The Ever-Changing Narrative

Have you noticed how the narrative is changing, and it is changing very subtly?

In the early days of the same-sex marriage debate, proponents of SSM used to argue that "if you don't want gay marriage, then don't get one" or "who people choose to love is none of your business," and also that "it doesn't affect you."

With SSM now spreading across the country—albeit mostly through judicial fiat and not the voice of the people—these advocates are no longer saying these things. They want more, and they want you to be forced to accept their point-of-view.

I loved today's press conference given by Elders Christofferson, Holland, and Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, along with Sister Marriott of the Young Women General Presidency, calling for nondiscrimination laws for all while also emphasizing the importance of maintaining religious freedom.

"Accusations of bigotry toward people simply because they are motivated by their religious faith and conscience have a chilling effect on freedom of speech and public debate," Elder Oaks said. "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. Such tactics are every bit as wrong as denying access to employment, housing or public services because of race or gender."

Sadly, the reaction from many of the naysayers to this press conference was predictable, and it shows that their narrative is indeed changing.

A New York Times editorial written in response to the press conference argued that the Church was merely seeking "legal permission to use their religion as an excuse to discriminate." Another Facebook post proclaimed, "I'm for liberty, but I don't see why church owned businesses shouldn't play by the same rules as everyone else."

In other words: That whole claim that SSM "doesn't affect you"? We didn't really mean that. It fit into our narrative for what we wanted at the time, but not now. We are not content anymore to say that it doesn't affect you, because we are going to make sure it affects you, like it or not. It's not enough that SSM is fast becoming legal across the 50 States (and, let's admit, inevitably will be legal in all 50 once the Supreme Court, in all of its wisdom, gets done with the issue this June); we will force you not only to participate in same-sex weddings whether you want to or not, neener neener, you hateful, bigoted, ignorant, knuckle-dragging prudes who cling to your religion and guns.

It's a disappointing because it's a view that is both dishonest and, ironically, demands tolerance while not showing tolerance in return. It is also, as I said, predictable.

The same old rhetoric keeps on pouring forth, and I suppose it will for the foreseeable future. "You can't force your religious beliefs on other people, blah blah blah." Very true; you can't. Yet these are the same people who, ironically, believe that you can, by contrast, in the so-called name of equal treatment, force private business owners who do not agree with SSM to bake cakes, provide flowers, officiate weddings, etc. for SSM ceremonies, or otherwise they will face fines, jail time, loss of business, public flogging, etc.

It all seems to be about revenge and/or retaliation rather than equality, doesn't it?

Unbelievable.

In addition, I'm saddened to see self-proclaimed temple recommend-holding, faithful members of the Church openly criticize what three Apostles said today. As Elder Lynn G. Robbins said at the last general conference, "Thinking one can please God and at the same time condone the disobedience of men isn't neutrality but duplicity, or being two-faced or trying to 'serve two masters.'"

I feel "grieved because of the hardness of their hearts, and also, because of the things which I had seen, and knew they must unavoidably come to pass because of the great wickedness of the children of men" (1 Nephi 15:4).

At the same time, I feel immensely grateful to belong to a church that doesn't budge on the eternal truths of God's Plan of Happiness in the face of critics, detractors, and the ever-changing tide of popular opinion. The straight and narrow can appear to be very narrow at times, but it remains the only way nonetheless.