Wow. This is why I choose not to go to church anymore. This is why I do not watch General Conference. Elder Packer, I could punch you in the face right now and not feel the least bit guilty. You are a mean and intolerant human being who only demeans and brings down others. You are not being spiritually uplifting in the slightest.
In the wake of all the recent gay suicides in the past few weeks, you would think the Church would try to be a little more understand and sympathetic towards the gays. I guess that was too much to ask. Instead the Church keeps going on a rampage against gays. Packer basically states that those who are gay, are that way because they have sinned in some way and are being punished for their "abominations." How dare you, you pretentious jerk! You think by saying this, you are bringing comfort to those who have tried and tried for years to suppress and deny their innate feelings? No! You are just making them feel worse about themselves and driving them deeper into the closet.
This amounts to nothing more than playground bullying. As Ellen says in the video I posted below, "there are messages everywhere that validate this kind of bullying and taunting, and we have to make it stop. We can't let ignorance or intolerance take another kid's life." Elder Packer's talk is one of those messages that "validate" and reinforce teenage bullying. This needs to stop. My worst fear is that this talk could result in more gay suicides.
For those of you who listened to Elder Packer's talk and feel like you may want to do something harmful, please, please, do not do anything rash. This is one man's thoughts; there are so many more out there who love you and support you. You are not this way because of your "sins and abominations." You were born this way. That is something only we can truly understand. God loves you, no matter if you are gay, straight, bisexual, asexual, transgender, whatever you might be. God makes no mistakes - you are beautiful and perfect just the way you are. I love you, and want you to be okay. You may not know it (I didn't for the longest time), but there are people so close to you that feel the same way you do. They are also suffering in silence. It may not feel like it now, but you are not alone.
If you feel like you may do something harmful to yourself, please call 1-866-488-7386. The Trevor Project is a free, national suicide hotline for gay teens.
Well said, G@BYU
ReplyDeletePeople thought that the Church was becoming more accepting and understanding (e.g. "God Loveth His Children" pamphlet and giving support for anti-discrimination laws in SLC).
Here's a good article posted quickly after the talk aired:
http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/news/50404210-75/church-sex-lds-packer.html.csp
My suggestion to any Mohos out there, read "No Man Knows My History" and/or "An Insider's View of Mormon Origins". The lies go deeper than you know and its time to GET OUT!
What I would suggest is realizing that the LDS church is NOT the true church as it so famously suggests itself to be. I'm not attempting to bash the church, that's not my point. But IMO the LDS church paints a pretty picture of itself through Mormon Messages (youtube) while at the same time giving someone a pulpit to spew out anti-gay hatred. I wonder how many young gay Mormon boys heard Packer's message who now are thinking suicide is their only means of escape.
ReplyDeleteInstead, David Andrew, I would say that it IS the true church, but still developing exactly the right approach to this difficult issue.... That's because the Lord doesn't want anyone to commit suicide, but He DOES want men to step outside of their gender, connect with the "other," and beget children.
ReplyDeleteIf those on the fence perceive that the Church endorses homosexuality as a way of life, it becomes too easy to hook up with other guys and thus miss out on the best part of mortal life, which is procreation and nurturing new life.
It's not about "anti-gay hatred," which I never hear, at least not in my ward, and I didn't hear that from Elder Packer, either. It's about supporting the choice whereby one can obey the very first commandment -- to be fruitful and fill the earth -- and thereby fulfilling oneself. Because in 50 or 60 years the gay man is gone and his genes are at an end, whereas in time the married man may have posterity; perhaps like Abraham a righteous multitude.
I'm glad that when I was in my 20's and could have gone a different direction than the one I chose, the trumpet was not blowing an uncertain sound.
Bale's recommendation to read "No Man Knows My History" etc. is pathetic. That work of pseudo-history psychobabble has long been discredited. See, e,g, Nibley's "No Ma'am, That's Not History."
@John Stone: You have no idea what it's like to be told over and over again that the kind of person you are just can't have the blessings God promises ... either that, or you can if you just try hard enough, so if you haven't gotten them yet it's your fault.
ReplyDeleteIt's incredibly arrogant to say that you've never heard condemnation of gays, while claiming that you know what the best part of life is, and it's something they can't have. Unless they adopt (which you won't let them) or marry a straight person (which your own stupid church doesn't even think is a good idea).
"No gay marriage" afflicts the afflicted and comforts the comfortable. You're incredibly comfortable, or "privileged" as we call it, and it shows.
I am so proud of you for letting you feelings be heard! You should not be made to feel evil or a freak. You are just one of us trying to do good and find you way home. I believe you will. With much love!
ReplyDelete