LDS Homosexuality 023: Excommunication for Homosexuality

[TheOriginalAnalogKid]

I see here a gross misunderstanding of what excommunication is. It really is a merciful thing in that it releases a person from the covenants they have made. LDS make promises to God at baptism, when ordained to the priesthood, & when attending the temple. At baptism our sins are washed away, white as snow by the blood of Christ. Excommunication allows people to "start over" in a sense; to be re-baptised and start anew with a "clean slate", so to speak... (cont'd)

[TheOriginalAnalogKid]

Excommunicated is not "disfellowshipped". Any excommunicated member is encouraged to continue attending while their issues are worked out; and hopefully supported by their brothers & sisters to repent & start over.

[nspmike]

Excommunication is not "mean." There are numerous opportunities for one to repent, and if they do not take that opportunity, then excommunication is just, especially because homosexuality is an ugly sin, and a choice. Even after excommunication, however, repentance is available to those who are sincere and who abandon the sin.

[CarryOnSUD]

@nspmike it has NEVER been a choice

[vaughangarrick]

the church excommunicates straights for having sex outside of marriage and it is that principle of having gay sex that warrants their decision, I am a gay mormon and if I can understand that the church makes a distinction in being tempted and yielding to those temptations then so can every other gay mormon. The church knows that I am gay and I haven't been excommunicated-because I practice chastity just like any single straight person must be chaste before they get married

[svarstadc]

Mormons should go to hell

[mhale86]

@imationqwest The Gospel that the Christ and His apostles taught is the same gospel that Moroni taught. "And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepard." John 10:16 I understand your confusion but let the spirit of God testify of the truth not the machinations of man confuse you.:-)

[extinction67]

I'm not baptised LDS yet, but the mormon's I've met have been welcoming even though a small group know I am gay.

I believe God created me who I am, and loves me this way... Why people can be excommunicated for that reason is just purely wrong would they rather a loving, kind gay person or a killer, rapist, or peadophile?

[KidsandKarma]

Thank you for your courage Clark. I watched a young man grow up in our ward who was one of the finest boys I knew. He went on a mission and to BYU. He was gay & tried everything to stop being gay. None of the church or BYU programs he was so dedicated to worked. He's still gay. I'm glad he accepted it. He's been married for a long time & with his partner nearly 20 yrs now. I hope people will become more accepting of our brothers & sisters who are gay.

[MereMessenger]

The church should be a hospital for sinners, not a court where you are judged and punished. Disgusting

[marcopolo8765]

The church excommunicates anyone who has sex out of wed lock. Not just homosexuals. Gay or straight. If your having sex with anyone your not married to. Then that is grounds for removal from the church. Its like being in a club. If you don't want to follow the rules of the club, and stand for what the club stands for. Then find a different club. Its as simple as that. Doesn't have anything to do with sexual preference.

[marcopolo8765]

Im sorry did i somehow judge you? My own brother the founder of polyamourose NYC. And a huge activist for Gay rights never felt judged by me or the LDS church. Hes not exactly fond of the church but he knows he didn't want to live within the rules of it so he left it. Plain and simple. No remorse no regret. The church is definitely not a club. It was a bad analogy I suppose. I am often torn myself on the stances the church takes on homosexuality. Besides my brother it affects me very little

[ChadwickLynch]

@marcopolo8765

You can't compare eternal salvation to a club, dumb ass.

Especially on the grounds of those who love the church, but are unable to reconcile their attractions.

Oh and by the way, it has A LOT to do with sexual preference, or otherwise it wouldn't be a problem...

[marcopolo8765]

@ChadwickLynch sure you can. Some clubs have less important goals some have more important goals. Wheater is eturnal salvation and the church that Christ created or its a weekend harley club to enjoy the open road. If you don't want to stand for what that club stands for. And you dont want to follow the rules that club has. You really should find a different group of people to hang with Or another way to achieve your goal. Get over it and get on with life already

[rholt87]

The church wanted to discipline somone who writing to Elder Faust saying that they were homosexual but celibate. Faust contacted the Stake President and said he should be excommunicated. They later resalised this person just classed himself homosexual but wasn't 'active' in any sense so they couldn't excommunicate him like they wanted too. That's for all you having a go at this guy, the church really doesn't understand homosexuality like he says!

[djwright44]

President Hinkley stood up in General Conference and stated that any homosexual that lives the commandments has every right to participate in every manner in the church: your statement above may have happened a couple of decades ago: there has been a lot of change.

[rholt87]

Also when President Hinckley reviewed the Church Handbook of Instructions in 2006 he left it in that excommunication at the very most was the penalty for homosexual relations, and at the very least formal discipline of a lesser form. So how can he contradict himself. A disciplined person is forbidden to "participate in 'ANY' manner in the church" apart from attend.

[djwright44]

Yes, homosexual relations are a ground for exommunication: this is no different for heterosexual relations for a temple member outside of marriage: the same rules apply

[ssursamoht]

I know for a fact that someone isnt excommunicated when the Bishop finds out a person is gay! One will get help and the Bishop will take time to help this person. Please do not make up stuff about the church because of something you did wrong.

[bryank81]

Dude... Have you ever read the BIBLE? If you believe the bible is true at all, you know that God DESTROYED 2 very large cities because of the homosexuality and bestiality of the inhabitants. SODOM & GOMORRAH It isn't just the LDS church, it is God that said this sin, is really bad and disgusting.

God loves everyone... He doesn't love the sin. Obviously this guy doesn't understand how bad homosexuality is. Or maybe he does but refuses to change.

Its a choice, you're not born with it.

[JustPhil22]

I don't understand. I am just cancelling my membership. Not such a big deal. How mormonism understands homosexuality is just wrong and stupid. They will never change that, so I am absolutely sure that this religion is nonsense. I personally think that mormonism is a danger to human and civil rights because the organisation shows to many of such points, were dogma and actions lead to circumstances whose sum is finally equal to the description for faschism.

[clarencefields2007]

well i am gay and i am joining the lds

[orangemetals]

Your theories are incorrect and not in accordance with the general handbook or church policy. As far as reaching out to those who proclaim vociferous denial of the divinity of Christ - His hand is reached out still but Jacobugath had to go down.