This is an interesting article from a member of the LDS church. I first saw it on Facebook when a member that I know here in the Portland area posted it. I don't really know how to handle the news, and I hope that those who are passing it around, don't get hurt. So far as I know, the church does not at all understand the issue, but I will say that they seem to be trying harder to figure it out than any christian group that I know. Sure, there was pain and hardship in the past, but I just want to give them a chance and see where this goes. I know lots and lots of people who were hurt in the past. I now hope that an understanding can develop.
I hope that I do not disappoint you, because I do not talk about any GBLT stuff on Facebook. I've been outed and rejected so many times that I just don't have the strength to go through it again. I won't be joining the fight.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mitch-mayne/gay-lgbt-mormons_b...
Comments
Listning Brings Understanding
From understand there comes acceptance. Then presidential candidate Obama went with other candidates to a forum involving LGBT issues. Eventually he accepted and supported same sex marriage. The same process could happen with the LDS, although there is no guarantee. At least the church is listening.
shalimar
Veto
Sorry but religion issues should not be alluded to on this forum and I would respectfully ask that this post be removed. This is far too much a firecracker issue and people will get hurt and upset over it.
Gwen???
>> they seem to be trying harder to figure it out than any christian group that I know. << Do you mean that right now they are trying harder....? Many christian denominations have "figured it out" decades ago. These denominations range from the formal, almost catholic, Episcopalians to the simple and direct Quakers (I think, or maybe they decide meeting by meeting...) to the "accept many things" Unitarians. I think they include most or all of the moderate to liberal protestant churches.
Hugs and Bright Blessings,
Renee
Sneaking in under the Radar.
I've experience with lots of different denominations because I was idealistically searching for the perfect one. Much to my disappointment, it does not exist. Aside from Islam, the LDS are the most conservative denomination I have ever experienced, and in spite of the fact that I went out and had the surgery and now am a woman, I am extremely conservative; absolutely insisting on certain elements where I worship. This was a huge surprise to me. It took several years to come round to that conclusion, having been treated very badly by some denominations. I should have become an athiest, but something in my innermost parts kept telling me that even if the earth is 6 billion years old, there was still an ordering influence.
I am quite sure that you know thermodynamics much better than I do, but isn't one of the laws of thermodynamics that things tend to tear themselves apart? Well, it isn't happening here, unless we blow ourselves up or the earth gets sick of our abuse and throws us out. :)
So, to me, a monolith like the LDS church seeking the truth of these issues is a right shock! And to add to that astonishment, the way they have treated me seemed to be barking mad at first.
I'm sorry I did not intend to make anyone uncomfortable but any time someone is thinking about being nicer to us, I think it is a big issue.
Gwendolyn
My first reaction...
My first reaction to your statement that "The Church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints" was doing more to understand/work on the issue of LGBT inclusion was one of shock and surprise. As has been previously noted, both the Society of Friends (also known as the Quakers) and the Unitarian churches have both long embraced LGBT people. In addition, there's a Methodist minister who transitioned while in the pulpit/serving a charge with full support of his bishop... And, this was about 20 years ago. (FWIW, the Methodist church is still split over same-sex couples and people in an active same-sex relationship serving as ordained ministers (though they are there)...) I've found nothing but support in my local Methodist church with my transition last summer (including support up to and including the old Bishop and the current one). I've even seen movement among at least one Baptist convention in support. There are ordained gay and lesbian ministers in the Episcopal church.
That "The Church" is finally looking at things - hopefully with intent toward full inclusion rather than "transformation" - is a good thing. I hope they are able to work through things.
Annette
Religions and GLBT
I think we must remember that religions are not necessarily informed by facts. Religions are prisoners of their teachings. Those religions that take a omniscient stance, in which they profess to already have all knowledge, skills or abilities, will not be informed by new discoveries, ideas or philosphies. Those that take the view that their teachings are guides that can be adjusted in deference to new discoveries, will modify their teachings as knowledge increases.
I cannot define which religion fits either description or which religions fit somewhere in between. But, they are not unlike people in this regard. Some people abandoned their homes and property to flee to higher ground as Sandy approached the eastern seaboard. They were informed by science and modified their actions accordingly. Others refused to leave, stating that they would be safe regardless. Many of them died; many others suffered needlessly. Still others tried to take a middle course, and suffered accordingly. Many who survived have learned a lesson, while some others remain adamant that their course of action was justified.
I can't say who was right or who was wrong. I wasn't there, nor did I have to face such a dilemma. Still, I think that I'm one of those who would have run like a scared bunny! In the same way, my religion, whatever it is, is informed by new discoveries, knowledge, and philosophies, and I change my attitudes, behavior, and outlook accordingly. I would hope that others take a simlilar stance.
Red MacDonald
A much wiser man than I,
once told me... "I don't believe in religion. I believe in God." I took that as my stance and belief. If a religious group has a problem with me or the way I choose/need to live my life, well, they can go pound salt as far as I am concerned.
Yeah, I guess it's sort of a good thing that one of the more conservative/restrictive religious groups MAY be changing their stance on GLBT issues, but I ain't gonna hold my breath waiting for them to acknowledge facts. Gays, Lesbians, Bisexuals and Transsexuals exist! NONE of them have a choice in how they are or have to live. It don't mean God doesn't love them.
Seems to me that those religions who preach hate and bigotry are themselves at odds with God.
My opinions. Your mileage may vary.
Happy Holidays and huggles,
Catherine Linda Michel
As a T-woman, I do have a Y chromosome... it's just in cursive, pink script.
The Church Body as a whole
needs to unlearn the prejudice against the T.G. Community.
May Your Light Forever Shine
My Experiences
When we were forced to escape out situation in the bus it was a LDS member who knew us that gave us shelter. She risked her housing to give us a dry place to stay when all others turned there back either saying no can do or it is only Your own fault expect no help. Her Bishop was kind and helpful and always treated me with respect. I was invited to and accepted to the women's functions offered by Relief society and the dinners sponsored by the church. My children and my self were wonderfully and openly welcomed by the Member body of the church in a way I never thought would be possible by any Christian denomination.
To be sure I am aware that this varies from Stake to Stake and I have had a real rotten experiences with even Metaphysical Churches whom I worked with for years. I am not the greatest fan of the whole history of the church states and there war upon all who would not tremble before them.
I am witnessed to the extreme amount of member support LDS Churches in this Stake offer there members and how much they demonstrate there desire to walk in the shoes of the 'fisher of men', and not just make pretty talk about it.
I make no recommendations for any other Stakes but the Article does show me that the church it's self understands the question and is trying to solve it rather than hiding in dusty cold stone ruins of what was. No I am not a member of LDS I am Lakota, and I must speak truthfully concerning all things I say.
Huggles
Michele Whitewolf
Medicine Women
With those with open eyes the world reads like a book
Not a part of my life.
Hi Gwen. As you know, (we have skyped many times,) I'm an atheist so religious questions no longer feature in my existance except as topics of intellectual discussion. I certainly have no space in my life for religion and never will have but you know the reasons for that, we have chatted about them often enough.
As to their being a God, well at present I see nothing that persuades me there might be a God so I'll go with science and logic cos' I don't have any other concrete facts to pin any articles of faith on.
Having skyped you many times, I know that you have concluded there must be some sort of guiding force out there to make sense of the chaotic univers and I firmly respect your thoughts on this. I know we both agree to differ on this but at least it's a friendly amiable set of differences.
Oh by the way I might have some firmer news (good news) about putting you up for a month in the summer if you come over.
Gonna' skype you tonight.
XX
Bev.