It is commendable that nonconsensual immorality [rape, sexual assault] has been exposed and denounced. Such nonconsensual immorality is against the laws of God and of society. Those who understand God’s plan should also oppose consensual immorality [gay sex, fornication, adultery], which is also a sin.
— Mormon Apostle Quentin Cook at the 2018 Mormon General Conference
Yup, just about what you would expect from someone who believes Joseph Smith and Brigham Young were prophets and that the book of mormon is an inspired text. Lastly, mormons should be the last ones to talk about the sex lives of others or the sanctity of marriage considering their own sordid history with both. Rape is by far and away worse than consensual sex, but considering the dynamics that went into the actual practice of polygamy among mormons its not surprising he probably wouldn’t be able to tell the difference.
Raised Catholic, I was taught to believe that there were sins that, if unconfessed to God and not atoned for, would get you after-death punishment of a limited time (you would exist in a state called purgatory, having your soul cleansed before being allowed into heaven). Then there were sins that, if you didn’t confess and atone for them, would send you straight to hell. I don’t remember the specifics of what fell into either category, but that isn’t the point; the point is that sins were not all equal. Some were the result of being ordinary fallible humans, and others required actually going out of your way to hurt someone.
In various places I’ve been introduced to a Protestant, perhaps uniquely Fundagelical, notion that all sins are equal. Under this doctrine, consensual but unapproved sex is obviously equivalent to rape, which is equivalent to stealing a loaf of bread because you’re hungry and have no money, which is equivalent to arguing with your mother about whether it’s your turn or your sister’s turn to take out the garbage. Although I’m atheist, my Inner Catholic says WTF?
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