Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Indignation and a "Disturbance In the Force"

Over this past weekend I felt an increase in my sense of indignation regarding what I consider to be fear mongering, perpetuation misinformation, and outright lying--to name a few--by individuals and organizations that fight against LGBT rights, including same-sex marriage. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has been among these, and I found myself particularly focusing on the arguments they made during the push for California's Proposition 8. All of this seemed to reach a near "disturbance in the Force" kind of level with my soul. I decided, Monday, to finally write a brief letter to my new bishop along with providing him copies of the disciplinary council decision from 2001 when I was officially disfellowshipped from the body of the church and a copy of the letter I sent to the last bishop I spoke with about my sexuality.

I was wondering why I felt this way; I was trying to figure out why I suddenly had these feelings and thoughts come on. At first I thought it may be a combination of my depression, continuing to work out my appropriate medication levels, following the updates from Facebook friends on the progress of the Perry v. Schwarzenegger court arguments, and having met with my Elders' Quorum President on Sunday for a standard quarterly PPI (personal priesthood interview). Perhaps it is part of all these. However, given what came out today in Perry v. Schwarzenegger I feel perhaps I somehow sensed this coming.

From PRIDE In Utah!:

Even after Pro-8 counsel fought furiously to keep them hidden, documents from within the LDS/Mormon hierarchy were ruled as valid by Judge Walker today. The first was an email detailing that the Prop 8 Campaign was “entirely under direction of the priesthood!” As the email was read it, detailed incredible details, such as the fact that the Mormon church had a “key-leader in every zip code in California,” organizing the efforts of pro-8. The document also describes plan for grassroots organizing based on church wards led by ward priests. Apparently, the LDS church had an average of 20,000 volunteers walking neighborhoods at any given time.

The 2nd document is a record of the minutes in a meeting of the LDS officials. It details that Mormons were “not to take the lead, but to work within the coalition” in order to minimize negative impact on the church. In otherwords, the documents make it clear that 2 way flow of info between the campaign and the church was regular, but church pretended to lay low. The LDS church pushed for the campaign to privde the talking points, but it would provide the volunteers.


I have been upset before about what has been revealed about the involvement of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Proposition 8. Now, however, my indignation is just at its max. It's not anger; it's not hatred. Indignation is the only word I have for it. I am blown away by the level of hypocracy and lies this shows from the institutional levels of the organization that is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I am seriously ready to let loose on the next person to accuse the LGBT community of picking on, twisting words of, or smearing the name of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The organization seems all too ready to do that to itself, and every serious, rational accusation made has so far been confirmed--and then some. I also will have nothing to do with those who argue they are fighting not a civil policy but a moral issue. Those who choose to fight so unethically, and with such blatant hypocracy, have no right to even try standing on claims of morality.

4 comments:

  1. First I have to say that the church has the right to believe whatever they want, and this will never include acceptance of homosexuals, transgenders, or gay marriage.

    Second... I strongly disagree with this and it's one of the reasons I don't go to church. Currently I think that God's plans and the Church are two different things.

    Something that also irks me is seeing someone trying to take advantage of services/assistance from an organization that they seem to hate.

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  2. I agree the LDS church has the right to believe what they want. The issue of whether the LDS church can find a place, or not, within itself for homosexuals is a discussion to be had at a different level than the appropriateness of their involvement in the political scene.

    As for the comment about taking advantae of services/assistance: I am done for now trying to work with my ward and the LDS church in general. I just can't compartmentalize the institution any further.

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  3. Ryan? What did you try to accomplish by sending the letter and documents to your current bishop? Does faith need documents?

    Do you think your elders' quorum, your bishop or this bureaucratic institution will solve your problem(s)? Why do you seek such external validation of self-worth? You are much more than what they think of you! Much more than what they will _ever_ think of you!!! There are so many other meaningful ways to enjoy fellowship. The LDS church no longer deserves my full attention.

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  4. I sent the letter and documents as I believe in proper full disclosure. I haven't been looking for validation or self-worth from the LDS church by going. What I've been trying to do is network and find a job. The ward structure is a precreated community I am familiar with and know how to manuver in. My attendance has not been about faith. To be honest, after what I've experienced the past few weeks in going, I don't think they have much, if anything, to offer that I'm not already getting through some other system, e.g., Voc Rehab.

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