Proposed rules in the Mormon church would deny baptism to the children of gay parents until they are 18 years old, and mandate that they denounce homosexuality in order to receive it.
The BBC reports that the plans have triggered a threat of “mass resignations” among less bigoted Mormons.
Both liberal and conservative Mormon groups have criticised the changes.
“The surprising impact has been the amount of people who are confused and troubled and disturbed and, frankly, repulsed,” Mormon scholar Patrick Mason told Reuters.
“And these aren’t just progressives and LGBT advocates. They are saying, ‘This doesn’t feel right. This doesn’t square with me.'”
The church had seemed to become more comfortable with same-sex relationships after this year’s Supreme Court ruling in favor of same-sex marriage, supporting anti-discrimination measures and statewide LGBT protections in Utah. But it has since reaffirmed its position that “sexual relations between people of the same sex are sinful” and unacceptable to the church.
A rally was held over the weekend in Salt Lake City to protest the rules, despite last-minute promises to “tweak” them.
On Friday, LDS Church leaders attempted to tweak the policy in advance of the protest. They clarified that the policy only applies to children whose “primary residence” is with same-sex parents. If, for example, they only visit a parent in a same-sex relationship on weekends, they can still receive the same various blessings as other Mormon youth. The policy is also not retroactive to children who were already baptized but now live with same-sex parents.
Well that makes everything just fine. If your cult sucks, find a better one.