LETTER: Absolute truths do not sway

Editor,

I am writing in response to the article which appeared in Wednesday’s Statesman, entitled, “Religious Orientalism: Boyd K. Packer, et al” from which the following is taken:

“Essentially you’re a conservative Mormon, or you’re the spawn of Satan. Period.”

I would have laughed if it had not been so sad. The misunderstanding of statements from the recent LDS church conference was appalling; even more so because the author identified himself as one of the “faithful.” This type of misunderstanding is, I believe, the single largest problem for diversity, which the author claims to be so concerned with. The article compares the views of the LDS church to Orientalism, identified as the stereotyping of others in a negative way, simply because they differ from you. While this is a common fault in all the human family, the statements given as an example of the views of the LDS church in no way represent this view.

What is it that makes it so unacceptable to say, “I believe you are wrong?” The LDS church asserts statements about absolute truths. Its view holds, as it must in order for it to be absolute, that if beliefs are contrary to the accepted word of God, then these beliefs will not lead us closer to him. They also hold the view that all human beings are children of God. We all have siblings, or if not, friends, who make choices we believe are wrong. Does this mean we disown them? No. Does this mean we believe them to be stupid or foolish? Maybe. But do we regard them as evil, or the spawn of Satan? Certainly not.

It baffles me how people who claim to be so concerned with diversity, can be so quick to single out views which they disagree with, belittling them, and those who may adhere to them. I have always believed that the key to diversity was understanding other points of view. In the name of diversity, let us all seek first to understand other points of view, then judge them, if need be.

Richard W. Corley