Mormons Disproportionately Financing Yes on Prop. 8 Effort

There have been a number of stories about the way Mormons are funneling money into California in support of Proposition 8 in large amounts that far outweigh their percentage of the population (a similar phenomenon is being seen in Arizona). The extreme efforts are not limited to Mormons living outside of California. The Sacramento Bee has a story today that looks at the lengths California Mormons are going to attempt to impose their religious beliefs on all California citizens. While it's their money and it's still a free country - at least until the Mormons and Christianists have their way - the effort to conform the CIVIL laws to the religious beliefs of certain denominations is very troubling. These people have open contempt for the separation of religion and the civil laws. Here are some story highlights:

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Pam and Rick Patterson have always followed teachings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and tried to live within their means. . . . It's a traditional lifestyle they believe is now at risk. That's why the Pattersons recently made a huge financial sacrifice – they withdrew $50,000 from their savings and donated it to the Yes on Proposition 8 campaign, the ballot measure that seeks to ban same-sex marriage. "It was a decision we made very prayerfully and carefully," said Pam Patterson, 48. "Was it an easy decision? No. But it was a clear decision, one that had so much potential to benefit our children and their children."

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Mormons such as the Pattersons have emerged as the leading financial contributors to the controversial Nov. 4 ballot measure. Church members have donated about 40 percent of the $22.8 million raised to pass the initiative since July, according to Frank Schubert, campaign manager for ProtectMarriage.com, the primary backer of the "yes" campaign. Other religious groups have contributed, including a Catholic fraternal service organization – the Knights of Columbus – which donated more than $1 million. But no group has given more than the Mormons.

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In a June letter to members, top church leaders urged them to "do what you can do" to support Prop. 8. Members have answered the call. Mormons have sponsored meetings, knocked on doors, installed lawn signs, staffed phone banks and given generously. Their financial dominance is getting their opponents' attention and raising concerns about the role of churches in state policymaking.

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"I think anyone would be troubled by any one religion exerting that kind of financial influence in a decision about what our constitution is going to say," said Kate Kendell, executive director for the National Center for Lesbian Rights and a member of the executive committee of No on Prop 8. "The amount of money the Mormon church is giving is alarming and sobering," she said.