Church Holds Press Conference, Discusses Nondiscrimination, Religious Freedom

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints held a press conference this morning to publicly discuss the subjects of religious freedom and nondiscrimination.

Dallin H. Oaks and Jeffrey R. Holland, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and Neill F. Marriott, of the general Young Women presidency, each took turns addressing the public. The Church does not hold press conferences often, but when they do it is because they have something important to say. Before the Church leaders began speaking, D. Todd Christofferson explained the press conference and clarified, “we do have something to say but we won’t be changing doctrine.”

Marriott discussed the great debate that the Untied States of America is involved in, which includes that of marriage and family. She stated that the biggest challenge in debates such as these is knowing how to affirm the rights of some without taking away the rights of others. She outlined  that sexual relations, other than that between a man and a woman who are married, are not ordained by God and that “this commandment and doctrine comes from sacred scripture and we are not at liberty to change it.” God still expects everyone to treat each other with love and with fairness.

Marriott explained that the Church supports treating everyone with fairness, saying,

[pull_quote_center]It’s for this reason that the Church has publicly favored laws and ordinances that protect LGBT’s from discrimination in getting jobs and housing.[/pull_quote_center]

Oaks stated that the guarantees of religious freedom have existed since they were initially spelled out in the first amendment, assuring citizens that they can believe and practice religion according to the dictates of their own conscience, as long as it does not interfere with public safety or health. Oaks shared examples of individuals and groups that have been denied their right to live their religion, despite the first amendment. He explained how two dozen Christian student groups were denied recognition for their clubs at a California university and that a Mormon Olympic medalist couldn’t lead the team because he supported Prop 8.

In regards to religious freedom, Oaks said,

[pull_quote_center]When religious people are publicly intimidated, retaliated against, forced from employment or made to suffer personal loss because they have raised their voice in the public square, donated to a cause or participated in an election, our democracy is the loser.[/pull_quote_center]

He then continued to say that these tactics are just as wrong as “denying access to employment, housing or public services because of race or gender.” Oaks stated that based on the teachings of Jesus Christ and on the principle of fairness for all, that the Church asserts the following:

• “We claim for everyone the God-given and Constitutional right to live their faith according to the dictates of their own conscience, without harming the health or safety of others.
• We acknowledge that the same freedom of conscience must apply to men and women everywhere to follow the religious faith of their choice, or none at all if they so choose.
• We believe laws ought to be framed to achieve a balance in protecting the freedoms of all people while respecting those with differing values.
• We reject persecution and retaliation of any kind, including persecution based on race, ethnicity, religious belief, economic circumstances or differences in gender or sexual orientation.”

Oaks closed his remarks by asking the federal and state governments to pass laws that protect all people, including minorities and those of faith.

Holland stressed the fact that no progress can ever be made if either side of the debate “resorts to bullying, political point scoring or accusations of bigotry” and that these serious issues should be discussed with thoughtfulness and courtesy. Holland claimed that no one should be forced to abandon their individual beliefs—which are protected by the Constitution. He gave the example of a Catholic pharmacist, explaining that the pharmacist should be allowed to decline providing the morning after pill, as it is available elsewhere, because it violates his or her religious conscience.

Holland states,

[pull_quote_center]We must find ways to show respect for others whose beliefs, values, and behaviors differ from our own while never being forced to deny or abandon our own beliefs, values, and behaviors in the process.[/pull_quote_center]

Holland further explains that protecting the rights of every citizen is done best when “each person in the group guards for others those rights they want guarded for themselves.”

The Church is tagging its tweets on twitter with #Fairness4All as more statements and updates are released.