I come from a Mormon culture where teens are asked to abstain until marriage. A surprisingly high percentage of them do so. I realize that this is definitely not in the mainstream of American culture.
So, what about those of us who have gay orientations? While this is a question that hasn't really been answered well, some things are sure. The idea that teens should be allowed to express themselves by having sex is definitely off the table. I don't think the church should have a different standard based on orientation, in this instance. Regardless of American or any other culture, I think this one is a given.
I'm pretty sure that there will be no temple sealings of same gender couples any time in the near future, and likely won't happen at all. It would take quite a huge overturning of doctrinal understanding to effect any change in this aspect of Mormonism. It would take even more work to prepare the members for any such change. Such a monumental change is typically not how the Lord develops the church. Rather, it's here a little and there a little, line upon line. So if there were any such change, it probably wouldn't be some huge announcement. And I feel any such change is unlikely to begin with.
I think many of the pundits who challenge the current stand of church leaders on this issue are bringing with them assumptions about the Mormon culture that wildly distort their understanding. This may be particularly true among those disaffected, former members who have had unfortunate experiences with members or leaders in the past.
It's so very hard to recognize our assumptions, let alone to account for them.
Was it not an announcement that allowed African American (men) to have the priesthood? Many, many thought this would never ever happen. It is rationalization to say that the racism issue is different from the homophobia of the Mormon church. It may not happen in your lifetime but it is coming. Line by line perhaps or dramatically.
ReplyDeleteI certainly think that an announcement is possible, just not likely. As for the revelation on the Priesthood, I think its circumstances are largely misunderstood. It was not designed to curb racism, although it certainly helps in that regard.
DeleteAlso, I don't understand your comment about rationalization. Assuming that two very different human characteristics like skin color and orientation are essentially identical sounds pretty far fetched to me. While neither should be used as an excuse for any amount of unkindness, that's about where the similarities end. The way these two characteristics were described in past generations are nothing alike. The experiences of the two groups again were nothing alike, save for discrimination in a very general sense. It would not surprise me at all if the issues were dealt with by the church in very different ways.