Hundreds resign from the LDS church over new baptism policy for children

Hundreds of Mormons are quitting their church in a mass protest against new rules that ban baptism for children of same-sex couples and condemn such couples as apostates.

An edict handed out to churches in late October said the children of gay couples would be banned from memberships until they were 18 years of age, and would be accepted into the church only if they renounced gay marriage and received approval from church leaders.

The church has attempted to stem the flow of resignations by clarifying the policy, explaining that children will only be barred from baptism if their “primary residence” is with a same-sex couple, and that children already baptized will not be affected by the new rules.

In Utah, which is close to 60 percent Mormon and where the church maintains a strong influence on society and politics, children of gay parents have expressed their disappointment at being shut out of the church.

Naugle said that the “vast majority” of the 2,500 people he is helping resign from the church “are people who are already disaffected and who already had problems with its policies”. After sending letters of resignation, the group hiked to the top of the local mountain carrying signs that stated “Transcend Mormonism”, “Finally ExMormon”, and “Research the church”. “For example, in Saudi Arabia, their legal system partially based on the Wahhabi sect of Sunni Islam, people have been flogged or even executed for being homosexual”, Hwang said. In 2012, LDS launched the website MormonsAndGays.org, which attempted to spin the Church’s rejection of homosexuality in a more loving light, acknowledging for the first time that homosexuality was not a choice nor a disease.

The Mormon handbook is the guide for more than 30,000 Mormon churches worldwide, but it can not answer every question, Otterson said. Dehlin said that the church risked bringing greater obscurity upon itself in a world that increasingly accepts same-sex marriage. “The church exists to build people and help them heal, and there isn’t one of us who doesn’t need help at a few point in our lives”, said church spokesperson Eric Hawkins.

“The fact that it affects children really upset people”, said Naugle, who is helping people resign from the church. “There is a lot to overcome with the myths about who they are and who we are”. “This is an unfortunate side effect of being Mormon – every member is a “missionary.’ Also know that while your name is considered ‘removed, ‘ you will still be counted among the alleged ’14+ million” members until you are 110 years old”. It also considers same-sex marriage as an act in renunciation of the Mormon faith.

The protestors took to the streets of Salt Lake City and marched to Mormon headquarters at Temple Square, where they posted their resignations in a mailbox located outside the historic Mormon building.

He said the policy was made out of concern and compassion for the children in households with same-sex parents.