petitions aren’t a chance for you to stand and be counted for anything; they’re a chance for you to pat yourself back and feel like you did something to further an important cause when in fact you did nothing. See slacktivism.
If you want to help with gay rights fights, do something. Donate money to the Yes! on Equality initiative or other gay rights causes. Volunteer your time for these people. Write an actual letter with your full name, address and phone number to the LDS First Presidency. Organize a campaign to donate stuffed animals to Church HQ so that they can in turn donate them to children’s hospitals and other good causes—showing your enemies up in kindness is a great strategy.
What side of history do I want to be counted on? The side that didn’t sit around on their asses signing silly online petitions and actually went out and did something about the causes they cared about, I hope.
Bridget Jack Meyers,
I not only signed this petition with my first name, but my full name stake and ward. I have given money to more than one organization of this type. I have also volunteered for these organizations. I apologize for comparing myself to Rosa parks. I was attempting to compare the petition to Rosa Parks refusing to give up her seat. I believe being willing to sign an e-petition is one of many ways we as Mormons can stand up. I am suggesting that you could be doing or saying something about the pain that is a reality for so many Mormon Homosexuals, instead of complaining that the efforts of some mean nothing. The individuals that created this e-petition not only went to a lot of work to do this, they are involved directly in many other ways.
Thank you,
Gail
Gail ~ I am relieved that you, at least, are not merely a slacktivist. Forgive me that I am cynical of any form of “activism” which does not require people to leave their computer chairs (short of donating money to a cause).
It’s great if the people who sign this petition are involved in the cause in other ways, but I really do think there are much better ways to show support for the gay rights movement (or any other political cause) than e-petitions. And I do wonder how many of the names on there have never done anything for the cause other than sign this e-petition.
Bridget Jack Meyers,
I must admit that you have a point about slactivism. Yes, the Brethren may not care that I signed it. They certainly have not seemed to show my four letters I have written to them any interest. I thing the e-petition can serve a very unique role in the Mormon culture.
We live in a culture that is not given to a lot of opportunities for expressions of these types of views. For example I can not stand up in fast meeting a share my personal testimony that love ones in my life were created by God gay. My bishop who believes my testimony is true has told me he would need to stop me if I did. The same bishop sits and cringes while other ward members stand and talk about how the gay community and agenda is destroying the family. He believes these things are untrue, but feels powerless to stop these comments.
When I sign my name to e-petitions like this one my fellow ward members can if the wish go and see what type of people would ever sign a petition like this. When they see my name maybe they will ask me why the hell why? Or they will at least know a bit of where I stand, something they will never learn seeing me in church.
Thank you,
Gail