Was very interested in this international perspective on the church being overly concerned with Utah politics.
https://www.patheos.com/blogs/kiwim...ge-or-did-it-just-make-a-bad-situation-worse/
I am a Utah Mormon. Born and raised in the heart of Utah county. And I know of many young, active, college educated (from UVU) Mormons who feel the same way as this New Zealand woman:
But of all of the political issues that the Brethren could have gotten their knickers in a twist over, why same-sex marriage? Why not condemn the unholy alliance between public and private interests? Why not address the problems with skyrocketing poverty and inequality? Why not be in indignation over human rights abuses? Or here’s a good one, why not issue a statement on the abuse and exploitations of girls and women? I just don’t think same-sex marriage is worthy of moral outrage. Its not exploitative, its not cruel, it doesn’t create poverty, its not a precursor for war, excessive corporatism, or exploitative economics, its not mean, its not intolerant, its not sexist, its not abusive, its not a social disease and it won’t steal your car or hold you at knife point. Heck, it doesn’t even deny the existence of God. Its simply the legal formalization of a monogamous relationship of choice. And lets face it, its going to happen anyway because its a nonsense to assume that we can completely turn off our sexual orientation, and thus who we end up loving
If our church is going to involve itself on politics, then darn it focus on something that matters.
Locally, why the hell is the church silent on the gross air pollution, dead last in per-pupil education funding, or nasty Swallow/Shurtleff political corruption? It's bad here. The lack of transparency and one party rule is hitting a breaking point. Even fellow GOP candidates (like Rep Daw) are being attacked by corrupt politics.
At one point last year, we had worse air quality than Shanghai. How can anyone enjoy the beauty of temple square when people are wearing masks to breathe? Certainly air pollution does worse to the masses than the few people who choose to get a gay marriage, right?
And if we truly are concerned over children, then why do we accept the terrible education funding? 20 year old textbooks and 40+ in a classroom meant to hold only 25 certainly will do more damage to the masses than 1 child in 2,000 that will be raised by a gay couple, right?
In just the past year hundreds of Deseret Industries employees were cut to part time status so they wouldn't have to give their employees health benefits. However, because Utah rejected the Medicaid Expansion, those employees are left high and dry. Are the thousands left without health care in Utah just something to ignore?
These state issues would be resolved overnight if the church would just send out an official announcement on them as they have done countless times about gay marriage.
Nationally... What about trickle down garbage? Lack of banking regulation? Worker protections? Rises in inequality? Senseless wars? Out of control defense spending? Certainly this is more detrimental to the future of our country than gay marriage, right? Or does god look the other way when heterosexual bankers lie and steal from their customers?
I just look back at the time, energy, and money wasted on DOMA and now Amend 3 and just wonder how much more good could have been accomplished had those resources been used more wisely?
Let god sort out the sinners. Those engaged in sinful marriages or sexual relations will be dealt with in their own good time.
Let's focus on actually improving our world. Let's focus on stuff that actually matters.
