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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009
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Rally Slams 'No Kissing' Rule in Mormon Plaza

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(Newser) – Gay and straight protesters covered each other in kisses today outside Salt Lake City’s Mormon Temple, USA Today reports. The rally—inspired by a gay couple who were handcuffed and cited Friday for smooching on church property—was organized to condemn the Mormon ban on "offensive, indecent, obscene, lewd or disorderly speech, dress or conduct.”

A call on social media sites this weekend urged supporters to show up wearing paper hearts and partake in “gentle” displays of affection. The kiss-happy protesters stayed just outside the Main Street Plaza, which is private church property. Municipal officials transferred it to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in a 2003 land swap.

President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Thomas Monson kisses his wife at a Mormon conference, April 5, 2008 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Thomas Monson kisses his wife at a Mormon conference, April 5, 2008 in Salt Lake City, Utah.   (Getty Images)
Two protesters kiss as two more enter the Mormon owned Main Street Plaza July 12, 2009 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Two protesters kiss as two more enter the Mormon owned Main Street Plaza July 12, 2009 in Salt Lake City, Utah.   (Getty Images)
The 2008 and 2009, top,
The 2008 and 2009, top, "Men on a Mission" calendars are pictured in front of the Mormon Temple on Thursday, Sept. 25, 2008, in Salt Lake City.   (AP Photo/Douglas C. Pizac)
A couple lies on the grass in front of the Salt Lake Mormon Temple on March 31, 2007 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
A couple lies on the grass in front of the Salt Lake Mormon Temple on March 31, 2007 in Salt Lake City, Utah.   (Getty Images)
The Temple Square in Salt Lake City, Utah.
The Temple Square in Salt Lake City, Utah.   (Shutterstock)
This Nov. 7, 2008 file photo shows people gathering before marching on the Mormon Temple in protest of California's anti-gay marriage ballot initiative Proposition 8, in Salt Lake City.
This Nov. 7, 2008 file photo shows people gathering before marching on the Mormon Temple in protest of California's anti-gay marriage ballot initiative Proposition 8, in Salt Lake City.   (AP Photo/Douglas C. Pizac,File)
Gordon B. Hinckley, the 97-year-old president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, waves as he is driven past the Mormon Temple during the Days of '47 parade.
Gordon B. Hinckley, the 97-year-old president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, waves as he is driven past the Mormon Temple during the Days of '47 parade.   (AP Photo/Douglas C. Pizac)
The sun sets behind the Mormon Temple, the centerpiece of Temple Square, in this April 27, 2006, file photo, in Salt Lake City.
The sun sets behind the Mormon Temple, the centerpiece of Temple Square, in this April 27, 2006, file photo, in Salt Lake City.   (AP Photo/Douglas C. Pizac, File)
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15 comments
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Mad
Jul 12, 09 4:53 PM CDT
Better headline: "More On Mormons" Reply
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+5
Deebles
Jul 12, 09 5:00 PM CDT
Wow, no kissing in front of a monument paid for by Mormons dressing up as Indians and attacking wagon trains a hundred years ago. I guess when they lined the adults up and put a bullet in the back of their heads and stole the valuables--including the children, to be ransomed that you truly learn the meaning of indecent and obscene. But hey, they're the fastest growing religion in America today so they can't be ALL bad. Reply
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+8
IN RESPONSE:
Fondue
Jul 12, 09 5:33 PM CDT
I agree with your point deebles, however the "fastest growing" religion is no religion.
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+4
IN RESPONSE:
sameold
Jul 12, 09 5:56 PM CDT
just to assert the obvious, "no religion" is not a religion. kind of like Q: "Hey fondue who's your favorite basketball player? A: "no basketball player, I don't like any basketball players." In the above example "no basketball player" is not a basketball player.
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+3
IN RESPONSE:
armywife
Jul 12, 09 6:04 PM CDT
is it really the fastest-growing religion? that and scientology just seem like such obvious scams i cant believe anyone falls for it. but then, i think all religions are a scam, these two are just newer than the others. still, they have the right to ban "lewd behavior" on their property and if you engage in it, then you get kicked off. i dont think the mormon church, for once, did anything wrong or outrageous. and the protesters have the right to protest. and what a way to protest! :)
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+5

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