Friends and family who I care deeply for, I know convictions are strong on every side. Some are baffled at this decision. But I feel very passionately that we should try to see the humanity in those we would normally demonize. Hatred is a small, shallow, pathetic emotion. Love is far more rewarding. We are all part of the human family, and that should be enough for either side of this issue. As I have loved you, love one another.

So.....is he for or against the new policy??

I think he purposely skirted around that and is just trying to keep the peace in the family. It's a very divisive issue and I suspect there's more indignation and defensiveness, than actual hatred, but sometimes it feels the same.

PapaKen Wrote:
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> Hatred is a small, shallow, pathetic emotion.
> Love is far more rewarding.

Indeed. Which is why the church's hatred and lack of love embodied in this "policy" is so upsetting to so many loving, non-hateful members.

I can say it is better than the response I got from my "best" friend.

We'll know in the next life. It is to protect the children.

She is no longer my friend.

My 16 year old has watched a few of the recent Scientology TV shows. Let's just say that his response to the new policy drew a pretty strong alignment between both cults.

Nice try.

Morg bigotry cannot be loved away.

This is just another attempt by a TBM to let this bullshit policy slide.

Yes it IS a nice try. I'm glad he's gotten this far.

I'm sorry to have criticized your son.

I'm sure that this is difficult.

Mormons have a tendency to start spouting "love, love, love" when defending something quite obviously hateful.

I'm guessing that he is much more disturbed by the policy than he feels he can express.

The people who truly know love don't use it as a way to discount another's hurt and victimization or rationalize bigotry. This is a very passive aggressive stance which translates to, "It is wrong for you to respond negatively to the ugly thing I have done to you."

With all due respect PapaKen, this sounds like something in the same vein as something that an abusive spouse would say. The abused is laying there bleeding on the ground, and the abuser says, "When you object to my hitting you you only make things worse for everyone."

No.

He's asking his fellow TBMs to stop hating us & start loving us. He's astute enough to know they are in a hateful mode, and is trying to get them to open their hearts to their fellow human beings.

I'm glad & proud he's going that far, at least for now.

I'll take your word for it. It was the "either side" part that made me read it another way all together. I took it as "can't we all just get along and ignore what has happened.":

If he meant it the way you put it, then yes, good for him and good for you.

Also PapaKen, I wish anyone in my immediate family felt the way your son does or if they do would at least express it. One. I'll take one.

I am happy for you.

Isn't it wonderful when just being you, helps those you love expand and grow. Isn't it nice when those you love can love without putting conditions on it. I know your son loves you and understands the conundrums of the church better than he may be able to let on. I was so glad to get to meet him and feel him testing the waters (so to speak). He is a good man.

So do you explain to your grand kids that they can't get baptized and the reason why?
Do you tell them they have to shun away their parents to get baptized?
Do you tell them that their parents are evil?
This is something you just can't ignore and hope is goes away.
The church has made it black and white for them selves on this issue.