Gay Marriage Debate Deserves Better Than Labels
Tribune Public Forum Letter
Updated: 11/13/2009 12:38:39 PM MST
The gay marriage debate deserves more respect than blindly labeling as homophobes those who oppose it and as deviants those who support it. I tire of caricatures drawn of this and other issues. When did Utah politics and culture become scripted like a TV reality show?
Probably well-intentioned, Gordon Smith simply took another cheap shot at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (“Oaks’ argument,” Forum, Nov. 1). He’s wrong when he states the purpose of Proposition 8 was to take rights away from gay couples. California couples in marriages or civil unions share the same rights. It’s easier to dismiss by distorted rhetoric than to honestly consider another’s sincere belief.
The majority of Americans want marriage to remain only between a man and a woman. Smith should consider what the majorities of the 31 states where gay marriage has been rejected look like. Is he more enlightened, intelligent or compassionate than they are?
Jeremy Roberts is a regular contributor to the Tribune Forum and almost always it is in defense of the church and in opposition to gays. Without any question he holds a sincere belief that homosexuality is a sin. Gay rights supporters don’t begrudge him that belief. They merely don’t want him imposing that belief by force of law on those who see it differently. Gays are not asking that Mormons give up their beliefs. Gay marriage takes nothing away from Mormons. Gays are not injuring or denying anything to Mormons except the desire by Mormons to harm and restrict gays. Let’s keep the issue straight. Gays are the victims, not the church. One day Jeremy will get it.
Does Smith really believe that Mormons are intolerant of other religions and bigoted toward homosexuals? That does not describe the church I know and love. Is Smith as tolerant of my beliefs as he would like me to be of his?
Jeremy Roberts
Sandy