Mormons are silly

If the LDS church cared about the high suicide risk of gay youth, I would think that they would address this issue in General Conference. Explain the risk of suicide, and what type of attitude and treatment add to this risk. Remind people that the mistreatment of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans-gender or Questioning (LGBTQ) is unacceptable. Explain what mistreatment IS. Explain that ignoring or belittling LGBTQ youth adds to the risk of suicide. Explain how we can prevent it.

Instead we are taught in the "Miracle of Forgiveness" that masturbation can lead to homosexuality ("the abominable and detestable crime against nature"). This flies in the face of the scientific evidence regarding homosexuality, and the book continues by suggesting that homosexuality can in turn lead to "seeking sexual satisfactions with animals." What a disgusting thing to suggest. What a terrible thing to teach LGBTQ youth. It is guaranteed to make them feel awful about themselves.

What other 'gems' can we find in the book "Miracle of Forgiveness"?

http://lds.org/braille/The%20Miracle%20of%20Forgiveness.txt (just search the text for "homosexuality" and you will find all these 'gems' I mention)

"All such deviations from normal, proper heterosexual relationships are not merely unnatural but wrong in the sight of God. Like adultery, incest, and bestiality they carried the death penalty under the Mosaic law. (Lev. 20:13, 15-16.) The law is less severe now, and so regrettably is the community's attitude to these grave sins--another evidence of the deterioration of society."

Oh really?? "REGRETTABLY"?? The community's attitude isn't so insanely intolerant that they don't STONE TO DEATH gay people anymore? ISN'T THAT SO REGRETTABLE?? WOW. Then people wonder why LGBTQ youth in the church have higher risk of suicide. THIS MAKES ME SICK.

The book goes on to call homosexuality 'evil', 'ugly', 'deviant', 'degenerate', and 'perverted'. How are we to make a moral judgment of this behavior? God said so. I agree that we should listen to an all powerful omnipotent being. Could you please prove his existence before we spread this intolerant message as absolute truth? After you prove his existence, can you please prove to me that YOUR version of him is correct? And finally, can you please prove to me that you are ACTUALLY in communication with him? Interestingly, the "Miracle of Forgiveness" has something to say on this topic as well:

"If God did not exist, such an unnatural and improper practice [homosexuality] might be viewed differently, but one could never justify it while accepting the holy scriptures."

Well, I am glad he admits it.

"...the seriousness of the sin of homosexuality is equal to or greater than that of fornication or adultery;"

So the sin of an 'unrepentant' homosexual is as bad as the "sin next to murder". Or greater. Just FYI.

Think of the consequences of this teaching. The murderer is almost universally hated. They should be locked up. Murderers should not be allowed to live in society. So when you compare that behavior with sexuality, and suggest that homosexuality is equal to or greater than heterosexual 'sin', we create a very difficult climate for homosexuals to live in. They will be afraid to be honest with everyone regarding their feelings. They will be avoided. No one likes a murderer right? How about an 'almost murderer'? How would YOU feel if you believed that you committed a crime against God that made you an 'almost murderer'?

Heres another great line from this wonderful book of tolerance:

Homosexuals are a "..problem in modern society..." and they need to be "...assisted back to normal living..."

So... question: Hows that working for ya? Oh wait, you mean the church USED to encourage homosexuals to marry in a heterosexual marriage, and then stopped this practice because it usually ended in divorce? An inspired leader made a mistake that tore families apart? REALLY? But how are we going to assist gay people "back to normal living"? Maybe, just MAYBE, they do not need to change. Maybe they were born that way, and forcing your own morals on their lives is causing emotional problems. Just a thought.

"...the glorious thing to remember is that it is curable."

This hollow and empty promise has been the cause of such wretched self torment that I can not even begin to imagine how much pain it has caused. Stuart Matis, a gay man who killed himself at the age of 32, killed himself in front of an LDS chapel. The last line of a Newsweek article that reported his suicide, said “The people who had prepared his body for burial were struck by the site of his knees, calloused from praying for an answer that never came.”

(http://www.affirmation.org/suicide_info/to_be_gay_and_mormon.shtml)

I recently spoke with Peter Danzig, an LDS family services counselor who was struck by the many gay clients who tried desperately to live their lives in accordance with LDS teachings. Eventually Peter spoke out publicly about these issues, and his temple recommend was immediately taken away. He was also told that if he ever talked about how he was punished for speaking out about these issues, he would be excommunicated. In order to remain a member he could not speak his conscience, and so he resigned from the church. There are many who have left the church when confronted with a family member who is gay. For many members of the church, this issue is a huge eye opener.

In the same section about homosexuality, we read:

"Our ills are usually of our own begetting."

So remember all you homosexuals out there! It's YOUR fault you are gay! It continues:

"The cure is as permanent as the individual makes it..."

So remember, when you try your best, and you are STILL gay, blame YOURSELF for failing.

"As with any other sin, forgiveness and recovery are dependent upon the offender's repentance, which
begins with recognition of the sin and acceptance of personal responsibility for it."

So, recognize that you are personally responsible for the way you were born? Great advice! Here's some more:

"Next in seriousness to nonrecognition of the sin is the attempt to justify oneself in this perversion. Many have been misinformed that they are powerless in the matter, not responsible for the tendency, and that 'God made them that way.' This is as untrue as any other of the diabolical lies Satan has concocted. It is blasphemy. Man is made in the image of God. Does the pervert think God to be 'that way'?"

He then goes on to name calling. He says anyone who believes that gay people were 'born that way' are "weaklings". Really? I am weak for understanding that the evidence doesn't agree with you?

"...while the number of divorces causes us to fear and admit it partly to be true, the principle of marriage
is right. Some have changed their desires and yearnings and have convinced themselves that they are
different and have no desire toward the opposite sex. This is quite understandable if the person has
permitted himself to move in the other direction and has lavished his interests, desires, affections, and
passions upon one of his own sex for long enough. It becomes ingrown. But let this individual repent of his
perversion, force himself to return to normal pursuits and interests and actions and friendships with the
opposite sex, and this normal pattern can become natural again."

HOLY CRAP. I am not even sure I want to comment on this one. Just disgusting. A recipe for broken homes and depression.

"The repenting one must avoid every person, place, thing or situation which could bring reminders of the
sordid past."

Did you have a group of gay friends that were a great support? Loved you, understood you and made you happy? Get rid of 'em.

"Bishops and stake and mission presidents must be alert and watchful and treat with kindness but firmness
all such offenders whose offenses come to their knowledge. In the careful and searching interviews the
leaders give, these weaknesses are likely to be revealed."

The term "witch hunt" comes to mind.

People were outraged at the remarks given at the last General Conference by Boyd K Packer. But I think this is a perfect reminder that even if they change the talk in the Ensign to make it a bit softer, even if they avoid speaking against gay rights at the pulpit, even if they were to apologize publicly, and even if they were to address gay suicide at General Conference, they still have "The Miracle of Forgiveness" being passed out to the general membership of the church, and it is still on their website. This is what the members are reading. It was written by a prophet of god. It is being ingrained in the minds of every faithful member during their private reading of this book and this attitude toward homosexuality is not going away without a fight.

To sum it all up? The Mormon church causes so much unnecessary pain, depression and suffering to the LGBTQ youth, that in the words of Spencer W. Kimball's "The Miracle of Forgiveness", I declare that it is an 'evil', 'ugly', 'deviant', detestable', 'degenerate', and 'perverted' organization.