Joseph Antley Posted January 21, 2011 Posted January 21, 2011 The other day I wrote a blog post about my thoughts on being a Mormon skeptic. I thought maybe some people here could relate and tell me what you think (about the thoughts, not necessarily the prose). LinkIs skepticism okay in the Church? And if so, how much of it is okay?
David T Posted January 21, 2011 Posted January 21, 2011 I am in complete agreement with you, Joseph. It was questioning the status quo that was a key part of the process that led me to becoming LDS in the first place. My testimony is on the core and foundational principles. Most other things are very open to re-evaluation and new understanding. I feel strongly the Lord wants us to question, and seek knowledge and further learning, and that it should be proactive, and not just sit and wait for the Prophet to declare 'some new thing'.For behold, it is not meet that I should command in all things; for he that is compelled in all things, the same is a slothful and not a wise servant; wherefore he receiveth no reward.Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness;For the power is in them, wherein they are agents unto themselves. And inasmuch as men do good they shall in nowise lose their reward.I think that applies to seeking understanding and application of revelation, history, and scripture as much as anything.
selek Posted January 21, 2011 Posted January 21, 2011 The other day I wrote a blog post about my thoughts on being a Mormon skeptic. I thought maybe some people here could relate and tell me what you think (about the thoughts, not necessarily the prose). LinkIs skepticism okay in the Church? And if so, how much of it is okay?The cynical plea for attention notwithstanding , my answer when I read your title was, "Skeptical:yes, Cynical: no".Having read the article, I must say I agree with you in nearly all particulars.Your panic may now begin in earnest.That having been said, I have always understood "Mormonism" to be a reasoned faith- and never a blind one.Despite the numerous attempts by others to paint the Priesthood and senior Church leadership as somehow demanding unquestioning obedience, those claims always evaporate when their mined quotes are examined in context and understood properly.It is an inescapable tenet of the Gospel that God wants mature, reasoning servants who have (and will) made the most of the talents- and the key to becoming a wise steward is the ability to think clearly.I think the question is less one of, "Is skepticism okay in the Church?" and more of "How can one be a wise steward (and a faithful Mormon) without it?"All in all.....well done, Sir!
ElderDarionBevan Posted January 24, 2011 Posted January 24, 2011 it is ok to question as long as you are not trying to find fault
cinepro Posted January 25, 2011 Posted January 25, 2011 (edited) Is there room for the skeptic in the Church? Is it okay not to believe most of the faith-promoting rumors that are circulated around by members, or not to accept every sensationalist story, or to doubt that Noah actually took two of every terrestrial animal onto a boat, or to realize that not every word a general authority utters is the infallible word of God?Good blog post. I think skepticism is good when they're questioning something that isn't true, and that it is bad when they're questioning something that is true. Edited January 25, 2011 by cinepro
BookofMormonLuvr Posted January 25, 2011 Posted January 25, 2011 Good blog post. I think skepticism is good when they're questioning something that isn't true, and that it is bad when they're questioning something that is true.Who is the arbiter of what isn't true and thus good to question, and what is true and bad to question?
volgadon Posted January 25, 2011 Posted January 25, 2011 It certainly is ok to be skeptical, although what we are skeptical of might not be the same things, and our conclusions might be different.
Bill “Papa” Lee Posted January 25, 2011 Posted January 25, 2011 Is skepticism okay in the Church? And if so, how much of it is okay?If not heaven help me!
Senator Posted January 25, 2011 Posted January 25, 2011 Is skepticism okay in the Church? No.I can't recall a time when a voiced skepticism was ever well received, or should I say endorsed, in the church.
Jeff K. Posted January 25, 2011 Posted January 25, 2011 Skepticism of doctrine is a questionable issue in my view but that is simply part of the faith building process. I have been skeptical of church programs that I have been called to function within, not sure if they would be successful and sometimes thinking there would be little or no success. I still gave it my all. I was surprised when they did indeed turn out to be successful and it helped me understand that perhaps I don't always have all of the information I need to judge whether something works or not prior to the effort. Of course I have also been sceptical about a program that did indeed stumble.When I approach skepticism I ask myself this, is Abraham the model I seek to follow (with his son Isaac) or Jonah? I guess it depends on what I have on the line (though Jonah had less on the line than Abraham). I suppose I vacillate between the two.
Jeff K. Posted January 25, 2011 Posted January 25, 2011 Read the blog, there is a difference in the modern parlance between cynic and sceptic.
Bill “Papa” Lee Posted January 25, 2011 Posted January 25, 2011 No.I can't recall a time when a voiced skepticism was ever well received, or should I say endorsed, in the church.You mean your Ward; right?
semlogo Posted January 25, 2011 Posted January 25, 2011 I think it's tolerated in people investigating the church, but not in the membership.
Jeff K. Posted January 25, 2011 Posted January 25, 2011 In CA during the Prop 8 campaign when members went out to canvass neighborhoods regarding marriage, a number of people voiced dissent with the idea (indeed members throughout CA), I see these same people in the Temple and their brothers and sisters greeting them and friendly, and without rancor over their decisions. They were sceptical of the position and others of its success (I was in the latter catagory), neither position was reflected in a negative way in regard membership, or calling, or anything else that I noticed in both our ward and stake.Mayebe we are just a zion people.
Joseph Antley Posted January 25, 2011 Author Posted January 25, 2011 Thanks for the responses everyone. As a ward Sunday school teacher and then Sunday school president, this is something I've been thinking about a lot. Obviously Sunday school isn't the appropriate place for debates over whether Job is 100% historically accurate or whether Isaiah actually authored all of Isaiah. We all know the primary purpose of Sunday school is spiritual edification and helping us become more like Christ. But I do sometimes wish that I, at least, felt more comfortable voicing my "skeptical" views in Church. On things like whether the flood was actually global or not, for example, I think should be appropriate to mention in Church.It's probable that this is more of my problem with my own insecurities than anyone else in my ward's problem. When I really think about it, I doubt most of them would take issue with someone voicing their opinion on that topic. 2
Jeff K. Posted January 25, 2011 Posted January 25, 2011 (edited) Consider that Joseph Smith was sceptical but not cynical. He was sceptical of the hubris of man, but not cynical that the Lord would not guide him to the proper answer. There is definately a place in the church for scepticism since that very sceptifism led to its founding. If Joseph Smith were a cynic he would never have been able to exercise faith since cynicism is the acceptance of falsehood without the effort to change the environment while scepticism is the feeling of doubt coupled with the idea that an answer is out there to be had.Just some thoughts on the idea. Edited January 25, 2011 by Jeff K.
mmmcounts Posted January 30, 2011 Posted January 30, 2011 The other day I wrote a blog post about my thoughts on being a Mormon skeptic. I thought maybe some people here could relate and tell me what you think (about the thoughts, not necessarily the prose). LinkIs skepticism okay in the Church? And if so, how much of it is okay?I think it depends on what you're trying to do. Are you skeptical of something about the Mormon church that you want changed? If so, are you trying to change something that Mormon leadership does not want changed? That's probably where the leadership would draw the line, and being leaders, they would expect you to follow.
Brenda Posted February 3, 2011 Posted February 3, 2011 it is ok to question as long as you are not trying to find faultMy thought exactly.
Mudcat Posted February 4, 2011 Posted February 4, 2011 (edited) A skeptic doesn Edited February 4, 2011 by Mudcat
Kenngo1969 Posted February 4, 2011 Posted February 4, 2011 It's OK to question ... as long as one questions one's questions; and it's OK to doubt ... as long as one doubts one's doubts. (Thank Orson Scott Card for that bit of wisdom). I have questions; any doubts I might entertain are because, as a mortal, I don't know the mind of God. I believe though, that we're not mere rudderless craft on the seas of life, subject to the whims of seemingly random currents of doubt and faith that take us where they will. Remaining in the harbor of faith takes active use of the rudder with which God has equipped my craft: If I don't like where I am, I steer accordingly.
todd520 Posted February 4, 2011 Posted February 4, 2011 The other day I wrote a blog post about my thoughts on being a Mormon skeptic. I thought maybe some people here could relate and tell me what you think (about the thoughts, not necessarily the prose). LinkIs skepticism okay in the Church? And if so, how much of it is okay? Joseph,Have you read anything from James Fowler on Stages of Faith?Here is a simple introduction - Stages of Spiritual GrowthSceptecism is a nataural and healthy part of spiritual growth
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