Mormons Boost Antigay Marriage Effort |
Fine article in the WSJ commenting on the ongoing cooperation by Catholics, evangelical Protestants and the LDS Church in their fight to preserve the sanctity of traditional marriage. I have said in these pages many times, that while we have differences in our understanding of Christian theology, are shared values are so close that we are natural allies and, as we continue to partner in these important causes, together we are a political force to be respected or feared.
~~John Cronin~~
[Editor's Note: For purposes of brevity, I did not include the full text of the article]
Tags: Equality for All, No on 8, Protect Marriage.com—Yes on 8Wall Street Journal Weekend Print Edition
By: Mark Schoofs
Mormons have emerged as a dominant fund raising force in the hotly contested California ballot fight to ban same-sex marriage.
Members of the Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have contributed more that a third of the approximately $15.4 million raised since June 1 to support Proposition 8. The ballot initiative, if passed, would reverse the current right of same-sex couples to marry.
The tally of Mormon contributions was provided by Frank Schubert, campaign manager for Protect Marriage.com—Yes on 8, the initiative’s primary backer. A finance-tracking group corroborated Mormon fund raising dominance, saying it could exceed 40%.
The Mormon Church decision to enlist members on behalf of the same-sex marriage ban as given supporters of Proposition 8 a fund raising lead. The campaign to defeat the initiative has collected around $13 million so far, said Steve Smith, a top campaign consultant for No on 8, Equality for All. Both sides raised roughly equal amounts in the early stages, said Mr. Smith, but “all of a sudden in the last few weeks they are out raising us, and it appears to be Mormon money.”
The battle has drawn in money from around the country. The Knights of Columbus, a Roman Catholic group, has given $1 million to support Proposition 8. Focus on the Family, a non-profit organization composed mainly of evangelical Protestants, has given more than $400,000. The Yes on 8 campaign has received “more proportionately from the Latter-day Saints Church than from any other faith,” said Mr. Schubert, 35% to 40% of the total.
