I Tested the New Ward Council Program for Church Starting in

[_Bgood]

Quote Posted by: SEcular Priest

I Tested the New Ward Council Program for Church Starting in January

Priesthood Lesson was an introduction to how the first Sunday of every month is going to be a council meeting in which everyone is to participate. We are to sit in a circle and bring to the meeting "revelation" that we received that week to the meeting on a given topic. We are to share that "revelation and personal inspiration" with all members present. It is to be a group process to come up with ideas how to help members, and the ward and families become stronger, fight porno (yes, this was in the directions by the Church), help kids be better in avoiding temptation, etc.

So I am sitting there. In group counseling and listening to this presentation and thinking:
1) This violates members personal boundaries
2) You could not participate but the guidelines is everyone is to participate. You know group pressure
3) Assignments will given and you will have to report back (big brother concept
4) What if my revelation is different about the subject than the leader's revelation? Are they going to tell me I am wrong?
5) Impressions are to count as revelations.

You get the idea.

So they asked if anyone had any questions? I raised my hand asked nicely, "Has this been piloted tested" Everyone looks at me like I said the Church is not true. A former temple President in no uncertain terms said "it has been tested in a number of stakes in the USA. And it was successful" The tone was, "what are you a trouble maker, what kind of HP are you to ask a question and doubt the leadership of the brethren." The group leader said, "yes its a tested program and going to help us become more Christ like, etc." Talk about a put down.

[_subgenius]

1) Personal boundaries are not righteous or Christ-like. Personal boundaries are where deceit, shame, and embarrassment grow. Personal boundaries are for cowards and hucksters.
2) "Peer" pressure should not be an issue for a mature and loving adult. Participation may well teach that.
3) Return and Report is a big brother concept, but sans the fictional nefarious motivation.
4) They (whoever they are) may tell you that your are wrong just as you may tell them they are wrong. Last I checked, everyone was entitled to the same blessings...so consider the righteous and Christ-like method of resolution when such a conflict may arise.
5) Your post clearly makes distinct "revelation" AND "inspiration", so you can not suddenly claim that they are the same without justification.

[_Maksutov]

Personal boundaries are where deceit, shame, and embarrassment grow. Personal boundaries are for cowards and hucksters.

[_Dr. Shades]

Bgood:

Please post the link to where that was, uh, posted.

[_canpakes]

We are to sit in a circle and bring to the meeting "revelation" that we received that week to the meeting on a given topic. We are to share that "revelation and personal inspiration" with all members present.

If true, it would seem that one of the underlying mechanisms at work with this strategy is to subtly cement the idea of 'revelation' as messaging from on high as real, therefore also reinforcing commitment and deference to 'revelation' from members in superior positions, up the line to Prophet.

But, hey, call me cynical.

[_canpakes]

1) Personal boundaries are not righteous or Christ-like. Personal boundaries are where deceit, shame, and embarrassment grow. Personal boundaries are for cowards and hucksters.

Then when this change occurs within your own ward, you'll be discussing how you spend your free time posting masturbation memes on apostate message boards, right?