Vetoing No Veto

In a comment, Marcus French of the evangelical–or, perhaps more accurately, evangelistic–Voice of Revolution website suggests that the problem with the No Mob Veto letter condemning anti-Mormon violence probably has to do with its last sentence, which reads: Furthermore, beginning today, we commit ourselves to exposing and publicly shaming anyone who resorts to the rhetoric […]

stocks.jpgIn a comment, Marcus French of the evangelical–or, perhaps more accurately, evangelistic–Voice of Revolution website suggests that the problem with the No Mob Veto letter condemning anti-Mormon violence probably has to do with its last sentence, which reads:

Furthermore, beginning today, we commit ourselves to exposing and publicly shaming anyone who resorts to the rhetoric of anti-religious bigotry–against any faith, on any side of any cause, for any reason.

I’m inclined to agree. Is it anti-religious bigotry to attack a church as non-Christian for, say, supporting abortion rights? Or for embracing the Book of Mormon as holy writ? Or for performing same-sex marriages? As the letter itself points out, religious organizations that enter the lists on one side or another of a contentious public issue cannot expect to be immune from criticism. Where does such non-immunity end and bigotry begin? Condemning violence is one thing. Pledging to expose and publicly shame anyone who might be considered bigoted against a religion is quite another.

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