Elder Oaks, Mormons and The Gays

A major Mormon funding drive supporting Proposition 8 was sparked by a statement from a prominent Mormon, Elder Dallin H. Oaks. Mr. Oaks is lawyer, former professor at University of Chicago Law School, and is a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The statement:

"This is much bigger than just a question of whether or not society should be more tolerant of the homosexual lifestyle," Elder Oaks said in the interview. "Over past years we have seen unrelenting pressure from advocates of that lifestyle to accept as normal what is not normal and to characterize those who disagree as narrow-minded, bigoted and unreasonable. Such advocates are quick to demand freedom of speech and thought for themselves but equally quick to criticize those with a different view and, if possible, to silence them by applying labels like 'homophobic.'

"In at least one country where homosexual activists have won major concessions, we have even seen a church pastor threatened with prison for preaching from the pulpit that homosexual behavior is sinful. Given these trends, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints must take a stand on doctrine and principle. This is more than a social issue - ultimately it may be a test of our most basic religious freedoms to teach what we know our Father in Heaven wants us to teach."
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California protestors have mobilized against the church for their involvement:

"During the campaign, a website established by Proposition 8 opponents used campaign finance data and other public records to track Mormon political contributions to the Yes-on-8 campaign. Opponents estimated that members of the church had given more than $20 million, but the amount is difficult to confirm since the state does not track the religious affiliation of donors."
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Challenge to "Under God" Phrase in Pledge

Michael Newdow, doctor/lawyer/atheist activist, brought suit in California courts over his daughter's forced recitation of the phrase: "Under God" in the pledge of allegiance. The Supreme Court held that there was a lack of standing and did not decide the issue on the merits.

"Congress revisited the Pledge of Allegiance 12 years later when it amended the text to add the words “under God.” Act of June 14, 1954, ch. 297, 68 Stat. 249. The House Report that accompanied the legislation observed that, “[f]rom the time of our earliest history our peoples and our institutions have reflected the traditional concept that our Nation was founded on a fundamental belief in God.” H. R. Rep. No. 1693, 83d Cong., 2d Sess., p. 2 (1954)."

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