New LDS Church Website: Mormons and Gays

[cougjunkie]

I'd be interested in hearing how you reconcile the actual actions (including recent actions) of the church with the message of this video. No one is saying that everyone in church leadership is a monolith and wants to restrict the rights of homosexuals, but the actions of the church have been exactly that. How to reconcile the two?

I realize you can, I cannot reconcile them. FYI, I went ahead and watched the video. The video is exactly what I expected it to be. If it was accompanied by real systemic change in the church, I'd stop being cynical.

"We have every reason to be optimistic in this world. Tragedy is around, yes. Problems everywhere, yes. But...you can't, you don't build out of pessimism or cynicism. You look with optimism, work with faith, and things happen."

-GBH

[creekster]

I'd be interested in hearing how you reconcile the actual actions (including recent actions) of the church with the message of this video. No one is saying that everyone in church leadership is a monolith and wants to restrict the rights of homosexuals, but the actions of the church have been exactly that. How to reconcile the two?

I realize you can, I cannot reconcile them. FYI, I went ahead and watched the video. The video is exactly what I expected it to be. If it was accompanied by real systemic change in the church, I'd stop being cynical.

cynicism has no real value as an approach, you know. Take it from a long time cynic who has lived a fair few more years than you. Cynicism, as a life approach, just makes you unhappy. See, no one and nothing is perfect. Everyone and everything will fall short of the mark. Every time, without exception. So cynicism is always correct, to some degree, and it just makes you miserable to realize it. Everyone is much better off if they try to look for the good in people and things. I doubt you will believe me. But I do hope you will realize that I am right about this at an earlier age than I figured it out.

[Eddie]

Love the video.

Kind of made me chuckle when I saw the Black guy as part of their family, though.

I mean, made me chuckle in that I was thinking "Maybe 50-60 years ago, the issue this family could've been talking about is the fact that (admittedly jumping to conclusions based on the photos here) one of their daughters married this Black dude. There were church leaders talking negatively about inter-racial marriage and this guy can't hold the priesthood. Now, no one even blinks. Where will THIS discussion be 50 years from now?"

[PaloAltoCougar]

Funk, even with your cynicism, you should recognize that the video is a good thing. If you’re convinced divine revelation has never played a role in Church policy, or policy change, then I assume you regard such changes (e.g., blacks/priesthood) as the result of societal pressure, both from within and outside the Church. I think the video provides compelling evidence that a change is underway, even if there are inconsistencies and backtracks.

For better and worse, major changes in the Church don’t occur instantly, but are more akin to an aircraft carrier doing a U-turn. No matter where one is on the faith continuum, one should regard the video as a positive development. But I understand the pleasure of stewing in smug indignation.

[Jeff Lebowski]

cynicism has no real value as an approach, you know. Take it from a long time cynic who has lived a fair few more years than you. Cynicism, as a life approach, just makes you unhappy. See, no one and nothing is perfect. Everyone and everything will fall short of the mark. Every time, without exception. So cynicism is always correct, to some degree, and it just makes you miserable to realize it. Everyone is much better off if they try to look for the good in people and things. I doubt you will believe me. But I do hope you will realize that I am right about this at an earlier age than I figured it out.

[Jeff Lebowski]

"We have every reason to be optimistic in this world. Tragedy is around, yes. Problems everywhere, yes. But...you can't, you don't build out of pessimism or cynicism. You look with optimism, work with faith, and things happen."

-GBH

I really miss GBH. Loved that man.

[Topper]

I'd be interested in hearing how you reconcile the actual actions (including recent actions) of the church with the message of this video. No one is saying that everyone in church leadership is a monolith and wants to restrict the rights of homosexuals, but the actions of the church have been exactly that. How to reconcile the two?

I realize you can, I cannot reconcile them. FYI, I went ahead and watched the video. The video is exactly what I expected it to be. If it was accompanied by real systemic change in the church, I'd stop being cynical.

Funk, I am as cynical as the next guy, and we still don't know if the Church will triple down by issuing some new silly policy. On the other hand, the video is positive and should be shown to active members to soften how active members judge gays. It is a small, positive and honest first step.

This is the type of step that is long overdue.

Skepticism has its value, as long as you don't use it in your personal relationships. If you want to view institutions skeptically or cynically, that can keep you from being disappointed. I view institutions skeptically, but I don't view life so, or each individual in that manner. My form of skepticism is to doubt the authenticity and sincerity of public persons or organizations but to suspend skepticism from time to time. In short, I don't put much stock in organizations but I do put a lot of faith individuals.

The video has potential for flowing with the changing culture so that the youth who view this issue far differently than the leadership will be at peace when the next changes come.

[Pelado]

cynicism has no real value as an approach, you know. Take it from a long time cynic who has lived a fair few more years than you. Cynicism, as a life approach, just makes you unhappy. See, no one and nothing is perfect. Everyone and everything will fall short of the mark. Every time, without exception. So cynicism is always correct, to some degree, and it just makes you miserable to realize it. Everyone is much better off if they try to look for the good in people and things. I doubt you will believe me. But I do hope you will realize that I am right about this at an earlier age than I figured it out.

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[Sizzle]

I really miss GBH. Loved that man.

Scheister

[Bo Diddley]

Scheister

silver-tongued...

[Omaha 680]

Scheister

silver-tongued...

Guys, it's Lying Shyster Con Man. You're probably too blinded by your foolish love to know that.

[Clark Addison]

Scheister

Ha, thank you! I spent 10 minutes looking for that quote after I read Lebowski's post, but couldn't find it until I got to yours.

Here it is, FWIW: http://www.cougarstadium.com/showthr...=1#post1028212

[Green Monstah]

If you are too stubborn or lazy or scared or whatever to watch the video then may I suggest you stay out of the discussion about the video and refrain from commenting on the video? Unless the goal was to make yourself look like a bullheaded, dogmatic dope, in which case: mission accomplished!

If it is any consolation to Funk, I didn't think it was a church-sponsored video until it showed the logo. It's clearly a step in the right direction, but I remain concerned that it doesn't reflect leadership's opinions.

[cougjunkie]

If it is any consolation to Funk, I didn't think it was a church-sponsored video until it showed the logo. It's clearly a step in the right direction, but I remain concerned that it doesn't reflect leadership's opinions.

Honest question, do you not think leadership approved the video?

[Jeff Lebowski]

If it is any consolation to Funk, I didn't think it was a church-sponsored video until it showed the logo. It's clearly a step in the right direction, but I remain concerned that it doesn't reflect leadership's opinions.

Haha. Doubling down on the