The greatest single cause of atheism...

... is Christians, who acknowledge Jesus with their lips and walk out the door, and deny Him by their lifestyle. That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable.

~Brennan Manning

I do not and cannot equate what many people are doing and have done in the name of Christianity as Christian... especially and specifically the LDS Church.

Frankly put: if your believed ideal society is truly ideal, then live that ideal within your own sub-society and let your light shine before the world as evidence of the validity of your faith... such is what Christ taught.

In no way, shape, or form did Christ ever teach that you should legislate your ideals in secular law -- especially when you, yourselves, are not living such ideal.

It is reprehensible. It is ugly. It is disgusting. It is hypocritical. It is akin to the pharisees and sagisees... no, not akin, it is precisely what the pharisees and sagisees were guilty of.

And although these actions do not make my personal faith in a God waver, they have made me doubt how strongly you believe in the light of your beliefs.

Frankly, you must know that the security of a companion is by far a healthier lifestyle choice than any you can provide for most homosexuals.

Frankly, you must know that the parenting of homosexual couples equals -- rivals even -- the heterosexual counterpart.

Otherwise, why do you feel the need to try to put a bushel over these lights?

I have absolutely no doubts in my beliefs as I stand up to let such a light shine before men... and I wish you would stop trying to shade that light. It is cowardly, shameful, and frankly dims your light significantly.

Indeed, you have lost members as you have abandoned the nourishment of your own light in order to futilely seek to dim another's.