While I admire Equality Utah and their attempt to reach out in this way, I have my doubts it will work.

While it may seem a small point of symantics to point out the difference between “are not opposed” and “will support” or “will advocate for”, I think the Mormons will only opt for the “will not oppose” phrase as an indication they won’t campaign the way they did for Prop 8, but I don’t think that’ll mean they’ll advocate for such laws or actively encourage “yes” votes on them when push comes to shove.

Cowboy, an important part you didn’t mention is the Mormon contention that “the dead in the afterlife can always reject the baptism.”

While within their own theology and minds it may “make sense” and be done “out of love” and not maliciousness, it’s still the height of conceit.

And it doesn’t discount that how in their negotiations with the Jewish community over the past several years the Mormons did purge their records of some names and agreed to stop the practice unless a Jew in the direct line of geneology submitted the information for a proxy baptism the Mormon’s still continued to do so without such submissions which is what has led to this further schism.

The reason I’m mentioning this and this may sound strange; I hope you understand where I am coming from. I’m going to do a bit of defending the Mormons on this baptism-by-proxy thing they do.

There is a special spot in Mormon’s hearts for the Jewish lineage. It’s genuine admiration and respect. They mean no distraction from the horrible history and actions Jews had to endure in the Second World War. Truly, they are honest in their desire for Jews to understand them on this issue. In their minds, this highly sacred and reverent ceremony in the Temples is done with the utmost love for Jews. It was never meant to diminish any of the legacy and traditions so steeped in the Jewish culture.

Please remember they innocently meant no harm and malice towards Jews.

Just as, I think, some Mormons innocently meant no harm to gays for supporting Proposition 8.

It’s hard to explain.

I will be protesting at Philadelphia’s City Hall on Saturday. Their by-proxy baptism – especially of Jews killed in the Holocaust – is despicable, yes. Unfortunately you can’t force people to change their ways, you can only show the error of them; and I have a feeling they have no intention of changing their ways – and we Jews have definitely shown them their error.

It all reminds me of a joke: G-d created Mormons so that Christians would know how Jews feel.

They are liars for jesus, like most of the religious right.

Does this translate into them actually supporting changes in favor of gay rights? Hardly.

Personally, I can’t wait to watch this all unfold. I’m bringing popcorn.