Hello All.
I believe many of you have heard my name this past few days. Since last Sunday I have both been in contact with the press and have also attempted to reach out to the LDS church to make a compromise. My philosophy on that is written in a blog, which can be found again from the link on the MormonThink site under “What’s New”.
As I have indicated on the Tuesday entry, I tried to work with the church, and my leaders have completely ignored me. Thus, I'm taking my fight to the media, and there, hope to encourage the LDS church to repeal their decision to discipline me over my free speech.
MormonThink will stay put. And if I can help it, I will remain a member of record as managing editor. I hope the LDS church can open the tent bigger. A diverse view of its history, doctrines and foundation will serve it better than a narrowly defined, regimented policy against thinking persons. After all, it itself cannot even decide where it stands officially on why it denied the priesthood to the blacks, whether or not the entire or any single group of Amerindians are Lamanites or just the other race that was here already. If they can change their press releases and Book of Mormon introductions to reflect their own lack of understanding (a.k.a ignorance) then I believe the membership tent can be widened to include members who contribute to sites like MormonThink. We really aren’t any more threat to them than FARMS or Richard Bushman who acknowledge many of the same issues. We just don’t get a royalty or paycheck for doing it.
I have simultaneously posted to MormonDiscussions, RfM, StayLDS, Postmormon and other forums, for completeness.
MormonThink events
-
_Bob Loblaw
- _Emeritus
- Posts: 3323
- Joined: Wed Jun 27, 2012 2:26 am
Re: MormonThink events
Good luck. I am impressed with your courage and integrity.
"It doesn't seem fair, does it Norm--that I should have so much knowledge when there are people in the world that have to go to bed stupid every night." -- Clifford C. Clavin, USPS
"¡No contaban con mi astucia!" -- El Chapulin Colorado
"¡No contaban con mi astucia!" -- El Chapulin Colorado
-
_Fence Sitter
- _Emeritus
- Posts: 8862
- Joined: Sat Oct 02, 2010 3:49 pm
Re: MormonThink events
As Bob said, good luck.
It will be interesting to follow the Church's reaction to media involvement.
Since your name has been made public, can you also post the names of the local Church authorities who are conducting the proceedings?
Where is your post at MDD?
It will be interesting to follow the Church's reaction to media involvement.
Since your name has been made public, can you also post the names of the local Church authorities who are conducting the proceedings?
Where is your post at MDD?
"Any over-ritualized religion since the dawn of time can make its priests say yes, we know, it is rotten, and hard luck, but just do as we say, keep at the ritual, stick it out, give us your money and you'll end up with the angels in heaven for evermore."
-
_malkie
- _Emeritus
- Posts: 2663
- Joined: Mon Oct 01, 2007 11:03 pm
Re: MormonThink events
David,
I note that you have written publicly in several places.
Do you have strong feelings in either direction about members of this board pointing others to MormonThink?
How about if the "others" are Religion writers/columnists on various newspapers?
In other words, is more/wider publicity a help or a detriment to you at this stage?
I note that you have written publicly in several places.
Do you have strong feelings in either direction about members of this board pointing others to MormonThink?
How about if the "others" are Religion writers/columnists on various newspapers?
In other words, is more/wider publicity a help or a detriment to you at this stage?
NOMinal member
Maksutov: "... if you give someone else the means to always push your buttons, you're lost."
Maksutov: "... if you give someone else the means to always push your buttons, you're lost."
-
_cwald
- _Emeritus
- Posts: 4443
- Joined: Sat Jun 09, 2012 4:53 pm
Re: MormonThink events
Fence Sitter wrote:
Where is your post at MDD?
I'm not seeing it on the staylds site either?
"Jesus gave us the gospel, but Satan invented church. It takes serious evil to formalize faith into something tedious and then pile guilt on anyone who doesn’t participate enthusiastically." - Robert Kirby
Beer makes you feel the way you ought to feel without beer. -- Henry Lawson
Beer makes you feel the way you ought to feel without beer. -- Henry Lawson
-
_LDS truthseeker
- _Emeritus
- Posts: 421
- Joined: Tue Nov 02, 2010 4:28 pm
Re: MormonThink events
Best of luck to you buddy.
-
_Dr. Shades
- _Emeritus
- Posts: 14117
- Joined: Mon Oct 23, 2006 9:07 pm
Re: MormonThink events
Fence Sitter wrote:Where is your post at MDD?
I'm sure they already deleted it.
cwald wrote:I'm not seeing it on the staylds site either?
Maybe that one doesn't count. :-)
"Finally, for your rather strange idea that miracles are somehow linked to the amount of gay sexual gratification that is taking place would require that primitive Christianity was launched by gay sex, would it not?"
--Louis Midgley
--Louis Midgley
-
_DrW
- _Emeritus
- Posts: 7222
- Joined: Thu Apr 02, 2009 2:57 am
Re: MormonThink events
David,
The MormonThink website is a very well done and important resource for those seeking the truth about Mormonism.
in my opinion, it is by far the best resource available in terms of balance, clarity and accessibility.
My guess is that you will find that you have more support among members and concerned former members of the LDS Church than you might imagine.
You are doing the right thing - no doubt about it.
Thanks for posting and best of luck in your upcoming encounter.
The MormonThink website is a very well done and important resource for those seeking the truth about Mormonism.
in my opinion, it is by far the best resource available in terms of balance, clarity and accessibility.
My guess is that you will find that you have more support among members and concerned former members of the LDS Church than you might imagine.
You are doing the right thing - no doubt about it.
Thanks for posting and best of luck in your upcoming encounter.
David Hume: "---Mistakes in philosophy are merely ridiculous, those in religion are dangerous."
DrW: "Mistakes in science are learning opportunities and are eventually corrected."
DrW: "Mistakes in science are learning opportunities and are eventually corrected."
-
_RayAgostini
Re: MormonThink events
David Twede wrote: Thus, I'm taking my fight to the media, and there, hope to encourage the LDS church to repeal their decision to discipline me over my free speech.
The issue isn't about "free speech". You are free to think, say, and publish whatever you like. That's why political parties allow, or don't allow, often depending on the circumstances, a "conscience vote". Every organisation has "requirements of membership", including religious organisations.
If you ever arrive at the stage where you feel you disagree with most of an organisation's statements of belief, purpose, or aims, then you should revise your participation in, or membership of, said organisation. Your free speech is unaffected.
-
_Aristotle Smith
- _Emeritus
- Posts: 2136
- Joined: Fri Aug 14, 2009 4:38 pm
Re: MormonThink events
RayAgostini wrote:The issue isn't about "free speech". You are free to think, say, and publish whatever you like. That's why political parties allow, or don't allow, often depending on the circumstances, a "conscience vote". Every organisation has "requirements of membership", including religious organisations.
If you ever arrive at the stage where you feel you disagree with most of an organisation's statements of belief, purpose, or aims, then you should revise your participation in, or membership of, said organisation. Your free speech is unaffected.
Ray,
This is what he said:
hope to encourage the LDS church to repeal their decision to discipline me over my free speech
In other words, he knows he has free speech. The question is, Will the LDS church discipline him over his free speech? Or will the LDS church invoke their freedom to remove him from associating with them?