LDS Church Defends Religious Liberties2 min read

As you know, the Worldwide Organization For Women has spent many years advocating for religous freedoms and discouraging any law calling for “anti-discrimination” that would classify certain groups that identify themselves as LGBT to be a protected class of people.  We affirm that any legislation like this would ultimately violate the religious liberites and consciences of religious or moral people by forcing conformity to LGBT ideals or desires. 

WOW supports those statements made today by leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in their special press conference dedicated to understanding all people, no matter their differences, and promoting religious liberty.

“They reaffirmed that the first freedoms of religious belief and expression, speech and conscience deserve equal protection.” (Sutherland Institute) 

Elder Dallin H. Oaks called on “local, state and the federal government to serve all of their people by passing legislation that protects vital religious freedoms for individuals, families, churches and other faith groups.”  

Unfortunately, the media seems to be misrepresenting the statements made by the LDS church. Some sources are informing people that the church’s statements are coming out in favor of the proposed anti-discrimination bills in the Utah Legislature. They did not say this in their statements and it is disappointing that the media would deliberately lead audiences toward such a misrepresentation of a respectable faith such as the LDS church. 

WOW does not think it is a good media practice to falsify statements in order to manipulate audiences who have not seen the full press conference.  

We encourage all people to become familiar with the real statements made by the LDS church before engaging in any conversation or believing the media sources.  

Read the full transcript of the press conference.  Here!  https://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/publicstatement-on-religious-freedom-and-nondiscrimination 

The LDS church had an additional interview with the media on January 29th clearing up any confusion that was being represented.  They are for non-discrimination of ALL people; religious people too.  This means if there was anti-discrimination legislation it would need to include language about protecting religious liberties.  WOW fully supports this idea.  We hope people around the world will listen to this wise counsel from the LDS church leaders.  

Here is a link to the additional interview notes. 

https://www.ksl.com/?sid=33288212&nid=1070&fm=home_page&s_cid=toppick3

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