The maxim that no good deed goes unpunished has never been more true than exhibited in the attacks against Elder Dallin H. Oaks, a senior member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He, with other church leaders, held a series of media events to promulgate guiding principles in an effort to mediate the intensely emotional clash between religious and sexual rights. For his efforts, he has been castigated locally and nationally, both in traditional and social media.
Elder Oaks has been accused of promoting religious freedom over non-discrimination protections. Claims have been made against him and the other church leaders that the guiding principles being promoted are a camouflaged strategy to legalize discrimination. Many have publicly criticized him for not apologizing for social expectations that encouraged gays and lesbians to overcome their homosexuality by marrying heterosexually. He has been called a bigot and much worse.
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