Shawn McCraney on Mormon Stories

[Lamanite]

The tradition goes back a lot farther than that- Brother Brigham as I recall had a few zingers for the "loyal opposition" and Wilford Woodruff was known to let a few fly himself.

I don't know if it is escapable. We don't have a tradition of genteel European foppishness, heck (that word is itself a concession) we are descendants of rude American frontiersmen. Look at the English parliament for Pete's sake, it even goes back father than the frontier.

Yes, we should try to be Christlike, but remember he plaited a whip when necessary too. If you can't take the fire...

That's ridiculous. Regardless of our religious cultural heritage we are all perfectly capable of being nice to each other. The title was lame. The review itself was rigorous, honest, and forthright. These things may be poignant without being pointed.

Big UP!

Lamanite

[mfbukowski]

That's ridiculous. Regardless of our religious cultural heritage we are all perfectly capable of being nice to each other. The title was lame. The review itself was rigorous, honest, and forthright. These things may be poignant without being pointed.

Big UP!

Lamanite

I was speaking directly to the quote I quoted- nothing more.

My intention was not to say that we should not "be nice", but that I think that fireworks in these sensitive areas can be expected.

But perhaps I am just rationalizing for my big mouth which often gets the best of me.

How's that for turning on a dime? I probably should not have made the post, but gotten in line to sing "Kumbaya" with everyone else. Oh well.

[LifeOnaPlate]

Just as a heads-up, on Feb. 24 I posted a correction to my review of Shawn McCraney's book. The review states that Shawn was addicted to drugs and alcohol. In an interview with John Dehlin, Shawn said he wasn't "addicted," but only abused substances. Though I felt this point was largely irrelevant to my review, it deserved clarification. My aim was always to let Shawn speak for his own experiences.

As I was going through my McCraney notes today I found this quote from an old episode of his TV show:

"I want to say something now that's going to bother some of you greatly. It will certainly be misunderstood but it's not gonna prevent me saying it. I have never, ever, met a man more evil than myself. Shawn McCraney, the man sitting right in front of you, right now, here, on the stage now, is, not was, is, a selfish alcoholic, he is a prescription drug addict, he is a rabid adulterer, a sexual deviant, and a violent man. If you need to see me in my flesh as anything else, you've got your wires crossed. And if you want me to reassure you of anything otherwise, it's not gonna happen. Right now, in my body, in my flesh and bone, live all things vile. They came with my physical entrance into this world and the experiences I had growing up as a child. Take me out and get my old man going and the right circumstances and I assure you I am capable of almost every evil act under the sun. I have nothing, nothing in myself at all that will justify my natural person before God. Nothing but my faith, and trust, and love in Him. And yet, in this state, my fallen nature while I was in sin, He came and saved me. I am a sinner saved by grace. Saved through no good thing in me and through this salvation I was made a new creature in Christ spiritually, in Jesus, in Him. Anything that comes out of me that is positive or loving or beneficial or good originates from Him and in Him alone. And for this I praise Him." (Shawn McCraney, "Heart of the Matter" episode #190, 3 November 2009, 8:48-11:05 minute mark.)

This episode was taped after Shawn had already read a rough draft of my review, before the final draft was published. It seems to me Shawn is employing a rhetorical strategy to emphasize his fallen nature and his being saved through the grace of Jesus Christ. It echoes James 2:10: "For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all." Some of Shawn's details in this quote match descriptions he has given about real-life circumstances (like the use of alcohol and drugs). Other details seem hyperbolic (like sexual deviancy). Thus, it is difficult to separate his actual acts from his rhetorical claims. Shawn has claimed he was an addict, he has also claimed he was not an addict. Either way, it is irrelevant to my review of his book which is available here. Questions, comments, corrections, etc. are always welcome. I have added this info to my blog's clarification.