Disagreement with leaders - cougarguard.com — unofficial BYU Cougars / LDS sports, football, basketball forum and message board

Sleeping in EQ · 09-13-2006, 07:08 PM

A similar question was part of a Survey of LDS people on three different occasions and is discussed in Mauss' "The Angel and the Beehive." I had to adjust it slightly to get it to fit in the window. The actual question was:

"What do you think an LDS church member ought to do when faced with a certain policy or program with which he [or she] does not fully agree?"

MikeWaters · 09-13-2006, 07:23 PM

a member of the bishopric gave a lesson recently, part of which advised against marrying someone of another race.

I did not agree with this, but did not say anything.

Our Bishop is apparently saying that all youth should watch General Conference at the stake center, rather than at home, because it is not as spirtual when you watch it at home. Curious decision.

Jeff Lebowski · 09-13-2006, 07:26 PM

That's a tough question. I can't really pick an answer because I can think of circumstances where I would find each of those possible responses to be appropriate. Totally depends on the circumstances.

Sleeping in EQ · 09-13-2006, 07:28 PM

I have done no less than three of those on different occasions: Refuse, Dissent, and Express.

fusnik11 · 09-13-2006, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeWaters

a member of the bishopric gave a lesson recently, part of which advised against marrying someone of another race.

I did not agree with this, but did not say anything.

Our Bishop is apparently saying that all youth should watch General Conference at the stake center, rather than at home, because it is not as spirtual when you watch it at home. Curious decision.

These are the types of things I do not allow in my church meetings. I think it the duty of the member to point out that the leaders in both circumstances are wrong.

By staying silent we agree with what is taught. Amazing a leader would actually teach that interracial marriage should be avoided, as it's amazing a leader would say that the church is more spiritual than a home.

Are not homes sanctified temples unto the Lord?

fusnik11 · 09-13-2006, 07:30 PM

a) Dissent privately but avoid open conflict

b) Express self frankly to leaders but then comply even if no change

My answer lies somewhere between these two options.

MikeWaters · 09-13-2006, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fusnik11

These are the types of things I do not allow in my church meetings. I think it the duty of the member to point out that the leaders in both circumstances are wrong.

apparently your wife didn't get the memo!

Funny thing is that he told this to a group of mostly non-white kids. If you've narrowed the field to non-white Mormon girls, good luck!

Sleeping in EQ · 09-13-2006, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeWaters

a member of the bishopric gave a lesson recently, part of which advised against marrying someone of another race.

I did not agree with this, but did not say anything.

Our Bishop is apparently saying that all youth should watch General Conference at the stake center, rather than at home, because it is not as spirtual when you watch it at home. Curious decision.

A couple of toughies. Depending on the context, my relationship to the bishopric memer etc., I might have spoken up on the spot, but otherwise would likely have taken it up with him later.

On the second I would have just kept my youth at home, watching conference with his family.

SteelBlue · 09-13-2006, 07:41 PM

I chose "dissent privately but avoid open conflict". What I do not mean however is that I'd go around trying to secretly undermine the policy/teaching one person at a time. I'd hold my own opinion and give it to a leader if asked or if I was upset enough. But I wouldn't teach a dissenting idea or opinion as it ultimately is not my church. If I ever reached a point where my opinions were so far out of sync with what I was being asked to do in the church as to make me miserable, then I'd part ways.

SeattleUte · 09-13-2006, 08:04 PM

Other and miscellaneous.

I voted so I could see the breakdown.

The dissent privately folks are the ones perhaps I understand least of all.

View Poll Results: When an LDS member disagrees with a policy or program should s/he?
Accept it on faith and carry it out	2	11.76%
Refuse to go along as a matter of conscience	1	5.88%
Dissent privately but avoid open conflict	6	35.29%
Express self frankly to leaders but then comply even if no change	4	23.53%
Gather support for one's position and petition church leaders	0	0%
Other and miscellaneous	4	23.53%
Voters: 17. You may not vote on this poll

09-13-2006, 07:08 PM	#1
Sleeping in EQ Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: The People's Republic of Monsanto Posts: 3,085	Disagreement with leaders A similar question was part of a Survey of LDS people on three different occasions and is discussed in Mauss' "The Angel and the Beehive." I had to adjust it slightly to get it to fit in the window. The actual question was: "What do you think an LDS church member ought to do when faced with a certain policy or program with which he [or she] does not fully agree?" __________________ "Do not despise the words of prophets, but test everything; hold fast to what is good; " 1 Thess. 5:21 (NRSV) We all trust our own unorthodoxies. Last edited by Sleeping in EQ; 09-13-2006 at 07:14 PM.

09-13-2006, 07:26 PM	#3
Jeff Lebowski Charon Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: In the heart of darkness (Provo) Posts: 9,564	That's a tough question. I can't really pick an answer because I can think of circumstances where I would find each of those possible responses to be appropriate. Totally depends on the circumstances. __________________ "... the arc of the universe is long but it bends toward justice." Martin Luther King, Jr.

09-13-2006, 07:28 PM	#4
Sleeping in EQ Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: The People's Republic of Monsanto Posts: 3,085	I have done no less than three of those on different occasions: Refuse, Dissent, and Express. __________________ "Do not despise the words of prophets, but test everything; hold fast to what is good; " 1 Thess. 5:21 (NRSV) We all trust our own unorthodoxies.

09-13-2006, 08:04 PM	#10
SeattleUte fairlds.org Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 10,665	Other and miscellaneous. I voted so I could see the breakdown. The dissent privately folks are the ones perhaps I understand least of all. __________________ Interrupt all you like. We're involved in a complicated story here, and not everything is quite what it seems to be. —Paul Auster

09-13-2006, 07:23 PM	#2
MikeWaters Demiurge Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 36,365	a member of the bishopric gave a lesson recently, part of which advised against marrying someone of another race. I did not agree with this, but did not say anything. Our Bishop is apparently saying that all youth should watch General Conference at the stake center, rather than at home, because it is not as spirtual when you watch it at home. Curious decision.

09-13-2006, 07:30 PM	#6
fusnik11 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 2,506	a) Dissent privately but avoid open conflict b) Express self frankly to leaders but then comply even if no change My answer lies somewhere between these two options.

09-13-2006, 07:41 PM	#9
SteelBlue Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Norcal Posts: 5,821	I chose "dissent privately but avoid open conflict". What I do not mean however is that I'd go around trying to secretly undermine the policy/teaching one person at a time. I'd hold my own opinion and give it to a leader if asked or if I was upset enough. But I wouldn't teach a dissenting idea or opinion as it ultimately is not my church. If I ever reached a point where my opinions were so far out of sync with what I was being asked to do in the church as to make me miserable, then I'd part ways.