The morality objection is the only argument the crazies have. It is the only way they can justify one group voting to deny another group equal rights. The TBM's have a long history of supporting denial of rights to "black's" and women. Now that women and African Americans are equal, the gay community is the only group left to push around.
Remember, the constitution places limits on government freedom, NOT on individual freedoms.
"Here's what we've learned: Political arguments or "historical" answers don't work...The only answer or explanation that works is a spiritual one."
If they were paying attention, they'd realize that spiritual answers/explanations don't work either.
If a political or "historical" argument didn't work during a discussion because the other person is committed to such things as "freedom of religion" and "civil rights" and "liberty" and all those things that keep other peoples' religious views out of public policy, "spiritual" explanations sure as hell ain't gonna work either.
The only people who find them acceptable are people who already held the same beliefs in the first place. Which means, Mormons, as long as you're only talking amongst yourselves "spiritual" answers work. Good luck in the real world.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/03/2010 01:27PM by angsty.
----------------------------------------------------- >"Making a spiritual statement like this usually ends the >debate. It doesn't win the debate or convert or even interest >people in our beliefs, but it raises the conversation to a >level where at least people can agree to disagree. Whether >someone is intrigued by the belief, or whether he or she thinks >we are crazy, it's hard to go back to a political argument >after you've made a spiritual statement, and in the context of >what we believe about the purpose and plan of mortality and >eternity others can at best respect us, and at worst at least >grasp why we have to try to protect traditional marriage."
I think this article is a prime example of how unreflective and condescending Mormons can be. It's also a typical example of the kind of thinking that seems so smart to Mormons, but isn't-- it's weasely. It's also a great example of how they perpetually damage their cause because they are so unable to get outside their mothink to understand how other people view them.
This writer is basically advocating that Mormons retreat to "special" religious beliefs to end dialogue that would otherwise not end in their favor. This is not "[raising] the conversation to a level where at least people can agree to disagree". This amounts to resorting to a dogmatic expression of belief that shows people you can't be reasoned with. People end the argument, not because they respect Mormon beliefs, but because they see that Mormons aren't rational. When I'm having a political conversation with someone and they indicate that their attachment to a belief doesn't have a rational basis, I end the conversation. Not because I respect their beliefs, but because there's no point talking to someone who can't see what's wrong with that move. Mormons don't come off better in such cases. They come across as condescending religious nut-jobs who don't think critically.
Only a Mormon could interpret a person ending a conversation because of such a response as respect for beliefs. Sure, they get to share testimony, and maybe it helps solidify the brainwashing for the Mormon in the conversation, but at what cost? Having the world think you're a nuttier faith than they did prior to the conversation?
It's a good thing Mormons are so stupid about these things. There's almost no point in being anti-Mormon, they do a great job destroying their own already-poor public image.