In a breathtaking display of lies and hypocrisy, a group of anti-gay culture warriors and long-time Mormon bashers placed a full page ad in the New York Times on Friday pretending to be both victims of alleged homosexual “mobs” and staunch defenders of the Latter Day Saints (Mormons). Both claims are absurd and a cruel attempt for the victimizers to claim the mantle of the victimhood – which is a manipulative and cynical political ploy, says TWO.
“These new defenders of the Mormon faith have long been the most prolific Mormon bashers in the nation, so it is remarkable to see their defense of the LDS church,” said Wayne Besen, Executive Director of Truth Wins Out. “The only thing they have in common with the Mormons is an uncommon desire to discriminate against gay and lesbian Americans. The degree of chutzpah and hypocrisy in this ad is eye-popping.”
The ad essentially claimed that violent mobs of gay protesters were attacking the Mormon Church and its followers in the aftermath of California voters narrowly approving Proposition 8, which banned gay marriage in that state. They even launched a website www.NoMobVeto.org. (It seems they forget that they put basic human rights up for a vote, which is essentially mob rule)
This Times ad is full of blatant lies – much like the immoral television ads attacking same-sex families during the Prop. 8 campaign. We should also question the unctuous defense of Mormons by the ad’s signers (Kevin Hasson, Nathan Diament, Rich Cizik, Ronald Sider, Chuck Colson, Chris Seiple, Dr. Alveda King, William Donahue, Robert Seiple, Douglas Laycock, Marvin Olasky, Roger Scruton and Armando Valladares).
In the ad, they wrote:
“The violence and intimidation being directed against the LDS or ‘Mormon’ church and other religious organizations – and even against individual religious believers – simply because they supported Proposition 8 is an outrage that must stop.”
The ad ended with the following propaganda:
“Furthermore, beginning today, we commit ourselves to opposing and publicly shaming anyone who resorts to the rhetoric of anti-religious bigotry – against any faith, on any side of any cause, for any reason.”
Well, that is good news. The authors of this hypocritical ad can start by spotlighting themselves:
“Hollywood is controlled by secular Jews who hate Christianity in general and Catholicism in particular.” — Bill Donohue, Catholic League
“Mormonism either affirms historic Christianity, or it doesn’t. Since it doesn’t, it can’t call itself Christianity — a fact that all the good will and public relations in Utah can’t change.” — Chuck Colson, Prison Fellowship Ministries
“While Mormons share some beliefs with Christians, they are not Christians.” — Chuck Colson, Prison Fellowship Ministries
“Most evangelicals still regard Mormonism as a cult. That will shape, I’d imagine, their reactions to Romney as a candidate for the White House.” — Rich Cizik, National Association of of Evangelicals
Roger Scruton said that today’s Islam is “rooted in dogmas that cannot be safely questioned.”
I really do hope this group shines a light of shame on those who promote religious bigotry – but they better be wearing very dark sun glasses when this occurs, as the glare from the light may be quite blinding. It appears that the only thing these hypocrites have in common with Mormons, or any other religion that they don’t agree with, is an uncommon passion for anti-gay discrimination. To watch these hypocrites act as the great defenders of the LDS church, and religion in general, is beyond laughable.
