Why Would Byu Want To Teach Secular Mormon Studies?

[CASteinman]

It is entirely reasonable for Mormons to want to be expert on the secular world of study relating to their own Mormon religion.

I have a question, "why would anyone think Mormons would not want to be leading the way in secular studies of the own religion?".

Because it is secular rather than faith based would be an excellent reason.

[Kerry A. Shirts]

It is entirely reasonable for Mormons to want to be expert on the secular world of study relating to their own Mormon religion.

I have a question, "why would anyone think Mormons would not want to be leading the way in secular studies of the own religion?".

MOST LOVING EXCELLENT!!!!!!!!!!! This is precisely what I am asking, just not so succinctly as thou just didst....... we absolutely SHOULD be the unquestionable LEADERS in the field..........

[Greg Kofford Books]

BYU is the only place where one can do non-secular Mormon Studies.

What exactly is "non-secular Mormon Studies"?

[CASteinman]

MOST LOVING EXCELLENT!!!!!!!!!!! This is precisely what I am asking, just not so succinctly as thou just didst....... we absolutely SHOULD be the unquestionable LEADERS in the field..........

By definition, it is impossible.

[CASteinman]

What exactly is "non-secular Mormon Studies"?

I'm pretty sure they would be different than the Mission of BYU .. which is " to assist individuals in their quest for perfection and eternal life" -- as directed by the "Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints". This would I believe, to all disinterested observers be entirely separate from the concept of "secular" which is defined as: "of or pertaining to worldly things or to things that are not regarded as religious, spiritual, or sacred"

The idea of BYU being considered secular is going to be a stretch no matter how hard you squint.

[Calm]

Because it is secular rather than faith based would be an excellent reason.

Secularism in no way prevents someone from having their own experience with faith.

Is someone who knows more about how a computer works having a less faithful experience when he uses one than someone who is less familiar with the inner workings but has full confidence that he will be able to do what he needs to do on it?

[zerinus]

I'm pretty sure they would be different than the Mission of BYU .. which is " to assist individuals in their quest for perfection and eternal life" -- as directed by the "Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints". This would I believe, to all disinterested observers be entirely separate from the concept of "secular" which is defined as: "of or pertaining to worldly things or to things that are not regarded as religious, spiritual, or sacred"

The idea of BYU being considered secular is going to be a stretch no matter how hard you squint.

If somebody could put his finger on the difference between "secular" and "non-secular" it would be a great help. Are physics, chemistry, biology, geology, astronomy, evolution European history etc. etc. secular or non-secular? BYU teaches all of those. Are the following subjects secular or non-secular:

D&C 90:

15 And set in order the churches, and study and learn, and become acquainted with all good books, and with languages, tongues, and people.

D&C 93:

53 And, verily I say unto you, that it is my will that you should hasten to . . . obtain a knowledge of history, and of countries, and of kingdoms, of laws of God and man, and all this for the salvation of Zion. Amen.

D&C 101:

33 Things which have passed, and hidden things which no man knew, things of the earth, by which it was made, and the purpose and the end thereof—

[CASteinman]

Secularism in no way prevents someone from having their own experience with faith.

But it absolutely rejects the notion that those experiences -- and especially religion -- are valid. This goes double if you should be so inclined to believe in a particular faith or religion.

[CASteinman]

If somebody could put his finger on the difference between "secular" and "non-secular"

Fortunately, people have done that. They are called lexicographers and they produce dictionaries. Here is the dictionary explanation of the terms:

sec·u·lar   [sek-yuh-ler]

adjective

1. of or pertaining to worldly things or to things that are not regarded as religious, spiritual, or sacred; temporal: secular interests.

2. not pertaining to or connected with religion ( opposed to sacred): secular music.

3. (of education, a school, etc.) concerned with nonreligious subjects.

4. (of members of the clergy) not belonging to a religious order; not bound by monastic vows ( opposed to regular).

5. occurring or celebrated once in an age or century: the secular games of Rome.

Non-secular is the negation of the above concept by the addition of the prefix "non":

non- 

a prefix meaning “not,” freely used as an English formative, usually with a simple negative force as implying mere negation or absence of something (rather than the opposite or reverse of it, as often expressed by un-1 ): nonadherence; noninterference; nonpayment; nonprofessional .

[zerinus]

Fortunately, people have done that. They are called lexicographers and they produce dictionaries. Here is the dictionary explanation of the terms:

sec·u·lar   [sek-yuh-ler]

adjective

1. of or pertaining to worldly things or to things that are not regarded as religious, spiritual, or sacred; temporal: secular interests.

2. not pertaining to or connected with religion ( opposed to sacred): secular music.

3. (of education, a school, etc.) concerned with nonreligious subjects.

4. (of members of the clergy) not belonging to a religious order; not bound by monastic vows ( opposed to regular).

5. occurring or celebrated once in an age or century: the secular games of Rome.

Non-secular is the negation of the above concept by the addition of the prefix "non":

non- 

a prefix meaning “not,” freely used as an English formative, usually with a simple negative force as implying mere negation or absence of something (rather than the opposite or reverse of it, as often expressed by un-1 ): nonadherence; noninterference; nonpayment; nonprofessional .

That still does not answer the questions in my previous post. Is BYU a secular or non-secular organization? Does it teach secular or non-secular subjects?

[CASteinman]

That still does not answer the questions in my previous post. Is BYU a secular or non-secular organization? Does it teach secular or non-secular subjects?

BYU is by definition a non-secular institution. I have already quoted the Mission Statement of the University to that effect.

It does teach both secular and non-secular subjects, but IT is a non-secular institution and Mormon Studies is most definitely a non-Secular subject.

[Calm]

It does teach both secular and non-secular subjects

And my understanding is in the secular subjects, the teachers are supposed to try and insert their testimony or other non-secular information into the discussions where appropriate.

Has this requirement/instruction been changed?

[zerinus]

BYU is by definition a non-secular institution. I have already quoted the Mission Statement of the University to that effect.

It does teach both secular and non-secular subjects, but IT is a non-secular institution and Mormon Studies is most definitely a non-Secular subject.

I think you are looking at it in too black and white. My point is that secular and non-secular is often mixed together. The non-secular will always have an element of the secular mixed in it. It is what you focus on that determines the direction you take, rather than trying to distinguish between the secular and non-secular.

[zerinus]

And my understanding is in the secular subjects, the teachers are supposed to try and insert their testimony or other non-secular information into the discussions where appropriate.

Has this requirement/instruction been changed?

See my previous post to Steinman.

[Kerry A. Shirts]

BYU is the only place where one can do non-secular Mormon Studies. Why would anyone want to change that? Why do apostates want to shut do this alternate voice to secular orthodoxy in secular universities?

That there is an excellent point also Bill.........good times! Thanks for the insight.....