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11-07-2008, 12:42 AM | #1 | |
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I guess that's kind of my point. So much energy is spent on trying to convince that it is "right" or "not a sin" that could be much more productively used on answering your questions above. Let's face it, Mormonism is a tough place for ANYBODY that doesn't fit the mold. Singles, part-member families, single-parent families, and yes ... gays. Fix that problem and then maybe there is a place for gays in the Church. If we as a people coud come to grips that not EVERYONE is going to get married and have a family (at least not in this life), that would go a long way. Why shouldn't a celibate gay fully participate in the Church?
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11-07-2008, 12:50 AM | #2 | |
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Currently, celibate open gays likely feel very uncomfortable at church. For example, many folks believe that gays are pedophiles. How would you feel sitting in the pew knowing that many looked at you that way? I think that is part of the mixed messages we send. "We love you, also your lifestyle is an abomination" That sort of thing. There is no easy answer. if someone on your mission were to have said, "hey, I think Mormons are cool, I just think they are going to hell," it kind of waters down the original statement a bit. My guess is that in another generation or two, gay will be more mainstream within the Church.....that is to say, not everyone will be assuming that gays molest kids, that gays have AIDS, etc....it takes time to break down the stereotypes. Just like with blacks. I am not saying homosexuality will no longer be considered a sin, but that gays will continue to increase their levels of socialization amongst us and we will all realize that most of these folks are not sex-addicted promiscuous predators. As with race and gender, there will still be those that, in 20 years, still won't have anything more of value to add to the conversation beyond "but it is a sin!" yawn. we have already covered that point, thanks.
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11-07-2008, 12:54 AM | #3 | |
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11-07-2008, 01:02 AM | #4 | |
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One time in PEC, Bishop said something that was really moving. We were going through the membership rolls and giving updates about people. One guy chimed in and said something to the effect of, "that person is not in our ward boundaries so let's forward that one to so and so in the Corona del Mar ward." Bishop stopped the meeting, paused for a long time, and asked simply, "what are we doing here? why are we even here?" He wasn't angry, but really moved by the Spirit to point out that within the Gospel, the letter of the law has a very great and important place. Yes, this person was not within our ward boundaries. But the Spirit of the law also has its place. The Bishop went on to lament the loss of several YSA that were in limbo because we do not do a great job of articulating their roles. We focus so much on the ideal (man/woman/temple marriage) that we often overlook the less than ideal (single parent/YSA/divorced). The only time they get a nod is when the Ensign article is saying, "hey, dont be sad, life aint so bad." I have no answer for this, just agreeing with you. I really learned a lot from that Bishop. He was really big on asking tough rhetorical questions.....it has shaped a lot of my current views....I have a totally inactive FIL, my family is all non-LDS, my wife's mom is divorced and re-married.....all less than ideal circumstances. And all wonderful people.
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