Community Leaders express outrage towards recent attacks on Mormons.
Since a majority of Californians passed Proposition 8, Latter-day Saints (Mormons), who make up 2% of the California’s population, have been attacked by some who are upset with the outcome. I have Latter-day Saint family and friends in California. All can share a story of the intimidation they have experienced as a result of their support for Proposition 8.
When the attacks first occurred, Latter-day Saints were stunned as some saw their employment threatened and their places of worship vandalized. Many Latter-day Saints wondered, “where is the outrage? Will no one defend us?”
The rhetoric of anti-religious bigotry surprised many on both sides of the issue.
Some community and religious leaders are now responding.
This week, The Becket Fund, a non-profit interfaith organization that defends religious liberties, posted an ad, signed by community leaders, in the New York Times to defend the right of religious people to speak out on issues with out the fear of retribution.
See ad: click here.
Learn more at the Becket Fund website: click here.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints expressed appreciation for the Becket Fund ad. Read the church leaders’ response: click here.
“The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints expresses its gratitude to the signatories of the full-page advertisement that appeared today in The New York Times. This was a thoughtful and generous gesture at a time when the right of free expression of people of faith has come under attack. We join with those of all religious faiths and political persuasions who have called for reasoned and civil discourse on matters that affect our nation.”
Dana King, 45, volunteers in public affairs for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints -- St. Louis Missouri South Stake. She chairs the annual Discover Your Roots conference and serves on the Friends of Dred Scott committee. Dana is a contributor to outreach initiatives: knowyourneighbornet.org and BlackLDS.org. Dana is married, mother of two teens, and runs her interior design business. 
Please give examples of the kinds of “attacks” to which you refer. I have read no stories of physical attacks on anyone. I have read stories of boycott attempts (which could be expressed as “employment threatened”) and stories of peaceful protests outside places of worship (which might be categorized as “faith under attack”).
No persons will say that vandalism is right. I have a feeling this is one or two bad apples that make the whole barrel look bad.
That said, people have the right to protest when they feel their civil rights are being endangered. While you say Mormons make up 2% of the population, they contributed over 20% of the funding FOR Prop 8.
Many people find that hard to reconcile, and thus, have targetted Mormon houses or worship and their businesses for protests and boycotts.
P.S. Shame on those who vandalized!!