Article on J.Brooks on Meridian Magazine

[Anonymous]

Ray, I love the way you outlined fitting into a new ward. As any of us move forward in service and involvement in our particular wards, it is a way of “owning” our place there. Although, I am always aware of not being “used” so to speak. What Silent Dawning has gone through in his church service rings bells with me.

Wayfarer, I admire you spelling that out about the tithing. One of our bishops taught us in his office regarding praying and making our own decision regarding net or gross, that he wasn’t allowed speak to it. Another bishop did the gross thing right off the bat with a new member. He didn’t seem to feel held back like the other bishop.

I just have to add, I didn’t mean to open Meridian Magazine up for bashing. I do like a lot of their articles. I am in the middle between being a conversative versus a liberal and I know many others like me who enjoy many of their articles. To their credit, they didn’t appear to censor the comments to that article, so everyone was being allowed a voice to speak. It is sad they didn’t seem to recognize the uncharitable tone of the article though.

[Anonymous]

wayfarer wrote:

but we who desire to stay LDS are not “apostates”, in the true definition of the term. we neither have renounced mormonism, nor actively opposed the brethren, nor do we preach against the gospel. renunciation of church membership, These are all obviously not the way to stay LDS. we don’t do these things, but there are those who interpret the hard and white in absolute terms, and thus see the liberal path as evil. we open a door in the gate and peer at what is inside and say, why? and in so doing threaten the peaceful status of the hard and whited walled enclave.

I try to point that out whenever I get a chance. I am not an apostate. I am a heretic (relative to the beliefs of those specific types of believers you mentioned). Definition of apostasy from Dictionary.com:

Quote:

a total desertion of or departure from one’s religion, principles, party, cause, etc.

word origin:

From the greek “apostasis” (like Wayfarer mentioned), translated as “revolt or defection,” literal translation = “a standing off.” I like Wayfarer’s play on the word showing a disruption of the “stasis” or status-quo.

We throw around the term “apostate” in the church way too much. True, some people are apostates when they leave the church because they renounce their allegiance and/or begin fighting against the organiztion. But for those of us trying so hard to make it work and find a way to stay connected, we are NOT apostates.

Heresy:

Quote:

1. opinion or doctrine at variance with the orthodox or accepted doctrine, especially of a church or religious system.

.

.

4. any belief or theory that is strongly at variance with established beliefs, customs, etc.

[Author]

Posts