Reid Criticizes Mormon Church for Proposition 8 Support

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, the country's most powerful Mormon politician, criticized his own church during a meeting with gay-rights activists, reportedly scolding Mormon leaders for supporting the ban on same-sex marriage in California.

The Salt Lake Tribune reported that Reid brought up the topic last week during a meeting in his office with organizers of the National Equality March, held over the weekend in Washington, D.C.

One participant told the newspaper that Reid said the decision by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to support the successful Proposition 8 ballot measure in California last year was a "waste of church resources and good will." Another said Reid made clear that he "felt it was harmful for the church to focus on such a divisive issue."

Though the church fought to support Proposition 8, with money and volunteers, just as it has fought other moves to legalize same-sex marriage, it is rare for the Nevada Democrat to comment on his own church's political activity. Reid supported the gay rights march over the weekend.

Click here to read the full story in The Salt Lake Tribune.