Al Sharpton: Churches should focus on social woes, not gay marriage

New York activist Al Sharpton is of course the latest to join the Proposition 8 parade. In a speech over the weekend, he questioned why churches that backed the ban on gay marriage aren't focusing on bigger issues such as violence and poverty. From the Southern Voice website:

From the pulpit of Tabernacle Baptist Church on Sunday, Rev. Al Sharpton called out the Mormon Church and other conservative faiths for mobilizing to support Proposition 8 to ban gay marriage in California while refusing to be as involved in any other social concerns.

“It amazes me when I looked at California and saw churches that had nothing to say about police brutality, nothing to say when a young black boy was shot while he was wearing police handcuffs, nothing to say when they overturned affirmative action, nothing to say when people were being delegated into poverty, yet they were organizing and mobilizing to stop consenting adults from choosing their life partners,” Sharpton told a packed audience on Jan. 11.

“There is something immoral and sick about using all of that power to not end brutality and poverty, but to break into people’s bedrooms and claim that God sent you,” Sharpton added.

--Shelby Grad

Comments

[John]

Here we have yet another dose of Al Sharpton's rhetoric- poetic yet 115% void of understanding.

[Zach]

Strikingly well said. With so much poverty and suffering in the world, even just in THIS country, there IS something very wrong with churches using money to meddle in the semantics of secular government. And what does it say when condemnation, not care, for one's fellow man is what motivates the faithful?

[Jim]

Yay, Al Sharpton! I just wish the other churches and religious leaders who feel the same way would also get press, so people can stop believing that Christianity is a religion of hatred and intolerance.

[Warren]

The church does organize to fight social ills every day. Their humanitarian effort is well funded, systematic, and volunteer driven. See http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/background-information/humanitarian-services. There are over 50,000 missionaries in the world at anytime, paying for it from their own pockets to serve communities and help strengthen families from the roots. Every man and woman in the church is assigned families to visit, teach, and befriend, with the goal of helping fight these social ills.

[Russell]

Ironically, the LDS (Mormons) do more for humanitarian causes than most other churches could ever dream of:

http://www.mormonwiki.com/Humanitarian_Efforts

[David T.]

The LDS Church provided 200 semi-truck loads of aid and 42,000 man-days of labor in response to Hurricane Katrina. Also dozens of semi-truck loads of supplies were sent to the Gulf Coast to aid those affected by Hurricane Gustav and Hurricane Ike.

Additionally, two planes carrying over 47,000 pounds of supplies flew from Salt Lake City to Haiti in September to help the Haitians recover from the effects of Hurricane Ike. This included 12,000 food boxes, which contain rice, vegetable oil, peanut butter, fruit drink mix and assorted canned goods. Each food box can feed a family of four for several days. Also included were five truckloads of water, 185,000 hygiene kits, 55,000 cleaning kits, 20,000 pounds of clothing and 1,500 tarps. Additional assistance of food, water, generators, tools, sleeping bags, chainsaws, tarps, fir strips and other items have been given from regional LDS Church storehouses.

This is just the tip of the iceberg. I'm not even getting into the strong response to the Indonesian tsunami disaster or countless other disasters around our country and across the globe.

The good reverend's righteous indignation is a self-serving stunt to draw attention and political approval. He knows what the Church has done over the years, but he'd like to point to a black kid shot in Compton and say, "Where were you when that happened?" When Katrina hit and LDS Church members flooded the area with supplies and manpower, Sharpton was busy getting his face in the media saying how the government's slow response to aiding the victims was due to racism-- even though the census of the affected area was 72% white.

Hey Sharpton, stop strutting and start helping.

[Donnie]

Oh please, you folks, don't even bother trying to defend the Mormon church. After the obscene amount of money it shoveled into the anti-gay Prop 8 movement they have no room left on the high road.

Judgment Day:

God: And what's this about gay marriage you were doing?

Mormon/Christian: Thanks for asking God. I fought my little heart out to keep monogamous, happy, committed gay couples from legal equality. Aren't you proud of me?

God: How did you think that would help feed the poor, shelter the homeless, or in any way expand compassion, love, and faith?

M/C: Well....I....um....

God: You just don't get it. How would you feel if someone fought to keep you from committing your life to the person you love? Get out of here.

[Rich Evans]

The LDS Church does more in any given day to help those in need than Al Sharpton has done in his life. And the church does it with far less fanfare, chest-beating and self-promotion.

[DK]

Al Sharpton doesn't understand the definition of a "social woe" if he excludes homosexuals trying to legitimize what is clearly a SOCIALLY UNACCEPTABLE and UNHEALTHY behavior and lifestyle that has been proven to significantly shorten the lifespans of those who engage in it. HIV is not an imaginary disease and has been proven to disproportinally affect the homosexual community! Indeed, there is nothing "gay" about homosexual pathology!

This man lost his credibility with the piblic a long time ago and can never seem to set aside his own personal interests and self aggrandizement for what is best for the greater good. Every statement this man makes regarding homosexuality and same sex marriage should have a disclaimer about his homosexual sibling!

Indeed, these days we ought to be very careful whom we take advice from in an age where it is clear that satan is alive and well in the church itself and in many who call themselves "Reverend".

[Teressa Spencer]

To "DK" - the highest rates of HIV and AIDS (by far) are in sub-Saharan Africa. Is God punishing them too? What a moron. Of course what should we expect from people like you who put supernatural beliefs about logic, reason, science and fact?

[Ron H]

I boggles my mind that Rev. Sharpton, even if he disagrees, cannot comprehend the fundamental religious idea that a church may be more concerned about things that according to their own doctrine negatively affect the eternal future of a person (i.e. salvation) rather than the "other social concerns" which will end (for that person) when that person passes on.

I agree with Donnie and others that the LDS Church has done and does an incredible amount of good (i.e. money donations, donations of food, medications, and other needed goods, countless hours of service of its members, community classes, etc.) to alleviate those "other social concerns," even if their actions have not received any media coverage

[Teressa Spencer]

Ron H., since it boggles your mind I'll help you out. Poverty and violence are real problems, right now, concretely infront of us as fact. The alleged "problem" of homosexuality is no problem at all for gay people and for many (and ever increasing numbers of) straight people. THAT is the difference.

If all you holier-than-thou judgmental religi-bots would mind your own business, allowing your beliefs to run your own life instead of everyone else's too, there would be no problem whatsoever with homosexuality.

But no, you insist on other people living by your morality even though they are breaking no law (it's not illegal to be gay) and hurting no one. It makes me sick.

It's not the Stone Age anymore. And the world of Leave It To Beaver is not real. Stop persecuting gay people and go do some REAL good in the world.

[Roby H]

The breakdown of the traditional family has hurt many of these same people Reverend Sharpton refers to. I think the point LDS are trying to make is that traditional families can do more to fight poverty, improve education, and prevent hunger than any other social organization. While they have spent multi-millions, if not billions in humanitarian aide, they have spent far more than that in trying to protect traditiional families so they can care for themselves.

[Mark]

Homophobes are dying a long, slow death.

Go, Al!

[Kevin Porter]

DOES SHARPTON KNOW WHAT HE IS TALKING ABOUT?

MORMON ANTI-POVERTY EFFORTS:

These activities are centered on education and relief:

The Perpetual Education Fund:
Since 2001, the Mormon church has assisted more than 28,000 young people throughout the world. Approximately half of them men and half of them women, have received Perpectual Education Fund loans. The program premiered in Mexico, Peru, and Chile, and has now expanded to assist people in 40 countries throughout the world, including Mongolia, Cambodia, Kenya, Ghana, South Africa, some Pacific islands, and virtually all of Latin America.

http://www.lds.org/pef/0,12038,2073-1,00.html

Tsunami Victims:
The Church’s monumental efforts in Indonesia concluded in December 2007. Major projects included building 902 homes and 3 community centers, constructing 15 schools, building 3 fully equipped health clinics, rebuilding a hospital wing, and completing 24 village water projects.

http://lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=f318118dd536c010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=e6d2556975cba110VgnVCM100000176f620a____&hideNav=1

Other facts:
Countries Receiving Humanitarian Aid Since 1985 165
Humanitarian Cash Donations Since 1985 $259.8 million
Value of Humanitarian Material Assistance Since 1985 $750.9 million
Welfare Service Missionaries( Humanitarian Service) 3,974

http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/statistical-information

[John Adams]

When Al Sharpton visited Salt Lake he toured the LDS Humanitarian Center and Welfare Square. He thus knows that his statement about the Mormon Church refusing to be "as involved" in any other social concern is a bigoted lie.

Prop 8 did not prevent gays from chosing their life partners, it was about protecting the institution of marriage between a man and a woman with the benefits to society of children being raised in families with a father and a mother. The Black vote in California which was highly in favor of Prop 8 had far more impact on the passage of Prop 8 than the relatively few votes of the Mormons. Why did Sharpton not speak about the votes of the Black community?

The Mormon Church and its members not only speak up on social concerns but put those concerns into action in their daily lives. How many of Sharpton's congregation members fast for two meals every month and donate the cost to the poor like the Mormons do for most of their lives? Mormons operate 400 welfare farms (to grow food to give away to the needy), 220 canneries operated by volunteers to can food for the needy, providing wheelchairs to the disabled, clean water projects, neonatal resuscitation programs, vision treatment training programs, emergency response to disasters, adoption services, employment services, ...

Al Sharpton needs to to make a remedial education trip back to Utah.

[S. Crockett]

Teressa, I couldn't agree more. A person's beliefs or ideologies (whether religious, political, or philosophical) shouldn't be imposed on others. If all these freaky education-at-all-costs eggheads would mind their own business and focus on educating their own kids instead of making everyone else pay for it, no one would have an issue with school funding.

But no, these people insist on forcing everyone to pay for more education, even though there is no law that says we have to spend and extra $500 million on school funding.

It's unconscionable that we have a system where people can use opinions to shape public policy. Come on people, the world would be a much better place if we all just focused on doing good.

[ster]

I don't think the Mormon chuch spent very much money if any money at all on the prop 8 campaign. Many many people who prescribe to the Mormon faith, however, did personally give money as also did many Catholics individuals, Born Again Christian individuals and other interest groups. I think there is a difference between a private citizens bank account and the coffers of a church. I think that the people who donated and organized so heavily for the yes on prop 8 campaign did so to protect something they thought was in danger. The exact same thing that any body does on either side of any issue that comes up for a vote. I think that the Reverend Sharpton should stop trying to incite followers for his own gain next time. Any body with an internet connection could do a quick google search and read about the millions of dollars in humanitarian aid that these churches provide to war torn countries or about the family counseling and adoption services available to struggling families and unwed mothers. These different regligious organizations do mobilize and spend countless hours and dollars on causes aimed at elevating the standard of living for mankind, they just don't get the press that prop 8 does. The great Reverend Sharpton ought to be less critical. If he were engaged in helping as heavily as he is engaged in complaining the world would be a better place.

[TomH]

Al Shaprton's call to focus more on poverty and brutality is important. But his logic can't withstand the smallest amount of scrutiny.

First, Sharpton's position that God wants men to partner with men or for women to partner with women is untenable. The Bible is very clear that such a relationship is not in God's plan and is against his wishes (that means his commandments.) I bring in the Bible because Sharpton made his comments in a Baptist Church and Baptists believe that the word of God is infallible.

Second, churches nor prop eight did and do not prevent gays and lesbians from choosing life partners. It only prevents the government from calling that a marriage, an institution created and designed for heterosexuals. it also prevents gay and lesbian groups from forcing the government to enforce this new definition and social experiment on individuals, schools, and churches. Gays and lesbians will continue to choose "life partners" with or without prop 8.

Third, Churches nor prop 8 did not break into people's bedrooms. Gays and lesbians will continue to sleep together and have sex.

Fourth, what if some conservative Churches can do both social outreach well and defend traditional marriage? What if they are extremely effective at taking care of the poor and also very effective at mobilizing the people to act to protect marriage? What then Mr. Sharpton?

Finally, the Mormon church is such a church that can effectively do both. However, in California, it wasn't the "Mormon Church" that had the power - it turned out to be the citizens of California who are also Mormon, who got out there, went to work, got the donations, and created the awareness. They accomplished that task in spite of the power of the media, Hollywood, California government, and gay activists.

Al Sharpton would be wise to stick to politics outside the Church rather than make fallacious claims within it.

[Zen]

TO.: Russell | January 13, 2009 at 10:54 AM

From jst reading that link of yours. Its sends a message to my brain that it was MADE from the mormons. And prob. has a biased level of info.

[Paul T]

This is sad, just reading all of these post. Not recognizing social woes and gay marriages are both an abomination to God. So before we get on here and start saying what we think and what we feel let us go and find out what is written. Jesus was the biggest conservative and the biggest liberal their ever was. We don't need Al Sharpton to, because it's already laid out for us, just read the bible.

[Don]

Al Sharpton (the "reverend") doesn't have a clue about thet extent of humanitarian good the LDS church does. That's because his view of church is that it is to be used as an extreme liberal political platform. So according to the good reverend, when a Church doesn't speak specifically to the beating of a black man, it is borderline criminal. Yet I have never once heard Sharpton decry the beating of a white man. He is racist to his core, and should be the last one preaching to the choir.

[Teressa Spencer]

What a bunch of hypocrites here. "Protecting marriage"?? Protecting it from what?? If a gay couple wants the same legal status for their union that a straight couple has, there is no threat to straight couples. To assert there is is nothing but a lie. That is exactly the same as a white person saying that to grant equal rights to other races hurts the white race. It's garbage. The heighth of bigotry, and you bigots who spew it don't even have a clue you are bigots.

If you're really interested in strong families: when a gay couple in love commits to a life together, and adopts a child, why does that family and that child not deserve the same rights, protections, and priveleges that a traditional family automatically gets with the simple act of purchasing a marriage license?

Bigots! You are horrible bigots who are mentally incapable of separating your personal religious beliefs from the Constitutional concept of legal human equality. The church does not hand out marriage licenses. You should be ashamed of yourselves, yet somehow you are proud of the way you use your church as a weapon to keep gay people from legal equality. Disgusting.

Time will show it. Gay civil marriage equality will happen eventually, and all of you will be shown for what you are: bigots pretending what they care about is families.

[Jason]

For recent information about humanitarian efforts, look at this link:

http://lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=ddf3515e04f5e110VgnVCM100000176f620a____&hideNav=1

... and then scroll down to the following reports:

“Water Project Provides More than Just Water,” Ensign, Jan. 2009, 78
“Church Sends Atmit to Ethiopia,” Ensign, Jan. 2009, 79
“Aid Brings Hope to City in Iraq,” Ensign, Jan. 2009, 79

Looks like the LDS Church is working on the poverty issue. One could also argue that by asking 50,000 missionaries (on their own dime) to invite others to "come unto Christ" via Mormonism is one way to tackle the violence and brutality issue as well.

http://scriptures.lds.org/en/3_ne/11/29-30#29
http://scriptures.lds.org/en/mosiah/4/13-15#13
http://scriptures.lds.org/en/dc/42/27#27

[Mizlady]

I have no respect for Al Sharpton. He only shows up when the camera and microphones are on. He has no behind-the-scenes work to show for all this "stop the violence" talk. He is the least bit active in the communities he claims to represent. When a black man is shot by a white officer then "Rev" comes out from under the rock.

The subject of God and his take on gay marriage does not need to be defended. He said in his word how he created Man to live and how he populated the Earth. People have their own opinions about what that means for gay marriage.

But I will say if gay people are monogamous and happy with their "Life Partners" then why do they need a socially acceptable word to define their unions and cry out for people to accept homosexuality as a social norm- if they don't care about how others receive them? No one is saying in the gay marriage debate that gays don't have the right to choose, but that gays would like to take a word like marriage and define it as something other than it's originally intended meaning as a "religious" or non-religious union between man and woman- This "fight" energy could be placed to better use also. California has problems just like the rest of the world- the church is doing what is suppose to do and have done for years. Sharpton and others can call them and me bigots or what ever you may, but may the real GOD have mercy on us all if the "GOD" that "non-bigots" want everyone to know inspired the bible and then contradicts himself/herself/themselves so that we can all do what WE want to do, then what purpose does GOD and the bible serve to his creation and why was "religion" created? People the world is doing exactly what the bible said it would- the signs of the end are ever present. Don't lose yourselves in this MADNESS!!!