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Show The Forum Staff, Fall 2009 Editor: Krista Smith Assistant Editor: Walter Denison Production Manager: Ashley Gober Business Manager: Ann Green Online Manager: Lindsay Kavanagh Adviser: Fred Fogo StaffWriters: Brittany Marsden Christie Porter Denise Kabonic Ernesto Negrete Feli Anne Hipol Forrest Bennett Heather Atkin Jeff Sparrow Jeffrey Chipian Jennifer Soto-AllrJulie Erwin ed Mathew Wennergren "Just share my point of view" WWs response to sweeping religious generalizations Krista, I was trying to share a perspective that I felt was given incorrectly in the article beforehand. I felt the personal attacks and putting words in my mouth were unnecessary. In my letter, I wasnt trying to convince anyone of anything, just share my (and others that attend our school) point of view. Heres a movie (Elder Dallin H. Oaks speech via YouTube) and an article (The at BYU-Idah- o Psychological Case for Chastity by Steve Gilliand Ensign Magazine July 1975 via lds.org) I found that I thought was interesting that addresses some of the points we discussed and some I was thinking of. This is a democratic as well as a psychological approach to some of societies trends. If you want to see it its here, if not thats cool too. Also, if you are really worried about the 6 billion people in the world you can watch Demographic Samantha Jacobson Sarah Pike Stefan Stathopulos Victoria Garland (our lifetime likely). It is offered by demographers from all over the United States with no religious affiliation. They just study the facts about people. For example, Russia is currently loosing 700,000 people in their country population per year and growing, just because there are that many more deaths than births. Russian is freaking out and literally paying anyone to have a baby $9000 other benefits to try to keep the Russian population afloat. That is just one example. Anyway, I hope you take some of this into consideration. It has some very valid points. Signed, Simply Seeking Understanding Previously published as WW j tuev crawl mo everytuidg AW DEVOUR ADVTUlDG TVEY GET TUEIR HLTVY CLAWS CAD OD, TVEY SPREAD DISEASE ADD PLAGUE, TVEY... Whitney Roseborough The Forum is published every other Tuesday. Its circulation is 1,000 newspapers. The first copy is free of charge; additional copies may be purchased for 50 cents. We encourage students, all faculty, staff and other readers to provide feedback. letters to Krista Smith at forumeditorwestminstercollege. edu. Only signed letters will be accepted. The Forum reserves the right to edit all submissions. Views expressed are those of the writers and are not to be considered those of The Forum, the faculty, staff or administration. Winter it shows how trends are affecting society and how they will affect us exponentially in the near future i E-m- ail 2006 John Kroe www.ldo-onhmt.co- Changing from fearing the unknown to fearing fear The editor writes LDS Church letter of resignation Krista Smith Editor The only thing we have to fear is fear itself. This quote is most often attributed to former U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt. But the quote comes from a long line of philosophical thinking, most recently made popular by Harry Potter. Harry reveals his greatest fear when he tells Professor Remus Lupin the Boggart in the closet would have turned into a Dementor, not Voldemort during a memorable Defense against the Dark Arts lesson. Lupin responds, What you fear most of all is fear very wise. As an avid Harry Potter fan, I found this sentiment resonated with me. But not because Im wise enough to fear only fear, rather because I find myself wishing I was less afraid. Its not often I come to a place in my life where I feel unable to make a choice, but here I am staring at a letter of resignation, terrified to mail it because of the unknown reactions of my family, friends and myself. Dumbledore tells Harry, It is the unknown we fear when we look upon death and darkness, nothing more. An Oct. 13, 2009 speech by Dallin H. Oaks, a leader in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-da- y Saints prompted me to write an official letter of resignation. In his speech, Oaks compared the persecution of LDS practitioners to the persecution of African-Americaduring the Civil Rights era. A comparison I find revolting and untrue, under no circumstances do rocks thrown into windows equal hanging a man at a picnic. Oaks also claims marriage is a privilege and not a right. He calls homosexual marriage an attack on religious freedoms. I believe marriage is not a privilege, marriage is a right. If two people love each other enough to live together for the rest of their lives, they should be allowed to exchange wedding vows and receive a tax break just like any other couple. At this point, there isnt much more I could do to distance myself from the LDS faith sending this letter would be the final break. Ive committed nearly every sin and broken every covenant. I call myself but according to LDS leave the the religious fold is only way to ever practices, to be excommunicated or send in a letter of resignation. Ive told my family and friends I no longer believe LDS teachings, I no longer attend church meetings and Im comfortable expressing my current atheism. But having ns on, my name removed scares me. I dont know if Ill ever be able to fully explain what I was thinking or my life experiences before signing, stamping and mailing the letter. And I realize the fear holding me back is because I dont know what to expect. I have no idea if family and friends will be made aware of my letter and if they are what their reaction will be. If I truly were only afraid of fear than I would know that sending the letter does not condemn me to a life of judgment. Sending in my official letter of resignation will start a new chapter of facing the unknown in my life. I m not sure I m ready to face the unknown just yet. And perhaps its time for me to follow Dumbledores advice and recognize while a change may bring about the unknown, the unknown, like death, may be the next greatest adventure. And if Oaks would stop being afraid of the unknown long enough to recognize his fear perhaps he would realize marriage does not put religious freedoms at risk, f |