Mechanism For Dissent

[wenglund]

I guess I could dissent from the Church's position on same sex marriage, which I disagree with, but I have chosen to just keep my mouth shut. I would never dream of sharing my opinion in Church or at a Church function. When I have been asked about my opinion by Ward members, which is rare, most of the time I just lie about it. Serious. I don't want to affect them in any way that could possibly diminish their testimony of the gospel or their perceptions of the Church or its leaders.

I tend not to take issue with private, passive, personal disagreements with Church doctrines and policies. To varying degrees, most of us experience this--particularly when we sin.

Rather, my concern is with the public and proactive dissent, where there is open rebellion.

In either case, and to varying degrees, the lack of humility may be a factor, if nothing more than our believing we know better than God's anointed what is best and right for us personally and for the Church as a whole.

Thanks, -Wade Englund-

[wenglund]

While I continue trying to create a personal scenario for discussion perhaps this will provide a case for discussion.

What women know

Big UP!

Lamanite

As indicated on the new thread, I don't view this so much as dissent as it is presumptuous ark-steadying.

I don't object to the over-all premise. However, to me, it all would have been fine were they to have spoken simply for themselves and about themselves personally rather than on behalf of all women in the Church, and were it to have been a personal pledge about how they each intend to think and behave towards both women and men, rather than calling upon the Church to make changes. While perhaps well intended, the project smacks of abject arrogance, and in reading some of the facebook comments, it is being leveraged as an excuse to gripe and complain and a stick to beat the Church over the head with. What could have been a good thing, has been tainted by pride.

Thanks, -Wade Englund-

Thanks, -Wade Englund-

[Lamanite]

You know Wade I've spent all day revisiting the dissent that took place in Nauvoo and Kirtland. I've tried as best I can to place myself in the shoes of both Church leader and dissident. Attempting to feel after them with love and empathy. What a mess it all was. There were mistakes made by both parties. And yet, the church rolls forward.

To be sure, there are many lessons to be learned from the past. But as I've continued to pondered these issues I have a feeling that most of these lessons pertain to my own personal discipleship and continuing conversion. These are issues that should be handled between myself and sometimes with those within my personal circle of influence.

What about any possible institutional lessons for the Church? Certainly I believe there exists similar learning opportunities for the Church. The problem I'm having is nailing down what those lessons are. To be frank, my "stupor" of thought can be attributed to the fact that `it's presently none of my business and not within my current stewardship. The problem when discussing dissent is that in each unique case there is an equally unique mechanism that may be employed to reconcile the dissident and Church. There seems to be no general way to handle things. No "one size fits all" way to handle dissent. Ultimately, institutional problems/solutions evade me.

Tonight, my opinion is that dissent against the Church, or in defiance of it, is pretty much a non-issue. After much thought, addressing the issue of dissent is just not as pressing of an issue as I first thought. The Church is moving in the right direction. Good leadership is being reflected by a great Church with a wonderful membership.

If there is ever a day that I need to dissent, I will not immediately know what to do, except to wait and pray. Hopefully, God will prepare me in thought and deed. Using a personal example, as I've said before my personal feelings regarding gay marriage differ from the official position of the Church. But I continue to wait for further light and knowledge, and continue on in faith and loyalty. I'm not dissenting in this situation so much as patiently waiting, all the while being open to change.

This discussion has been very interesting. I'm still open to talking and hearing your opinion on the matter.

Big UP!

Lamanite

[Buzzard]

Everyone is overlooking the obvious answer. There are three levels of dissent. The first is acceptable, the second will generate raised eyebrows, and the third level is rank apostasy, you deserve whatever opprobrium is dished out:

Level 1: Wearing a blue dress shirt to church, or it's equivalent, sporting facial hair beyond a mustache.

Level 2: No coat, no tie. No socks if you really want to push the envelope.

Level 3: Wearing a tie, or any article of clothing with a University of Utah logo on it. Proof positive you are headed for perdition.