Ben told me that at a Proposition 8 rally, he saw a small group of people holding a sign that said something like, “Mormons in support of tolerance.” Presumably, these are people I know, as the Mormon community in Boston is relatively small and close-knit. He took a fuzzy picture of them with his camera phone, and I can’t wait to see it; I have a few guesses of who was in the group, and I want to find them and talk with them about the issue, and get insight into how they’ve reconciled their religious and political beliefs.
For the last few weeks, I’ve promised to post an insightful blog explaining my thoughts on Proposition 8 – and which side I take – but I’m feeling quite perfectionistic about it and I guess the only sentiment I have to share now is uncertainty and discomfort. The issue has brought to the surface the complexity that comes with being both a devout Mormon and a social liberal. When I first became Mormon at age 18, I didn't anticipate that my loyalty to God would ever come in conflict with either my loyalty to my friends or my intuitive sense of what is right. I also think that at age 27, living with contradiction is more troubling thing than it was at 18.
I envy Maria Shriver the freedom she felt to publicly declare that she was pro-choice – but not pro-abortion – and to explain that she was quite comfortable with this perspective as a Catholic. In a strict Catholic parish, such public support for abortion could get you excommunicated, and I believe John Kerry was denied communion following a similar statement. Although theologically Maria Shriver is on shaky ground, culturally she’s not in any trouble, and that’s quite interesting to me. I think it encapsulates a strong difference between the Catholic Church and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: while theologically both churches insist upon complete agreement from their members on moral and spiritual issues, culturally, Mormons enforce (or reinforce) these values much more strictly.
I’ve begun outlining some of my more specific views, but for now, I'll just leave you with the comforting words of Walt Whitman:
Do I contradict myself?
Very well, then, I contradict myself.
(I am large, I contain multitudes.)
—Walt Whitman, "Song of Myself"
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
3 comments:
I think we all feel those conflicts in some way or another - curious to hear more of your thoughts - keep 'em coming!
I think you and Ms Shriver realize that you can have your religion and not impose it on others, because some things we have to let go in order to live in civilization in community with others in this diverse world. I hope the LDS movement swings in your direction.
I was just talking to your roommate about this very issue! I too would be interested in more of your thoughts.
When are you heading out?
Post a Comment