Sustaind.org is sick. :( If you're a PHP programmer, can you help us upgrade Sustain'd and get it working again? If interested, email richard AT moregoodfoundation DOT org.
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sustain!
"A small situation has arisen and I’d love to gather a few letters from folks who feel like Mormon Stories has helped them find a way to remain active in the church when they otherwise might not have." If you enjoy Mormon Stories head on over to John Dehlin's site and express your support for him. He's not worried about this so we probably shouldn't be either, but he could use letters of support.
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I hate taking a stand like this, but until mormonstories can grow up a little and promote actual faith, then I have trouble even tacitly supporting further dissemination and/or support of what he does.
I've angsted about this vote for several days, but as I saw the numbers of sustainings increasing, I decided I had to go ahead and do it.
I have it from a very reliable source that John's a great guy, and I have no doubts that he's acting out of the best of intentions; I just don't think he knows how perverted what he offers is.
Due to my own history research there are some specifics in what are taught in the manuals that I simply cannot accept. So, if the church is all or nothing, I'm out... Indeed, so are many of the apologists, one example: the Limited Geography Theory specifically contradicts what Joseph Smith and others stated about the Book of Mormon.
I'm wondering exactly what your saying here... is membership, or belief in the church an all or nothing thing?
I have no wish to enter into a public debate about your or anyone else's doubts, but I can tell you that resolution is possible. It takes a desperately bitter amount of humility, and a willingness to cultivate comfort with the simple phrase "I don't know," (with an implied, "but I know the Lord does" afterward) but it is possible.
All the best.
I'm unwilling to be someone who is silent about the doubts that exist in mine an others lives, especially due to the anonymity provided by forums like this. LDS culture is unkind to those who doubt and the pressure to resolve things forces most of us to doubt in secret, a pressure cooker of a life that drives many out of the church for good.
Are you familiar with New Order Mormons? There's a pretty clear consensus among them that their ideas are not tenable for any long period of time. I agree with them.
I've found the DAMU and NOM and like sites have actually encouraged more careful deliberation and reasoned deliberation as to ones decision in regards to the church. Sure there are people who are pissy... but so's the Snarkernacle...lol
Anyway... I can understand a disinclination to debate points of doubt... I'm just unwilling to shut up about it.
All the best to you as well.
Actually the one thing I appreciate about John is that he never gives up trying to get a grasp on the issues he grapples with. You are correct that for many, myslef included there is a retain faith in our struggles, but it takes some serious wrestling with God to get there. John has made his wrestle public in an effort to reach out to those similarly struggling and to keep them coming to Church. His faith may be far from perfect, and I certainly don't hold to his positions, but he has a sincerity and a certain fair mindedness that commands my respect. Heck, my faith isn't perfect either. I don't know that he is promoting a worldview as much as he is helping people describe their own experience. His agenda insofar as I can see it is to help people understand each other. I think it's a worthy goal. In fact, Naiah, I bet he would love to have you tell your own story about your conversion and how you think these issues can he handled in a much more humble, faith maintaining manner, if you were to ask him. Having followed your own blogging, I think you would do a great job.