There seems to have been quite an unusual amount of
discussion on these topics lately (not Krikava’s views, but the other two), and
I feel to add my two bits. I do
not represent the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints position on this
matter. If you want those views,
go to www.lds.org and read what’s in there on
the topic.
I am, however, a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter Day Saints (from here on, referred to as the Mormon church); and as
such, it is my hope and desire to align my beliefs with that of the Church.
To understand me in specific, and Mormons in general, you
have to accept (for the sake of argument) a few basics.
I believe in what Mormons call the “13 Articles of Faith”. These are basic beliefs of the Mormon
faith that Joseph Smith wrote up in 1842 for a Chicago newspaperman who later
published them.
Among those basic beliefs are that there is a God (article
of faith #1), there are sins (article of faith #2), there is repentance
(article of faith #4), and (important to the discussion of this essay) there
are prophets (article of faith #6) who are called of God (article of faith #5)
to preach the Gospel (article of faith #5) as revealed by God (article of faith
#9).
These are among my basic beliefs. Anything that follows in this essay is founded upon these
principles: namely, that God has defined right from wrong, communicates those
things through prophets both ancient and modern, and that when we find
ourselves askew of those teachings, we may repent and find forgiveness through
the divine miracle of the Atonement of Jesus Christ (article of faith #3), our
Savior from sin and unhappiness.
(And if you can’t accept those basics for the sake of
argument, stop reading now. There
would be no point in reading any further.)
It is unqualified Mormon (and I would add, Biblical) doctrine
that homosexual behavior is a sin.
Note that I used the qualifying term “behavior”. It is also unqualified Mormon (again,
Biblical) doctrine that adultery is a sin. So is thievery, lying, murder, covetousness, etc. Many are familiar with the Mormon
health code known as the “Word of Wisdom”. In the Mormon faith, it is sinful to harm our bodies (gifts
from God) by taking harmful substances into it such as drugs, alcohol, tobacco,
etc.
These standards originate from God. The prophets teach them, the scriptures
record them, and the Mormon church accepts and adheres to them. If you do not accept them, there’s not
much to discuss on these points.
These are all sinful ACTIONS to take. It is not a sin, however, to be
tempted. It is not a sin to have
weaknesses. Indeed, Mormons are
familiar with the expression found in the Book of Mormon “if men come
unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble….” Another verse in the Book of Mormon
comes to mind: “I am
encompassed about, because of the temptations and the sins which do so easily
beset me.”
We all have spiritual weaknesses and shortcomings. Why I have some, and you have others, I
don’t know. To be a believer in
God is to be one who recognizes that He (God) knows more than we do, and that
there must be a purpose in the weaknesses we have. I have my challenges, I have my weaknesses, and I certainly
have those things “which do so easily beset me.”
The question I have to ask myself as I look myself in the
mirror, or, as I kneel before my God and say my prayers at the end of the day
is, “did I act on any of those temptations?” If so, I need to exercise some faith and discuss those
things with God, undertake the repentance process, and pray and work so that
some day those weaknesses become strengths.
I do not, however, turn to my wife and ask her what sins she
committed today. Nor do I accost
co-workers, neighbors, or fellow parishioners about their sins. My wife’s, co-worker’s, neighbor’s, or
fellow parishioners’ sins are a matter between them and their God (and/or
ecclesiastical leaders, if their church operates thusly) – not me. I am to love and support my wife as she
grapples with her weaknesses, just as she loves and supports me as I grapple
with mine.
How do I love and support a friend who is grappling with the
spiritual weakness of homosexuality?
I would suggest some of the items noted in a talk
given by a Mormon Apostle, Jeffrey Holland. There are a number of positive things a person can do to
help a friend who is grappling with any spiritual weakness. I would note that the best way we can
support our gay friends is the same way we support any other friend with any
other spiritual weakness – we love them and encourage them to read their
scriptures, pray with God, counsel with their ecclesiastical leaders, and to
avoid acting on temptations.
It borders on the absurd to me, then, to march side-by-side
with someone in a “pride” parade as a sign of support. This logic simply escapes me. Do we march beside a friend who has
committed adultery in an “Adultery Pride” parade? Or in a “I-stole-money-from-my-office Pride” parade? Or in an “I-abuse-my-children Pride”
parade?
So how much sense does it make to march side by side with
someone in a Gay Pride parade?
Participating in a -pride parade clearly demonstrates that you haven’t accepted that
your spiritual weakness IS a spiritual weakness. It shows that you think your weakness is an exception to the
“God has defined right and wrong” principle I mentioned earlier.
And for those who walk side-by-side in those pride parades
to support folks, I applaud your misguided (although, surely heart-felt) desire
to help your friends.
However, one picture from the scriptures just won’t leave my
mind alone. I recall the “woman taken in
adultery” and “in the very act.”
We all know the story found in John. The Pharisees and scribes wanted to
stone her. Indeed, she did commit
the sin. However, Christ did what
we should do with our sinful friends.
He: 1) protected her from the stoning in the public square; 2) rebuked
her in private (commanding her to “sin no more”); and 3) encouraged her to do
better.
But I don’t remember Him walking with her and other
adulterers in an Adultery-pride parade later on in the afternoon. Something to think about.
I actually don't experience homosexuality as a spiritual weakness. I mean, I could, just like a heterosexual could experience their attractions in a way that is spiritually weakening, if it was purely lustful. But that's not how I experience it. If anything, when I learned to accept it as a part of me, instead of try to eradicate it, I began to experience a much greater outpouring of the spirit in my life. It's like I was fighting against myself and as a result distancing myself from the spirit and a relationship with my Father and Savior.
ReplyDeleteAs far as marching in parades goes, I thought what happened in SLC was incredibly important. The group that marched explicitly stated in their mission statement that they weren't debating any political agenda or party or church doctrine. Their sole purpose was to let those who are gay know that they are loved and welcome. The outpouring of love that resulted was, I think, necessary and healing. There are a lot of gay people who have left the church not just so they can sin, but because some awful things have been said in the past about homosexuality and those who experience it. (And to be honest, in some corners it's not uncommon to still hear awful things.)
It's fascinating to hear your point of view, Rich. Thanks for sharing it.
ReplyDeleteI agree with everything Jon said. From what I hear these pride parades have been an incredibly moving experience for all involved.
It's your right to believe these things, Rich, but not everyone in our country or on this earth is of the same faith. You simply cannot change laws based on religion. Church and state are separate. People are standing up for what they feel is right, just as you are.
Until you have walked in someone's shoes, you simply cannot dictate whether or not someone's circumstances are a choice.
My mind is blown. How is it that something I took such great care in writing was so easily pushed into a cliche?
ReplyDelete1) I never claimed that everyone on earth is of the same faith. In fact, I went to great lengths to indicate that in order to understand how I approach this issue, one must understand that I believe in a God (the God of all) who sets the rules of right and wrong; and if the reader can't accept that (if, even for the sake of argument), then there was no point in the reader continuing with the blog post.
2) I said nothing about changing laws. I said nothing about laws that need to be changed. Nowhere in the entire blog post did I mention a law, a government, or anything other than my spiritual beliefs. While those issues are certainly out there being discussed in the public policy arena, there was nothing in my posting that discussed the merits of changing any law whatsoever for the benefit of, or detriment to, those who are homosexual. Why on earth would the reader indicate that I wanted to "change laws based on religion"?!?
3) Most importantly, the word "choice": I went to great lengths to explain it was my belief that we all have weaknesses that are NOT of our own CHOOSING. Where we do have a choice is whether to ACT on our weaknesses. That is a choice everyone has.
4) Lastly, the "walking in someone else's shoes" expression is another way of saying, don't judge others. In response to that I will again point back to something I stated very clearly in my blog above: the spiritual standing of another person before God is between them and God, not me. I will not judge someone's acts to be worthy of condemnation. I will take what I believe to be commandments from God and follow them to the best of my ability, and will certainly discern between right and wrong as best I can. But the worthiness of another's soul is not mine to judge. That's for God to sort out (and his appointed and authorized servants here on Earth - if you believe in that).
In conclusion, I would have hoped that the readers would read what I have written more carefully before hurling accusations and drawing conclusions that have no merit based on the words I actually wrote.
The first commentator, on the other hand offered insights from his own perspective; insights I thought contributed to the discussion, rather than set up straw men in my posting to tear them down. While I may not come to the same conclusions as all who see things differently, I don't go about commenting negatively on things they didn't say.
Good gravy!
Sorry if I offended you so greatly, Rich. To me, calling someone's lifestyle "A struggle" or "a sin" when they don't feel it is one, is judgement. I understand what premise it was written under but I can still disagree with it. I totally respect your point of view and have always respected your objectivity. To me this is a simple issue that I really wish our country could move on from but I understand that it feels more complicated for many people.
ReplyDeleteI am bummed that you would count me out as a friend on Facebook just because I disagreed with you or you believe I misinterpreted your post.
If one accepts the premise (solely for the sake of discussion), then one can only draw conclusions about the content of the blog within that premise. That being the case, with respect to this blog and this premise, it does not follow that I am the one who is doing the judging on the matter. The argument contained a few key elements, here. 1) that God sets the rules; 2) God does the judging; and 3) I worry about myself and MY shortcomings, per God's standards.
ReplyDeleteIf readers want to work outside the premise of this discussion, I'll play along. Let's set my understanding of God aside. Let's suggest (for the sake of argument) that he either hasn't spoken to the issue of homosexuality, has said it's okay in his book, or that God doesn't exist at all. In any of those worlds, I'm indifferent on the matter of that lifestyle. I would view it no different that I view an onion - it's not for me, but whatever lights your fire.
But as it is, within my premise, I understand that ACTING within that lifestyle to be as much as a shortcoming as the weaknesses I have, the weaknesses my neighbor has, the weaknesses we all have. It's for each of us to sort out our weaknesses with God, and to only encourage others to do the best that they can with theirs as the Savior outlined in John Chapter 8.
Again, I applaud the first commentator. He read the blog, played along with the premise (or rules of discussion) I established up front, and offered an angle/perspective of the issue that was interesting - within the premise. He didn't work outside the premise, didn't assign the author of the blog things that the author didn't present, and didn't draw negative conclusions about the author's views (and character) that didn't exist.
To do that would be the practice of demagoguery, and I will not let that stand, regardless of the forum.
Richard, I think your blog was well put. I agree and am happy that people are starting to talk about the issue as simply a spiritual weakness, just like any other temptation that one would have. I have come to the realization over my life that the single best thing that a person can do for someone that is struggling with homosexual thoughts, alcoholism, lying, chastity, etc. is love. I wish I would have realized this years ago. I could have been more helpful in certain situations. EVERYONE struggles, some people with things that are everyone can see and others with things that are hidden. For somethings and addictions, keeping them secret gives them more power than they actually have. telling someone you trust may help.
ReplyDeleteThat being said, I am not suggesting that every person should go around professing their spiritual strugglesto everyone, but rather, finding a good friend or family, or religious leader that can help them, love them, accept them for who they are and help them heal. So many people today struggle with self esteem and being mocked and belittled will make them feel even worse and not worth being helped.
The answer is simply to love, like you said. Love is how we are going to help each other as we all struggle in this life and grow into our full potential.
Those are my thoughts on the matter. On the practice of pride walks...I enjoyed the first comment and brought a healing view that I had not considered. I like the view of strictly looking at what the walk or protest is representing. Matt relayed a story from high school where a homosexual man in montana was beaten, dragged behind a truck and then hung with barbed wire. Some kids in his school had a day of silence to combat that kind of treatment. some people questioned him and asked him why he was participating when he is 'mormon.' he answered that no one should be treated like that, while he did not agree with homosexuals choices he strongly felt that persecution and abuse was wrong.
So looking at what the parade is representing....if it is encouraging homosexuality, then I agree with you, we do not stand with adulterers so they can wear their choices with pride, because it is encouraging behavior that God has defined as wrong. But, if the walk is actually fighting mistreatment, abuse, persecution of homosexuals we ought to stand up for the group and let the majority know that those actions are completely wrong and unacceptable. It is never ok to abuse people, just like we would stand up for anyone being mistreated.