Diet Break and Gay Talk. Huh? Religion and Politics Pt. 1

For the past two weeks I've been on a scheduled break from my RFL diet. I've been trying to make good food choices, and also been allowing myself to have some of things I really want. Like cupcakes, Japanese food, and soda. It's been a nice break, but I'm actually glad to be back on. Starting today!  It has been easy to get back on the wagon today, and believe it or not, I've only gained +/- 1.8 lbs. I'm impressed that it is only that little. I'm also excited to (hopefully) shed another 20 lbs. in the next 6 weeks. I've decided 6 weeks is about the extent of how long I can do RFL until needing a break, and I'm happy with the progress in that amount of time, so I'm going with it.

In the meantime, some meaningful things have happened that are completely unrelated to fat loss. Not everyone that will visit my blog will know that I'm LDS, or Mormon as per common vernacular. I've been LDS for 10 years and have a full testimony that Christ is my savior, and that the original church that Christ established on the earth is now fully restored through the prophet Joseph Smith.  It's really not up for discussion as to whether I'm correct, going to hell, or a cult member. I am what I am, and I hope you will leave it at that. I will not try to preach to you through this blog either, so no worries. :)


The one thing that many people DO know about my church is that we work very hard to prevent legislation from passing that allows for marriage equality for all people. AKA, gay marriage.  In 1995 the church released the Family Proclamation. In it the church leadership proclaims "that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children."  And that is the official stance of the church, and I support the church in deciding what kinds of marriages they will recognize. I have no interest in the messy business of telling God what to do in his holy house, the temple.  Marriage in our church takes place in our temples where we believe we are sealed together for time and all eternity. My husband and I were sealed in the Washington, DC temple in 2005.


However, the proclamation also calls upon "responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures."  What that tells me is that our church wants to mix religion and politics, and as a Libertarian, I can't convince myself that it's my place to enforce my specific religious values and rules/laws on anyone who doesn't subscribe to my brand of religion. Interesting enough, in our church scripture volume, known as the Doctrine and Covenants, there is a tiny treasure that reads, 

"We do not believe it just to mingle religious influence with civil government, whereby one religious society is fostered and another proscribed in its spiritual privileges, and the individual rights of its members, as citizens, denied...We believe it just to preach the gospel to the nations of the earth, and warn the righteous to save themselves from the corruption of the world; but we do not believe it right to interfere with bond-servants, neither preach the gospel to, nor baptize them contrary to the will and wish of their masters, nor to meddle with or influence them in the least to cause them to be dissatisfied with their situations in this life, thereby jeopardizing the lives of men; such interference we believe to be unlawful and unjust, and dangerous to the peace of every government allowing human beings to be held in servitude." Doctrine and Covenants 139: 4, 12

It's inconsistent, and leaves room for many questions. Again, I DO NOT believe it correct in my own conscience, or is advocated in the scriptures of my church, to inflict my will on others based on my religious convictions through the use of legislation and government.  The entire book of Matthew is a guide book for me as to how I should treat others. And that's the end of that for me.


Want to know what I really think? I think that government should be out of ALL marriage business. I'd give up my marriage certificate in a second because it neither puts value on or defines my marriage. My temple marriage is the one I'm concerned about, and that is between me and God. Let me also be clear that I'm not trying to change church policy. I'm trying to advocate that my church stay out of politics, and place more value on those of the homosexual persuasion that seek to come and be spiritually fed without fear of being cast out, or what we Mormons call excommunication. And while it's claimed that excommunication is rare, it's not. I can name a few people off the top of my head who have had it happen to them. 


Well, that brings me to this past weekend. Stemming from the past marriage equality legislation in California (in which the LDS church was heavily involved in preventing it's passing), a few "ally" groups have formed from LDS church members. An ally is someone who is straight that supports the gay church members (or gay anybody's) by showing love and respect for their lifestyle and how they choose to live it. I went to the NYC Pride Parade this past weekend to march with one of these groups, Affirmation (first pic up top). Our group was comprised of gay and straight LDS church members, ex-members, and friends. It was an incredibly uplifting, loving, testimony building experience. I met some spiritual giants, new friends, and amazing men and women--who are LDS and GAY.  *gasp*  It happens. And I love them anyway.  Here is the video and a picture. I'm the one carrying the sign reading "I'm proof that hearts can change." 

You can also view the entire article here.  Most people in my family (I'm the only Mormon in my family), church, and ward would not be supportive or happy about this at all. I'm erring on the side of love for my fellow brothers and sisters, and am willing to stand accountable to God for my actions. There is always a group of people who are the underdogs, who not many will stand arm and arm with. I could be in one of those groups one day, and I would only hope that someone would come to my side as well. Anyway, I hope you've learned something about me, about my church, and about what I hope the future looks like for those who have been often hurtfully discriminated against. Hearts can and will change, and I am proof of that.


Sending out vibes of charity, love, and the light of Christ. Back to getting skinny tomorrow. :)