"Matthew Shepard was a gay University of Wyoming student in Laramie, WY. He was tortured, abandoned, and crucified. He ultimately died at the hands of some homophobic young men. 7,8 One was Russell Henderson who is serving two life sentences after having pleaded guilty to the kidnapping and murder. Henderson was a Mormon, and was presumably motivated by the church's teachings on homosexuality. 9 He has since been excommunicated by his church."
from http://www.religioustolerance.org/chr_cul1.htm
2007-04-28 07:52:33 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
It's about time the Mormon church amended it hostile anti-gay stance and treated people with equal respect, religions generally have a poor record where human rights are concerned they tend to be responsible for denying women and homosexual persons equal treatment and actively oppose legislation that would provide equal civil rights, religions are not in the public interest for this reason.
2007-04-28 08:08:38 · answer #1 · answered by CHEESUS GROYST 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
He could have been I don't know. I remember it was in the newspaper. If he was a murderer he was definitely no following the teaching of the church. They do not teach people to murder others. Any murderer would be excommunicated from the church swiftly.
As for the Mormon's teachings on gays. They are taught to be kind to every one even they do not believe the same as them. I have actually read a few articles that state Salt Lake City is very friendly towards gays.
2007-04-28 12:04:55 · answer #2 · answered by J T 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not gay and I don't jump on anti-gay bandwagons, but that young man should not have died. Whether Henderson was a mormon or not in no way justifies the horror of what he did to Matthew Shephard. Matthew Sheppard was gang raped while travelling through Egypt by six, young Egyptian bodybuilders in an alley in Cairo. That poor young mans life was just never given a real chance. It's all so disgusting. I hope God looks on his heart.
2007-04-28 08:04:07 · answer #3 · answered by vox populi 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Just how many nut-job murders in the world have tried to blame peaceful religions for their violent ways? Why would anyone take them seriously? When people say "God made me do it" do we all jump up and really start blaming God?
I think the message of the actual LDS faith is clearly shown by how HE WAS EXCOMMUNICATED! That's the harshest punishment the church can give, and it is given when people are doing the exact opposite of the teachings of the church.
2007-04-28 08:36:02 · answer #4 · answered by daisyk 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They were also a bunch of macho redneck jerks that lured Matthew Shepard into a trap because they felt threatened by one little gay guy.
Too bad they didn't make the punishment fit the crime with they sentenced those a--holes.
2007-04-28 07:59:14 · answer #5 · answered by Resident Heretic 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I don't suppose the religions of the other persons involved was revealed. It doesn't matter what religious persuasion they were, as long as the MORMON was specified. As if THE CHURCH was responsible for what THIS MAN did.
HE chose to do evil. He can use whatever excuse he wants, but ultimately, it was HIS choice and he knew what was going to happen to him if he did what he did. He wanted to kill this guy, for WHATEVER reason. But, THE CHURCH is not cranking out murderous homophobes.
Much as some people might like to think it is.
2007-04-28 08:01:45 · answer #6 · answered by mormon_4_jesus 7 · 4⤊ 1⤋
I believe his funeral was the first one to be protested by those gentle Christians from the Westboro Baptist Church.
Every body gets a share of this one, including the courts.
2007-04-28 08:14:37 · answer #7 · answered by U-98 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Come on now...Why are people so judgmental? Saying things like "Well, it wouldn't surprise me", etc. Are you implying that all Mormons are murderers?? I am LDS myself and I don't know if this guy was LDS for sure, but even if he was, it wouldn't change a thing about how I feel. Murder is never right. Ever! To imply that all Mormons would do something like this is downright judgmental and offensive. There's no need for it.
2007-04-28 08:03:17 · answer #8 · answered by Daniel 4 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Although violence is never warranted, homosexuality is still against the laws of God. Why is it that the only thing today that is not tolerated is intolerance to sin?
2007-04-28 08:19:21 · answer #9 · answered by Midge 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If he was, he wasn't following the teachings of the Church.
2007-04-28 08:06:08 · answer #10 · answered by Brittany 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋