Two non-LDS gay-themed blogs on the new Church pamphlet
From the blogosphere…
New Mormon Tract on Homosexuality
Box Turtle Bulletin – July 30, 2007
Shocking: Our gay activism likely displeases LDS leaders
Good as You – July 27, 2007
A Message to the Church’s Curriculum Planning
I was delighted to see that the Church’s Curriculum Planning had solicited feedback on their new resource discussing same-gender attractions. The little book has already generated a little buzz in the media and on several blogs. My own feeling toward the publication is one of gratitude. There’s not much here that I didn’t anticipate or already believe, but having it pulled together in a somewhat definitive way as well as specifically sharing it with the bishops and other leaders of the church, makes a big difference.
LDS Church News: “Their lives’ roads paved with sorrow: Men dealing with same-sex attraction share their stories”
Many of you have already read this, since it was published this last Saturday, but the following is an article on men in the Church dealing with SSA.
Their lives’ roads paved with sorrow
Men dealing with same-sex attraction share their stories
Playing the Market
Despite that I don’t actually have any money, it’s interesting to hear about the stuff once in a while. A few days ago I heard that AT&T shares fell after they disclosed that fewer iPhones were activated than was previously supposed. Apple’s shares followed… and today was a huge drop for the whole market because of big decline in new housing sales. This all comes shortly after a series of record breaking highs, and I can’t help but imagine how much money I could make if I could only play with the best of the day traders.
More Dating and Marrying Advice
I thought I’d post here an edited version of an email I sent to a friend. He’s single right now and desperately wants to get married, but he’s not sure how to start. He has very little experience with girls romantically. He was looking for hope and assurance that he could find a woman to be happy with.
Just in time?
I’ve been scanning through a pamphlet from the church website on SSA called God Loveth His Children. It’s quite apropos considering my post last week. However, it doesn’t answer all the things I’m curious about as much as it reassures us that we don’t need answers necessarily to every thing right this very instant.
Dating and Marrying, Part 4
[Editor’s note: This is a follow up from parts 1, 2, and 3 published a while back. Drex will soon marry Salad. They blog here. This series of questions was submitted by a blog reader.]
For those that don’t know me, I’m Drex. I’m a 23-year-old guy, engaged to a fantastic 23-year-old gal. I’ve consciously ’struggled’ with SSA since middle school, and now that I’m mostly through college I’ve found that while it’s still there, it’s not as much of a struggle. Beyond that, the gospel has always and will always come first in my life.
1. Many single SSA guys fear or hate dating for a variety of reasons. Dating presents unique challenges for SSA guys. Could you summarize your dating life while you were single ( i.e., did you date a lot?)?
I didn’t date very much. As a teen, I was a homebody with a small (but tight) circle of friends, so I wasn’t horribly social.
The Still Small Imagination
I’ve inadvertently followed a lot of things when I thought I was following the spirit. I’ve been led by my emotions, my most heart-felt desires, and sometimes by my fears when I try to trot along after the Holy Ghost. Sometimes when I’ve closed my eyes and tried to sort out what God is trying to tell me, I feel like a four-year-old forcing my brain-powers into the focused energy necessary for self-levitation; my heroic efforts result in very little, despite that I may fool myself into believing that something really did happen.
I’d Like to Stand Corrected
Since the General Authorities haven’t given a whole lot of advice on how to deal with same-sex attracted (SSA) folks in the church, I’ve formed my opinions like everyone else–based on all my own biases. I try to be objective, but I also recognize that I follow the very human proclivity to assess myself more favorably than is justified. I’m curious to hear their guidance. I’d like my views to be right. I’d like to stand corrected.
For example, should SSA members work with the youth of the gender they are attracted to? Is there any reason they shouldn’t be called into various leadership positions? How about working with small children? How are expectations any different for behaviors? Should there be counsel regarding whether, when, and how to discuss one’s sexual orientation within church settings? Is there any legitimate, positive reasons for treating SSA members differently?
Thoughts on Glatze: Titos Gone Wild
I debated whether to post this as a comment on the previous post, or as a new post altogether. But, so my feelings are clear—given stated concern over the ambiguity—I decided to create a new post. -L-’s declared boredom with the topic gave me additional reason to hesitate, but here I am. Sorry, -L-. :)
First, Marmoreal, thanks for the recommendation of disclaimer. I apologize for not thinking of it before. I posted this simply as a reference since it was going around the internet. It doesn’t necessarily reflect my beliefs or experience, but I also didn’t want to post it only to drown it in my own projections and opinions. I’ve added disclaimer to the previous post. I hope that’s enough to protect the weary newbie who falls upon Northern Lights.