Mormons see gay marriage ‘intimidation’

The highest-ranking leaders of the Mormon church, increasingly alarmed as Mormon temples are targeted for protest by supporters of same-sex marriage, yesterday issued a statement objecting to what they called "intimidation of people of faith.'' Gay rights advocates have been protesting at the temples because of the support of the institutional church, as well as many of its members, for the passage of Proposition 8 in California, which overturned same-sex marriage in that state. The measure was also supported by Catholic, evangelical, and African-American Protestant churches; two Catholic bishops have issued statements about the protests at Mormon temples, which one of the Catholic bishops described as "bigoted."

Here is the Mormon statement, which comes from the first presidency, which is made up of the church president and his two counselors: and which is the highest level governing body of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints:

"Since the people of California voted to reaffirm the sanctity of traditional marriage between a man and a woman on November 4, 2008, places of worship have been targeted by opponents of Proposition 8 with demonstrations and, in some cases, vandalism. People of faith have been intimidated for simply exercising their democratic rights. These are not actions that are worthy of the democratic ideals of our nation. The end of a free and fair election should not be the beginning of a hostile response in America.

The Church is keenly aware of the differences of opinion on this difficult and sensitive matter. The reasons for this principled stand in defense of marriage have already been articulated elsewhere. However, some of what we have seen since Californians voted to pass Proposition 8 has been deeply disappointing.

Attacks on churches and intimidation of people of faith have no place in civil discourse over controversial issues. People of faith have a democratic right to express their views in the public square without fear of reprisal. Efforts to force citizens out of public discussion should be deplored by people of goodwill everywhere.

We call upon those who have honest disagreements on this issue to urge restraint upon the extreme actions of a few that are further polarizing our communities and urge them to act in a spirit of mutual respect and civility towards each other."

(Photo, by Spencer Platt/Getty, shows a demonstration outside the Mormon Temple in Manhattan on Wednesday.)