The Trauma of Assertiveness

Posted on August 26th, 2008 by Kevin

Assertiveness. The very word brings feelings of anxiety and nervousness to my heart. I am not assertive by nature. Or maybe I am and my nurture just smothered what assertiveness I did have. Anyway, I am starting to get the feeling that this is one of those qualities many of us “strugglers” try to avoid. (I have to say I hate the word “struggler”, but can’t come up with anything else that is so concise.)

Now, some people may look at that observation and say, “You’re probably right. That’s just who they are.” I, on the other hand, take a different view. I think that while our lack of the mystic quality of assertiveness may stem in part from the “struggle” (again, hate it, but it’s so convenient) even more relevant is the way it contributes to the problem.

My old pal, Carol Lynn

Posted on August 25th, 2008 by -L-

When I was a kid, Carol Lynn Pearson wrote me a personal note in response to a letter I had written her. Her response was generous and kind, and I have never forgotten it. I see her as a wonderful example of charity and service, of trying to create a better world with personal activism that walks the walk instead of just talking the talk. I have a lot of respect for that.

But, that doesn’t mean I agree with her.

God, Gender, and Race

Posted on August 24th, 2008 by Ty Ray

A couple weeks ago, I wrote about tension subscribing to notions about the eternal nature of sex/gender, while also recognizing that many of our cultural notions of gender attribute and role are social constructs that I reject. But deconstructing those socio-cultural constructs without devaluing gender altogether—as many in the world seems to be doing—is something of a dilemma for me. I appreciated all the comments.

To add to that discussion, I want to share a couple things I’ve read recently that got me thinking about the eternal nature of God’s gender, and also about race. I’ve spent quite a bit of time this summer studying trans-religious and trans-cultural apocalyptic and visionary experiences, including “near-death experiences,” or “death visions.” Philosophy and reason all have their day in court, but I’m particularly interested in “experiential” or “visionary” revelation, especially since in the deluge of revelation promised as part of the dispensation of the fullness of times, God has promised that “babes and sucklings” shall have revealed to them “those things which never have been revealed from the foundation of the world, but have been kept hid from the wise and prudent” (D&C 128:18).

Faithfulness

Posted on August 24th, 2008 by Kim Mack

Recently I read an article about a group of LDS people who think the church needs to accept gay unions. It quoted a woman, excommunicated for “refusing to choose the Church over her partner.” The article talked about “many faithful members” like her. It got me to thinking about what “faithful” really means.

Between Two Opinions

Posted on August 24th, 2008 by Rex

I am revisiting something I wrote many years ago about my struggle with same-sex attraction. As I read it back to myself now, I feel a little sheepish because it seems to me I pontificated a lot. At the same time, I couldn’t find much in it that I now disagree with. Disagreeing with myself, over time, is a habit I seem to have. I don’t look at it as flipflopping as much as growing.

Corporate Mormons to buy Facebook

Posted on August 23rd, 2008 by -L-

Maybe everyone else already knew this, but today I heard for the first time the rumor that the church had made an unsolicited bid to buy Facebook.

Pez Revisited

Posted on August 22nd, 2008 by Rex

PEZ is the secret of life…

…or at least an interesting study in life.

Training Antirex

Posted on August 19th, 2008 by Rex

This is something I wrote a long time ago and posted it somewhere. I don’t remember when or where, but I just found it and thought it would make a good entry here. I’ve edited it a little to catch up with my current thinking.

I’m being stalked by this guy who has been following me around all my life, saying some really outrageous things in my ear. His name is Antirex. He was hired to do this by the guy that sexually and physically abused me as a child. Right after it happened, Antirex appeared echoing everything the abuser said to me.

Orson Scott Card is [not] a Homophobe

Posted on August 19th, 2008 by Ty Ray

Orson Scott Card, award-winning science fiction author of Ender’s Game, has long been vocal in his opinions around homosexuality—and, recently, despite social critics, he continues to speak his mind. A sampling of Card’s writing includes:

Since the Church’s public announcement of official support for California’s Prop 8 initiative, Brother Card has offered even more of his thoughts on the issue via the Deseret News‘ arm, the Mormon Times, most recently concerning the state of science and homosexuality:

Safety & Peace

Posted on August 17th, 2008 by Kim Mack

Years ago, my son, then 4 years old, was hit by a car.  He followed all the rules, he was careful, he was obedient.  As he was laying on my front lawn, bleeding from his head, scared to death, waiting for the ambulance to arrive, the primary song “Keep the Commandments” came to my mind.  In particular I heard the line, “Keep the commandments.  In this there is safety, in this there is peace.”  I said to a friend who was there to help me, “How do you explain to a four-year old that a primary song is a lie?”

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