Why The Story of Santa and The Story of God are the Same Story

Because…

1. Both Santa and God carry out missions that require supernatural/magic to accomplish. For example:

How does God listen to everyone’s prayers and intervene all at the same time to all of the people on earth at all times? Supernatural power/magic.

How does Santa get around the world in one night to deliver gifts to all of the children in all different time zones? Supernatural power/magic.

2. Both God and Santa judge whether or not you have been bad or good and reward you accordingly.

3. Both God and Santa watch over your behavior at all times (even when you are sleeping).

4. Both use regular, ordinary people on earth to carry out their mission (parents, people doing good works or good deeds).

5. Both Santa and God live in unmapped, invisible places that sound amazing.

6. Nobody has ever seen them except for a few special people who ordinary people have never or rarely met or seen in real life.

7. Both God and Santa represent goodness, giving and a loving spirit or feeling.

8. Both God and Santa are old men with beards.

9. Both God and Santa are figures that people say they “believe” in or not.

10. Both have a wife who has no role or doesn’t participate in the mission. Some don’t believe she exists at all and dismiss the idea of a wife entirely (Letters to Santa and prayers to God rarely, if ever include a female).

Spirituality As Something You Do, Not Something You Believe

I like the idea that spirituality is something you do, not necessarily about which church you belong to or whether or not you belong to a church. I think people’s actions matter more than their beliefs.  Belief that you should do service is great, but actions are what show your real values.  Actions are what truly make a difference.

Mother Teresa was interviewed by Pat McMahon, a talk show host on KTAR radio in Phoenix, Arizona. He pleaded with her to allow him to do something for her. “Anything at all,” the talk show host begged. “I want to help you in some way.” Mother Teresa looked at him and said, “Tomorrow morning go out onto the streets. Find someone who is alone and believes that no one cares for him. Convince him that he’s not alone.” She didn’t ask him to become a Catholic. She asked him to love people and to be active about it.

Although prayer and meditation are important aspects of spirituality. This alone, is not enough.  Author Sam Keen wrote, “ Justice is where the rubber meets the road, where spiritual practice passes from the realm of feeling to the realm of action. The essence of a sacred life is to feel compassion for others and to act on that feeling.  It is about recognizing and cherishing the sacred bonds that hold all living beings together in a single community.

Jesus taught to Love your neighbor and in the story of the good Samaritan gave an example of someone having compassion and caring for another outside of his religious and social class. Perhaps the most familiar and most important examples of unselfish service and sacrifice are performed in our families. In addition to caring for biological children, there are many who have  adopted children and or cared for foster children, including those with special needs. There are those who care for family members and neighbors who suffer from birth defects, mental and physical ailments, and the effects of advancing years.  There are those who care for the poor and the needy through personal service and through supporting volunteer and donation efforts.  There are those who unconditionally love and accept their kids even though they are homosexual or have left their faith. There are those who advocate for equality in regards to gender, race and sexual orientation.  There are many opportunities to serve others, as well as improve ourselves.  We need to be clear on what our values are so we will be motivated to turn our compassionate feelings into practical action.  Sometimes it is hard to know exactly what our values are or how we want to improve. A personal creed might help us define what actions to take.

There are many people who make personal creeds to point them toward right action. Here are a couple examples:

When he was 34 years old, LDS apostle George Albert Smith made a list of resolutions that he called his “personal creed”—11 ideals that he committed to live by.   Some of these resolutions included:

“I would be a friend to the friendless and find joy in ministering to the needs of the poor.

“I would visit the sick and afflicted and inspire in them a desire to get better.

“I would not seek to force people to live up to my ideals but rather love them into doing the thing that is right.

“I would live with the masses and help to solve their problems that their earth life may be happy.

“I would avoid the publicity of high positions and discourage the flattery of thoughtless friends.

“I would not knowingly wound the feelings of any, not even one who may have wronged me, but would seek to do him good and make him my friend.

“I would overcome the tendency to selfishness and jealousy and rejoice in the successes of all.

“I would not be an enemy to any living soul.

Here is Benjamin Franklin’s personal creed:

1. Temperance.

Eat not to Dullness. Drink not to Elevation.

2. Silence.

Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself. Avoid trifling Conversation.

3. Order.

Let all your Things have their Places. Let each Part of your  Business have its Time.

4. Resolution.

Resolve to perform what you ought. Perform without fail what you resolve.

5. Frugality.

Make no Expense but to do good to others or yourself: i.e. Waste nothing.

6. Industry.

Lose no Time. Be always employ’d in something useful. Cut off all unnecessary Actions.

7. Sincerity.

Use no hurtful Deceit. Think innocently and justly; and, if you speak; speak accordingly.

8. Justice.

Wrong none, by doing Injuries or omitting the Benefits that are your Duty.

9. Moderation.

Avoid Extreams. Forbear resenting Injuries so much as you think they deserve.

10. Cleanliness.

Tolerate no Uncleanness in Body, Cloaths or Habitation.

11. Tranquility.

Be not disturbed at Trifles, or at Accidents common or unavoidable.

12. Chastity.

Rarely use Venery but for Health or Offspring; Never to Dulness, Weakness, or the Injury of your

own or another’s Peace or Reputation.

13. Humility.

Imitate Jesus and Socrates.

My personal creed involves consistent meditation, prayer, healthy choices such as nutrition and exercise, choosing the loving response, serving when asked or when it is needed, sacrifice when it is needed, light-heartedness, cleanliness (but not to excess), reading spiritual texts, listening to spiritual talks, speaking up when it is necessary, voting my conscience, forgiving, accepting, cultivating an attitude of gratitude, listening and donating to worthy causes. As we write down our own version that is personalized for us it becomes easier to accomplish.

LDS  Elder Ronald A. Rasband said, “We continue to learn the important value of being aware of and interested in the lives of those around us, learning not only the importance of giving help but also the overwhelming joy that comes from helping others.  LDS President Thomas S. Monson said “God bless all who endeavor to be their brother’s keeper, who gives to ameliorate sufferings, who strive with all that is good within them to make a better world. Have you noticed that such individuals have a brighter smile? Their footsteps are more certain. They have an aura about them of contentment and satisfaction … for one cannot participate in helping others without experiencing a rich blessing himself.” Reach out to those among us who are suffering and in need of being lifted and encouraged.”

As we seek for spiritual self-improvement and service we can find great inner peace – we will also often reap what we sow.

When spiritual insights, values and feelings are put into action we can test them. We will either reap the rewards of that action  in practical terms and spiritual experiences and begin to know that these resolutions are good and bring us joy or we will see that they don’t really help us or others.  If we do not become more joyful or spirit filled with our actions, than we can determine that we should change course.  Everyone needs to discover their truth on their own. However, that doesn’t mean that our experiences can’t help others to develop their own. As we live in consistency with our spiritual values our life becomes enriched and we can be examples for others.  As we grow and learn new things, our personal creed may grow along with us.  The important thing is that we take action to see if our values are truly in line with our spirit and our joy.

Note: Some people might wonder why I have quoted so many LDS leaders in this post. This is because I like to find places where the LDS church and I agree. I like to find some place where I can connect with my friends and family that hold to the LDS church as complete truth. I am troubled by a lot of LDS doctrine, but I also believe that a lot of it is good.

Best Podcasts For LDS Mormons

Here are some links to what I think are the best podcasts for LDS Mormons to listen to.

The disclaimer is that I haven’t listened to every podcast available to LDS Mormons so my list isn’t perfect, but these are the ones I recommend:

Why I Stay (active in the LDS church) — John Dehlin

So You Think You Can Dance Champion Benji Schwimmer (part 3 especially)

Mormonism and the Internet with John Dehlin, Scott Gordon (FAIR) and Rosemary Avance

Terryl Givens — An Approach to Thoughtful, Honest and Faithful Mormonism

D. Michael Quinn – 21st Century Mormon Enigma

*
Why Mormon Stories, Why I Left, and Why I Stay

Why People Leave the LDS Church and How We Can Help

John and Brooke McLay – From CES to Ex-Mormons

The Bill Prince Family Story – From Stake Presidency and Houston Mormon Royalty to Ex-Mormons

Simon Southerton, DNA, Lamanites and the Book of Mormon

Grant Palmer Returns to Discuss Sexual Allegations Against Joseph Smith, William and Jane Law, and His Resignation

Dr. Michael Coe – An Outsider’s View of Book of Mormon Archaeology

*
Richard Packham and How the LDS Church Creates Unnecessary Enemies

Jared Anderson – An Academic Introduction to the New Testament

The Psychology of Religion with Dr. James Nagel

“Middle Way” Mormonism

Creating Spaces for Non-Traditional Latter-day Saints

A Mormon History of the Americas

Decrypting The Book of Abraham

How Mormonism Will Affect Mitt Romney As President

LDS Conservative Republican Mormons and Mitt Romney will most likely hold the view that life is about good guys vs. bad guys, winners vs.  losers and our goal is to be winners. The nation’s goal is to be a nation of winners and to subdue the losers as much as possible. This is reflected in the Book of Mormon where there are clear good guys and bad guys (winners and losers) and not many shades of gray. The good guys- almost caricature like always win eventually by being moral and industrious and following an ideology of traditional family, righteous war, hard work and obedience to authority. These laws are based on everyone having a fair shake and on everyone being equal with equal opportunity to obey. It is not based on the messiness of reality/nature and the million shades of gray that actually exist in people and in circumstances. It is a hope for a utopian America where all the “winners” are in the spotlight and the losers are kept down and ignored.

These conservatives carry this message into politics with the same black and white mentality. They usually hold the following views (below). This plan might work for a general population, but millions of individuals who don’t fit in will get hurt (become victims).  The conservative Republican view is that winners (good guys) equal smart, privileged, loved, relatively wealthy, healthy, heterosexual, God-fearing, industrious, righteous American citizens and losers equal the unfortunate who were born less intelligent so they can’t compete well, severely mentally challenged, severely neglected  or abused as children so they can’t compete well, uneducated parents who didn’t teach them well, tired people who have had a hard life (labeled lazy), ineffective inner city or back country schools so they can’t compete well, disabled, uneducated, single/pregnant mothers, handicapped, poor, minority, Mexican, homosexual, homeless, sick or unhealthy so they can’t compete well, someone who experienced a tragedy of circumstances (housing bubble) or an accident that limits their personal finances or abilities so they can’t compete well, talents or abilities/skills are less in demand or marketable, people who commit any crime (it doesn’t matter why or the circumstances). Atheists, non-Christians and liberal intellectuals may also be considered losers. Other losers include cultures/ideologies/religions that differ from theirs. Countries such as France, Russia, China, Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, North Korea, Cuba, Palestine/Hamas, and Iran are of course losers.

According to this mentality all losers are losers due to their own fault and they could easily choose differently. In America all losers can become winners if they just tried a little bit harder. Outside of America you could become a winner if you copy America as closely as possible.

1. Capitalism = Fierce competition (keep big government out of the way of the corporations and let the winners win and the losers lose)

2. Housing market – let the foreclosures run their course and the market will rebound on its own (don’t help people who have lost or are losing their home – allow the losers to lose)

3. No minimum wage increase (continue to let the losers lose/ ignore those who can’t pay their bills because it is their fault)

4. Little unemployment assistance (continue to let the losers lose and they might rebound on their own/ ignore those who can’t)

5 Oppose same-sex marriage and civil unions (continue to let the losers lose/ – homosexuality is a choice and can be changed if you tried harder)

6. Romney’s Tax plan = charge parents earning minimum wage about $1,000 more per year, while giving those earning over $1 million per year about half of the proposed $600 billion per year tax cuts (continue to let the losers lose and the winners win)

7. Kill Obamacare (Continue to let the winners win (those who can afford health care) and the losers to lose (those who cannot afford health care or who have pre-existing conditions, we winners do not want to pay for the losers health care)

8. America is exceptional = the United States is different (better) from other countries in that it has a specific world mission to spread liberty and democracy (we, the true American citizens are the winners/good guys in the global competition, we are 100% RIGHT) All the countries that don’t like us or don’t want to be like us (losers).

9. Increase the size of our military (winners are always ready for war. This means more competition where we can win.)”Unless America changes course,” Romney said, “we will no longer be the leader of the world, no longer the superpower.” (We MUST be winners)

10. China is “cheating” and “stealing American jobs (China = losers)

11. Guantanamo Bay detention camp is a good place for losers. Death penalty and harsh punishments are needed for loser criminals. This is because their are good guys and bad guys and no shades of gray.

12. Israel is a nation which shares American values and is our best friend in the Middle East, and we should support and not criticize or blame (Israel and America are winners and are 100% right) The reason that there’s not peace between the Palestinians and Israel is because in the leadership of the Palestinian people are Hamas and others who think like Hamas (Palestinians/ Hamas are losers)

13. Oppose the DREAM Act (children born and raised in America to illegal immigrants should be deported – they are losers), support using E-verify in the same manner it is applied by Arizona SB 1070 in Arizona. (Mexicans are losers unless they jump through all the complex American citizen hoops that are impossible for a lot of people)

15. Good education is needed to compete in the global economy. (Winning global economic competition is utmost priority for winners). Superintendents and principals should be able to fire teachers without regard for seniority (I agree with this, but how do the loser teachers survive now? Some loser teachers might be trying their best, but they are now losers)

16. Strong families, military and (capitalist) economy equals strong America. (If you would rather embrace all types of families, peace/diplomacy and pay high taxes to support the less fortunate you are a loser)

Fact – If you think competition and winning is the answer than there will always be losers. If  you only want to reward the winners than losers will always exist.  Very often, losers lose because they tried their best within their circumstances and they just couldn’t compete.  I believe in a hybrid of capitalism and socialism. Let the winners keep playing the competition game, but tax the rich to help those who are unable to compete or who cannot compete well due to circumstances or mental/physical deficiencies. It is not a fair playing field.  Statistics show that social mobility is very rare.

Where we agree:

1. Romney favors policies to cut demand of oil – he wants the U.S. to reduce dependence on foreign oil through conservation and efficiency and by developing alternatives. “We’re using too much oil,” Romney said. We can be more energy independent and we can be far more efficient in the use of that energy.”

2. Romney wrote, “I believe that climate change is occurring. [...] I also believe that human activity is a contributing factor. (However, doesn’t support cap and trade)

3. Romney has expressed support for the theory of evolution with the statement that “evolution is most likely the process he used to create the human body”. One report states Romney believes in a “hybrid of evolution and creationism”. He opposed the teaching of intelligent design in science classes as governor.

4. Romney opposes online gambling and thinks all computers should be equipped with internet filters that actually work to protect children.

5. Romney signed a 2004 measure instituting a permanent Massachusetts ban on military style assault weapons.

6. On pro-choice: Romney said, “I have my own beliefs, and those beliefs are very dear to me. One of them is that I do not impose my beliefs on other people. Many, many years ago, I had a dear, close family relative that was very close to me who passed away from an illegal abortion. It is since that time my mother and my family have been committed to the belief that we can believe as we want, but we will not force our beliefs on others on that matter.” (Although recent statements have shown that he no longer holds this view and would repeal Roe vs. Wade)

Power, Control and Morality in the Mormon LDS Church

This is the seventh and last post in my series: Understanding John Dehlin’s Uncorrelated Mormon Movement. This post is not endorsed by John Dehlin and is my own opinion. Uncorrelated Mormons are those who do not believe or who only believe partially in LDS doctrine, or believe in the need for major reform inside the LDS church.

This then is the correlated Mormon setup: Those at the top of the LDS hierarchy dominate. Women cannot be too much like men or they are kindly shoved back down again. The very structure of most theological assumptions results in this dominance-submission scheme. Power is at the top. This hierarchy results in an assumption of an unchanging God. God must remain constant so men can strive to be like “Him.” The hierarchy itself must also remain static.

The LDS church claims to change with ongoing modern revelation, but the church does not really change much until it is acted upon by outside forces (polygamy, blacks and the priesthood, etc.) There is not much movement in regards to equality.    

In the correlated Mormon system power is conceived of to exert quiet domination and moral control over the members. In the uncorrelated Mormon’s view power is conceived of as personal power which has nothing to do with power or control over another.

Money is the embodiment of power. The more money the church has, the more influence it will be able to exert over society. They are humbly raking in the money through required tithing and gaining more and more quiet power.

Leadership is another symbol of power. In correlated Mormonism leadership involves a thorough working knowledge of the rules. Many rules exist to control others and limit their freedom of thought. It allows male priesthood leaders to counsel and advise those under them according to these rules. It is assumed that people need to be kept in line. Rules are a result of a regulatory approach to others, so rules are made to support the System.  After awhile, if that is indeed what they accomplish, they become sacred rules. They take precedence over the individual, who must learn them in order to fit into the System and support it more effectively.

In the uncorrelated Mormon view, rules are developed to increase individual freedom rather than to impose limits. They aim at embracing the individual and serving her or his needs, not those of the System. They are intended to facilitate personal growth. As a result, they are in process. If a rule does not make sense, it can be challenged and modified or even thrown out altogether. Rules never take precedence over the individual.

In the correlated Mormon world view morality is a public issue. In uncorrelated Mormonism morality is a private issue.

Correlated Mormonism desires everyone to conform to its definitions of right and wrong. It wants everyone to support its myths and beliefs. It has everything labeled and defined.

The uncorrelated Mormon view sees the world as constantly growing and changing. It can not be labeled or defined; it can only be observed as it emerges. Understanding comes from watching, learning from, and facilitating the process of emergence. One does not need to control or define.

In correlated Mormonism differences are seen as threats. When differences are labeled dangerous or harmful, it becomes essential to train everyone to think and act in similar ways.  In uncorrelated Mormonism differences are seen as opportunities for growth.

If history is any teacher, the end result will be that uncorrelated Mormonism will grow and correlated Mormonism will start to lose energy and move toward a state of entropy.

* Now for the surprise ending and the resource I used to write all of my posts in Understanding John Dehlin’s Uncorrelated Mormon Movement. This is it: Women’s Reality by Anne Wilson Schaef.  Yes, I took excerpts from this feminist book written in 1981 and changed the word MEN to correlated Mormonism and WOMEN to uncorrelated Mormonism.  Can you believe how well it rings true?  You can see where I changed the words to fit the posts because all of the changes are in italics. Read through the posts again and see how it rings true. Why is this? It is because correlated Mormonism is run by MALES. It is a man’s church with a MALE mentality. It does not have sufficient input from women to be balanced.  Many people see this and changes are happening. I am excited to see all the changes that will occur in the LDS church over the next 35 years or so. Exciting times!

How To Treat LDS Mormon Family and Friends Who Question

This is the sixth post in my series: Understanding John Dehlin’s Uncorrelated Mormon Movement. This post is not endorsed by John Dehlin and is my own opinion. Uncorrelated Mormons are those who do not believe or who only believe partially in LDS doctrine, or believe in the need for major reform inside the LDS church.

When we (uncorrelated Mormons) do not feel as if the correlated Mormons in our lives understand us, we blame ourselves for not communicating properly, but it is not a communication problem. Correlated Mormons do not understand uncorrelated Mormons because they can not.

This is because “superior” system people are often slow learners and are not very motivated to learn about other systems of belief. Why should they? They’re already in charge (and “right!”).

Since correlated Mormons have been brainwashed by their own system into thinking that they are superior and that they know and understand everything, they assume that they can tell uncorrelated Mormons who they are and what they should do and think. Not only do they assume that they have the right to tell uncorrelated Mormons what to do and think and feel and believe, but also that they are correct in their perceptions of them and expect uncorrelated Mormons to accept whatever they say. (This often includes either a terse reaction with a lot of preaching or an arm around the shoulders with feigned sympathy and understanding- both are patronizing and used to control).

The truth is that correlated Mormons do not know and understand everything.

The message that uncorrelated Mormons receive from correlated Mormons is that they are weak sinners and need assistance. There is no chance for mutual support or mutual respect to grow and flourish in a relationship like this. Both parties suffer. The correlated Mormon doesn’t grow and learn, the uncorrelated Mormon becomes either weak and dependent or angry and alone.

Since many of us uncorrelated Mormons live in a culture where our perceptions are rarely validated – especially not by those who “count” – it is difficult if not impossible to trust ourselves. If our perceptions cannot be validated, then we must be crazy.  There must be something wrong with us if we do not accept the common reality of correlated Mormonism.

Only as uncorrelated Mormons have started talking to each other – really talking -  have our conclusions about the LDS church received validation. We realize that we have all reached similar conclusions independent of each other.  We realize that we are not crazy.

Over time, uncorrelated Mormons become more confident and continue in their journey of self-discovery and definition. They eventually become more joyful beings.

However, too much joy is a threat to the correlated Mormon system, which does it’s best to quell our joy and make us feel guilty about feeling joyful.

There are often times that uncorrelated Mormons get into conflicts with correlated Mormons who try to tell them what to do, or that what they have done is inappropriate. They shush them, excommunicated them, humiliate them, etc.

I believe that it is never inappropriate to get angry about being labeled “inferior” or “wrong”.  It is important to be able to express the rage related to the situation.

Many correlated Mormons will say that our anger is wrong or bad (they are only trying to help you, you have no reason to feel that way, why do you let yourself get so upset?)

Uncorrelated Mormons need to have a place where they can express their anger in a safe place, because if they express it in a place where it could be labeled “inappropriate” (such as in church or with an LDS leader or with other correlated Mormon(s)) they could be subjected to an excessive amount of backlash.

This is why there are many LDS online forums and boards (such as New Order Mormons, Post-Mormon and Ex-Mormon)  with angry people. They need a safe outlet, so they can continue on with their happy lives.

Meditation and breathing therapy can also help relieve tension and help to forgive.

Correlated Mormons should give uncorrelated Mormons the experience of being accepted as they are.

Once uncorrelated Mormons realize that their own perceptions are not bad, crazy, and so on, their self-esteem increases and they become more willing and able to critique their own perceptions.

Many uncorrelated Mormons who are angry begin to blame. They blame ancestors, parents, the church, culture, friends, spouses, etc. This is just a phase that will pass. They eventually get tired of blaming.

As uncorrelated Mormons confront their anger – especially in a supportive environment with lots of validation, they move on and they start to learn to let go and love again. They usually get the most support from other uncorrelated Mormons, but it would be so great if correlated Mormons would also listen.  Uncorrelated Mormons eventually learn to be strong enough not to be defensive.  The uncorrelated Mormon will eventually start to see the good in correlated Mormonism and uncorrelated Mormonism.

A Shocking Conversation With EVERGREEN: LDS (Mormon) GAY Therapy Organization

This conversation is being reprinted with permission from Rob Lauer Producer and host of “Portsmouth Insites” on PCTV at TV Producer/Host.

Saturday morning after reading in the NY TIMES that famed psychologist Dr. Robert Spitzer had renounced his early beliefs about sexual orientation, I [Rob Lauer] emailed EVERGREEN–the LDS gay therapy organization that bases its organization’s entire operation on earlier statements made by Dr.Spitzer.

Dear Brethren:   “Will you continue to have a full-page on the Evergreen website about Dr. Robert Spitzer when in this morning’s NEW YORK TIMES, Dr. Spitzer himself has publicly renounced his former theory that same-sex attraction can be changed and has now publicly proclaimed that he believes attempts to alter sexual attraction are harmful?”

“Here’s a link to this morning’s NEW YORK TIME’S cover story:   http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/19/health/dr-robert-l-spitzer-noted-psychiatrist-apologizes-for-study-on-gay-cure.html?ref=todayspape%E2%80%8Br ”

“Sincerely,  ”ROB. LAUER”

BELOW is the reply I received from DAVID PRUDEN, who has been the Executive Director of Evergreen since 1995:

“Gee, I thought there might be gravity. I did a study. There is gravity! I proved it with my scientific study. Ten years of academic (gay) harassment pass. I am now 80, sick, and old. Never mind, I now suspect there is no gravity. Maybe I was wrong. Maybe none of those apples fell (people changed) but maybe they did. I didn’t ask them. Didn’t conduct new experiments. I just got tired and now I’ll say I was wrong. Science doesn’t work that way. The study is important. Spitzer is not. The study stands on its own. The people he studied didn’t withdraw their data. Spitzer can’t just wish them away.”

“-Evergreen”

“David C. Pruden, M.S.  307 West 200 South, Suite 3001  Salt Lake City, Utah 84101  (801) 363-3837″

I [Rob Lauer] sent a brief but polite email. What I received was a snarky reply that assumed things (“ten years of academic ((gay)) harassment”) and that took a cheap shot at Dr. Spitzer’s age.

I honestly expected a brief but thoughtful and professional reply from someone at an organization that routinely holds conferences and events at which LDS General Authorities speak.

I’m truly taken aback by the juvenile tone and callousness from the Excecutive Director of an organization that prides itself on upholding the highest moral standards of one of the nations largest churches.

(What really saddens me is that Mitt Romney gives money to Evergreen.)

I just sent the following email back to Mr. Pruden:

“I [Rob Lauer]  politely asked you a straight-forward, serious question. I’m more than a little taken aback by the tone of your reply–not to mention the content. … “Perhaps the “Ten years of academic (gay) harassment” that you allude to was because, as Dr. Spitzer contends, his research consisted of accepting the words and opinions of individuals with no outside, objective scientific verification of their accuracy. Your characterization of Dr. Spitzer and the cheap shots at his age and health are, quite frankly, juvenile and unbecoming of someone in your position. You represent an organization that claims to uphold the highest standards of one of our nation’s largest religious denominations. This organization has routinely held events at which LDS General Authorities have spoken. This organization exists to help LDS men and women who are suffering because of their sexual orientation; they come to your organization in desperation, with faith that it can help them. (And you know all too well the success rate this organization has in actually changing their sexual orientation.) Given your position over an organization that exercises such power over the emotions, hopes and fears of vulnerable men and women–and does so in the Name of Jesus Christ and on behalf of one of this nation’s greatest religious traditions–I am surprised and disappointed by your flippant response. If your tone is any indication of the attitudes found at Evergreen, LDS men and women trying to deal with their sexual orientation would probably do well to look for help and advice elsewhere.” “ROB. LAUER”

He just emailed the following back to me: (I post this because I’m astounded that the EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR of Evergreen would respond in this manner.)   “I know Dr. Spitzer. Do you? I know what his current health situation is. Do you?   “Science stands alone. The expressed stories of 200 men who he interviewed have not changed. He did no follow-up research. Surely you understand at least a little something about science and research or maybe not.   “Regardless, who are you? I don’t find your name among the Evergreen partners or supporters. Are you planning to become involved in Evergreen in some positive way or are you just the unofficial editorial board chairman reviewing posted documents on our resources site?   “This is kind of a silly conversation isn’t it BROTHER Lauer?”   “David”

He emphasized “Brother” because (I suppose) he doesn’t believe that I’m really Mormon.

I [Rob Lauer]  just sent the following email back to him:   “My name is Rob Lauer. I am a gay Mormon, I was baptized into the LDS Chuch in 1977. I graduated from Brigham Young University in 1983. I was the Associate Director of the Church’s Hill Cumorah Pageant from 1997 until 2003. I am a Mormon writer/playwright.   “You can call me Rob or Brother Lauer–since I am a fellow Mormon.   No, I do not know Dr. Spitzer personally–though I’ve followed his career for years since my teens (in the 1970′s) when he supported removing homosexuality from the list of psychiatric disorders.   Regarding his health, I know only what he has made public.   And yes, I understand science very well.”

“I do not support Evergreen–though until 2003 I agreed with many of its positions. Science, rational thought and my personal relationship with my Heavenly Parents have lead me to accept the truth about the nature of sexual orientation.   Answering your question: No. I don’t think this is a “silly conversation” at all. I continue to be surprised by tha casual, non-serious, even contemptuous manner in which you are conducting it…especially given the fact that you are Executive Director of Evergreen and I am a total stranger.”

“ROB. LAUER”