*waves Hi*

[Ray]

Heh, oh, I didn’t realize you expected a response from me.

Originally posted by Nov 22 2004@ 08:13 PM

As a mother, I realize how detrimental this kind of thinking can be, Ray. In probably all churches, including the LDS church, children are sexually abused by people whom they think are 'in authority' over them. I would never tell my child that Bishop/Father/Pastor xxx is his authority figure, and what he says is always right, no matter what my child thinks. Authority figures (yes Ray, even in the LDS church) are still men (or women if in some churches) and are imperfect.

I would never tell my child or anyone else that what an authority figure says is always right either, because Yes, authority figures can still be imperfect.

But I would tell my child, and anyone else, that authority figures are entitled to a certain level of respect by virtue of their authority alone, and that there must be justification for choosing to disregard counsel from any authority figure.

For instance, if a policeman were to give me a speeding citation, even after I explained that my speedometer told me that I wasn’t speeding, I would respectfully accept it even if I didn’t think I deserved it.

I would then speak to a judge to try to have the speeding citation annulled, and if the judge decided not to annul the speeding ticket, and no other course of redress was immediately available to me, I would then pay the fine for that speeding citation, even though I didn’t think I deserved it. Or in other words, I would not simply ignore it or stash the ticket away in my glove box, because I know that justice would eventually catch up with me.

However, I would not obey a policeman directing me to drive off a cliff to my death, even if that policeman was directing traffic in his own jurisdiction, because an order sending me to death isn’t within the scope of his authority. And fortunately for me, I’ve never had to disobey an order from a policeman, because I’ve never received an order from one that is outside the scope of his authority.

Btw, I happen to respect policemen even though a lot of other people don’t, which is why I often use policemen in my examples.

Or how about another example.

I respect my Dad and my Mom as authority figures too, even though I’m now a grown man with my own family, and my Dad and my Mom both counseled me not to join the Church. But I joined the Church anyway, knowing that my decision to join the Church was prompted by the Holy Ghost. But I still feel bad about disregarding the counsel of my parents, because I still desire the approval of both my Mom and Dad, and I still respect them and consider them to be authorities in my family. And I know that they are still authorities in my family, even though some of the decisions they have made are contrary to the counsel of God, and outside the scope of their authority.

And in the end, I know that my decision will be justified, because the authority of God is greater than the authority of both my Mom and my Dad. I just hope that someday I will also receive the approval and respect of both my Mom and Dad.

p.s. Any day could be my last day to post on this board, so please don't think I'm being rude if I don't get back to you.

[shanstress70]

Originally posted by Ray@Nov 24 2004, 12:50 PM

Any day could be my last day to post on this board, so please don't think I'm being rude if I don't get back to you.

Why, are you about to be banned from the board for your rowdy behavior, drinking, and cursing? Just joking!

Thanks for the reply. I just feel this is an important topic for parents to keep in mind. Even "God's chosen ones" can be sicko's! There are several cases of child molestation by bishops or other ones that have been placed in positions of authority in the LDS church (and many other churches).

[Jenda]

Any day could be my last day to post on this board, so please don't think I'm being rude if I don't get back to you.

Ray?

[Ray]

Originally posted by Jenda@Nov 24 2004, 11:30 AM

Any day could be my last day to post on this board, so please don't think I'm being rude if I don't get back to you.

Ray?

Heh, I'm still here, for now. :)

[StrawberryFields]

Originally posted by Jenda@Nov 24 2004, 12:30 PM

Any day could be my last day to post on this board, so please don't think I'm being rude if I don't get back to you.

Ray?

Ray?

BTW, I think your swell. Happy Turkey Day