Could A Member Of The Church Attend A Gay Wedding?

[Damien the Leper]

Couldn't be the "bride", either.

Same-sex "marriage" is a scam and a sham.

Lehi

Do you want to be the pot or the kettle, Lehi? There are anti-Mormons who would call your temple marriage a scam and a sham. Neither of you are right because neither can recognize the sanctity of the ceremony and what it means to those who are intimately involved. I don't care if you don't support it. That's not the issue. The issue is whether or not you will be respectful enough for others. Or are you okay with someone telling you what a useless, vile and pointless act your marriage was? It's about respect. If you dont want it then don't give it. But if your marriage means such a great deal to then recognize what it means to others.

Your drive by comment has been noted.

[Stargazer]

No, as a political institution and contract, it is legally binding union of two individuals in many states.

So what? There was a proposal in the Indiana state legislture many years ago to fix the value of Pi legally at some value other than 3.1415... And if they had succeeded in passing the bill and it had become law, it would have changed the value of Pi not at all.

The legislature can pass a law calling a rose a nasturtium, for all I care, but that doesn't make it one.

While the religious concept of marriage definitely is defined differently by many people with different faith traditions, the Government isn't defining or redefining Religious Marriage. They're instituting a government contract, and associated benefits.

In short, they are instituting a legal fiction. Legislatures do this all the time.

[MorningStar]

I don't think it would affect my standing, but I also wouldn't go to one.

[blueadept]

You may be wrong on this. Most people attending a non-mormon wedding do not see the wedding ceremony this way at all. What they do see are two people making a commitment to eachother. I don't know anyone who sees themselves as making covenants when they attend a non-mormon wedding.

For a Catholic, attending such a wedding is acknowledging the ceremony and giving your approval of the vows being done.

Obviously, the RCC has an issue with that.  You shouldn't even give your best wishes to a same-sex couple in declining an invitation to attend since that would be giving your approval to their wedding.

Just saying...

Edited April 2, 2012 by blueadept

[why me]

I don't think it would affect my standing, but I also wouldn't go to one.

What about if it were one of your children? Some lds are in this situation.

[David T]

In short, they are instituting a legal fiction.

No, if the individuals bound in the civil contract receive the legal benefits therein promised, it is decidedly not a fiction. They really do get those benefits.

Edited April 2, 2012 by David T

[blueadept]

What about if it were one of your children? Some lds are in this situation.

I believe my kids would know I would help them in times of crisis even if I didn't attend their ceremony. Even though all my kids are straight, I've already addressed this issue with them.

[Jaybear]

Not to hijack the thread, but what is your heartburn with the honor code?

I don't know what you mean. BYUs so called "honor code has never, on any occasion, given me heart burn.

I was critical that an institution of higher learning would expel students for merely "advocating" a different moral position than that taught by the LDS Church on an issue where public opinion varied. That struck me as heavy handed effort at thought control. But they, agreed and fixed the mistake.

[KevinG]

Supporting a friend is not tacit support of all their actions. Living a child is not conditional on loving everything they do.

This is a variation of the old canard - are you a member in good standing/temple worthy if you support _______?

[thesometimesaint]

It wouldn't bother me to go to the wedding, but I've never had that opportunity either.

[Storm Rider]

So what? There was a proposal in the Indiana state legislture many years ago to fix the value of Pi legally at some value other than 3.1415... And if they had succeeded in passing the bill and it had become law, it would have changed the value of Pi not at all.

The legislature can pass a law calling a rose a nasturtium, for all I care, but that doesn't make it one.

In short, they are instituting a legal fiction. Legislatures do this all the time.

The issue is not gay marriage; the issue is as stated. see the first post and leave off on the tired subject of gay marriage.

[blueadept]

I'm amused at how I'm hearing the LDS members.

You can love the individual and not support all their actions in attending a SSM ceremony.

Do you believe the couple would interpret it that way?

It sounds like a slippery slope that's best avoided IMHO.

[Jaybear]

It wouldn't bother me to go to the wedding, but I've never had that opportunity either.

Sure you would "attend," but would you join in the celebration?

[Storm Rider]

All I can say is that I am glad the Savior was able to sit down with publicans and sinners and eat with them. The pharisees had similar reactions to some of the comments on this thread. How do you guys not see this? What am I missing between the example of the Savior and your comments and what is "right"?

Question: Do you guys see any relationship between Christ eating with sinners and socializing with gay people?

[KevinG]

Sure you would "attend," but would you join in the celebration?

Jaybear- I have a very dear friend who is a gay man. I celebrate when I see his Facebook postings about his activity in a Gay men's band. Gay men's softball league and Gay men's volleyball club. I celebrate when I see his pictures from England (where he lives) and his partner. I celebrate when he writes me and tells me of his life and he celebrates when I write him and tell "Uncle Mike" about his honorary nieces and nephews growing up.

We celebrate each other even though we have a huge difference in our belief systems. We LOVE each other as brothers - as much as I love any Mormon brother.

I would be his best man if he asked me because I love him.

[KevinG]

All I can say is that I am glad the Savior was able to sit down with publicans and sinners and eat with them. The pharisees had similar reactions to some of the comments on this thread. How do you guys not see this? What am I missing between the example of the Savior and your comments and what is "right"?

Question: Do you guys see any relationship between Christ eating with sinners and socializing with gay people?

Yes 1000 times yes...

Once again I am reminded that one's religion is best practiced on one's self and not others around him. If they chose to make the same covenants then you can support them in that. If they are not to that point (or don't appear that they will ever be) it is still our duty to be an example of Christ's love.

[Sky]

Lots of members of the Church have to strike a balance between their beliefs and instances where certain family members may not share those beliefs. It’s certainly not unheard of, and it doesn’t only apply to Mormons with gay family members. There are healthy and productive ways to achieve this balance. I believe we can and should love regardless. Family is family. President Hinckley said several times that we should always be good neighbors and that we can disagree without being disagreeable. The Ensign even had a couple of articles about this a few years back, here and here.

[KevinG]

This falls under the heading of when I teach my young children: Don't stare at someone smoking. We covenanted not to smoke- they did not.

[MorningStar]

All I can say is that I am glad the Savior was able to sit down with publicans and sinners and eat with them. The pharisees had similar reactions to some of the comments on this thread. How do you guys not see this? What am I missing between the example of the Savior and your comments and what is "right"?

Question: Do you guys see any relationship between Christ eating with sinners and socializing with gay people?

I think there's a difference between socializing with sinners and participating in an activity with sinners. I love my friends, but I don't hang out with them when they drink. I don't go to Rated R movies with them.

[thesometimesaint]

Jaybear:

As long as the food at the reception is good. Why not?

[why me]

For a Catholic, attending such a wedding is acknowledging the ceremony and giving your approval of the vows being done.

Obviously, the RCC has an issue with that. You shouldn't even give your best wishes to a same-sex couple in declining an invitation to attend since that would be giving your approval to their wedding.

Just saying...

This may not be the case in weddings where the pastor asks if there is anyone who wishes not to give their consent. And this can happen. I also think that the situation usually changes if the son or daughter are involved. What to do then?

[KevinG]

I think there's a difference between socializing with sinners and participating in an activity with sinners. I love my friends, but I don't hang out with them when they drink. I don't go to Rated R movies with them.

You know they just want to invite the priesthood to their wedding so they can turn water into wine.

[MorningStar]

What about if it were one of your children? Some lds are in this situation.

No, I wouldn't go. They would know I would consider the ceremony sacrilegious.

[KevinG]

Oh Oh more diversity of opinion among Mormons. Someone alert the media - the mind control is slipping!

[why me]

Sure you would "attend," but would you join in the celebration?

Why not? How would parents explain to their son that they would attend the wedding but not the celebration? Not easy. Best to attend and be happy for the son or daughter.