Drifting wrote:Sock, I see what you are saying and certainly the leadership of the Church have culpability.
But that doesn't excuse local (better word than common) members, who are adults and capable of thinking and knowing better than to shun. For instance - an investigator asking the exact same questions would be embraced and encouraged. The Church leadership doesn't teach local members to treat investigators and critical thinking members differently. Local members come to that conclusion themselves. They could and should know better.
sock puppet wrote:Should that local leader do what the Brethren/COB instruct and discourage dissent and dissenting views? Those local leaders are instructed to meet with and call to repentance anyone of their ward/stake members that the leaders learn are expressing views inconsistent with the Brethren/COB.
In fact, If I recall correctly, in September 1993, the Brethren/COB gave instruction to the local leaders of six individuals to excommunicate them for having the audacity to buck the Brethren/COB and expressed dissident views. Yes, the local leaders are thinking adults--that have been put in those local leadership positions because of their loyalty to the Brethren/COB and not expressing or suffering others to express those dissident views.
As for the different treatment of investigators and members, there are many instances. And this comes with sanction from the Missionary Department in Salt Lake City. The idea is that learning to be obedient takes time; members should already be there; investigators are just starting down that path and can be excused more than members will be.
Drifting wrote:Yes, I do get what you are saying and I do not disagree with you.
All I'm saying is that regardless of what senior and local leaders say - local members have a God given obligation and requirement to think and act for themselves.
I don't think the leaders should be excused culpability, nor do I think local members should be excused the same culpability.
Too bad you weren't in Steven Bloor's ward. I think he'd have encouraged the toleration of thought that you yearn for among local Mormon congregations. But then he had to resign and apostatize to express his own critical thinking.