Strange email from those concerned about things at BYU

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_Corpsegrinder
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Re: Strange email from those concerned about things at BYU

Post by _Corpsegrinder »

In all fairness, the BYU portrayed in the email seems vastly different from the institution my wife attended in the 90's. Here's a taste of what the Y was like back in the day...

The Lord's University: Freedom and Authority at BYU
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During the past five years, several incidents at Brigham Young University have attracted national attention. In 1995, Schindler's List was banned from a campus theater; in 1997, university officials removed a handful of pieces from the traveling Rodin exhibition that had been scheduled to open at the university's art museum. And in 1998, BYU was sanctioned by a national association of university professors for what it considered violations of ideals of academic freedom. These incidents and others are at the core of Bryan Waterman and Brian Kagel's analysis of the intellectual environment and the academic culture of Brigham Young University in the nineties.

Although interesting, this book is outdated. That is, if the email in the OP is to be believed.
_moksha
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Re: Strange email from those concerned about things at BYU

Post by _moksha »

Right after Homer chronicled the warning to beware of Greeks bearing gifts, he got this faraway prophetic look in his eye and mumbled something about watching out for those touting conservatism and calling themselves, "the good Mormons".

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_Drifting
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Re: Strange email from those concerned about things at BYU

Post by _Drifting »

More insight into the views of Stephen and Janice...

So, if we Americans want this garden we call human society to flourish, what must we do? Michael Brown, with his tireless documentation of America’s dark, queer, tangled experiment and the horrors it has already engendered, makes a good solid case for a consistent and uncompromising return to God’s benevolent law for his children concerning the sexual desire. This is that sex and sexuality should be uniquely reserved for lawful marriage and healthy, wholesome relations between natural male and natural female, husband and wife. Considering the state of our society today, this would require a complete recultivation, digging out the noxious weeds, preparing the soil, and planting anew the timeless seeds of virtue.


What do their friends at NARTH (the National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality) think?

Now the new assault on science comes in the form of the equally fallacious argument that attempts to help those with unwanted homosexuality are "dangerous". This is completely false! This is particularly exasperating coming from a media totally unwilling to acknowledge the tremendous health and emotional toll that homosexual activities exact on those caught up in the lifestyle. They will spend thousands of hours searching for one individual who claims to have been injured by therapy, but seldom mention the thousands of broken lives that are the legacy of homosexual behavior.

At the same time, the number of individuals who have successfully overcome homosexuality continues to grow, and the lives of these brave folks continue to testify that change is possible. Please know that while we continue to plead for your financial support, NARTH members, supporters, and friends are making a difference! By making a generous donation we can and will do more. Thank you for your encouragement.

Warmest regards,
Julie Hamilton, Ph.D.
President


The Gospel according to Stephen and Janice...

Q: Why do you call yourselves the Standard of Liberty when you focus on homosexuality?
A: The “gay” movement is inhibiting the safety, freedom, and prosperity of America.


Q: Isn’t societal acceptance of homosexuality a sign of progress and enlightenment?
A: No. Homosexuality is an ancient practice that signals a civilization’s demise.


Q: You say homosexuality is physically harmful. How?
A: Homosexual sex (sodomy), causes chronic illnesses and life-threatening disease (HIV/AIDS), shortening life by an average of 20 years. The human body is simply not made for this behavior. In addition, adopting the “gay” identity often masks dangerous psychological problems that need attention.

Q: Doesn’t heterosexual sex carry the same physical risks as homosexual sex?
A: No, none, if there is abstinence before marriage, and fidelity and healthy, normal sexual intercourse in marriage.


Q: Isn’t homosexuality just another kind of love?
A: No. If there is love present, it has taken a wrong turn by including sexual lust. People who love each other do not risk each other’s health and well-being. The only healthy and appropriate love between same sexes is nonsexual, such as in friendships and families.


Q: Isn’t great love, loyalty, and affection between two people of the same sex a sign of homosexuality?
A: No. This ridiculous and hurtful idea is now being trumped up about famous people, posthumously. It’s disgraceful to attempt to turn such pure love into sexual lust. Such love between friends warrants great service and sacrifice. “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13)


Q: Isn’t it hateful and intolerant to oppose homosexuality?
A: No. It’s actually compassionate and charitable to oppose things that are harmful to individuals and society.


Q: Aren’t you disrespecting “gays” as human beings?
A: No. It is certain sexual ideas and behaviors that are not worthy of respect.


Q: Aren’t followers of Christ supposed to “judge not that ye be not judged?”
A: Out of context. This scripture (Matt. 7:1, Luke 6:37, 3 Nephi 14:1) is about condemning specific persons while overlooking our own faults. We at SoL judge principles, not people. All people make judgments on principles every day.


Q: Isn’t it hurtful to “gays” to call homosexuality a sin and an abomination?
A: Yes, these words may hurt. But these are God’s words. The truth often hurts before it heals.


Q: Why do you put the word “gay” in quotes?
A: Because the word used to mean something else – merry, playful, as in gaiety – and was adopted by activists to attempt to give homosexuality an immutable identity and make it appear to be something attractive, wholesome, and good. It is a fabricated corruption of the language.


Q: Has public opinion changed concerning homosexuality?
A: Yes. Due to systematic introduction of homosexual propaganda, pro-“gay” public policies and court decisions, the public is increasingly accepting of same sex sexuality in addition to and in preparation for the breaking down of all other sexual boundaries.


Q: Are you “the self-appointed moral police,” as some have said?
A: No. It is God who appoints all who will to stand for objective principles of truth and goodness. Our detractors are self-appointed, pushing an arbitrary, self-serving, and ultimately non-benevolent set of rules.


Q: Why do you focus on the cultural and political homosexual agenda?
A: It threatens freedoms, indoctrinates youth, harms people, and weakens the nation.


Q: Why don’t you focus more on understanding and helping individuals struggling with SSA?
A: That is the job of individuals, professional therapists, church leaders, and families.


Q: Shouldn’t we accept a young person as “gay” so he won’t become suicidal?
A: No. Actually, “the risk of suicide decreases by 20 % for each year that a young person delays homosexual or bisexual self-labeling.” (Remafedi, Farrow, and Deisher, 1991.)


Q: Isn’t the high rate of gay suicides due to societal nonacceptance?
A: No. There is a huge mainstream support system for homosexuality today. Suicide is caused by mental/emotional illness, of which homosexuality may only be a part.


Q: Isn’t “gay” who they are?
A: No. Humans are biologically heterosexual. Homosexuality is normal sexuality gone awry.


Q: What causes SSA?
A: Temperament plus environment. It won’t happen without environmental factors. As our society has become more and more “gay”-affirming, more and more vulnerable young people are being lured into homosexuality. (See Homosexuality 101, Julie Harren-Hamilton)


Q: Do you think homosexuality is a conscious choice?
A: No for some - it’s a developmental disorder. Yes for others – it’s trendy and rebellious. Or it’s a combination of those. But unless a person is mentally ill, it’s always a choice to live it out. It’s definitely a choice to publically self-identify as “gay.”


Q: Why in the world would anybody choose to be “gay” (as in public identification and lifestyle)?
A: Men especially choose the lifestyle because it’s about sex. Sexual thoughts, feelings, and acts are pleasurable and exciting. The objective of the “gay” lifestyle is easy, quick, shallow, fake sex with no strings attached. Like drugs, sex is often a person’s escape from responsibility, the pain of unmet needs, insecurity, guilt, etc.


Q: Is homosexuality really a public trend?
A: Yes. The idea that “gay” is bold, good, cool, natural, normal, progressive, etc., is celebrated on our public streets, in our schools and universities, in our news and entertainment media, and in everyday social interactions especially among young people. Hugely-funded “gay” lobbies and organizations are esteemed and pandered to in public and political arenas. There are companies, publishers, TV and radio stations, awards, bars, clubs, retail stores, cruises, resorts, and tourist destinations all over the country and world which showcase and cater especially to this segment of the population. America’s cities entice and accommodate “gays” as tourists with brochures, welcoming statements from mayors, and maps to “gay” hot spots.


Q: What if they can’t help it?
A: Unless people are severely mentally ill, they can choose how to think, feel, and act. They can avoid situations, seek help, and learn to change old thought patterns.


Q: If it’s so risky, why do people stay in the lifestyle?
A: Several reasons. Once involved, many often continue to act out in order to justify their choices. Sex is exciting and addictive. It masks pain. Often drugs such as crystal meth are used during sex binges which gives a false sense of invulnerability. And the health risks involved often add to the excitement. In fact, among many “gays” those with HIV are held in high esteem. It’s a dark, dangerous sub-culture that is misrepresented, winked at, and guarded in denial and secrecy.


Q: Is there really recruitment of young people going on?
A: Yes. Both “gay” individuals and the “gay” movement wish to attract youth for personal, political, and financial reasons. Youth is attractive. Young people are consumers and future customers. They will become voters. They hold the future in their hands. Because “gays” do not reproduce, they must recruit in order to justify and multiply. Children and young people are vulnerable and easy for adults to entice. Media, government, public school systems, and even the national PTA, have become notoriously conditioned and sympathetic, sometimes unwittingly, to the “gay” cause. Historically, any group out to change and control society specifically targets and indoctrinates children on a cultural and state scale.


Q: What do you mean by “gay” propaganda?
A: Any written, spoken, or otherwise produced material promoting homosexuality and the like as victimized, funny, hip, normal, benign, healthy, genetic, immutable, good, praiseworthy, equal to heterosexuality, or preferable. Such material is commonplace in all facets of our society today.


Q: Do you discriminate against “gays”?
A: No, if they keep their sexual proclivities strictly to themselves. Yes, if they push their agenda on others. For instance, we do not want them parading the streets, pressuring leaders, given special rights and protections, celebrated in schools and media, or influencing children. It is all decent people’s obligation to discriminate against individuals, behaviors, movements, and ideas that are false or dangerous to general health, safety and freedom. We discriminate all the time, such as when we prohibit smoking in public places, take drunks of the highways, put criminals in prisons, and oppose tyrants.


Q: Can “gays” change?
A: Yes. People are living proof.


Q: Doesn’t reparative therapy harm people?
A: No. People attempting to change are not harmed.


Q: How many really change from unwanted homosexuality?
A: A new study reports a 38% success rate. An additional 29% had made progress and were committed to continuing their efforts. That’s a combined total of 77% experiencing success. (Jones and Yarhouse, 2007) In the mental heath profession, this rate of success is considered very high.


Q: What are some factors that best ensure change from unwanted homosexuality?
A: Humility, sincere commitment, forsaking related associations and influences, the right kind of therapy, belief in God and holy scripture, faith in Christ, support from family, friends, and church leaders.


Q: How do we know if a person has really overcome SSA?
A: He says so and his life shows it. (This is also how we know a person has SSA.)


Q: Why don’t we hear more from ex-“gays?”
A: Most want to forget this part of their past and move on with their lives. And, due to pro-“gay” societal conditioning, the idea that ex-“gays” exist is strongly resisted, discounted, mocked, and silenced.


Q: Why is the idea of change from homosexuality marginalized?
A: The truth would expose “gayness” as sick and wrong, and bankrupt a powerful cultural/political movement.


Q: Why are some churches denying Biblical doctrine in favor of homosexuality?
A: Fear, intimidation, misinformation, and self-interest. Hate crimes bills if passed would threaten their existence and they don’t want to appear “intolerant.”


Q. Do you believe churches should accept open“gays” in full fellowship?
A: No. For their own good such individuals should be tough-loved, invited to repent, offered resources and therapy, and disciplined appropriately, just as others who stray from God’s laws. Of course, everyone should be encouraged to attend church and welcomed at meetings.


Q: Should even those privately struggling with SSA, who have not “acted out,” be chastened, offered help and correction, and held accountable by the church?
A: Yes. The church should be concerned with the person’s soul. People with this problem have become involved in perverse and sinful lust to the detriment of their eternal salvation.


Q: Why do you put “acting out” in quotes?
A: Some mistakenly think homosexual behavior entails only sodomy. But same sex sexual attraction often involves a gamut of acting out, including preoccupation with sex, masturbation, fantasizing or lust, pornography, and sinful associations such as gay clubs, internet chat rooms, telephone sex, cross dressing, flirting, dating, and cruising. All these are mental and physical choices and acts.


Q: What does SoL hope to accomplish?
A: Educate about the gay movement and prevention/overcoming of homosexuality out of love for God, reliance on Christ, and an eternal perspective on the worth of souls.


Q: How is SoL’s message received?
A: Many ways: with agreement, gratitude, relief, hope, incredulity, squeamishness, apathy, criticism, ridicule, anger, name-calling, threats.


Q: How do you react to negative responses?
A: If we feel criticisms or concerns are intelligent and sincere, we respectfully offer more information. If not, we just thank them for sharing their feelings.


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_Drifting
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Re: Strange email from those concerned about things at BYU

Post by _Drifting »

Chased By An Elephant By Janice Graham: Anti-Gay Book at Walmart


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by Amy Judd | October 18, 2010 at 03:53 pm

Chased By An Elephant: The Gospel Truth About Today's Stampeding Sexuality by Janice Barrett Graham is Being Sold at Over 100 Walmart Stores

In the book Chased By An Elephant it suggest that gay people can overcome the 'sin of homosexuality' and convert to heterosexuality through counseling.

According to Q Salt Lake, the book was written to "help shed the clear light of truth on today's dark and tangled ideas about male and female, proper gender roles, the law of chastity, and the God-given sexual appetite".

“The number of our young people involved in sexual sins has greatly increased in recent years. Some of the most stalwart-seeming youth find themselves involved in pornography, fornication, promiscuity, homosexuality, and the like,” Janice continued.

Source: qsaltlake.com


The book is aimed at children and is being sold in about 104 Walmart stores in the Intermountain West, the Brigham Young University bookstore and its sister sites.
“We look to not only the spiritual but also the temporal, and we believe that a person who is impoverished temporally cannot blossom spiritually.”
Keith McMullin - Counsellor in Presiding Bishopric

"One, two, three...let's go shopping!"
Thomas S Monson - Prophet, Seer, Revelator
_Blixa
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Re: Strange email from those concerned about things at BYU

Post by _Blixa »

Drifting wrote:Giant list of Stephen and Janice's ugly lies...


Thanks for that, Drifting. I had meant to mention that these folks were one-note homophobic nutlogs. That Q n A shows how desperately SOL they truly are. It's hard not to read their hysteria as evidence of psychological trauma.
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_Buffalo
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Re: Strange email from those concerned about things at BYU

Post by _Buffalo »

If BYU is starting to alienate the crazy right wing bigots, then it's finally moving in the right direction (ironic considering it's named after a crazy right wing bigot).
Parley P. Pratt wrote:We must lie to support brother Joseph, it is our duty to do so.

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_DarkHelmet
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Re: Strange email from those concerned about things at BYU

Post by _DarkHelmet »

Drifting wrote:In the book Chased By An Elephant it suggest that gay people can overcome the 'sin of homosexuality' and convert to heterosexuality through counseling.


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_Equality
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Re: Strange email from those concerned about things at BYU

Post by _Equality »

Bigoted Mormon Dumbasses wrote:If you think BYU upholds traditional family values, think again. Certain department heads, professors, guest lecturers, and students have become a law unto themselves, regularly preaching all manner of progressivism including socialism, radical feminism, anti-Americanism, revisionist history, outdated Darwinism, and popular homosexualism, and continue to be supported, employed, and welcomed


I'd really like to hear more about the outdated Darwinism being taught at BYU. IS BYU still teaching the Darwinian idea that one species can transmutate into another? Are they complaining that the latest advances in evolutionary thought are not being taught at BYU? Is BYU still using the first edition of The Origin of Species and these folks want BYU to use textbooks on evolution printed in 2011?
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_Sethbag
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Re: Strange email from those concerned about things at BYU

Post by _Sethbag »

I don't think it's physically possible to be this wrapped around the axle about the gays without their being some serious hangups in place. That they throw Darwinism into their list of gripes is just further proof.
Mormonism ceased being a compelling topic for me when I finally came to terms with its transformation from a personality cult into a combination of a real estate company, a SuperPac, and Westboro Baptist Church. - Kishkumen
_DarkHelmet
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Re: Strange email from those concerned about things at BYU

Post by _DarkHelmet »

Equality wrote:
I'd really like to hear more about the outdated Darwinism being taught at BYU. IS BYU still teaching the Darwinian idea that one species can transmutate into another? Are they complaining that the latest advances in evolutionary thought are not being taught at BYU? Is BYU still using the first edition of The Origin of Species and these folks want BYU to use textbooks on evolution printed in 2011?


Required textbooks for Darwinism 101 at BYU:
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"We have taken up arms in defense of our liberty, our property, our wives, and our children; we are determined to preserve them, or die."
- Captain Moroni - 'Address to the Inhabitants of Canada' 1775
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