tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7582395774572274101.post2032837720785753729..comments2023-03-17T02:14:09.355-07:00Comments on Reforming the Restoration: Why I Stopped Outsourcing my Spirituality: Part 2Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05256566008091105465noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7582395774572274101.post-6396513393134631422015-02-23T13:11:49.690-08:002015-02-23T13:11:49.690-08:00Or at least move it to the federal level and wrest...Or at least move it to the federal level and wrest it from the states.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7582395774572274101.post-51051170652667905802015-02-13T05:32:47.462-08:002015-02-13T05:32:47.462-08:00I wasn't trying to ignore you, really. It'...I wasn't trying to ignore you, really. It's just been a busy week.<br /><br />Here's my answer. I think what makes sex beautiful or sinful (whether heterosexual or homosexual) is a direct function of the meaning we put behind the actions. If it is an expression of love that serves to strengthen the commitment between two people, I think it is beautiful. If it takes on any shades of abuse or seeks to assert an unequal relationship, then it starts to become sinful in my view. In some ways, uncommitted sex has more potential for harm in a heterosexual relationship, in that it could lead to an unwanted child or abortion. I think your focus on orifices does you a disservice if it distracts you from these larger issues.<br /><br />Regarding polyamory, I think the same principles apply, but I think it is much more fraught with potential harm because there is the possibility of inequality and jealousy among multiple relationship connection lines. <br /><br />I don't presume to know what God thinks about these issues. As far as we know, Jesus had nothing to say about homosexuality. For argument's sake though, let's imagine that we knew for certain that God disapproved of homosexual relations. My approach to life is to worry more about my own sins than those of other people. That's enough to keep me plenty busy. Since I have no homosexual tendencies, in this situation I would just say to myself, whew, I'm glad I don't have that challenge, and move on with my life. <br /><br />It's not that I don't care or concern myself with other people, it's just that I don't think it's my place to tell them they are sinners. Especially because I don't know 100% the will of God. I maintain a margin of doubt that helps me to be kind and accepting of others, even if I disagree with their choices, inasmuch as those choices can't be shown to harm others. And there is no credible evidence that gay marriage harms others; in fact, the evidence is to the contrary. So, even if someone disagrees with homosexuality, since those relationships already exist, I would ask them, "Isn't a committed relationship better than one that is not committed?"Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05256566008091105465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7582395774572274101.post-62797586631542934342015-02-12T23:18:42.735-08:002015-02-12T23:18:42.735-08:00I notice that you have stopped replying to my ques...I notice that you have stopped replying to my questions. Maybe you are unsure of what I meant by "homosexual activity". What I am asking is: Do you believe that God is pleased or disappointed when one man puts his penis into some orifice or another of a different man's body? Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7582395774572274101.post-59572432512927987202015-02-12T10:16:04.970-08:002015-02-12T10:16:04.970-08:00Could one not also make the same arguments you mad...Could one not also make the same arguments you made above in support of polyamory? Would that also be acceptable to God in your view?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7582395774572274101.post-36860154086625968222015-02-12T09:54:11.480-08:002015-02-12T09:54:11.480-08:00Just curious as to where you are at on that....Just curious as to where you are at on that....Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7582395774572274101.post-91615117314192692882015-02-10T09:15:56.426-08:002015-02-10T09:15:56.426-08:00So, homosexual activity is not sinful in your view...So, homosexual activity is not sinful in your view either? Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7582395774572274101.post-1673450066975163852015-02-09T18:20:46.080-08:002015-02-09T18:20:46.080-08:00Yes, I believe that. I think God would be more co...Yes, I believe that. I think God would be more concerned with how the parents treat each other and their children than with whether they both happen to be the same gender or not. Certainly, I think that it is easier for two parents to provide support for their children than it is for a single parent. Not that there aren't many fantastic single parents who do a great job, just that I think it's a lot harder for them. I think that parents should be judged based on how they care for and love their children, and not on their sexual orientation. I also think that the perceived necessity for two genders of parents relies on the stereotypical gender roles, which I haven't found to hold true in my own life experience, and which I think are sometimes very harmful.<br /><br />To clarify what I said about campaigning on the other side, I wouldn't do it as a reaction to what the Church said, but simply because I think it's the right thing to do.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05256566008091105465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7582395774572274101.post-28336083080130889352015-02-09T09:34:47.581-08:002015-02-09T09:34:47.581-08:00I agree with much of what you write...not relying ...I agree with much of what you write...not relying so much on leaders and getting inspiration for ourselves. I also agree with Kim that prophets are more often outside mainstream authority, etc. I can also understand why you wouldn't want to participate in another Prop 8 type of campaign on the side you took before. What makes me curious, however, is why you would campaign on the other side of the issue. Have you come to the belief that same sex marriage and parenting is just as acceptable to God as heterosexual marriage and parenting? Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7582395774572274101.post-40547028959451014432014-12-08T15:05:50.431-08:002014-12-08T15:05:50.431-08:00Kendal, I completely agree with you. Government s...Kendal, I completely agree with you. Government should totally get out of the marriage business.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05256566008091105465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7582395774572274101.post-9859676334146979942014-12-07T15:22:29.608-08:002014-12-07T15:22:29.608-08:00Well said. I decided when I became a libertarian ...Well said. I decided when I became a libertarian that I would ignore the counsel to support prop 8. I decided that using coercion to force someone to live a standard that I live is worse than supporting same sex marriage. What business does the state have in deciding such matters anyway? Marriages should be between individuals and churches, not the government. Satan tried to destroy agency in the preexistence and was cast out. I think the church's position on voting for the state to proscribe gay marriage was a move that supports Satan's plan. I'll take my chances with allowing people the freedom to choose. Kendal Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14034804590903728871noreply@blogger.com