Yes. I'm still here.
This blog has been on my mind a lot lately, though I haven't had a lot I've needed to add. So it continues to sit un-updated.
But recently, I read another blog post that really spoke to me and touched me. So I thought I would link it here. I highly, strongly, really, really encourage you to go read it.
The Montgomery's have a son who recently came out to them. They are amazing parents and have been very open and honest in the way they've struggled and learned to deal with this very complex issue.
Just in case you decide you just don't want to click on that link above, let me quote part of it.
"The [LDS] Church is acknowledging that the answers to homosexuality are far more complex than any of the answers they have provided in the past. Twice [on the website www.mormonsandgays.org] homosexuality is referred to as complex.
For those who are living this reality, this probably seems like an
understatement. But for members on the outside with no experience with
such matters and no personal relationships with someone who is gay it
seems cut and dry. They have very simple, easy, primary level answers
for your life. Here are many of the simplistic answers we have heard
from members of the Church:
Just pray harder and it will go away. We personally had two
LDS Social Services therapists and members of our local Church
leadership tell us that by just increasing our faith and the sincerity
of our prayers, our son’s homosexuality would go away. No amount of
prayer can change God’s will for someone’s life?
Everyone is expected to live the same law of chastity. If by
living the same law you mean comparing being chaste before marriage to
never being able to express any sexual desire for the entirety of your
life, then no. The law of Chastity has completely different implications
for the lives of LGBT individuals. This law is definitely not equal in
its application.
Living celibate is no different than single members who never marry. No.
One is living with hope and the ability to express and receive love
even if it never matures to a marriage. The other is the suppression of
every sexual desire and being taught that such desires are wrong and of
the devil.
Being gay is just another temptation in life like a disposition to alcohol, drugs or violence. This
was actually taught in at a stake youth event by our local Church
leaders. This line of thinking begins with the assumption of deviancy in
LGBT people. Another local Church leader counseled us that my 13 year
old gay son should not share a room with his 7 year old brother, because
heaven forbid what he might do to him. Being different does not make
you inherently evil.
Being gay is only a condition of this life. You were not gay before and will be fixed in the afterlife. I
am not sure if there is a more destructive theology. It teaches that
you are fundamentally broken and cannot be fixed until the afterlife.
Yet in all other respects, who we are and the character we develop and
the intelligence we gain in this life all proceed with us to the next
life. Except being gay. At best this is a flawed philosophy with no
scriptural or moral basis."
Now, again, for the full story, please go read the blog post.
