Comments for Faith-Promoting Rumor

Comment on A Mormon Perspective on Social Justice by Chino Blanco

Chino Blanco — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 19:20:46 +0000

Further to #10, wouldn’t it be interesting to read an attempt at considering Mormon folk belief in the context of Sebastianism? I suspect that many Mormons could relate to Antônio Conselheiro’s story, properly told. I mean, at the end of the day, my people who fled to Deseret from Lancashire aren’t much different from those who flooded Canudos.

Comment on A Mormon Perspective on Social Justice by Harold Dwyer

Harold Dwyer — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 14:08:08 +0000

I don’t think I had ever considered Rawls in conjunction with LDS thought. The immediate impediment that I see is that I’m not sure that LDS theology allows for an “original position.” While it has not been said over the pulpit in recent years, previous general conference talks have colored our culture with that idea that our current circumstances are the result of divine intention. Even when we are not using the offensive versions of this we did in the past, such as that blacks were less valiant in the pre-existence, we still refer to the idea that the young generation of LDS were saved for this time and born in LDs homes to fulfill a special mission. This is the continuation of the idea from Abraham of there being “noble and great ones.” So the idea that privileged status is actually the just dessert of former valiance has not only not left the culture, it has not left current doctrine.

That is a long way of saying that I very much like the idea of getting people thinking about what they would do in the original position, but I’m afraid many LDS will not accept the premise that it should matter to them for the reasons I state.

Comment on A Mormon Perspective on Social Justice by Chino Blanco

Chino Blanco — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 13:45:32 +0000

Plenty of good Mormons are speaking out against Brother Beck’s views. Here’s three that come to mind:

http://www.streetprophets.com/story/2010/3/11/55541/7370

http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/talk/blogs/j/a/jason_echols/2010/03/if-glenn-beck-followed-his-own.php

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2010/3/11/845062/-If-Glenn-Beck-followed-his-own-instructions,-hed-be-an-ex-Mormon

Ha!

Comment on A Mormon Perspective on Social Justice by Chris Henrichsen

Chris Henrichsen — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 01:40:27 +0000

Deb,

No harm done. I am glad that you stopped by.

I battle against the fans of Beck on a regular basis, both in my blogging and in my regular conversations. Do not worry.

Comment on A Mormon Perspective on Social Justice by Deb

Deb — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:37:48 +0000

Chris – No harm intended…I only found you because I googled ’social injustice’ and ‘mormon’, so something good for me did come out that – you may wish I hadn’t found you. I’m just so frustrated with being a Mormon apologist (and I’m not Mormon, or Christian) – live and let live – but to see this man spewing his stuff with impunity from those he taints by association makes me sick. You’re doing a good thing but I would ask that instead of talking amongst yourselves (people who think alike don’t usually learn too much from each other) it would be good to see you putting comments out there in other places drawing the comparisons. If you’re already doing that then please forgive me – but you are just one person and maybe all of your followers could do some good in that direction as well. I am comforted that there are people in your world talking about the differences and will do what I can to point that out. Peace.

Choose:
The single clenched fist lifted and ready,
Or the open hand held out and waiting.
Choose:
For we meet by one or the other.
~Carl Sandburg

Comment on A Mormon Perspective on Social Justice by Chris Henrichsen

Chris Henrichsen — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:53:33 +0000

“what I’m asking is why isn’t someone (anyone out there?) speaking in a loud clear voice and saying that Beck does not speak for all Mormon people”

There are likely hundreds of blog posts saying just that. I attended a presentation by conservative professors at BYU who were distancing themselves from the like of Beck. You not being aware of it, does not mean that it is not happening.

This post is my way of doing my part to counter Beck. I could discuss why Beck is so horrible, but that has been done over and over. Here, I am presenting an alternative view.

Since, I am largely considered an obnoxious jerk, I am not sure what to make of being called sheepish.

Comment on A Mormon Perspective on Social Justice by Deb

Deb — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:46:39 +0000

Hello all,
I’m not condoning kicking him out of your church…what I’m asking is why isn’t someone (anyone out there?) speaking in a loud clear voice and saying that Beck does not speak for all Mormon people – the State of Utah advertising, puullleeaasee. Whether you like it or not your religious views are all tied up in politics – always have been and always will be and Beck is taking you down with him. If you are not a racist, violence-promoting, hate-filled people then why sheepishly stand aside and let some newcomer stand there and spew this stuff without letting the people of the world hear him denounced for his views. I believe that you are all paying the price for your silence and it won’t get any better. Don’t you wish you could make millions by being a convert and writing about it? “In the End, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.” ~Martin Luther King~

Comment on A Mormon Perspective on Social Justice by Chris Henrichsen

Chris Henrichsen — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:24:25 +0000

Paul, thanks.

Deb: I second what John C has said. Additionally, I have no interest in condeming anyone in my religious community because of their political views.

Comment on A Mormon Perspective on Social Justice by John C.

John C. — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:07:43 +0000

Deb,
I can’t speak for others, but I have no desire for Beck to leave our church. Not because he is a good spokesman (I don’t think he is), not because I agree with him (I don’t), and not because I covet his tithing money (we’re doing ok. Thanks for asking). Rather, I think that membership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, belief in its doctrines, and a life lived in accord with its principles can actually help folks become better people (even Glenn Beck). I certainly need the help and I don’t see any reason to try convince Beck to look elsewhere for it. To each their own, I suppose.

Comment on A Mormon Perspective on Social Justice by Deb

Deb — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 10:31:43 +0000

When will you all stand up and in full voice tell Beck to back down and that he is so wrong about so many things? He has done more harm to what people think of Mormons and Mormanism in a few short years than any other force against the church. The State of Utah Travel Council even advertises on his show (the ONLY state to do so and one of the few advertisers left). A very sad time for all of you I’m sure. Is his ‘membership’ in your church so important (it surely is bring in a lot of money lately, isn’t it?)