Buddha comes out of the closet

Mormons are a strange breed. When it comes for fighting for other peoples' rights like the right of an innocent child to be born or the right to freedom of conscience, they will put up their time, talents, and money to support the cause. But when it comes to standing against anti-Mormon prejudice and discrimination they are milquetoast. The gay movements' vandalism, intimidation, and character assassination have been met with this mild response from the church, "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....some of what we have seen since Californians voted to pass Proposition 8 has been deeply disappointing. 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." Those bad, bad Mormons! Aren't they just filled with hate?

Thank goodness there are those freedom-loving individuals who are willing to stand up and expose the hatred and bigotry. Thanks to Dennis Prager, Jewish rabbi and talk show host, who stood up and said "Today I am a Mormon". Thanks to the editors of the National Review who said here 

"In truth, Mormons are a target of convenience in the opening salvo of what is sure to be a full-scale assault on much of America’s religious infrastructure, which gay activists perceive as a barrier to their aspirations. Among religious groups, Mormons are not the biggest obstacle to same-sex marriage — not by a long shot. But they are an easy target. Anti-Mormon bigotry is unfortunately common, and gay-rights activists are cynically exploiting that fact....They’ve already burned the Book of Mormon. The First Amendment is next." 

Pastor Jim Garlow of Skyline Church in La Mesa, California responded in a multi-pronged defense of the Mormons including this, "I put out an email to 7,200 pastors on Friday - to speak boldly affirming the Mormons for their role, and to get their congregations to speak out in defense of the Mormons."  Thank you Pastor Garlow.

The battle against hatred and bigotry against the Mormons is a battle that must be fought by the evangelicals, and the Catholics, and the Jews for it is their battle. It is a battle against, as the National Review put it, "Legislating immorality". It is a battle for the right to be free to believe in one's own religious faith of whatever persuasion. It is a battle that should be fought by every voice in talk radio and on the Internet because that's where the gun will be aimed next. The "fairness doctrine" will be invoked to be sure that only "approved" doctrine will be allowed. Political correctness will be our way of life. 1984 is late in coming, but Big Brother still is ready to watch all of us.

P.S.  thanks to Kathryn Jean Lopez.