LDSGator

When everything else fails, I can teach at BYU! Hold on, I need to call my bishop. 😉 So, awkward, unpopular question-What does that say about BYU? Are their teaching standards so sub par that they are a last resort, “we will hire anyone to teach” kind of school? Welcome to my world in Taekwando. I can totally destroy that blind guy with one leg.

I played chess in high school. I once came in dead last out of 16 people tournament.

It’s good for both sides. Those who disagree with the church policies can find other jobs where they’ll be more free to express themselves. The church can tighten the ship and employ who they want to employ. Both sides win.

Are they purging people with his views?

Funny you mention that bro. https://www.newsweek.com/will-florida-court-ruling-end-homeowners-insurance-crisis-2011477

I’d also argue that if you can’t handle reading about lifestyles that aren’t your own or reading about members of “your clan” that have personal issues/problems, reading novels and watching television might not be for you either.

You’ll never please everyone. If I write a book with happy, adjusted LGBTQ+ who live normal lives and love their families, someone will complain. If I include an LDS guy-LDS will cheer, but if I give him a pill addiction I’m suddenly “disloyal” or “not representing LDS in the best light.” Haters gonna hate. If you can’t accept that being a writer isn’t for you

It is, and let’s keep some common sense here. People need jobs. If you want to be a waiter but refuse to serve someone alcoholic beverages, you need to find another job. And that might not be easy.

Dude, that’s a great perspective to have. That’s fine. I assume Sandersen has to appeal to a broader audience than those who are LDS. In fact, I’m almost certain-he couldn’t be as popular as he seems to be if he just wrote strictly for an LDS audience.

I believe that. Goodness knows my views have evolved and changed since I was 18. And to be fair to Sanderson-if his views went from left-right we’d all say he was “learning, growing and maturing” because his views align with our own. If he went from right-left then he’s selling out, giving up on his values, looking for attention, etc.

Thank you both!

I should be clear. I do like Harry Potter and Narnia. Both I’ve read several times. I tried reading Wheel of Time but didn’t get by book two.

@The Folk Prophet-this question shows my own ignorance, and like I said, fantasy novels are fine, wonderful books but they just aren’t my thing. That’s why they have menus at restaurants. I like salmon, you like trout. Is Sanderson a “big name” in the genre? Is he doing this (sliding left) to get his name out there and maybe sell more books to a younger generation? I’m not saying it’s right-I’m just curious.

Off topic but that Stake President really was a great guy. I’ve been really blessed to have known some great church leadership.

Back in 2014 I told my SP (a wonderful man btw) I was liberal on social issues. He was no progressive but he didn’t care at all about my personal politics. Granted, this was “just” for a temple recommend, not a teaching job at BYU.

Can he still teach at BYU even though he opposes the church teaching on sexuality?

Same. I remember @The Folk Prophet mentioning him a few times here before and that’s about it. I get it. There might be several reasons why people “change” their views like how you described. Maybe they’ve always been “progressive” and now feel they can safely say it because they are no longer in the a community where such views are taboo. Maybe they were conservative and religious because that’s how they grew up and when presented with a larger city they see other lifestyles and change their view accordingly. He might not want to offend anyone he works with. Ie-if you are in an industry flooded with LGBTQ people (fashion, dance) you might want to keep quiet about your views because you have a family to feed. (Yes, that’s sad. I’m not saying it’s fair or right). We can’t read his mind, so these are obviously just guesses.

Does he still teach at BYU?

Oh okay. I’m not the biggest fantasy movie/novel guy, but I think Sanderson is entitled to the benefit of the doubt. Maybe he just changed his mind on the issue naturally and his motives are pure. Goodness knows I’ve done the same on some issues as I’ve aged.

To be fair, he probably doesn’t need the money unless he’s absolutely terrible with it-blowing it on bad investments and other things. You are probably right, unless he dreams of having critical acclaim

I understand totally what you are saying, but fantasy writers aren’t known for their hipness, and it’ll never be the cool genre. I say that as an obsessive horror fan-another genre for the rejects and outcasts.

Take abortion. Since the SC overturned Roe vs Wade, abortion bans have been shot down in thick blue states like….Ohio and Kansas. If Christian Nationalism was really a problem, that wouldn’t have happened.

You worry about the wrong things my friend. Oathkeepers and Proud Boys are so small in numbers that it’s like worrying about being attacked by a shark at the beach. It’s usually conservatives who live in the past, but this isn’t 1985 anymore. Christian nationalism is not a concern, I promise.

How? Christianity and church attendance are declining all over the country, especially post Covid