Mormon Newsroom: Difference And Dignity

[Buckeye]

http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/difference-and-dignity?adbid=530099778986590208&adbpl=tw&adbpr=10047382&cid=social_20141105_35082877

 

I am impressed with the principles espoused by the church in this newsroom article. It is curious, though, that these principles are often repressed within the church itself. What would it be like to live in a pluralistic church society where diversity of thought was highly valued and absolute unity seen as repression?

 

 

[Nofear]

One of the talks that successfully changed how I view the world is Jonathan Haidt's TED talk, The moral roots of liberals and conservatives. Often we want similar things but how we go about them and which things are emphasized above others is usually the real variance. Civility can really be increased when we cease to demonize the "opposition" (though they usually really aren't "opposition"). Note, early on the talk, I very much enjoyed how it tore into the mostly liberal crowd for intolerance. It was great.

 

Since then they've added a new moral pillar in their updated site: http://www.moralfoundations.org/.

 

Very nice stuff I believe very consistent with the link Buckeye posted.

[stemelbow]

Political scientist Samuel Huntington said that of all the elements that define civilizations, “the most important usually is religion.”[4] So it’s no surprise that religious difference lies at the root of many conflicts in the world. But the solution is to let differences flourish, not to stifle them. Studies show that protecting the varieties of religious experience correlates strongly with greater civil and political liberties, greater press and economic freedoms, fewer armed conflicts, better health outcomes, higher levels of income, better education for women and higher overall human development.[5] In short, religious pluralism frees up room to live life.

Seems to argue against the idea that we as a Church should attempt to stifle the variety brought by SSM. (yep, I went there) It is not just religion that is most important. It only is usually most important, there are other factors.

[The Nehor]

What would it be like to live in a pluralistic church society where diversity of thought was highly valued and absolute unity seen as repression?

Join the Unitarians and find out.

[Buckeye]

Join the Unitarians and find out.

 

Good point. If I had read this article without any attribution I could have easily assumed it came from UU.

[The Nehor]

Good point. If I had read this article without any attribution I could have easily assumed it came from UU.

The difference would be that Unitarians usually go for the "differences do not matter" route. The pluralism this article uses says they do.

[Sleeper Cell]

http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/difference-and-dignity?adbid=530099778986590208&adbpl=tw&adbpr=10047382&cid=social_20141105_35082877

 

I am impressed with the principles espoused by the church in this newsroom article. It is curious, though, that these principles are often repressed within the church itself. What would it be like to live in a pluralistic church society where diversity of thought was highly valued and absolute unity seen as repression?

 

Perhaps something like this?

 

And the Lord called his people Zion, because they were of one heart, and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there was no poor among them. 

 

 

 

… Or maybe not

Edited November 6, 2014 by Sleeper Cell

[Kenngo1969]

http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/difference-and-dignity?adbid=530099778986590208&adbpl=tw&adbpr=10047382&cid=social_20141105_35082877

 

 ... I am impressed with the principles espoused by the church in this newsroom article. It is curious, though, that these principles are often repressed within the church itself. [Emphasis added by Kenngo1969.] What would it be like to live in a pluralistic church society where diversity of thought was highly valued and absolute unity seen as repression?

Repressed institutionally, or repressed by individual members or leaders, acting individually?

[Pahoran]

http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/difference-and-dignity?adbid=530099778986590208&adbpl=tw&adbpr=10047382&cid=social_20141105_35082877

 

I am impressed with the principles espoused by the church in this newsroom article. It is curious, though, that these principles are often repressed within the church itself. What would it be like to live in a pluralistic church society where diversity of thought was highly valued and absolute unity seen as repression?

It would be like nothing at all.

The Church would cease to have its own unique milieu; it would simply be a reflection of the world at large.

As such, it would add nothing at all, and have nothing to say.

The world is a more diverse place precisely because it isn't a perfectly blended, homogeneous mix. It is more diverse because it has pockets of difference.

Those who don't want to be part of a pocket of difference have a number of options open to them. Making the Church conform to the non-values of a wicked world happens not to be one of them.

Regards,

Pahoran

[Pahoran]

Seems to argue against the idea that we as a Church should attempt to stifle the variety brought by SSM. (yep, I went there) It is not just religion that is most important. It only is usually most important, there are other factors.

Pahoran's law: As any online discussion of Mormon things continues, the probability of a derail involving Same Sex "Marriage" approaches one.

Regards,

Pahoran

[Kenngo1969]

http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/difference-and-dignity?adbid=530099778986590208&adbpl=tw&adbpr=10047382&cid=social_20141105_35082877

 

I am impressed with the principles espoused by the church in this newsroom article.It is curious, though, that these principles are often repressed within the church itself. [Emphasis added by Kenngo1969] What would it be like to live in a pluralistic church society where diversity of thought was highly valued and absolute unity seen as repression?

 

 

Repressed institutionally, or repressed by individual members or leaders, acting individually?

Bumping, in case Buckeye would like to venture an answer to this question.

[canard78]

Pahoran's law: As any online discussion of Mormon things continues, the probability of a derail involving Same Sex Marriage approaches one.

Regards,

Pahoran

Fixed if for you.

[Teancum]

http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/difference-and-dignity?adbid=530099778986590208&adbpl=tw&adbpr=10047382&cid=social_20141105_35082877

 

I am impressed with the principles espoused by the church in this newsroom article. It is curious, though, that these principles are often repressed within the church itself. What would it be like to live in a pluralistic church society where diversity of thought was highly valued and absolute unity seen as repression?

 

 

I love this. What a beautiful summary. Too bad this is rarely seen or practiced in most US LDS wards and stakes.

[Teancum]

Join the Unitarians and find out.

 

 

Well Nehor your church put out something that promotes this.  Why the snarky remark?

[omni]

Pahoran's law: As any online discussion of Mormon things continues, the probability of a derail involving Same Sex "Marriage" approaches one.

Regards,

Pahoran

Hey, I made that observation a long time ago on this board and I didn't name it "Pahoran's Law".

[The Nehor]

Well Nehor your church put out something that promotes this.  Why the snarky remark?

 

The church promotes a happy diversity within society. It does not promote doctrinal diversity within their own (or any other) faith at least not beyond the tenets of said faith. There is plenty of room for a diversity of belief outside the core doctrinal concepts of every church.

 

As to why I am being snarky:

 

"Hi, I'm the Nehor, have we met?"

[Daniel2]

http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/difference-and-dignity?adbid=530099778986590208&adbpl=tw&adbpr=10047382&cid=social_20141105_35082877

I am impressed with the principles espoused by the church in this newsroom article. It is curious, though, that these principles are often repressed within the church itself. What would it be like to live in a pluralistic church society where diversity of thought was highly valued and absolute unity seen as repression?

This article by the church is incredible.

I have shared it with my family, as it directly addresses many of the struggles we've been facing recently.

Thank you for sharing it, and kudos to the church for writing it.

[Daniel2]

Good point. If I had read this article without any attribution I could have easily assumed it came from UU.

As a post-Latter-day-Saint Unitarian Universalist, I would definitely have had the same thought.

[Daniel2]

Unitarians usually go for the "differences do not matter" route.

Uh..... no. No UU I have met would agree with your statement.

Rather, this article describes the UU philosophy of valuing our differences almost perfectly.

[mfbukowski]

http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/difference-and-dignity?adbid=530099778986590208&adbpl=tw&adbpr=10047382&cid=social_20141105_35082877

 

I am impressed with the principles espoused by the church in this newsroom article. It is curious, though, that these principles are often repressed within the church itself. What would it be like to live in a pluralistic church society where diversity of thought was highly valued and absolute unity seen as repression?

That's because culturally we have come out of a fundamentalist Protestant culture.

But in practice, I have always heard GA's and even local leaders stress that one must have a testimony of each principle oneself.

That means no "blind obedience". The lack of firm doctrine proves this point, and to qualify to be a member one must only pass a baptismal interview, and to stay among the "best" members one must only be able to answer- what is it?- 10 questions?

We have no "orthodoxy" and never have- as Ostler says we have "orthopraxy".

This is not news to me- it is the way I have always seen the church. Of course I am a new member- only 35 years.

[mfbukowski]

Good point. If I had read this article without any attribution I could have easily assumed it came from UU.

Oh yeah- Pedro from Boy's Life.

I remember it well.

http://books.google.com/books?id=cJyUAVjDuOgC&pg=PA4&lpg=PA4&dq=pedro+uu&source=bl&ots=Zkzqr9-SEZ&sig=yESTU89LR6zEgw6mbOjvZN6Fdws&hl=en&sa=X&ei=56NeVK3jGe-QigLFmIGABw&ved=0CC0Q6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=pedro%20uu&f=false

Edited November 8, 2014 by mfbukowski

[Calm]

Took me a moment….

[Guest]

http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/difference-and-dignity?adbid=530099778986590208&adbpl=tw&adbpr=10047382&cid=social_20141105_35082877

I am impressed with the principles espoused by the church in this newsroom article. It is curious, though, that these principles are often repressed within the church itself. What would it be like to live in a pluralistic church society where diversity of thought was highly valued and absolute unity seen as repression?

I am sorry, but it is not suppressed, and insulting to say so. That was un-called-for!, Edited November 9, 2014 by Pa Pa

[mfbukowski]

Took me a moment….

Wait for it....... wait for it......

[Pahoran]

Hey, I made that observation a long time ago on this board and I didn't name it "Pahoran's Law".

Well then, if you got there first, you get to name it.

Regards,

Pahoran