A Mormon from Utah who founded a website where people can discuss personal challenges with their faith is in jeopardy of being kicked out of the church, reports revealed Thursday.
John P. Dehlin, founder of MormonStories.org, is accused of publically going against the teachings of the Mormon church by supporting gay marriages, the ordination of women and expressing doubts about orthodox Mormon theology, the Associated Press reported.
The official charge against the Logan resident is apostasy, which the church defines as "repeatedly acting in clear, open, and deliberate public opposition to the church or its faithful leaders, or persisting, after receiving counsel, in teaching false doctrine."
Dehlin said a church leader told him he would be excommunicated- the most severe church punishment on a member- if he did not take down certain podcasts from his website that go against the church.
"I would prefer for them to leave me alone," the 45-year-old father of four told The New York Times, "but if given the choice between denying my conscience and facing excommunication, I'd much rather be excommunicated."
Leaders from the church officially known as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints did not have an immediate comment, the AP reported.
If Dehlin is kicked out, it would be the second time the church excommunicated a member in less than a year.
Kate Kelly, founder of the Mormon women's group Ordain Women, was kicked out in June. Dehlin's website supported her group, which held demonstrations calling for women to be appointed to the faith's clergy, the AP reported.
Dehlin is to appear before a disciplinary committee on Jan. 25.
