Gay marriage - the Mormon church discriminates against another minority

"Mormon church leaders will ask California members to join the effort to amend that state's constitution to define marriage as being between a man and a woman. June 20 letter sent to Mormon congregation bishops and signed by church president Thomas S. Monson and his two top counselors calls upon Mormons to donate ``means and time'' to the ballot measure. A note on the letter says it should be read during church services June 29, but it was published on several Internet Web sites Saturday."

One can only wonder if 30 years from now the church will soft pedal their overt discrimination in this issue.

As one who grew up hearing it preached over the pulpit and and in seminary that the African race was descended from Cain, were not valiant in the pre-existence, and therefore, they would not be offered the opportunity of church membership until all white people had received that opportunity, indeed "not in my lifetime nor yours". I also remember that dark skin becoming "white and delightsome" was preached as a literal concept. Of course, recent news stories have softened the church's official position and made it sound as if individuals mistakenly promoted this discriminatory practice.

Gay marriage is hotly opposed by not just the Mormon church, but many other so-called Christian churches. But I think average citizens do not share that strong aversion because we all have gay friends and family whom we love and whom we would like to see enjoy the same legal protections and commitments as the rest of us. Gay marriage will eventually be legal all across our country. And one day it will be unfathomable to many outside the church that church members were pointedly urged to discriminate against this group.