Yesterday evening I received a very kind request from Suzanne and Faye asking that I get on Facebook to share my thoughts with the family more. The two main problems keeping me from taking their suggestion are: 1) I am technology phobic and only change my habits under duress (ask Daniel about my reaction to new phones) and 2) I really don't want to cause offense if my thoughts are pretty far out of the box sometimes, especially with hot topics like religion and politics, which are high on my list of interesting topics, along with alternative medicine and homeschooling.
I did mention this blog as a place to air my thoughts. Based on the number of readers, the odds of giving offense are pretty low, so I think I will stick to the relative privacy of my blog for thinking out loud and welcome whomever finds me here to discuss anything they find interesting through the comments, as long as we can remain respectful of differences.
This post is titled "Brave" because hearing the song was the final kick I needed to open up. I spend a lot of time reading various sites on the "Bloggernacle". In the process, I have had wonderful opportunities to ponder new perspectives on gospel topics. I don't always agree with original posts or the comments made, but the discussion helps me define my own beliefs and feel part of a community of people who are like myself in that we have questions and speculations about church topics that don't always belong in Sunday School.
In the process of reading blogs over the last couple years, I have followed the stories of several people as they were being excommunicated from the LDS church for posting their personal beliefs on their private forum (blog). Interestingly enough, the issue doesn't seem to be personal unworthiness, but rather disagreement with leaders about what they are writing. In many cases, I agree with what they have said because it is backed by history and scripture. It might be different from what I hear in church, but it is not sinful or designed to lead others into sin. This trend gives me a lot to think about, and some concern about the practice. I firmly believe the Book of Mormon described a good practice where people were punished only for their actions, not their beliefs. I believe a healthy exchange of ideas will foster the identification of good and bad ideas, and that without exposure to both, our ability to recognize truth through the Holy Spirit is severely handicapped.
I guess the purpose of this post is for disclosure. Occasionally, I may post something that runs the course of my thoughts on issues facing the church and its members in these days. If those of you who requested more of my thoughts have concerns about what I have mentioned here, please let me know and I would be happy to put a warning on anything I post that I think might be too far off the standard script, and you can read at your own peril.
