The Lord's University

[Flattop]

but I don't quite understand both the frustrated ALUF and the liberal/hip BYU fan that refuses to acknowledge a God/church/BYU connection.

God is the head of the church, the church owns BYU. God is too busy bringing to pass the immoratility and eternal life of man to bother with who wins a football game. Oh and God loves everyone unconditionally, including Utes.

What am I missing?

[Solon]

I'd rather catch my 7-year-old looking at porn.

Great find, Beefytee.

I find this attitude typical of the LDS inclusive-exclusive paradox:

On the one hand, LDS are "the one" chosen church, favored of God, destined to achieve great things on and off the field when living right (except, for the most part, during bowl-season).

On the other hand, though, the LDS ideology is inclusive, with a desperate desire to convert, to be accepted as "mainstream," and (perhaps most desperately) "to be liked."

Interesting how identity gets all wrapped up into sports, religion, and general zealotry. My opinion is that we all construct God in a way that approves of us, what we like, and what we are. It's just another form of narcissistic navel-gazing.

[Jeff Lebowski]

I was joking with the we're more righteous than you thread last week, but I don't quite understand both the frustrated ALUF and the liberal/hip BYU fan that refuses to acknowledge a God/church/BYU connection.

There seems to me quite a difference between church own businesses like you mention here that are resource producing and church owned not-for-profits that are resource using and used by the church to further its causes. The latter group would include BYU, church owned media (as in the types producing church materials not the commercial operations) and PR operations, Tabernacle choir, etc.

The church pumps a $500M tithing money into BYU.

That seem like an arbitrary and somewhat silly distinction.

"I'd call BYU 'the Lord's University' just about as often as I'd call ZCMI the Lord's department store." —PRESIDENT REX E. LEE, Student Review, 16 Oct. 1991.

Yes, I am aware that you can find quotes from other LDS leaders using the expression the other way, but I happen to side with Rex Lee.

[venkman]

That seem like an arbitrary and somewhat silly distinction.


Yes, I am aware that you can find quotes from other LDS leaders using the expression the other way, but I happen to side with Rex Lee.

I think there's a distinction, absolutely, between money making ventures owned by the church and BYU. BYU is definitely part of of the Church's mission.

So BYU isn't "The Lord's University", but it's "The Lord's Church's University". People just need to deal with that.

That said, I'm all for less religion in BYU football.

[UtahDan]

I'd rather catch my 7-year-old looking at porn.

Great find, Beefytee.

I find this attitude typical of the LDS inclusive-exclusive paradox:

On the one hand, LDS are "the one" chosen church, favored of God, destined to achieve great things on and off the field when living right (except, for the most part, during bowl-season).

On the other hand, though, the LDS ideology is inclusive, with a desperate desire to convert, to be accepted as "mainstream," and (perhaps most desperately) "to be liked."

Interesting how identity gets all wrapped up into sports, religion, and general zealotry. My opinion is that we all construct God in a way that approves of us, what we like, and what we are. It's just another form of narcissistic navel-gazing.

This post is so completely correct that I am waiving my normal royalty.

[OrangeUte]

omg - that was terrific! it made me feel like i was watching the lds version of the movie "rudy"...

[Portland Ute]

Did you know that the Lord's Hotel used to serve alcohol? Weird, eh?

And coffee. GASP!

[BlueHair]

There is no wiggle room. Either the church is true and BYU is God's university or the church is not true. Choose ye this day whether you are with God (and BYU by default) or against Him! You can't claim to love God and not like BYU. It just doesn't jibe.

[BlueHair]

God is too busy bringing to pass the immoratility and eternal life of man to bother with who wins a football game.

Your God is weak. My God is able to multi-task.

[Portland Ute]

I was joking with the we're more righteous than you thread last week, but I don't quite understand both the frustrated ALUF and the liberal/hip BYU fan that refuses to acknowledge a God/church/BYU connection.

There seems to me quite a difference between church own businesses like you mention here that are resource producing and church owned not-for-profits that are resource using and used by the church to further its causes. The latter group would include BYU, church owned media (as in the types producing church materials not the commercial operations) and PR operations, Tabernacle choir, etc.

The church pumps a $500M tithing money into BYU.

Financially, you could argue it's a resource producing endeavor...an investment. I mean, think about it....what are BYU grads paying in tithing every year? It's gotta be a LOT more than if people weren't getting college degrees.

If you want to take a very cynical, secular view of the LDS church's expenditures for BYU Provo, Idaho and Hawaii, it is purely an investment in future revenues to the Church. You get people to the campuses, you further "indoctrinate" them so that they are much more likely to be tithe payers and while they are there, they acquire educations that will increase their tithes.

It's a smart business move by the Church. No different than investing in Coca-Cola, really.

[Portland Ute]

I think there's a distinction, absolutely, between money making ventures owned by the church and BYU. BYU is definitely part of of the Church's mission.

So BYU isn't "The Lord's University", but it's "The Lord's Church's University". People just need to deal with that.

That said, I'm all for less religion in BYU football.

I'm for less football at BYU.