Comments on: Grading Religion http://www.nine-moons.com/?p=543 Tue, 21 May 2013 21:34:39 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.1 By: Cheryl http://www.nine-moons.com/?p=543&cpage=1#comment-21039 Cheryl Sat, 11 Aug 2007 15:28:49 +0000 http://www.nine-moons.com/2007/08/06/grading-religion/#comment-21039 <em>Situations like these give you a lot of incentive to do your research, find out what you really believe, and act on those beliefs without hypocrisy. </em> I totally get that. I was in a situation like that just yesterday. I was talking with a member of a different faith, and if I hadn't known what she was asking, it would have been so awkward. I guess, in reality, I do agree that living somewhere with few LDS members means you have to be strong and stand firm --BUT how much harder is it to be strong and stand firm in the face of hypocrisy? They may "understand" the doctrines of the Church (because they are members of the Church), but really, they don't, because if they did, they wouldn't be doing the awful things they are doing, you know? I think Michelle said it best, though. Both environments present challenges. And it's personal as to which challenges you'd rather have your children exposed to, eh? Situations like these give you a lot of incentive to do your research, find out what you really believe, and act on those beliefs without hypocrisy.

I totally get that. I was in a situation like that just yesterday. I was talking with a member of a different faith, and if I hadn’t known what she was asking, it would have been so awkward.

I guess, in reality, I do agree that living somewhere with few LDS members means you have to be strong and stand firm –BUT how much harder is it to be strong and stand firm in the face of hypocrisy? They may “understand” the doctrines of the Church (because they are members of the Church), but really, they don’t, because if they did, they wouldn’t be doing the awful things they are doing, you know?

I think Michelle said it best, though. Both environments present challenges. And it’s personal as to which challenges you’d rather have your children exposed to, eh?

]]> By: onelowerlight http://www.nine-moons.com/?p=543&cpage=1#comment-21013 onelowerlight Sat, 11 Aug 2007 04:45:15 +0000 http://www.nine-moons.com/2007/08/06/grading-religion/#comment-21013 Thanks for your post, Cheryl. I can say that I've heard the argument before, but that it's still not a completely successful counterpoint. I'm sure that there is opposition and sinful practices in places dominated by Mormons, and that this opposition can be helpful in pushing one to gain a testimony. However, in places where Mormons are a very small minority, the opposition is of a completely different nature. In that kind of an environment, your peers know next to nothing about your faith except for how you live your life, and for better or worse, their impression of Mormonism is based almost completely off of what they see you do. The pressure is to live the gospel without hypocrisy so that others won't get a false impression of your religion; the stakes are so much higher. Besides that, your friends are always asking you strange questions about the church, and you are the only one available to answer them. I don't know how often I was asked "how many wives can you have" or the variants "how many mothers do you have" or "how many wives can I have if I join your church?" Situations like these give you a lot of incentive to do your research, find out what you really believe, and act on those beliefs without hypocrisy. Thanks for your post, Cheryl. I can say that I’ve heard the argument before, but that it’s still not a completely successful counterpoint. I’m sure that there is opposition and sinful practices in places dominated by Mormons, and that this opposition can be helpful in pushing one to gain a testimony. However, in places where Mormons are a very small minority, the opposition is of a completely different nature. In that kind of an environment, your peers know next to nothing about your faith except for how you live your life, and for better or worse, their impression of Mormonism is based almost completely off of what they see you do. The pressure is to live the gospel without hypocrisy so that others won’t get a false impression of your religion; the stakes are so much higher. Besides that, your friends are always asking you strange questions about the church, and you are the only one available to answer them. I don’t know how often I was asked “how many wives can you have” or the variants “how many mothers do you have” or “how many wives can I have if I join your church?” Situations like these give you a lot of incentive to do your research, find out what you really believe, and act on those beliefs without hypocrisy.

]]> By: Cheryl http://www.nine-moons.com/?p=543&cpage=1#comment-20927 Cheryl Thu, 09 Aug 2007 20:40:12 +0000 http://www.nine-moons.com/2007/08/06/grading-religion/#comment-20927 Yes, but an 18 year old BYU student and a 17 year old High school senior, although close in age, are WORLDS apart... Yes, but an 18 year old BYU student and a 17 year old High school senior, although close in age, are WORLDS apart…

]]> By: Nick Literski http://www.nine-moons.com/?p=543&cpage=1#comment-20916 Nick Literski Thu, 09 Aug 2007 19:11:56 +0000 http://www.nine-moons.com/2007/08/06/grading-religion/#comment-20916 There once was a promising LDS scholar, who was hired to teach at BYU. He had one glaring problem, however. He was single. He was strongly "counselled" to find a wife. He promptly married one of his own students, and she became Mrs. Hugh Nibley. There once was a promising LDS scholar, who was hired to teach at BYU. He had one glaring problem, however. He was single. He was strongly “counselled” to find a wife. He promptly married one of his own students, and she became Mrs. Hugh Nibley.

]]> By: Cheryl http://www.nine-moons.com/?p=543&cpage=1#comment-20866 Cheryl Wed, 08 Aug 2007 23:53:19 +0000 http://www.nine-moons.com/2007/08/06/grading-religion/#comment-20866 Seth- I would think so, too. But I guess since there was no abuse, and the dating didn't happen until she was out of high school, there wasn't "grounds" for it. It was just so weird...not that she would be interested in a good-looking (hey, when's the poll going to be reported on, Rusty?) RM/Seminary teacher guy, but that <em>he</em> would even be looking that direction. It shouldn't have even been on the guy's mind... I still wonder if he ever got "transferred"... Seth-
I would think so, too. But I guess since there was no abuse, and the dating didn’t happen until she was out of high school, there wasn’t “grounds” for it. It was just so weird…not that she would be interested in a good-looking (hey, when’s the poll going to be reported on, Rusty?) RM/Seminary teacher guy, but that he would even be looking that direction. It shouldn’t have even been on the guy’s mind…

I still wonder if he ever got “transferred”…

]]> By: Seth R. http://www.nine-moons.com/?p=543&cpage=1#comment-20862 Seth R. Wed, 08 Aug 2007 22:18:24 +0000 http://www.nine-moons.com/2007/08/06/grading-religion/#comment-20862 If I were the seminary principal, I'd fire the guy in a heartbeat. And I'd make it clear to the rest of the staff as well. You don't even want a suggestion of abuse happening at your school. If I were the seminary principal, I’d fire the guy in a heartbeat. And I’d make it clear to the rest of the staff as well. You don’t even want a suggestion of abuse happening at your school.

]]> By: Cheryl http://www.nine-moons.com/?p=543&cpage=1#comment-20857 Cheryl Wed, 08 Aug 2007 19:54:07 +0000 http://www.nine-moons.com/2007/08/06/grading-religion/#comment-20857 I know I'm commenting too much here, but... ...one weird thing that happened a couple of times in my Seminary --the Teacher dating the student right after graduation. Not even kidding. They flirted during the last semester and then dated as soon as she graduated. And it happened more than once (with different teachers and students). Of course, it was also popular for High school senior girls to date RM's and then marry them 2-3 months after graduation, too. Yucky, eh? I know I’m commenting too much here, but…

…one weird thing that happened a couple of times in my Seminary –the Teacher dating the student right after graduation. Not even kidding. They flirted during the last semester and then dated as soon as she graduated. And it happened more than once (with different teachers and students). Of course, it was also popular for High school senior girls to date RM’s and then marry them 2-3 months after graduation, too.

Yucky, eh?

]]> By: Eddie http://www.nine-moons.com/?p=543&cpage=1#comment-20855 Eddie Wed, 08 Aug 2007 19:08:06 +0000 http://www.nine-moons.com/2007/08/06/grading-religion/#comment-20855 <blockquote>Here’s a question for all Wasatch-ers–is early-morning seminary even feasible? I often hear many GA’s speak of the advantages of early-morning Seminary, but then I wonder why they don’t make everyone do it that way.</blockquote> I've heard people argue that there are too many kids to make early-morning work in Utah. I disagree. Given the number of wards, stakes, meeting houses and faithful members in the region, it would be relatively easy to set up early-morning seminary on a ward or stake level. Of course, conducting training for all of those volunteers might require just as many full-time staffers as we now have teaching in the classroom. :)

Here’s a question for all Wasatch-ers–is early-morning seminary even feasible? I often hear many GA’s speak of the advantages of early-morning Seminary, but then I wonder why they don’t make everyone do it that way.

I’ve heard people argue that there are too many kids to make early-morning work in Utah. I disagree. Given the number of wards, stakes, meeting houses and faithful members in the region, it would be relatively easy to set up early-morning seminary on a ward or stake level.

Of course, conducting training for all of those volunteers might require just as many full-time staffers as we now have teaching in the classroom. :)

]]> By: Cheryl http://www.nine-moons.com/?p=543&cpage=1#comment-20849 Cheryl Wed, 08 Aug 2007 15:06:06 +0000 http://www.nine-moons.com/2007/08/06/grading-religion/#comment-20849 Michelle- Yes, you are right. Bret- Yes, that makes sense. I have this pervasive problem of getting carried away with my thoughts. I probably could have said what I did in a more intelligent way without making it sound like I was bitter. I'll keep working on it! FWIW (and back on topic), I agree with what Seth's stance is about grading --<em>But if you are going to have them, I think you’d best be serious about them.</em> Some of my favorite classes at BYU were religion courses where the instructor (I tried to get Religion professors whenever possible) really challenged us. Grading spirituality, though, is really not as far off as people might think (or wrong, for that matter). What is our eternal life based on anyway? Isn't this whole thing a test? Michelle-
Yes, you are right.
Bret-
Yes, that makes sense.

I have this pervasive problem of getting carried away with my thoughts. I probably could have said what I did in a more intelligent way without making it sound like I was bitter. I’ll keep working on it!

FWIW (and back on topic), I agree with what Seth’s stance is about grading –But if you are going to have them, I think you’d best be serious about them. Some of my favorite classes at BYU were religion courses where the instructor (I tried to get Religion professors whenever possible) really challenged us.

Grading spirituality, though, is really not as far off as people might think (or wrong, for that matter). What is our eternal life based on anyway? Isn’t this whole thing a test?

]]> By: Bret http://www.nine-moons.com/?p=543&cpage=1#comment-20827 Bret Wed, 08 Aug 2007 09:11:53 +0000 http://www.nine-moons.com/2007/08/06/grading-religion/#comment-20827 Cheryl, I must have mistranslated what i was trying to say. (and me without my seerstone) Basically what I meant was that at least for me I liked being able to fight opposition coming from the world rather than the opposition you are talking about. I don't think I could have survived growing up in your world or a big mormon town. Basically, when I'm in the Utah/Idaho corridor I find myself leaning to the left and fighting the molly mormon/peter pristhood (whatever that means) persona. However, when I'm somewhere else I lean farther to the right and feel the need to defend the molly mormon/peter priesthood position. Does that make sense? I guess you could call me a flip flopper>:) Cheryl,

I must have mistranslated what i was trying to say. (and me without my seerstone) Basically what I meant was that at least for me I liked being able to fight opposition coming from the world rather than the opposition you are talking about. I don’t think I could have survived growing up in your world or a big mormon town.

Basically, when I’m in the Utah/Idaho corridor I find myself leaning to the left and fighting the molly mormon/peter pristhood (whatever that means) persona. However, when I’m somewhere else I lean farther to the right and feel the need to defend the molly mormon/peter priesthood position.

Does that make sense? I guess you could call me a flip flopper>:)

]]>