tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12806254.post111996810496824487..comments2023-09-07T05:34:27.794-06:00Comments on Silus Grok: Mormon Rhythms: Part III of II... LifepostsSilus Grokhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10934750518150584644noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12806254.post-1122561195193478602005-07-28T08:33:00.000-06:002005-07-28T08:33:00.000-06:00I'd say this post sums it up pretty well. I like ...I'd say this post sums it up pretty well. I like the tenor: a lifetime of service, framed by an eschatological perspective; an honest, sustained effort to devote your life to God, with the result that you live "after the manner of happiness." Nicely done.<BR/><BR/>One thing that I've noticed throughout the series is the absence of a discussion about collective and individual separation from evil. You've chosen to focus on the non-confrontational choices and values that we have -- non-confrontational in the sense that they're shaped by our desire to do our duty by loving God and keeping his commandments, as opposed to a resistance of evil. But Mormons consider themselves distinctly apart from "the world," and in fact, continual discussion of what we are <B>not</B> plays as big a part (if not bigger) in defining our religio-social identity as discussion of what we <B>are</B>.<BR/><BR/>Resistance to the influences of the world is integral to a Mormon lifestyle, at multiple temporal scales and at multiple social scales. On the small scale (cf. the story of Kyle), there are daily temptations to be avoided: Kyle won't go see an R-rated movie with his co-workers, and may endure a bit of ribbing as a result. He won't drink, smoke, indulge in a daily cup of joe, swear or tell off-colored jokes; he'll resist some fashion trends by dressing modestly (even if it means that he's hot), and will probably shave every day. He'll avoid music with explicit lyrics, and shun magazines populated with scantily clad women. Instead, he'll try to fill his life with things that are "praiseworthy, and of good report."<BR/><BR/>A lot of ideological resistance will shape his interactions. He may not be happy for his friends when they excitedly tell him that they've moved in together. He will probably resist the idea of evolution primarily on the basis of faith (not knowing exactly what to posit in its place), which may be a difficult position to defend to those around him.<BR/><BR/>There are life-choices: Kyle will be convinced of the importance of family, and may choose a career path which frees up time to spend with them -- even if that means that he ends up at a lower standard of living than he would have otherwise been capable of. Kyle may choose not to do <I>any</I> work on the Sabbath, which will cause him a variety of problems -- ranging from not doing homework, to missing a day of a professional conference, to declining a promotion which entails a different schedule. He will categorically reject a life devoted to the pursuit of money, instead focusing on "building the kingdom." As a result, he will have to either a) rely on the blessings of God to be competitive in a world where an unbalanced focus on career is the norm, or b) operate beneath full capacity, simply because he has prioritized other things.<BR/><BR/>He will resist at larger social scales as well. A Mormon's political stance will be strongly influenced by their faith, and will likely have a conservative bent shaped by resistance to liberalism. A Mormon business will (hopefully!) resist legal-but-unethical practices, even if they're "industry standard." And Mormons may band together to limit pornography in a local store, ask for some almost-explicit ads in a mall to be removed, or just try to cover up the covers of some magazines in the local supermarket checkout line.<BR/><BR/>Because of all of that, Mormons will always seem just a little peculiar, never quite fitting in -- but that's ok, because we believe that we are strangers and wanderers in a world that's all wrong, but which serves as a stepping stone to everlastingly more glorious things.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com