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LDS officials to meet with gay group
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As an active member of the church, I applaud the concept of a better understanding between the groups, but beyond that, core doctrine will not change.
However, I think there is much that can be done in the way homosexual tendencies are handled in the church. I come from a family that experienced sex abuse by a trusted member back in the late 70's. The way it was handled was simply atrocious and damaging. It was largely because the way sex abuse cases were handled in the church had not been developed, and nobody seemed to know what to do.
I believe a similar process must occur with dealing with homosexual cases in the church; not to condone or accept the practice, but to provide help, support, and realistic understanding of what the rest of a gay person's life in the church will be like.
I agree! and I wish people would put this article in context that it is about a DISCUSSION not conversion. Understanding people is needed to love them.
Thank you for voicing your belief that not all LDS are like those described above. Hopefully after this weekend, more people will focus on loving people not converting them.
A member who is open about being gay�-even if celibate and trying to live the principles of the gospel�-faces enormous ostracism in most LDS wards and even hostility in some cases. This is because the issue remains such a taboo and is almost never discussed in the church other than in terms of behavior�-the sin. The church could teach members that gay people didn�t choose their orientation and encourage members to be respectful and supportive of them, and of other single members. This would be a very welcome outcome of this dialogue.
A smart man will humble himself before God does it for him. I suggest you get to praying and ask for understanding in how to exemplify Christlike love. Many of you are unaware.
In addition the church has already taken a strong and clear stance about same sex marriages. The church will reach out to help, but will not be persuaded to excuse behavior condemned by scripture.
Of course, not for at least another 20 years, so we should have time to adjust.
"Talking" is simply the first step.
Condemning the hypocrite for not being tolerant is hypocritical.
It is good to know I live in a State where everybody knows what God thinks. How does the rest of the world survive?
The reality is that a change in policy is light years away from even being considered. Even if rock solid science showed that homosexual attractions derive soley from genetics, change or acceptance would still be years away. For years, members were encouraged to show love and acceptance toward their black brothers and sisters but change only came when outside influences boiled to a certain tipping point. And that change was way behind most of societie's tipping points on that issue.
This country is way to conservative in it's stance toward homosexuals for the Church to even begin to feel outside pressure regarding it's stance toward gays. I believe there is genuine desire by leaders that gay members be treated better but policy change is way way in the future if at all.
I have been open minded my whole life and I my brain has never fallen out, nor have I known anyone who have lost their brains as they've pondered and sometimes struggled with life's great questions.
I guess I just don't get your point?
Try this one on instead:
God. . ."is more liberal in His views, and boundless in His mercies and blessings, than we are ready to believe or receive."
And who do you suppose said that? I'll give you a clue, it wasn't someone on Talk Radio or Cable News. The answer is in the transcript of the October 2003 General Conference.
Now thats something worth losing your mind over!
Where is a need to "forge understanding between the faith's leaders and its gay members"?
The Church's position is crystal clear and has be stated explicitly and repeatedly.
What part of "no" is hard to understand?
Elder Jeffrey R Holland, one of my favorite talks ever.
Will people please read the article! They are not asking the church to change their doctrines, nor their standards. The LDS Church has not even given a hint of doing so. Just like the Savior would do, they are reaching out to help those that need it. I am sure if AA or SA were to ask to have a meeting with the church, the church would do the same as well.
Everyone has problems, some are just more socially acceptable (I doubt very many people are put on probation in the church for Overeating). Socially acceptable or not does not mean they need help, or less deserving of it.
Notice that the person Church is sending is someone from Families.
The Family Proclomation is not about to be re-written/revised after this.
I read this article and loved it. The editing, grammar and overall flow was just sensational. Of all the online newspapers in THE WORLD, Deseret News is the BEST!
Now, please take my name off of your bad-list so I can participate in this discussion - pretty please.
If there is change members will question the validity of church doctrin. If the church is not willing to change, there will be cries of intolerance on the part of the gay mormon community.
I hope we will all remember that tolerance is not acceptance. We can tolerate people without accepting their opinions, and we can even disagree and argue against them and still tolerate.
As to the article, the church is taking a good step in meeting with Affirmation. Although it is extremely doubtful doctrines will be changed, understanding the needs of members asking for help can only be positive.
I just hope that if the Honor Code does change, officials will do all in their power to ensure that individuals who do not conform to what is culturally accepted are treated with Christlike love and tolerance.
The burden these people bare is immense and different from many of the sins referenced in the above comments (alcoholism / drug use, etc.). Unless you have a close relative who has lived this, I believe it's difficult--if not impossible--for the average Church member to grasp and fully understand.
Part of the despair these people feel is that they have no hope of emotional intimacy in this life. I'm not talking about sexual intimacy---but the emotional connection each of us yearns to have with someone. How can the Church address this need while still requiring sexual purity?
I applaud the Church's move and am encouraged by the frank and open discussion throughout the Church.
Some men like sex with other men ... Check
Some women like sex with other women ... Check
God says marriage is between man & woman ... Check
Sex outside of marriage is a sin ... Check
I think I understand.
Just because your gay does not make me love/not love you any more/less.
But stop trying to make me accept what you do, to help you feel better.
AIMHO
I don't think there are any principles "set in stone" except the principle of continuing revelation.
"In these days sin manifests itself in the hollowing mask of tolerance. We know what is right and what is wrong."
Homosexuality is a maladaptive trait prevalent in affluent society. It has been this way for thousands of years. It is a detriment to the human race AND the plan of salvation. It prevents the fulfillment of our primary role on the earth, to help in the progression of our spirit brothers and sisters by providing them physical bodies so that they may become more like our Father in Heaven. It is one of Satan's many arrows in his quiver of dispair. Homosexuality is a perversion of one's righteous need and desire for love and companionship.
This meeting is a "thanks for coming, we know your around, but the eternities will prove your disposition irrelevant to the righteous designs of God which must and will come to pass regardless of Satan's attempts to thwart them."
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Not the way to go.
Let God be their judge, I don't want to be.