LAist: Churches Preach for a 'Yes' Vote on Gay Marriage Ban

Spencer Williams

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 21:56:16 -0800

@Jrb: You've got the wrong church, douche bag. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fundamentalist_Church_of_Jesus_Christ_of_Latter_Day_Saints

jrb

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 08:10:05 -0800

Sash, one name... Warren Steed Jeffs http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warren_Jeffs You must be so proud.

Sash nahalin

Sun, 06 Jul 2008 20:01:12 -0800

"The Family: A Proclamation to the World" is a statement issued by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1995, which defined the church's official position on family, gender roles, and human sexuality. It was first announced by church president Gordon B. Hinckley at the worldwide General Relief Society Meeting on September 23, 1995. The Family: A Proclamation to the World The First Presidency and Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints We, the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim 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. All human beings—male and female—are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny. Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose. In the premortal realm, spirit sons and daughters knew and worshiped God as their Eternal Father and accepted His plan by which His children could obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize his or her divine destiny as an heir of eternal life. The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave. Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally. The first commandment that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife. We declare that God's commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force. We further declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife. We declare the means by which mortal life is created to be divinely appointed. We affirm the sanctity of life and of its importance in God's eternal plan. Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. "Children are an heritage of the Lord" (Psalms 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, to teach them to love and serve one another, to observe the commandments of God and to be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations. The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners. Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation. Extended families should lend support when needed. We warn that individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God. Further, we warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets. We call upon responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society. This proclamation was read by President Gordon B. Hinckley as part of his message at the General Relief Society Meeting held September 23, 1995, in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Sash nahalin

Sun, 06 Jul 2008 19:54:36 -0800

From the IRS Guide: Substantial part test. Whether a church’s or religious organization’s attempts to influence legislation constitute a substantial part of its overall activities is determined on the basis of all the pertinent facts and circumstances in each case. The IRS considers a variety of factors, including the time devoted (by both compensated and volunteer workers) and the expenditures devoted by the organization to the activity, when determining whether the lobbying activity is substantial. Churches must use the substantial part test since they are not eligible to use the expenditure test described in the next section. Mormons meet for three hours each Sunday and have Youth Activities during the week. One letter read in Sacrament meeting took all of five minutes to read and were not discussed through out the rest of the day. Any organizing will take place on an individual basis and not require Church buildings or time. The Mormon Church as no paid clergy and the few employees who maintain buildings and charitable work will not be involved. Tax exempt status will not be an issue.

field

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 14:24:31 -0800

shut the fuck up church, nobody listens to you anyway (except pedophiles)

Zach Behrens

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 12:32:33 -0800

lamusicguy, you are half right. And don't get so snippy, this is a blog and posts are the start of a conversation. Substantial Lobbying Activity In general, no organization, including a church, may qualify for IRC section 501(c)(3) status if a substantial part of its activities is attempting to influence legislation (commonly known as lobbying). An IRC section 501(c)(3) organization may engage in some lobbying, but too much lobbying activity risks loss of tax-exempt status. Legislation includes action by Congress, any state legislature, any local council, or similar governing body, with respect to acts, bills, resolutions, or similar items (such as legislative confirmation of appointive offices), or by the public in a referendum, ballot initiative, constitutional amendment, or similar procedure. It does not include actions by executive, judicial, or administrative bodies. A church or religious organization will be regarded as attempting to influence legislation if it contacts, or urges the public to contact, members or employees of a legislative body for the purpose of proposing, supporting, or opposing legislation, or if the organization advocates the adoption or rejection of legislation. Churches and religious organizations may, however, involve themselves in issues of public policy without the activity being considered as lobbying. For example, churches may conduct educational meetings, prepare and distribute educational materials, or otherwise consider public policy issues in an educational manner without jeopardizing their tax-exempt status.Source: IRS Tax Guide for Churches and Religious Organizations

lamusicguy

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 11:58:38 -0800

You do realize that the IRS prohibition only applies to advocating in favor or against a particular candidate in a campaign. Religious organizations are free to encourage action in support of positions on political issues. That's what religious organizations do. The position you seem to take would be rather scary. Perhaps a one second google before posting would keep you from speculating about utter falsehoods.

jrb

Fri, 04 Jul 2008 22:33:37 -0800

This site has a ball with Dobson and fundies in general. http://www.landoverbaptist.org/2008/july/dobson.html

Spencer Williams

Fri, 04 Jul 2008 22:25:19 -0800

P.S. - sorry for the grammar errors (I forgot to proofread that...)

Spencer Williams

Fri, 04 Jul 2008 22:23:00 -0800

I'm pretty sure that the LDS urged their members to "means and time" to upholding the "traditional" marriage. I don't think they specified proposition 8 though it everyone concluded (and it was obvious) that that was what they were talking about. Legally, because of the wording of the letter, they can probably get around an IRS investigation.

Ginay

Fri, 04 Jul 2008 20:42:30 -0800

Recently same-sex marriage is a hot topic. Personally, i think it's great, especially for GLBT. One of my friends, who found her another part on the online community BisexualMingle, decided to get married recently. Hope they have a great marriage life.

MickeyC

Fri, 04 Jul 2008 19:30:50 -0800

Let's hope that the IRS investigates these cults. I'm sure there is plenty there to find. Dobson alone should prove to have a lot they would enjoy finding.