Category: Commentary

My thoughts and reactions on various random topics.

Why I Support the Traditional Family

Recently I got into a conversation with a homosexual individual on Facebook about the same-sex debate. It wasn’t long and I certainly was not able to answer his questions to his satisfaction. I support the traditional family. That is a nice positive statement. It does also mean that I oppose same-sex marriage. I do. And what’s more, the core reasons that I oppose it are due to moral and religious objections (which is why I was unable to answer his questions to his satisfaction).

While I can’t say I particularly enjoyed the conversation (“I don’t like confrontations!” ~T-Rex), I am glad I was able to have it–I learned a few things. These are really obvious when they’re written down like this, but they may be harder to apply than one might think.

  1. It’s easy to agree with your fellow church members that same-sex marriage is bad. For me it’s more difficult to disagree with a gay person who is currently unable to marry their partner, and who could understandably be frustrated with religious people keeping him from marrying. I think it is important to be able to share your differences respectfully to those who disagree with you.
  2. When doing so, I think it is important to listen to what they have to say. Show the respect for them that you want them to show for you. That doesn’t mean that you are agreeing with them or compromising your beliefs. It simply means that you are trying to understand them and their position a little better. Hopefully they will extend the same courtesy to you (whether they do or not doesn’t really matter).
  3. I also think it is important that we be willing and able to explain why we have the stance that we have. As in my case, your reasons may be completely rejected. That’s OK. Again, you should not expect that your powerful words of wisdom will cause the planets to align and convince whomever you are addressing to see the error of their ways and agree to everything you say (willingly or otherwise, depending on what mood your imagination is in). The idea here is to honestly explain why believe and act the way you do.

The core question that came up was this: “Why is the issue of same-sex marriage so important that I would stand against it, affecting homosexual couples who wish to marry?” That is absolutely a fair question.

As I mentioned earlier, the core reasons why I oppose same-sex marriage absolutely ties in with my moral beliefs and religion (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints). I believe that there is a body of men who are prophets. I have felt the Spirit confirm this to me multiple times. I have seen how my life and outlook on life have improved as I have followed their counsel over time.

These prophets have been very clear on this issue: that while we should not support same-sex marriage, we also should not be hateful, mean, or discriminatory towards homosexuals. They have also explicitly spelled out that it is no sin to have feelings of same-gender attraction. It is a sin to act on those feelings.

Some of the basic doctrines of the Church are that marriage was instituted by God as the union of a man and a woman, and that gender (as opposed to sexual orientation) is part of our eternal identity. Families are not just constructs for this life-time. Instead they are the building blocks of society both here and in the hereafter. Morality is defined by God and is eternal.

Members of the Church who are gay are not and should not be considered or treated as second-class citizens. Just as single members of the Church are not second-class citizens. We believe that if we are faithful, then any blessing that we are unable to achieve in this lifetime will be ours in the life to come. This includes marriage and family.

These are the main reasons why I do not support same-sex marriage. There are other reasons. I have read a number of arguments opposing SSM, and in general I would say I agree with them. But when the rubber hits the road, this is it.

I can see why this would be totally unacceptable to a gay man who does not believe in religion at all, let alone that there is a body of men who are prophets of God. Again, that’s OK. I can explain what I believe. I absolutely have a right to do that. Anyone who bothers to listen absolutely has the right to decide what to do with that.

I also absolutely have a right to add my voice and my vote to issues that I believe are important. Do my morals and religion affect my opinions? Of course they do! Any set of beliefs or code of conduct that does not affect the person following them is useless and meaningless.

So, in a nutshell, that’s where I stand. I do not hate homosexuals. Indeed, if I claim to oppose SSM primarily because of my belief in the prophets and understanding of Church doctrine, then I shouldn’t. If I do, that’s something I need to work on, isn’t it? Here’s another way to think of it. What was Christ’s reaction to the prostitute? “Neither do I condemn thee. Go and sin no more.” The Savior, whom I claim to follow as a disciple, did not condemn the prostitute. But He also didn’t condone the behavior.

So far the discussion has centered largely on why I don’t support SSM, but that’s only part of the question, isn’t it? I plan on writing a follow-up on why I actually oppose SSM. Given my current writing frequency, I’ve got a good three months to do it. 🙂

As I mentioned before, I have read a number of articles defending the traditional family view. Here are some of them

Some additional words from the afore-mentioned prophets

And some more just in case you are still following

In Memory of the Empty Stocking

I’ve been thinking and trying to work on something for this for quite some time. As usual, I’ve been over-thinking it and trying to come up with the perfect words of consolation, comfort and call to action, etc.

What I want to do is express my sorrow over the tragedy in Newtown, and explain that I believe the right way to show our consolation and grief is for us to take steps to see that such a thing does not happen again.

Such an idea is by no means a new one. President Obama said essentially the same thing, that we needed to work on this without regard for the politics involved.

I believe that we need to remember that we are all part of one nation, and as such, we all have responsibility in it.  The strength and character of the nation is defined by the strength of it’s people, homes, and communities.

We are responsible for this nation. Us. Not just Congress, not just the President. Not the major corporations or the media.

We are responsible for what does and does not happen in this nation. We. All of us. We are responsible for the good and the bad. It is up to us to shape our nation, and in fact, we do that whether we do so consciously or not. Our inaction or apathy will shape the nation one way or another.

Yes, we are busy. Yes, we do have lives to live, mouths to feed, children to take care of, church to attend, duties to fulfill. But I think it is important for us to not forget one of those duties. To be a part in the shaping of not just our homes (as important as that is), but also our Nation. Our States. Our communities.

To me, this is the best way to memorialize the lives that were lost in Newtown, Aurora, Virginia Tech, Columbine, and an increasing number of others.

After the tragedy occurred, the words that brought the most comfort to me were from the Christmas song “I heard the Bells on Christmas Day.” This poem was written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow during the Civil war. His wife had recently died, and his son was badly wounded:

And in despair I bowed my head;
“There is no peace on earth,” I said;
“For hate is strong,
And mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!”

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
“God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
The Wrong shall fail,
The Right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men.”
I believe that. I believe it with all my heart.

I do not believe that belief alone is enough. My religion teaches that belief is to be coupled with action and effort. Do you want “peace on earth, goodwill to men?” Then what are you doing to bring that about?

I am reminded of the scene from the movie Hotel Rwanda, where the camera man, after filming the horrible tragedies that are occurring, says something to the effect of, “People will see this on their TV’s, say ‘Oh, that’s horrible’ and then go back to their dinner.”
Can we not just go back to our dinner?
My intention is to encourage us to feel a greater sense of community and responsibility for that community. There are so many problems, but there are so many ways that we can help. Your actions matter. Your vote does count. Your voice does make a difference.

As we do so, of course there will be people who disagree with you, your point of view, and the ways in which you are contributing. Talk, share, discuss, encourage, be respectful. Don’t fight, argue, hate, or be sarcastic.

This Christmas, there will be many empty stockings, and not just in Newtown. These words are in memory of those empty stockings, and with a firmer conviction to add my voice and my efforts in healing and shaping this wonderful nation that I am a part of.

9/11 Remembered

On Friday I attended the Utah Symphony Orchestra with my wife and parents. The first piece was “On the Transmigration of Souls” by John Adams, written to commemorate the victims of the 9/11 attack. I don’t care for modern classical music (unless movie soundtracks count, which for some I reason I don’t think they do…).

The reason we had bought the tickets was for the second piece, Beethoven’s 9th symphony. It was a fantastic performance that had the four of us pretty floored. My dad’s comment was “I don’t know how long it will be before I can stand listening to a recording again” (He has over 10 separate recordings of the 9th). The second movement was particularly well done.

So why am I talking about Beethoven in a post about 9/11? Well, the “Transmigration” piece was pretty effective at communicating fear, grief, confusion, and anger. But there were other responses and emotions during that time besides fear, confusion and anger. In fact, if that was the only response and the only way that we remembered it then the terrorists who carried out the attack will indeed have succeeded in their goal.

Ten years ago I was headed out the door when our neighbor called and told me to turn on the TV. I was in time to see the second tower fall.

There was a lot of fear, and confusion, and even anger. Almost 3,000 people died. But the fear and confusion that I felt does not compare to the hope and pride that I felt as I watched the many selfless acts that followed. I remember almost crying with pride and joy as I watched the New York City streets lined with onlookers cheering on the firefighters, policemen, doctors, and other volunteers as they headed into the chaos. As they did their best to save as many people as they could. As we heard of Flight 93, who gave their lives to thwart their hijackers plans.

Regardless of how politicians have used this event for one purpose or another, or even considering a number of conspiracy theories surrounding the destruction of the World Trade Center, what really struck me was the courage and strength of the people of this nation. We live in a time where we talk of the great evils of this world; immorality, drugs, gangs, corrupt governments, greedy corporations–there is almost no end to all the evil things in this world.

I do not like to focus on the negative. These things do exist, and we should not pretend that they don’t. I do believe there is far more in this world that is good. People are better than we think they are. and you know, Beethoven does a pretty good job of capturing some of those emotions and feelings.

“Oh friends, not these tones! Rather, let us raise our voices in more pleasing And more joyful sounds!”

Perhaps that is why they decided to pair those two pieces together. There was loss and grief and mourning. There was also hope and courage and strength. And that is what I wish to focus on when I remember 9/11. The time when I became proud to be an American.

Chilean Miners Rescued

Just wanted to put a note out about the rescue of the 33 Chilean miners. What an extraordinary achievement!

This comment from the New York Times seems appropriate:

“In what seems almost like an inverse of the horror of Sept. 11, 2001, it is clear from the comments posted on our Web site and other news sites from readers in countries around the world that much of the planet is riveted today by the images of a single, joyous, news event.” (http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/10/12/latest-updates-on-the-rescue-of-the-chilean-miners/?partner=rss&emc=rss&src=ig)

I hope and pray that all the miners will have a full recovery from their ordeal. May God’s blessings be with them and with all those who helped to rescue them.

Geekcode

So I was wandering the internet the other day and stumbled upon the Geek Code, which apparently was used to identify other online geeks to each other. Basically it is a string of letters that indicate various character traits (general clothing style, appreciation for Star Trek, and so on).

While it is indeed very outdated, I nevertheless have put together my own geek code, and here it is:

—–BEGIN GEEK CODE BLOCK—–
Version: 3.12
GCS d- s:– a>? C++ U— P– L+ E— W++ U?
o– K- w+ O? M V? PS-(+) PE-(+) Y+ PGP t 5?
X R !tv b++ DI+(++) D- G e++ h—- r+++ y?
——END GEEK CODE BLOCK——

…yeah, I’m not really sure the purpose either, but it was fun to do…

Enhancements to the geek code could include such things as:

  • Star Wars (esp. classic vs. prequels)
  • Lord of the Rings (books vs. movies)
  • blog usage
  • facebook usage
  • youtube usage
  • flash videos created
  • iphone apps created
  • number of email accounts
  • whether you were a geek before being a geek was cool (with a qualifier indicating that while you are too young for that to be the case, you certainly would have been in that category)
  • number of RSS feeds currently subscribed to
  • number of podcasts currently subscribed to
  • number of computers currently owned
  • current WOW character level
  • favorite search engine
  • Big Bang Theory (TV show)
  • How many Java frameworks you are proficient in
  • Cell phone data plan

…And, really, there are some that should have been in there originally:

  • comic books
  • time spent on personal hobbies

Well, what do you think? Did I miss any?