New Mormon Church LGBT Policy Sparks Widespread Backlash

FILE - In this June 2, 2013 file photo, members of the Mormons Building Bridges march during the Utah Gay Pride Parade in Salt Lake City. The Salt Lake City Council is decrying the rejection of a Mormon LGBT group's ... FILE - In this June 2, 2013 file photo, members of the Mormons Building Bridges march during the Utah Gay Pride Parade in Salt Lake City. The Salt Lake City Council is decrying the rejection of a Mormon LGBT group's proposed float in Utah's most popular parade, but it won't pull out of the event. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File) MORE LESS

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — A new Mormon church policy targeting gay members and their children has triggered a firestorm of backlash from church members of all political backgrounds.

The new rules bar children living with gay parents from being baptized until they’re 18. After that, they can be baptized only if they disavow same-sex relationships. The rules also make gay marriages a sin worthy of expulsion.

The changes marked a dramatic detour from the religion’s recent push to carve out a more compassionate stance on LGBT issues. Church leaders say they were made to reiterate the faith’s opposition to gay marriage and provide clarity to lay leaders.

But Mormon scholar Patrick Mason says targeting kids riled up even orthodox Latter-day Saints who don’t usually get on the LGBT bandwagon.

The blowback has caused speculation that Mormon leaders will tweak the policy. Church spokesman Eric Hawkins didn’t immediately have any comment.

Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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  1. I hope they’ll march to that judge’s house who took that child from her home because the parents were —GASP! — lesbians.

  2. Avatar for imkmu3 imkmu3 says:

    The blowback has caused speculation that Mormon leaders will tweak the
    policy. Church spokesman Eric Hawkins didn’t immediately have any
    comment.

    LDS Cult member said what? Fucking American Taliban.

  3. Avatar for imkmu3 imkmu3 says:

    With pitchforks and torches. I’m tired of being nice about it. Fucking religious freaks.

  4. Mormon Leaders will “tweak” the policy the moment it starts costing them MONEY.
    Not before.

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