I had started a long, carefully worded response to many cries of bigotry and hate towards our Church following President Boyd K. Packer's most recent General Conference talk. Following his message, there was thousands of hate mail, hundreds of critical headlines, petitions and protests. Even within Mormon bloggers, there was dissent. Which I found the most disturbing, was the level of disrespect and disassociation people had towards one of their leaders. I believe that this is because there is a misunderstanding in our Church's stance on homosexual behavior and separately how we should treat our fellow man including those in the gay community. Before I could finish my thoughts, the Church released their version, which of course is a much more elloquent and appropriate. Instead of posting my mediocre attempt, I will second what is said in this press release, and call it good!
4 comments:
I too find it disturbing that there is so much outcry from within the church. At first I didn't even know what they were talking about. As I listened to President Packer's talk the first time I didn't find anything offensive, startling, or even different from what has been said in the past. I too just read the Church's press release... it's perfect.
On a totally different subject I would LOVE if posted about your views concerning the upcoming local midterm elections--candidates and state questions.
I've been half-heartedly paying attention, but as it gets closer to it, I plan to. (If the kiddo's cooperate!) Thanks for the commenting Jeanine! And I keep up with several online "Mormon blogs" that have had disturbing reactions. And the whole Human Rights Campaign delivering 150K signatures on a petition pretty much asking the Church to denounce our stance on marriage and one of our key beliefs of the importance of our families. Really, how much will that accomplish other than publicity.
This was actually really good too: http://gaymormonguy.blogspot.com/2010/10/president-packers-talk-from-gay-mormon.html.
Jeanine, That link is awesome, thank you for sharing it!
I happened to be at General Conference when Packer gave that talk. I definitely felt grateful that he was able to clarify and talk about "natural law" which we, no matter how much we try to cange law, can not be touched.
I also happen to have a cousin who is gay. He is a returned missionary and unfortunatly isn't active at this time. He is living a very open, gay lifestyle. He is wonderful and fun and funny and my heart aches for him.
I feel a little worried at what we are going to start to have to deal with. I had to think twice about sending my son to preschool with a BYU t-shirt yesterday. Are we ready as parents to endure the potential persecution that comes to our children (if it comes to our children). I am not afraid to stand up for what I believe in and I have the ability to defend myself if persecutions come my way, but I don't want my innocent child to be mistreated because he is unable to defend himself. Is this what we are up against in this day and age?
Post a Comment