What are the reporter's *multiple and confirming" sources for the unattributed assertion that

>> "Mormons contributed $3 million ... raised in the Yes on 102 campaign"

????

This is a significant assertion.

Please be accurate, specific, and precise. Not approximately $3 million, you asserted $3 million exactly.

On thi spont your report ought to be verifiable by independant sources -- multiple sources -- and not printed as a bald assertion.

Thank you.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints ("Mormon") Church is different from other churches in many ways. One way that the GLBT community doesn't seem to understand is that it is a chuch run almost exclusively on unpaid volunteer service. Thus time spent by members is usually unpaid and uncompensated. Also, the money raised was voluntarily donated by concerned members, NOT by the church itself.

It may be that "in-kind" donations could be valued higher than they were, but don't be surprised if the LDS Church's reported donations are upheld by the court. It is quite probable that the rest of the contributions were made by concerned members, rather than the Church directly.

Thank you for mostly unbiased and fair reporting. At a time when GLBT are coming under fire for vandalizing, terrorizing and discriiminating against LDS church members, it is refreshing to see such a balanced report. I for one believe the LDS Church acted within their rights. If the FPPC finds otherwise, I am sure the LDS Church will make it right. If the FPPC finds in favor of the church, I hope GLBT folk honor and respect the law and stop vandalizing, terrorizing and discriminating LDS church members.

All that said, some additional facts are necessary. Source: fairlds.org.
1) Latter-day Saints constitute less than 2% of the population of California. There are approximately 800,000 LDS out of a total population of approximately 34 million.
2) Not all LDS voted in favor of Proposition 8. Active Latter-day Saints likely voted near the affirmative ratio (84-16) that their peer group that attends church at least weekly did.
3) Religion, in general, was a large factor. Self-identifying Catholics and Protestants both went around 65-35 for the amendment, with white evangelicals going 81-19.
4) LDS voters represented less than 5% of the "Yes" vote. At most the Latter-day Saint vote only accounts for 58% of the victory margin using the current count on CNN.
5) In other words, the Latter-day Saint vote was not enough by itself to make a difference in the final Prop 8 election results.
6) The large African-American turnout (10%) for Barack Obama appears to have facilitated the passage of the proposition. Scaling exit poll numbers, the net African-American vote (70-30) accounts for 92% of the victory margin.
The net Latino (18%) vote at 53-47 contributed to 25% of the victory margin.
7) The generation gap also played a factor. Senior citizens (15%) supported the measure at 61-39 while voters under 30 (20%) opposed it 39-61.
While Mormons played a significant role in mobilizing like-minded voters, these trends show that public perception has assigned a disproportionate amount of credit for passing Proposition 8.

Prop 8 is as constitutional as any law that has ever been passed. Does “We the People” ring a bell? That’s something that no amount of rainbow waving at crying foul at the will of the people will ever change.

Now, to the bigots: Shame on you for bashing Mormons, Evangelicals, or any other human beings who have stood up for what they felt was right. By doing so, you set yourself firmly in the place of those inflammatory voices you would oppose. Bigotry never fixed anything.

Now, for the issue of separation of church and state: It is a myth. That’s right, a myth that is not aligned with reality at all. Laws are established based on values, and values tie directly to religious beliefs. Therefore the underlying, core religious beliefs of the majority will always surface as values, then ultimately as laws. So by contending the passing of Prop 8, you stand on a foundation that is not aligned with the will of the people (values based on religion). No wonder gays are attacking religious groups. The religion of homosexuality is a base form obsession with a sexually confused misuse of genitalia. Nothing more. It is the unnatural, amoral value of wanting what is not possible: Long-term happiness in doing what is wrong.

Those who seek to alter the voice of the people on Prop 8 may be better suited with living in a communist country. Then they could really cry and whine about inequality.

Now, to the issue of tolerance: This is not about tolerance. It never was. Tolerance is not a virtue, it’s a flaw. If you embrace everything, you become nothing. That goes for America, too. If we embrace and legalize prostitution, thievery, murder, and homosexuality, then our country will tear itself apart within a generation.

Now, to the issue of equality: Individuals who have chosen the path of homosexuality already have individual rights provided by the Constitution. They have freedom of speech, worship, and the pursuit of happiness. And, they have the right to marry anyone they want as long as that person is of a different gender. In the same way that they aren’t allowed to legally marry someone of the same gender, they are not allowed to marry their mother, sister, or pet horse. Bottom line: Stop whining about equality and start appreciating the freedom you have to actually be responsible and live a life that actually can achieve true happiness. And, yes, that is based on the will of the people. Welcome to America!

At one time the Mormons were persecuted for their belief in polygamy. One of the reasons UT didn't gain statehood for a long time was because of that belief. And even though the Mormon church doesn't practice it they still belive it to be a "celestial" law. Given this history of persecution and their beleifs concerning marriage I find it very hypocritical that the Mormon church has spent so much time & money to persecute another group of people because of their beliefs about marriage. I do't just blame them though any church that directly gave money should have their tax status revoked. It's one thing for individuals of any particular sect to get invloved in the political process but the line should be drawn in the sand when official church organizations start trying to influence the outcome with money and practicing politics from the pulpit.

I guess a lot of Mormans read and respond to these comments...the bottom line remains that the Mormans aren't just trying to influence individuals to their beliefs, they are paying to make it the law and force it on everyone. And they have done so in several states, now including California. I have no problem with religion trying to convert people, but the constitution prohibits a church state. In America we don't vote on civil rights, if we did, Central HS would still be segragated.