I know I haven’t written for a while, and it’ll be a few weeks yet before I can do any regular posting, but I had to throw this up because I feel pretty strongly about it.

It’s always fun for me to cruise through my friends’ blogrolls to see who they read and link to. I’ve found some great blogs that way. Tonight, however, I came across a blog post that bothered me, and though I generally just troll new blogs, I had to leave a comment on this one. And by comment I mean essay.

Anyway, by way of background, the post deals with the recent statement that Brigham Young University has made regarding homosexuality. They clarify and update “the university’s policy against homosexual behavior among students rather than homosexual orientation. . .Now the written policy more clearly states that gays can attend BYU without concern that the Honor Code Office will take action against them because of their sexual orientation.” Read the news release here.

Let me first say that I applaud this clarification by BYU. I will admit that in the past I have been guilty of intolerance, but as the years have passed and I have become more independent in my point of view, I have become much more tolerant of those espousing different points of view. Perhaps that’s what made the blog post I came across so disturbing to me. The author basically stated his shock and disappointment with BYU’s decision to publicize a more tolerant approach towards homosexuality, and then proceeded to engage in a vitriolic and closed-minded (I thought) diatribe against anybody with any kind of inclination towards homosexuality. It was exactly the kind of intolerant attitude that makes me hate living in Provo. What was even more worrisome was the cloud of back-slapping support for the sentiment in the comments. At that point, my inner activist flared up and I penned typed the following response:

I’m going to have to disagree with you, my friend. I have a couple of issues with what you’re saying.

First, let’s talk about this statement: “Entertaining thoughts is behavior.” Now, you had better hope to God that this is not true, because if it is, you and I are in far worse trouble than we realize. Fortunately, we have it on good authority that this isn’t the case: “The distinction between feelings or inclinations on the one hand, and behavior on the other hand, is very clear. It’s no sin to have inclinations that if yielded to would produce behavior that would be a transgression. The sin is in yielding to temptation. Temptation is not unique. Even the Savior was tempted.” -Dallin H Oaks
Granted, you did kind of edge away from this hard-line definition as you proceeded, but the fact is, you’ve based this entire post on this faulty statement.

You also mention how “they think it’s only “fair” that they be allowed to do whatever they like, since the hetero students can.” First let me address the obvious. Heterosexual students at BYU absolutely CANNOT do whatever they want. There are handfuls of students that are expelled from BYU for sexual misconduct each semester. The BYU Honor Code is very specific on this point. The point being if they do indeed feel entitled to do whatever they want, then they’re every bit as free to be expelled as heterosexual students with the same opinion.

The broader issue at stake here is your presumption that you know what all these individuals are thinking. Sure, there are some people who miraculously experience the healing power of the atonement and have the bitter cup taken from them. But for every instance of such miracles, there is another instance of the Lord allowing the individual to continue to labor under the burden of temptation. Notable examples include Paul (2 Cor. 12:7-10) and even the Savior (Luke 22:42).
In this light, your willingness to mete out judgment in behalf of the Lord based only on your own personal experience is troubling.

Finally, I have a comment relating to your insinuation that the church is caving to political and social pressure. Remember that the prophet and members of the 12 are on the board of directors for BYU. Also keep in mind that this attitude is the same attitude that led to the foundation of the FLDS church. They apostatized because they felt that polygamy had been abandoned by the church in response to outside pressure. I leave the conclusion up to you.
Here’s some additional reading on the topic, along with a snippet to support what I’ve said:

The Atonement also gives us the strength to endure “pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind,” because our Savior also took upon Him “the pains and the sicknesses of his people” (Alma 7:11). Brothers and sisters, if your faith and prayers and the power of the priesthood do not heal you from an affliction, the power of the Atonement will surely give you the strength to bear the burden.”
“He Heals the Heavy Laden,” Dallin H. Oaks.

Anyway, thanks for letting me hijack your comments to share my thoughts and feelings on this subject.

Nate Kartchner

And now I feel a little bit better. Man, I need to move.

Tags: rant, mormonism, homosexuality, tolerance, byu