同性吸引 耶穌基督後期聖徒教會 新聞室 教會予新聞媒體，意見領袖及公眾之官方資料 香港版本 http://www.mormonnewsroom.hk/%E6%96%87%E7%AB%A0/%E5%90%8C%E6%80%A7%E5%90%B8%E5%BC%95
專題：同性吸引
探討同性吸引
耶穌基督後期聖徒教會表示，同性吸引是一個需要仁慈、憐憫和理解的敏感議題。這個 mormonsandgays.com 網站旨在透過教會領袖和成員的訪問和視頻，探討同性吸引對個人和受影響之家庭成員所涉及的議題。這些聲明和故事強調基督彼此相愛的誡命的重要，並重申教會的立場。
教會的教義立場非常明確：性行為只應在一對已婚男女之間發生。然而，這絕不應是不仁慈行為的理由。我們所跟隨的耶穌基督明確地譴責淫亂，但從不嚴酷。祂總是專注於提升個人而不作非難。[i]
簡而言之，耶穌基督後期聖徒教會申明與人類性向和性別有關之教義的核心，以及婚姻為一男一女之結合的神聖性及意義。[ii] 但是，教會堅信所有人都是神同樣鍾愛的兒女，應獲得愛和尊重的對待。教會使徒昆丁•柯克長老說明：「身為教會成員，我們應當成為最有愛心和同情心的人。讓我們在表達愛、同情和聯繫方面走在前列。不要讓那些兒女因為對自己的性別的感覺而選擇不同的生活方式，而受到排斥或不尊重的對待。」[iii]
神聖的婚姻制度
教會區分同性吸引與同性行為。雖然維持對同性的感情和傾向在本質上並不是罪，但進行同性戀行為就與「根據神聖經文的教義原則……一男一女之間的婚姻是造物主為祂子女永恆目標所訂計畫的核心」有所衝突。[iv]
因為教會相信神聖的生育能力「只有合法結婚、成為夫妻的男女，才能運用……其他任何性關係，包括同性之間的性關係，破壞神所制定的家庭制度。」正是如此，教會支持將婚姻定義為一男一女之間的結合的措施。然而，「保護一男一女之間的婚姻，不會免除教會成員要向所有人表達關愛、仁慈和慈愛的基督徒職責。」[v]
個人權利
教會確認一男一女之間的婚姻「既不構成，也不容忍對男女同性戀者任何形式的敵視。」[vi] 相反，許多教會領袖已清楚闡明應以愛和尊重對待所有人。前總會會長戈登‧興格萊（1910-2008）對有同性吸引情況的成員說：「我們關心[你們]。我們為你們向主祈求，我們同情你們，視你們為弟兄姊妹。」培道‧潘會長申明：「我們不排斥你們。……我們不能排斥你們。……我們不會排斥你們，因為我們愛你們。」
教會支持同性伴侶「在不侵犯傳統家庭或教會的憲法權利下」維護其「住院醫療、公平住屋和就業等權利，或遺囑認證的權利。」[vii] 例如在鹽湖城，教會 支持 保護同性戀居民在住屋和就業免於歧視的法例。 [viii]
愛的福音
耶穌基督的福音是基於愛、尊重和選擇權。摩爾門教徒相信所有人都有先天的優點和弱點、挑戰和祝福，並透過神的幫助和恩典，都獲邀請活在耶穌基督所啟示的原則中。耶穌基督後期聖徒教會認為，「神對所有人的父性和愛，讓我們每個人天生地、虔誠地承認我們都有共同的尊嚴。我們要彼此相愛。不論我們有多大不同，我們都要彼此尊重，並視每個人為兄弟姊妹和神的兒女。」[ix]
資源
與教會領袖及其他人 在同性吸引題目上之對話集錄。
採訪 達林‧鄔克司和蘭斯‧韋曼長老就教會對同性吸引和婚姻之立場。
教會對人權運動發出的請願書之 官方回應。
神聖的婚姻制度：一份由教會編製，幫助了解婚姻之重要的文件。
家庭：致全世界文告。該文告由總會會長團和十二使徒定額組於1995年發布，強調家庭的重要。
同性婚姻和第8號提案：一份協助新聞媒體、公眾和教會成員更了解耶穌基督後期聖徒教會 參與支持第8號提案的資源編纂。
神愛祂的兒女： 由耶穌基督後期聖徒教會編製的一本小冊子，旨在探討經歷同性吸引的人。
[i] http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/church-mormon-responds-to-human-rights-campaign-petition-same-sex-attraction
[ii] 克理斯多長老於「Love One Another: A Discussion on Same-Sex Attraction（彼此相愛：討論同性吸引）」之引言，mormonsandgays.com
[iii]柯克長老於「Love One Another: A Discussion on Same-Sex Attraction（彼此相愛：討論同性吸引）」之引言，mormonsandgays.com
[iv] 「First Presidency Statement on Same-Gender Marriage.（總會會長團對同性婚姻之聲明。）」 http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/first-presidency-statement-on-same-gender-marriage
[v] http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/the-divine-institution-of-marriage
[vi] 摩爾門新聞室： 「Church Responds to Same-Sex Marriage Votes（教會回應同性婚姻投票）」 http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/church-responds-to-same-sex-marriage-votes
[vii] http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/church-responds-to-same-sex-marriage-votes
[viii] http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/the-divine-institution-of-marriage
[ix] http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/church-mormon-responds-to-human-rights-campaign-petition-same-sex-attraction
20101012 The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon) Respond http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tsR9HPhsjJ4
http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/church-mormon-responds-to-human-rights-campaign-petition-same-sex-attraction
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints issued the following statement through a spokesman following the delivery of a petition by the Human Rights Campaign (broadcast quality video (.mov) and audio (.mp3) is available for media use. A YouTube version can be viewed or embedded here) :
My name is Michael Otterson. I am here representing the leadership of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to address the matter of the petition presented today by the Human Rights Campaign.
While we disagree with the Human Rights Campaign on many fundamentals, we also share some common ground. This past week we have all witnessed tragic deaths across the country as a result of bullying or intimidation of gay young men. We join our voice with others in unreserved condemnation of acts of cruelty or attempts to belittle or mock any group or individual that is different – whether those differences arise from race, religion, mental challenges, social status, sexual orientation or for any other reason. Such actions simply have no place in our society.
This Church has felt the bitter sting of persecution and marginalization early in our history, when we were too few in numbers to adequately protect ourselves and when society’s leaders often seemed disinclined to help. Our parents, young adults, teens and children should therefore, of all people, be especially sensitive to the vulnerable in society and be willing to speak out against bullying or intimidation whenever it occurs, including unkindness toward those who are attracted to others of the same sex. This is particularly so in our own Latter-day Saint congregations. Each Latter-day Saint family and individual should carefully consider whether their attitudes and actions toward others properly reflect Jesus Christ’s second great commandment - to love one another.
As a church, our doctrinal position is clear: any sexual activity outside of marriage is wrong, and we define marriage as between a man and a woman. However, that should never, ever be used as justification for unkindness. Jesus Christ, whom we follow, was clear in His condemnation of sexual immorality, but never cruel. His interest was always to lift the individual, never to tear down.
Further, while the Church is strongly on the record as opposing same-sex marriage, it has openly supported other rights for gays and lesbians such as protections in housing or employment.
The Church’s doctrine is based on love. We believe that our purpose in life is to learn, grow and develop, and that God’s unreserved love enables each of us to reach our potential. None of us is limited by our feelings or inclinations. Ultimately, we are free to act for ourselves.
The Church recognizes that those of its members who are attracted to others of the same sex experience deep emotional, social and physical feelings. The Church distinguishes between feelings or inclinations on the one hand and behavior on the other. It’s not a sin to have feelings, only in yielding to temptation.
There is no question that this is difficult, but Church leaders and members are available to help lift, support and encourage fellow members who wish to follow Church doctrine. Their struggle is our struggle. Those in the Church who are attracted to someone of the same sex but stay faithful to the Church’s teachings can be happy during this life and perform meaningful service in the Church. They can enjoy full fellowship with other Church members, including attending and serving in temples, and ultimately receive all the blessings afforded to those who live the commandments of God.
Obviously, some will disagree with us. We hope that any disagreement will be based on a full understanding of our position and not on distortion or selective interpretation. The Church will continue to speak out to ensure its position is accurately understood.
God’s universal fatherhood and love charges each of us with an innate and reverent acknowledgement of our shared human dignity. We are to love one another. We are to treat each other with respect as brothers and sisters and fellow children of God, no matter how much we may differ from one another.
We hope and firmly believe that within this community, and in others, kindness, persuasion and goodwill can prevail.
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