Separation of Church and Hate

I used to have an acquaintance who, whenever I used the word hate in a sentence, would say, "Ouch."

The disclosure that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints a.k.a. the Mormons, used its vast religious organization and bankroll to pass Proposition 8 in California has me sick over the incest of church and hate. "Ouch."

Incest of any kind is sickening, and there are laws in our country against it.

An article in Saturday's New York Times reads, "ʽIt is not our goal in this campaign to attack the homosexual lifestyle or to convince gays and lesbians that their behavior is wrong -- the less we refer to homosexuality, the better,ʼ one of the ward [similar to a Catholic parish] training documents said. ʽWe are pro-marriage, not anti-gay.'"

Who died and made the Mormons, or any other church, the Marriage Police?

We gay and lesbian people advocating for our right to marry are pro-marriage as well. We're in agreement with the Mormons. Yes, we believe in marriage just like you, and we want the right to marry just like you. And we want the civil rights that go with it just like you. Full disclosure: I am one of the lucky ones. I live in Massachusetts and I am legally married.

The Times also said, "ʽNo work will take place at the church, including no meeting there to hand out precinct walking assignments so as to not even give the appearance of politicking at the church,' one of the documents said."

The full extent of their duplicitous incest is clear. We must not appear to be politicking as we politick, goes the subtext. Or, we must not appear to be hating when the mandate of every sect of every church based on the teachings of Jesus Christ is to love.

I am an ordained minister. To be ordained, one must pick a denomination. My favorite is one of my own making: omnifaith. No matter, I am ordained as a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. There are two laws that Jesus says are It, the bottom line of the whole Christian shebang.

The first is, Love God. The second is, Love one another.

Tell me, how is this behavior of the Mormon church indicative of love of any kind? I suppose it could be argued that it is love of their own kind except, of course, for the Mormons who are gay, but even so the hate reeks in the wording, in the plotting, in the financing, in the canvassing, and in the fearmongering.

One of the things we preachers are taught in seminary is how to structure a sermon or a homily. The standard structure is the three-point sermon. We are to lay out the problem three different times in three different ways, and then we are to offer a solution. Here's my index card of sermon notes:

1. Separation
2. Church
3. Hate/Ouch

Love

The other question I have is to all the "open and affirming," more mainstream Christian denominations. Where are the protests from the erstwhile Protestants -- those whose entire faith is based on protest? Olly-olly-oxen-free, Methodists, Unitarians, Episcopalians, Presbyterians, Congregationalists, Christian Scientists! Why is there not an outcry of outrage at the perversion of the religion of love?

May I respectfully request that anyone who is truly spiritual, and who understands that all humans deserve love, begin to pray for the separation of church and hate?

Then we might be able to heal the ouch, and love one another.

Follow Dr. Susan Corso on Twitter: www.twitter.com/PeaceCorso

Comments

[Pegasys9]

Dr. Corso's article is a perfect example of how gay activists are trying to defame the Mormon church. They claim that the faith is full of hate. Where is the proof - aside from the bigoted position that the way one votes is opposite yours. Hate is an emotion and can best be observed from behavior. Tell me, where is the proof that Mormon's are filled with hate? Have they picketed gay institutions? Have they written letters and articles condemning gay's actions? Have they sent envelopes of white powder to gay bath houses? Have they organized protests outside of the headquarters of activists headquarters? Have they even organized events to protect their Temples from angry protesters? No they haven't.
If anyone is full of hate in this campaign, it's the gay activists' themselves (who ironically preach tolerance).
Face it, Dr. Corso. Yours is just the latest attempt to paint this church as filled with hate. If successful, your advocates believe that they will move onto other's who oppose you until you have cowed and/or labed as horrible those who think differently than you. I'm sure you hope by then, it will be time to vote again on this measure.
But you are WRONG. Mormon's are great people, who are loving and kind. Your insinuations that they are all alike is simply prejudicial and discriminitory. It's also unfair and wrong.

Stop scapegoating the Mormons and other religious people.

[LDSKent]

In America we should exist together in peace and love in spite of differences. Since the passage of prop. 8, those who voted for it are accused of hate.

As an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, I supported it based on a deeply rooted doctrinal belief that God defined marriage as a covenant between a man and woman and God. Adam and Eve were our primordial examples. They were commanded to multiply and replenish the earth and to raise a posterity to love as God loves us. Now people accuse me of hate because I hold to traditional Christian tennants. Moromon support had nothing to do with hating homosexuals.

Should gays and lesbians be victims of hatred or bigotry - Never! Should they have legal unions? -Yes. Should it be called marriage? -No. Marriage has had one definition for centuries. This isn't a civil rights issue. California allows civil unions giving the same civil rights of marriage. Separation of church and state means that the government should not have the right to redefine any religion's long standing definition of marriage.

Feel free to disagree. This is America. We can all believe what we will. But I respectfully ask groups to stop picking on the Mormons by picketing and vandalizing our places of worship because our religious views conflict with a political agenda. Your anger is misplaced. As a Mormon, I love you all.

[2stupid4words]

The word hate requires a lot of spent energy that begets nothing. Why do people spend so much time thinking about someone that they end up hating them? If that time could be spent thinking of ways to find the good qualities, love, or respect, might be the result. Then the individual has less headache and heartache over the individual. Then again loving another as one loves self may mean that many are not all pleased with self. Ergo, why love you when I can't or don't love myself? That is a personal issue that the individual must resolve.

[peacecollins]

This is interesting.

It makes me think about the fact that the concept of "self-hate" does not even exist in Buddhism.

[Donkslayer]

It's already been said, but if I think something is wrong, I can work against that without hating anyone.

I still don't know what I think on this; i think there are several reasonable arguments on either side. Comments on these are welcome.

1. Like the existence of God, homosexual orientation as a matter of genetic disposition has not been proven nor disproven. Therefore, the equal protection clause in the Constitution is not applicable to the gay marriage debate, because every citizen has the right to marry (there may be obscure reasons that they can't, but in general).

2. "Marriage" seems to be a religious term, even if it reflects a more civil religion like the Romans had, or if it's more organized and spiritual like Christianity or Islam. But, since government has sanctioned it and given legal status to it, all citizens, regardless of their sexual preference, must be allowed to "marry" another consenting individual.

3. It seems more likely that a married homosexual can be a better parent (which they already have the right to be in most places) and a more productive citizen if they're married than if they're single. (I think there are studies that show married folk are more successful)

[BillCarson]

>Where are the protests from the erstwhile Protestants -- those whose entire faith is based on protest?.... Why is there not an outcry of outrage at the perversion of the religion of love?

Here's one from the Unitarians...

UUA Releases Marriage Equality Video

November 17, 2008

In light of the passage of Proposition 8 in California and similar blows experienced on election day which restrict the rights of bisexual, gay, lesbian, queer, and transgender people in other states (Florida, Arizona, Arkansas), the Unitarian Universalist Association has produced a video which makes clear the support of people of faith for marriage equality.

The video uses images, gathered from Unitarian Universalists (UUs) across North America, of those who have advocated for marriage equality or been joined in equal marriage; the video also celebrates the role of Unitarian Universalist clergy in officiating at these services.

http://www.uua.org/news/newssubmissions/123809.shtml
and
http://www.uua.org/socialjustice/issues/marriageequality/index.shtml

[Dr. Susan Corso - Huffpost Blogger]

Dear BillCarson, Thank you SO much for posting this, and forgive my innocence at not knowing of its existence. Being an omnifaith minister, it's hard to keep up with all the various sects. Once again, I'm grateful.

[BillCarson]

>Thank you SO much for posting this,

You're welcome.

Found one more, this time from the United Church of Christ...

Religious bodies issue legal challenge to California's Proposition 8

November 18, 2008

Three settings of the United Church of Christ have filed a legal petition before the Supreme Court of California to challenge the validity of the voter-approved Proposition 8 which ended same-gender marriage in the state.... (more at link)

http://www.ucc.org/news/religious-bodies-issue-legal.html

There aren't many liberal Christian churches and they're small compared to the Catholics, Baptists and Mormons, but at least their heart is in the right place.

[Treehuggindirtworshiper]

Read on Huff Post today that the Episcopal Bishops in Northern California have filed a law suit in opposition of Prop8. The Episcopal Church has an organization called Integrity. It was formed for gay, lesbian and transgender persons and their friends and family.

integrityusa.org

[carolm62]

My point about Elton John is that this issue is being presented in A or B terms. You either support gay marriage OR you hate gays, end of story. That is the conclusion of nearly every journalist and blogger out there.

Well, Elton John is gay and doesn't see it in the approved way. Does he hate gays too, or is it possible that the assertion we are hearing everywhere is just plain incorrect?

Maybe we can conclude that the majority of people who wish to keep the definition of marriage intact are motivated by something OTHER than hate, especially since many of these groups of voters have histories of being marginalized themselves.

[scottowego]

I don't see it as Hate. I see it more as a grasp at power over another group who is different. To dominate and flaunt that they are the "chosen ones". Sooner or later this monopoly on love gang will fall.

[Dr. Susan Corso - Huffpost Blogger]

carolm62, I so appreciate what you've written. You're right, there has to be a middle path, HAS TO be. It's true that a lot of people resist change -- on principle -- and it's their right to do so. This is not an A or B issue. How can we find a way to come to that middle place which makes a good choice for all people? My only answer is: Pray!

[walk0nwalls]

You cannot argue this point on theological grounds. It's a dead-end. Religion has and never will be the realm of enlightenment-era subscribers.

Legally this is discriminatory, that is all there is to it, and the church does not get to determine the law.

[2008CaliforniaFan]

I guess what works for Elton John is fine. Those might be his feeling and opinions and they work 'for Him'. He has so much money that none of his 'Rights' would EVER be questioned. There are very 'few' people in his position. It works for 'him'. I guess many people would like to have the same 'options' (Money and respect as well) as Elton John... But they don't.

It seems the main response is the 'majority' voted. If it was as 'SIMPLE' as that why was Prop 8 just put on the ballot.... and let the 'majority' vote...?

Why was there the need to have the Majority have their arm twisted "behind their back" to the sum of 20 Million dollars? Sounds like the tactics of some playground 'Big Bully".
Why did you just not let the 'majority' vote?

Just the opinion of some middle-aged white Guy who is 'not' Gay and does not even have any close personal friends who are Gay. I just hate those playground "Big Bullies". What happens if he decides to come after me to get my 'lunch money' (IE;Rights) next...?
"Big Bullies' should not be allowed on the playgrounds to twist arms.

[peacecollins]

I was in 5th grade when I began to dissent from the Catholic Church. (It took the molestation scandals for me to tell my Grandmother, who has her Masters in Religious Education, that I would never, ever practice Catholicism again, but that's a different story.)

My first observation was just this point: if God is Love, and Jesus asks that we love and accept everyone, why are gay men and women the exception? Love everyone - except gays? Of course, neither of my parents are homophobic, racist, xenophonic, ect. but they couldn't answer me. It was a curiosity for them as well. It seems to me that many religions are in the business of indoctrination, NOT education, not even congregation.

Exclusion, dear ones, is the name of this game.

I feel there are two other issues here: fear -- fear of God (so sad), fear of the afterlife (what afterlife?)

and, what's worse in my opinion - blind faith. Where are the questioners in these hate mongering communities? How could I, at age 10, understand the inconsistencies between Jesus' true message and the fallacy supported by these intolerant ideologies? How is it possible that these individuals, adults, in the 21st century, presumably with degrees on their walls and passports in their drawers, knowing that the world is ROUND, miss the bigger picture?

Dear God/dess, may those who hate what is unfamiliar and attempt to exclude others from your love find peace and clarity in the light.

Susan, thank you.

[lesterbud]

I do remember what I was taught in Sunday School - but I am happy to say that I out grew what those awful people were trying to fill me with I worked my way out from the exclusionary doctrine, bigotry and fear mongering meant to enslave you to the church for life. I got wise to the constant begging for money so that the church could do God's work, which included recruiting more sheep so they could raise more money so they could go on missions so they could recruit more sheep so they could raise more money so they could build a bigger building so they could recruit more sheep so they could raise more money so they could start a television station so they could recruit more sheep so they could raise more money....
I don't need the latest in a long line of myths aimed at controlling peoples ideas and money. I would rather spend my time, money and sweat helping those in need. I would rather devote my talents to finding ways to help sick people. I do not have the patience to suffer the fools that want to tell me who to fear because they are different, what to eat of Fridays, what underwear to wear, that I must wear a stupid little hat or that I have to kneel facing a certain direction several times a day. There is nothing, in itself, praiseworthy about belief. Especially as it is used to beat people

[Treehuggindirtworshiper]

When I was a child I was treated like the white trash from down the street by the ladies of the the church. I knew what they were doing was wrong. I still loved God. I knew in my heart there was a better way. I was away from the church for a really long time. I found the Episcopal Church was the closest I was going to get to a perfect church. Churches aren't perfect because they are run by imperfect people. The Episcopal Church has been bold enough to risk losing membership by embracing all of Gods children. We know that we have a long way to go but there ARE churches out there that get it right. Even the Episcopal Church has it's haters.

[Badbone]

While no one made anyone the "marriage police" are you suggesting that religious groups aren't allowed to express their opinion? Or perhaps suggesting that only groups you agree with can act collectively?

And how exactly do you know what Jesus' teachings are? Love god and love others huh? How much love was he showing the money changers?

Maybe the mormons preach from the book because they better understand it than you. Jesus is not a magical love fairy with lollipops and sunshine. If you are unable to take in the totality of faith, made you shouldn't take part of any of it.

[peacecollins]

It sounds to me like you are a Mormon, and that you're being more than a tad defensive. I wouldn't put words in Dr. Corso's mouth unless you're willing to accept assumptions be made from your's :)

Are you suggesting that Dr. Susan Corso is not "allowed to express [her] opinion"?

She mentioned that she is an omnifaith minister. I would say that no other title embodies the "totality of faith" more succinctly.

[ptillen]

Here's exactly how we know. There is nothing in the Gospels about homosexuality, stem cell research, or abortion.
There is, however, this:
One of the Pharisees tested Jesus with a question, "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."- Matthew 22: 36-40

[carolm62]

Here's Elton John on gay marriage:

"I don't want to be married. I'm very happy with a civil partnership. If gay people want to get married, or get together, they should have a civil partnership," John says. "The word 'marriage,' I think, puts a lot of people off.

"You get the same equal rights that we do when we have a civil partnership. Heterosexual people get married. We can have civil partnerships."

http://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2008-11-12-elton-john_N.htm

It seems to me that Elton John has the same position as the LDS Church, which also suggests use this route. Do you suppose he hates gays too...? I wonder if he'll be boycotted...?

[HeevenSteven]

"Separation of Church and Hate"

Ha! Good luck!

[mcthfg]

You're so smart - why do you belittle yourself with the invisible cloud daddy?

Religion is in no way akin to marriage. Marriage is a LEGAL contract, having nothing to do with the invisible pink unicorn.

Again - religion is for people who like stories. Marriage is a civil contract.

[peacecollins]

"Invisible cloud daddy"? It took me a moment to realize what you were trying to convey with that image; and I will say, it is a narrow minded depiction of God.

Don't belittle YOURSELF, dear one, by assuming that is who/what God/dess is. Someday, in this life, you may discover you've denied yourself another world far richer than the one you see with your eyes.

I wish that you were correct in saying that "religion is in now way akin to marriage". However, most societies (ours included) have based their cultural development on the religious majority. It is on the very basis of religious beliefs that homosexuals are being denied the right to marriage.

Belief in a higher power is a historical and world wide phenomenon. It develops from Experience and spreads in Truth. The stories are distortions, but the Truth remains.

Peace.

[lesterbud]

"The stories are distortions but the Truth remains"?
Lies = Truth, that says all you need to know about religions everywhere and anytime.
mcthfg was hardly belittling him or herself with the depiction of the "invisible cloud daddy". As with many customs, where and when you are born is the determining factor regarding what you believe. Gullibility and the need to belong to a support group also plays a role. If you, peacecollins, had been born in Iran, you would be following the mullah of your father and happily believing in the Allah myth. If you had been born in ancient Egypt, you would have been happily giving offerings to Ra, singing Ra's praises and even donating cookies to the Ra bake sale. This more recent invention of the one christian god is just one of the latest attempts to simplify the business of belief and lock in control of a large mass of people. The bigger the "story", the easier it is to belittle those who don't match your credulity.