LETTER: On civil discourse
To the editor:
The recent letter in The Utah Statesman by Michael Jarvis was clearly an act of satire, calculated to wound and hurt the the image and good name of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its adherents. The vast majority of members of the LDS church would find the opinions expressed by Michael Jarvis to be offensive. Those familiar with the LDS church’s current teachings on homosexuality know that Michael’s editorial grossly misrepresents the church’s views as well as the views of most of its members.
The church has an official position on homosexuality: “The experience of same-sex attraction is a complex reality for many people. The attraction itself is not a sin, but acting on it is. Even though individuals do not choose to have such attractions, they do choose how to respond to them. With love and understanding, the Church reaches out to all God’s children, including our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters.”
This topic is one that is emotionally charged for many people. As a diverse community, we need to adopt norms of civil discourse on these subjects. Learning to coexist respectfully with those with whom we disagree should be a common value, regardless of our diverse opinions, perspectives and backgrounds.
Michael Jarvis’s letter, as an effort to misrepresent and malign the views of a large population in the community and in this school, is not example of civil discourse.
I’m sure The Statesman receives many letters that present more measured opinions with more respectful rhetoric, and so I must question The Statesman’s motives in printing it. It was not in good taste. I hope The Statesman will print future editorials and perspectives that more respectfully represent the actual views of the LDS church and the Latter-day Saint population at USU on these matters.
– Jeffrey Thayne