Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Where You Stand Is Just As Important As Where You Sit

I started blogging a year and a half ago when I decided I had thoughts that I wasn't going to be covered in my regular humor column.  I wanted this blog to be a better representation of what is meant to be gay and Mormon. 

Many of these blogs are gay and ex Mormon and represent an attitude of, I was raised Mormon and for better or for worse, it has had this effect on my as I live my life as a homosexual., and I am not a Mormon now but understand the culture. A very valid point.  There are other types of blogs out and available to be read and to befrended.  When I started involving myself in the MoHoBlogasphear, I frended up any, or just about every MoHo blog I could find. Some of them petered out on their own, and others took strange directions.  My interest was always in those Mormons who had, through whatever self awareness had figured out their statues as a homosexual.  There are those who are still in the thought about it, been on my own but with no one else area, some who have acted on the feelings into actual gay behaviors, and some who have experienced these things who have returned to full fellowship in the church.

I myself, Calvin Thompson,have been through each of these.  Currently, and for the last 10 years I have been married to an opposite sex attracted (normal) girl and we have kids.  I am owner of a temple recommend, and I did not lie to get it.  Let me repeat that I am gay.

I would really like to know where you stand.  Could you leave me a note telling me where on the board you stand, and if you are privy to one other life also, that would be good.  I am dieing to know.

Friday, March 4, 2011

On My Honor

BYU HFAC - Home of the Flames
As reported by CNN, Brigham Young University officials in a Thursday press conference stood by the Honor Code offices decision to dismiss a standout basketball player on the Cougars' highly ranked men's team, saying they are treating him as they would any other student.


Officials did not specify why, nor would they confirm rumors to the cause of this students suspension during a press conference Thursday.


However, the non-Mormon friendly Salt Lake Tribune was quick to cite "multiple sources" that the sophomore violated the honor code and went on to name the spicific alleged infraction. (True to form, the trib can be counted on for anything salacious or slanted away from the church or church members who want to remain members.


The BYU honor code, for anyone housed under a rock, includes requirements for "modest, neat and clean" dress and grooming; abstinence from alcohol, tobacco or illegal substances; any sexual intimacy Hetro or Homo; prohibits members of the opposite sex from going in one's bedroom areas; and regularly participation in church services, either Mormon or another faith.


I was a student at BYU back in the mid ninety's.  I had friends kicked out for honor code violations. Just recently I blogged about several MDT men from BYU that were “let go” so to speak from their student status and had applications made for them to the U. Frankly, there would have been grounds for me to be so released when I was a student at the Y, and I could have been joined by at least 40 men that I knew of personally and factually.


Last year, another predominate sports man was let go – and it cost the football team dearly. He was repentant, he volunteered the information to the code enforcers. He was consoled and strengthened, and was still kicked out.


Many in my position, being SGAttracted (gay to anyone else) will say that BYU is unfair, or inconsistent. I do know that they try to follow standards and guidelines universally. They often fail. In my case they didn’t have the information, and I wasn’t going to give it to them. There are many honor code violators at BYU.


They are not the majority, however. And the fairness of these guidelines should not be judged solely on the opinions of those who choose not to live by them.  And while there should always be mercy, as is the nature of Christ’s atonement for us, there should also be justice, as is the nature of Christ’s atonement for us.