Pair behind Sarah Palin Halloween effigy targets Mormons in Christmas decoration

Remember the West Hollywood residents who created a national controversy by hanging an effigy of Sarah Palin as a Halloween decoration? Well, they are back with a Christmas decoration. WeHo News has details:

Placing a replica of the Mormon angel Moroni atop their roof, a heretical move as the angel’s proper place in Mormon symbolism is atop temples only, as well as a thwarted Santa Claus, the pair posted a billboard demanding a reversal of Proposition 8, the recently passed anti-gay marriage amendment to the State’s constitution. “We’re doing it because the Mormon Church donated 20 million dollars to the Yes on 8 campaign; our rights for equality were stripped away,” said Mito Aviles.

-- Shelby Grad

Comments

[Tracy Hall]

"We’re doing it because the Mormon Church donated 20 million dollars to the Yes on 8 campaign."

Facts? We don't need no stinkin' facts!

For the few who do care about facts, here they are:

Fact: "No on 8" raised $38.4 million, with $12.0 million (31.2%) coming from out of state.

Fact: "Yes on 8" raised $36.1 million, with $10.7 million (29.6%) coming from out of state.

So "No" raised $2.5 million more total than "Yes," and “No" raised $1.3 million more than "Yes" from out of state.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-moneymap,0,2198220.htmlstory

Fact: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as an institution, donated only a few thousand dollars to cover travel expenses of its leaders to coalition meetings.
http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=4648552.

The fact is that most of the “Yes on 8” funds came from within California. Whatever support did come from individual Mormons came primarily from California residents who were exercising their First Amendment right of free speech. Any identification of those individual donors as Mormons is a violation of their right of privacy.

If this “loving couple" intends to offend Latter-day Saints, they have chosen a safe target. However, they might be in for a surprise on judgment day, when they will meet the object of their derision.

More than 1600 years ago Moroni saw our day, and he knew that many, including this "loving couple," would mock him. Fearlessly he wrote to all:

“And I exhort you to remember these things; for the time speedily cometh that ye shall know that I lie not, for ye shall see me at the bar of God; and the Lord God will say unto you: Did I not declare my words unto you, which were written by this man, like as one crying from the dead, yea, even as one speaking out of the dust?

"I declare these things unto the fulfilling of the prophecies. And behold, they shall proceed forth out of the mouth of the everlasting God; and his word shall hiss forth from generation to generation. And God shall show unto you, that that which I have written is true.”

(Book of Mormon, Moroni 10:27-29)
http://scriptures.lds.org/en/moro/10/27-29#27

Tracy Hall Jr
hthalljr'gmail'com

[Wake Up Gay Folks]

To the gay people. Do you really think this is necessary? How would you feel if we hung two gay people in effigy? That might stir some things up. Instead of hating people, why can't you accept other peoples beliefs. You claim tolerance yet show none for those who have separate beliefs than yours. You are very hypocritical.

[ShellyGirl]

They better be careful. The image of angel Moroni has been copyrighted. A coffee shop was lawer-handled to stop selling t-shirts with this image that was mocking Mormons.

Yes, this is an emotional issue. However, mocking others will only add to the chaos. Shame on them.

[Tarquinius Priscus]

"To the gay people. Do you really think this is necessary? How would you feel if we hung two gay people in effigy? That might stir some things up. Instead of hating people, why can't you accept other peoples beliefs. You claim tolerance yet show none for those who have separate beliefs than yours. You are very hypocritical."

"separate" beliefs? You mean 'differing' beliefs? When that involves unequal rights, that will never be accepted. Then again, one cannot expect an ignorant, gullible, uneducated bigot like yourself to understand that.

[Ari Balzer]

I was considering putting up a statue of Lance Bass as a counter protest, but I don't want my neighbors to think I'm a nut.

[Dan]

============================
Tracy says:

The fact is that most of the “Yes on 8” funds came from within California. Whatever support did come from individual Mormons came primarily from California residents who were exercising their First Amendment right of free speech. Any identification of those individual donors as Mormons is a violation of their right of privacy.
============================
Moron.

The contributions are public knowledge:

http://www.sfgate.com/webdb/prop8/

They are all identified by name. So I guess the part you object to is identifying them as Mormons? I was under the impression that Mormons did not try to hide their religious affiliation. The exercising of free speech comes with the side effect that people know YOU made the speech. Now that these people have donated money publicly to the campaigns (on both sides) that ran commercials on public TV, what right do they have to keep their religion secret? They have already lost anonymity through their own choosing.

-Dan

[Bruno]

I don't condone poking fun at religious symbols/characters, etc., but gays didn't start this war, religious wingnuts did, so I'm not exactly too upset over it.

"To the gay people" person: who are you addressing? All gay people? In that case, may I without prejudice address "the Mormon people" on their wretched intolerance over the course of their entire religious tenure? I bet you don't like that kind of sweeping generalization either.

[JD]

Mormons are much more tolerant of homosexuals than most Christians. Why are Mormons the target when other denominations are actually anti-gay? I fully disagree with and am embarressed at how so many gay and lesbian people have attacked the Mormon church as a whole, including individual Mormons. It would be better to work with Mormons esp. in many of the western states where they have a lot of pull.

[paul]

Can an LDS member please help me out on one issue?

All of the LDS statements I have seen say that the Church supported Prop 8, not because LDS members dislike gay folk, but because traditional marriage has always been between one man and one woman. But, we know that is not so -- right? I don't think that there is any controversy that the LDS encouraged polygamy from around 1830 till at least 1890 -- and Joseph Smith did not pull polygamy out of thin air -- right? Prophet Smith stated that in the old testament, polygamy was allowed, it was just that Christians had lost their path so the Holy Father punished us all with a one-wife limit. Isn't that correct? Prophet Smith argued that because the Church had restored Christians to the righteous path, polygamy was once again allowed by the Holy Father.

Consequently, LDS support of Proposition 8 cannot arise from the fact that marriage has always meant the union of one man and one woman -- that just can't be true. Most every LDS member whose family made the trek to Utah is descended from polygamous pioneers. So, the Church's support can't be for its stated reason -- can it? That makes it looks like the Church is not being honest -- this really concerns me. Please, is there a member who can explain to me where my thinking has gone wrong?

[Peter Smith]

As I read this I thought about the aethiest group in the state of Washington that erected a poster condeming religions next to a manger scene. I am all for free speech, but in both of these cases, this slanderous behavior goes beyond what I believe is appropriate. If some Christians put up a poster that said aetheists are evil, or if someone posted a sign that said gays are evil and will burn in hell, you would never hear the end of it. Of course that won't happen because mainstream churches teach tolerance and patience. For those hiding behind what Christendom "used" to do, get with it people, society and norms change over time. Actually, I blame the media for most of this nonsense. Gays make up less than 1% of the population in the USA - in fact there are fewer gays than mormons. Why do they get the disporportionate share of the news? Because the press won't leave it alone. This is ridiculous.

[Lewis Bartholomew]

Odd, seems no one could understand the anger shown toward the Danes over the Mohammad in a cartoon episode, yet now here we are in the same situation. It is different when the shoe (or joke) is on the other foot. We up here in Canada have to laugh at the follies and the shear panic felt about gay marriage down south of the 49th. We have it up here and the world hasn't caved in. Churches have a right to not hold SSM in their buildings, no one is forced to learn gayness in schools, we don't have people marrying their dogs or children under the age of maturity. Yet voters in California decided to make its citizens separate but equal. Many got their panties in a wad over the comparison to the "back of the bus" mentality of which Prop 8 clearly was. Many got their dander up over religious righteous folk speaking their mind and their faith. Everyone lost when California passed Prop8. Trouble is, no one really sees it. Except those of us who look across your borders and just shake our heads at one more silly thing you yanks do to each other in the name of God.

[anne]

so even though they raised more money as you say they did, what about the false advertising the yes on 8 did? From saying barack hated the idea of gay marriage using pamphlets sent in the mail 2 days before the election, and i thought it funny to get one when just the other day he promised helping tolerance and equality for my glbt friends and brother.

Oh, and also, what about all the bs about how it'll be indoctrinated in school? I never was even taught about regular marriage, and before someone brings up the kindergarden class that went to a lesbian wedding, they had 2 weeks in advance to say yes or no, and my son always has to have a permission slip before schools even let him do activities or even doctor appointments with me.

They might have not raised as much, but when you use false tongues and lies while all noOn8 asked was for them to keep marriage equal, "by their fruits ye shall know them." I wish we'd stop acting like laman and lamuel beating on nephi and be more like Jesus, who loved anyone.

Final point: no prophet, even in the mormon church when it started, was from a powerful religion of the time. Christopher was excommunicated for saying he had translated that sealed portion of the book of mormon that was revealing on acceptance to gays and others, and he was just a lowly temple worker who repeatedly asked the church to publish it for him before self publishing and asking only for the cost of making it. It's just like the old testament if you believe the mormon church is of god: it's turned corrupt.

[Graham]

As a UK Mormon, I have been watching the news items on this with interest. I have not been involved or even asked to be involved. The majority of Mormons in the UK are not even aware of Proposition 8.

Having read many news articles (both for and against) I have come to the conclusion that both sides have been misrepresented by the media and by the opposite side more often than they have been accurately represented.

Personally, I don't know why there is so much fuss about it. A vote was taken on an issue, one side won, one side lost - so get a life and move on. So gays can't call their partnership a marriage - why is that such a big deal? So somebody sticks a Moroni effigy up - why is that such a big deal?

[Zack]

I can't believe how many times people say that the mormon church donated 20 million dollars to help fund prop 8. This is the most ridiculous notion, because the church only put in like $2,000 for its leaders to fly to CA to go to a coalition meeting. Other then that the mormon church didnt put a penny into this. Individuals in California put money into the fight. Even if you take away all the money that was spent, I am sure the people of California would have still voted this proposition in. Too many black and hispanic voters that will never change their minds that will keep voting for man and woman marriage only. So just give it up and move on.

[ajarizona]

To Paul
the operative phrase is "hetereosexual marriage".

Never in over 5,000 years has gay marraige been embraced by any society in any land at any time. Polygamy from time to time has been. Old testament prophets Moses, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob , Solomon. David etc were all polygamists. Harems or polygamy if you will, is very common in the world of nature. And even for Hugh Hefner. For it is heterosexual copulation of any species which propogates said species, Not unatural gay sex.

Those who are the antogonists, in other words, those trying to create a new paradyme, are the gay activists. Those maintaining the status quo are doing just that, upholding 5,000 years of tradition.

The gays act as if something is being taken away. You can't take away traditions which never existed. 48 states outlaw gay marriage. 30 of them have codified this in their State constitutions. 3 or 4 men in black robes, dont get excited gays, can't overturn the peoples will. The people of California have spoken twice now and once again the losers try an end run, attempting to ursurp the law through rogue judges, for they can't sell their perverted agenda to the masses.

This is hardly a Mormon issue. Have the guts, fruitcakes, and go down into south central and protest the black community, who supported prop 8 at a 70 percent clip.

You are gutless cowards, and your mockery is something Mormons are very prepared for. We've seen it all before. You are hardly original in your tactics and your lifestyle is not new either, it's been condemned since the time of Adam. And yes, your lifestyle will bring you sorrow and generally a very short lifespan.

There truely is nothing more amusing than angry, bitter, tantrum having, homosexuals who don't get their own way. It's part of their nature to be petulant boobs, for they have spent their life fighting against virtue. Embracing acts, referred to in scripture as "crimes against nature" will bring confusion and discomfort to anyones soul. You can apply all the sweet words you like to your activity but it is still abnormal, and nothing will ever change that fact.

Crashing long established institutions, Churches, Clubs, Boy Scouts and now Marraige will never give your lifestyle legitimacy. It is what it is and societies and nature have long ago spoken.

Listen to Sir Elton John. You can have your legal protections, however, keep up this nonsense and you will set your gains back 50 years.

We're all Gods children, brothers and sisters, if you will, and true happiness will come through obedience to Gods commandments. And not by dictating to God a new paradyme.

[John Jamison]

The Mormon Church is standing by it's belief that the traditional family is the fundamental unit of society. They believe that a family with a loving mother and father raising their children is the fundamental strenght of our country. Their belief is that if a society moves further and further from this fundamental strength, then eventually (a long time from now) it will severely damage our society. I agree with them. They are acting in a legal and ethical manner on this topic. The Mormons I know are kind, smart, hard working people. I'm grateful for their efforts.

[James Staton]

TO: Lewis Bartholomew | December 30, 2008 at 08:53 PM

Lewis Bartholomew said: "We up here in Canada have to laugh at the follies and the shear panic felt about gay marriage down south of the 49th. ...Everyone lost when California passed Prop8. Trouble is, no one really sees it. Except those of us who look across your borders and just shake our heads at one more silly thing you yanks do to each other.."

RESPONSE: The U.S.A. is the greatest country in history.

[Jason S.]

Prop 8 does not discriminate. It says I cannot marry someone of my own gender. This applies to all women and all men. It is the same law for everyone. That is not discrimination.

[Chad H]

I don't care what the Mormon folks think. That's fine. But don't push your cult views onto others.

I am a Catholic and a Christian. I am offended by the very thought that the Mormon "religion" is considered a Christian religion. It is not. Mormonism is anti-Christian, but you don't see me and others trying to take away the rights of Mormons to practice their "religion".

Think what you want, believe what you want, but don't allow a cult to parade around as Christians.

[Enjolras]

ajarizona--

On what grounds do you base your assertion that Mormons aren't Christian?

1. They believe in Jesus Christ, hence the name "The Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter-Day Saints".
2. They preach and do their best to carry out the things that Christ admonished people to do: love and serve God and fellow men.
3. There is, of course, the argument that Mormons don't follow the Bible--but they do. They interpret it differently in some instances, but who has the ability to prove which interpretation is correct?
4. Even if you disagree with some of those arguments and still maintain the ignorant view that Mormons aren't Christians, there is absolutely no reason to call them "anti-Christian". Are you suggesting that they're murderers, liars, thieves, or any other foul thing that Jesus Christ and his apostles preached against?

Don't let the media or overzealous religious leaders brainwash you into something. Do the research, learn the facts, then decide for yourself.