Posted by:
Nightingale
(
)
Date: February 28, 2024 03:39PM
It's terribly embarrassing that I was a "convert" in the first place.
Irredeemably horrible that I was so ignorant. I always use quotation marks for the C word (convert) in reference to myself because yeah, I was stupid enough to join without asking questions and doing research - baptize first, ask questions later is what the mos I knew preached to me and I succumbed to the pressure. You'd think I'd know better after my JW experience but no, I had to do the whole "convert" thing twice over before I finally wised up about offshoot and controlling religious groups.
The Mormons I knew (and trusted, I guess) told me "dark and loathsome" was a metaphor (for sin iirc). I accepted that.
I didn't know (as far as I can remember now) until I read it on RfM that the dark and loathsome tenet was meant literally in reference to skin colour.
I cringe.
From an SLT (2019) - "new guidance" from the church re (one's own) body:
"Gone is the prohibition on tattoos or extra piercings and the condemnation of bare shoulders or midriffs. The ban on “passionate kissing” is no longer there nor is the shaming of those with same-sex attraction."
"On dress, grooming, tattoos and piercings — “The Lord’s standard is for you to honor the sacredness of your body, even when that means being different from the world. Let this truth and the Spirit be your guide as you make decisions — especially decisions that have lasting effects on your body.”
https://www.sltrib.com/religion/2022/10/01/look-new-language-lds-churchs/As an aside, the same article also states the church's new position on "same-gender attraction":
“Feeling same-sex attraction is not a sin. If you have these feelings and do not pursue or act on them, you are living Heavenly Father’s sacred law of chastity."
All righty then.
From 'Learn Religions' in 2019:
"Church President Gordon B. Hinckley, built on what Paul advised the Corinthian members.
"Did you ever think that your body is holy? You are a child of God. Your body is His creation. Would you disfigure that creation with portrayals of people, animals, and words painted into your skin?
"I promise you that the time will come, if you have tattoos, that you will regret your actions."
"Hinckley also referred to tattoos as graffiti."
And:
"True to the Faith is a guidebook for all LDS members. Its guidance on tattoos is brief and to the point.
"Latter-day prophets strongly discourage the tattooing of the body. Those who disregard this counsel show a lack of respect for themselves and for God. . . . If you have a tattoo, you wear a constant reminder of a mistake you have made. You might consider having it removed.
"For the Strength of Youth is a guidebook for all LDS youth. Its guidance is also strong:
"Do not disfigure yourself with tattoos or body piercings."
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So, it seems like it should be OK for religious groups to be free to chop and change as time goes by. Except. The leaders in some of the more rigid groups make everything so black and white (no pun intended, given the subject of this thread - seriously). It would seem that once you've made an "eternal" rigid pronouncement, especially if you're the head guy, and enforced the "law", often with severely negative consequences for the unfortunate 'transgressor', you shouldn't eventually update the "law" that was used to impose censure and punishment and even banishment on members during the time of the old law but since dismissed by the new law. It's simple - just don't declare behaviour and choices to be subject to management and judgement of (fallible) human representatives of a church.
Having guidelines - understandable. Imposing absolutes - especially with punishment attached - not so much.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/28/2024 03:41PM by Nightingale.