Friday, March 27, 2015

LDS Church Allows Members to be Gay on Facebook

Mormons Now Free to be Gay on Facebook
Salt Lake News - published March 27, 2015

SALT LAKE CITY - In a surprise announcement last week, LDS Church leaders revealed that members will no longer be punished for being gay on Facebook.

In an exclusive interview, church spokesperson, LaRue Walker, told The News, "While they still adamantly oppose gay marriage, the Brethren have determined that coming out on venues as shallow as social media does not pose a threat to an individual's eternal salvation."

Otherwise faithful Mormons may now feel free to "like" gay and lesbian themed pages, join LGBT groups, follow gay advocates, post on their gay and lesbian friends' walls, and write comments favoring gay marriage and other LGBT rights.

"I just changed my cover photo to a rainbow flag," said BYU junior, Homer Filbert, who plans to marry his girlfriend in the Provo temple next month. "Finally I'm free to be me . . . at least on Facebook."

In spite of this encouraging change in policy, Walker urges church members to be discreet and use caution on their Facebook walls. "When in doubt, good Latter-day Saints should post their 'Relationship Status' as 'Single' and leave blank what they're 'Interested In.'"

14 comments:

  1. LDS Inc is so progressive. And generous! This proves the church is true and everyone should join right away and pay tithing!! Because we need more malls where we can't afford to shop because we pay tithing!!!

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    1. Indeed. I hear they're so generous now that they're letting gays shop at their mall. And pay tithing!

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    2. It's all about the money with the LDS, even their half-hearted, shallow displays of "tolerance". I'm continually amazed at how much they have in common with the Catholic Church.

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    3. They do have a lot in common, although there seems to be a bit more elasticity of views amongst Catholics. Also mass is a heck of a lot shorter than those horrible 3 hour plus Mormon services.

      But yes, in the end it's all about money.

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  2. I really wonder how much debate and gnashing of teeth had to take place for The Brethren to even concede something so small as this.

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  3. ...and let's not forget the progressive 'non-discrimination' legislation in UT that church leaders supported. If they can have one teeny tiny bit of a concession allowing religious exemption. That's what I call progress.

    'Golly, I think I'll refuse to serve any Mormons as I do my job; because I don't agree with their moral values.'

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  4. Alexis, I just read that the Brethren have decided to let female reporters cover the next general priesthood session. Must have taken months of agonizing over that decision.

    JJ, that UT "non-discrimination" law in UT seems like a slick, kindly-worded version of the IN law just passed. In the end it's all about religions reserving their right to discriminate based on their beliefs.

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    1. Oh gosh! It's clearly a Sign Of The Times. The Last days must truly be upon us!

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  5. So now you will not be threatened with discipline if you are loving and supportive of others. Wow, this must really be Christ's church, it only took them how long to come to this conclusion? Only after battling the LGBT community, and loosing, they have now chosen acceptance, in a limited way. These leaders are real trailblazer's for Charity!!

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  6. It's borderline insane how many times LDS Inc. has managed to write the satire for bloggers like me. Unbelievable that an LDS apostle (in this case, Christofferson) would give members "permission" to like pro gay rights efforts on Facebook--without fear of discipline! Trailblazers for charity indeed.

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    1. I don't think they, as in The Brethren, have a clue as to just how ludicrous they come across to any but the most devout of their followers.

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  7. Oh Donna, you always make me laugh.

    "I just changed my cover photo to a rainbow flag," said BYU junior, Homer Filbert, who plans to marry his girlfriend in the Provo temple next month. "Finally I'm free to be me . . . at least on Facebook."

    This is so sad it's funny. Or, it's so funny it's sad, not sure.

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    1. Thanks DB! Hopefully a little humor will help people realize how sad it is.

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  8. At least gay members have an outlet now- so nice of the church to give in inch. =)

    It makes me wonder- seriously- if anyone has had any action taken against them for a 'like' or a 'follow' that the church didn't agree with.

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