Letter to the Editor: Crazy 'stuff'

BY Mike Dumford, Stigler
Saturday, June 30, 2012
6/30/12 at 3:04 AM

Southern Baptists gathered in New Orleans recently and elected a black minister president.

Among the convention's official policies was a resolution that marriage is "the exclusive union of one man and one woman," and "all sexual behavior outside of marriage is sinful."

The resolution says that while LGBT people have "unique struggles," they are not distinguishable enough to deserve "special protections." Struggles for equality are not related to past civil rights struggles. The resolution reads, "It is regrettable that homosexual rights activists and those who are promoting the recognition of 'same-sex marriage' have misappropriated the rhetoric of the Civil Rights Movement."

I love Southern Baptist people. Still, their organization fought to preserve the sanctity of slavery. Later it vigorously supported segregation. Not quite a civil rights organization.

I joined a couple Southern Baptist friends talking about the presidential election. One asserted a Mormon could be a good president. "Being Mormon is no reason not to vote for someone." The other agreed. "Still, you have to admit Mormons believe some crazy stuff." (Only he didn't say "stuff.") In agreement both turned to me. I gave them a silly grin and said, "Back at you."

I'm fairly certain no matter what one person profoundly believes it is probably some crazy "stuff" to most non/different believers.

Don't get me wrong, I could vote for a Mormon for president in a heartbeat - just not Mitt Romney. He's intelligent, but doesn't seem a man to be trusted. Moving backwards surely won't benefit anyone.

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