It seems that our dear friend Wade's character is richer and more detailed that I had imagined. Here is an extremely interesting post from the fittingly named MADboard:
wenglund wrote:Having been on the receiving end of a Church court for personal behavior, I tend to view it differently. Since I looked (and still look) to the Church for moral guidance, and I value the perspective of my leaders, and I recognize that no man is an island, and that my behavior, while done in private, could very well impact others besides myself, I thought it perfectly appropriate for the Church to counsel with me and determine what may be in the best interest of all parties concerned. And, even though there was some disciplinary action taken, I didn't so much view it as "punative" (though I was perfectly willing to stand accountable and take what may be due), but actually as relief from certain binding and perhaps ominous (at least to me in my diminished spiritual condition) responsibilities and covenants. I viewed it as a court of love, which may have helped, I hope, avert the flames from engulfing me. ;-)
Now this has got my interest piqued! Perhaps this goes some ways towards explaining Wade's fascination with pseudo-psychoanalysis, CBT, and other such "help"? The few clues given here are intriguing to me. It seems his ecclesiastical leaders were able to convince him that something he was doing "in private" was harming others. I cannot help but wonder if Wade was unnecessarily punished for whatever it was that he did.
In my opinion, it's quite impossible for an unmarried adult to not do something in private to cause church discipline sooner or later.
"Finally, for your rather strange idea that miracles are somehow linked to the amount of gay sexual gratification that is taking place would require that primitive Christianity was launched by gay sex, would it not?"
Plutarch wrote:Seems that Wade is more open, honest and non-anonymous about his feelings than you. You just want to yuck it up about Wade's problems. Carry on.
P
OMG! Hell just froze over. You and I actually agree on something, Plutarch!
Scratch...I think it may have been more appropriate for you to have PM'd Wade about the Church Court thing before opening up a thread about it here.
I would be interested in hearing more of his thoughts if he is inclined to respond.
And, yes, he did make the subject somewhat "fair game" in bringing it up on another public forum.
However, I still feel that being involved in a Church court is a very private matter, and should only be brought up at the option of the person who was involved.
Dr. Shades wrote:In my opinion, it's quite impossible for an unmarried adult to not do something in private to cause church discipline sooner or later.
I agree with Moksha on this one. It's a very sensitive issue, and Wade (who knows that people from over here, pop in over there) was brave to bring it up. I wish him well.
I'm not a fan of the church confession system though, because there are so many private confessions, even from married couples that I know all about and shouldn't.
I don't know how peoples personal information gets around (though I have a few thoughts). The son of the stake president knew all about one couples married problems, and it was common gossip as to which of the blokes had a problem with masturbation. It's not something the individuals involved ever talked about, so someone had a loose mouth.
They say confession is good for the soul, but I wish in the LDS Church it was always kept strictly confidential between the member and the Bishop only. I also wish that no judgment or punishment was attached, then this potentially soul cleansing activity would be utilized by members for their spiritual growth.
He doesn't say he was harming others but that it was pointed out to him his actions might harm others. And he doesn't seem all that convinced..because the last line he says he "viewed it as a court of love, which may have helped, I hope, avert the flames from engulfing me. ;-)
I get the sense that those conducting this meeting with him, would be judged by those outside the church as in the wrong and Wade in the right. On second thought maybe he was attempting to counsel people (free of charge), in that case they'd be right :)
Plutarch wrote:Seems that Wade is more open, honest and non-anonymous about his feelings than you. You just want to yuck it up about Wade's problems. Carry on.
P
OMG! Hell just froze over. You and I actually agree on something, Plutarch!
Scratch...I think it may have been more appropriate for you to have PM'd Wade about the Church Court thing before opening up a thread about it here.
I would be interested in hearing more of his thoughts if he is inclined to respond.
And, yes, he did make the subject somewhat "fair game" in bringing it up on another public forum.
However, I still feel that being involved in a Church court is a very private matter, and should only be brought up at the option of the person who was involved.
No, no---you are misreading my OP. I actually sympathize with Wade here, and wish him well, and suspect that he was a victim of abuse of priesthood authority. I also viewed his post on the fittingly named MADboard as a springboard for speculation on whether or not this episode is in any way related to his behavior on this board, trying to psychoanalyze people, etc.