Would You Believe?

If they were not who you were taught that they would be, would you still believe? #Judas

Peeved

I'm really annoyed right now at (surprise!) BYU.

There was supposed to be a "discussion" on gay marriage on campus this morning. The BYU Democrats (yes, they do exist) and BYU Republicans were going to "discuss" gay marriage (because obviously there is no room for debate on the issue, because a bunch of old, cranky, white men say so). I was excited to attend because this is the first time anything like this has happened here. Two of my friends were even going to be on the panel as pro-gay marriage advocates.

But, of course, in typical BYU fashion, the whole thing has been caught up in bureaucratic red tape.

First, they announce that the event has been "postponed until further notice." This can only mean that BYU won't allow the event to take place in its current form on campus.

Then, on the Facebook event page, they have since changed the name from "Panel Discussion: Homosexuality & Gay Marriage" to the vague and broad "Panel Discussion: Contemporary Issues." This was clearly done in order to appease BYU (cause here, homosexuality and gay marriage are like naughty, four-letter words).

Finally, the group announces that, in order to attend, you MUST be a member of either BYU Democrats or BYU Republicans. I don't know why this annoyed me so much. Maybe because it excludes me from attending, as I am not a member of either group.

This is why BYU annoys me so much. They don't allow anything to happen on campus, unless it fits within their model of a "perfect" school. This happens every year during BYUSA elections. The candidates' platforms have to be approved in advance by the administration. Then, during their tenure, they only do what the administration tells them to do. Sounds a bit autocratic, huh? That's BYU for you.

Heaven forbid that people have different views on life. In my opinion, there is no good argument against gay marriage. Most arguments that I've heard are from a religious standpoint. "It's against God's word." "The Bible condemns it." "Modern revelation blah blah blah." These arguments are no good. When you use these arguments, you are forcing your own religious views on other people, who probably do not believe the way you do. The LDS faith promotes the ability of ALL people to "worship how, where, or what they may" (Articles of Faith, v.11). When you tell someone that they cannot do something based on a religious tenet, you are forcing your own religious views on them, thereby removing their own ability to choose how to live their life.

Anyway, I'll get off my soapbox now.

April Fool's!

In honor of April Fool's Day, I give you:

Justin Beanber!!