BYU's honor code remains a hot topic

[Wingnut]

Newsroom Blog: The Honor Code and Compassion

[pam]

A friend posted on her facebook page and I haven't been able to confirm this.

On NBC news with Brian Williams tonight regarding the Davies suspension was this:

"The suspension may have at first raised some eyebrows; but in the end may have just raised the bar."

[Jenamarie]

This morning I read an article saying how much free publicity BYU is sacrificing by kicking off a star player and greatly reducing their chances of playing in the Final Four.

And now this evening... I think they're getting enough free publicity.

[pam]

Found it:

msnbc.com Video Player

[Saintmichaeldefendthem1]

I heard Dr. Laura talking about this issue yesterday, and she had the highest praise for BYU and contrasted it to Northwest University that has made the news with their "human sexuality" course in which they are going to feature a woman pleasuring herself with battery operated devices among other things. A university holding high standards is becoming a rarity indeed and considering this student is a star player, BYU's honor code is clearly the highest priority. Unfortunately what is happening in American universities, churches, and other religious institutions is that one's personal life is becoming compartmentalized and considered private and irrelevent. The Apostle Paul was very clear that sexual sin affects the whole body when he called out a man for having sex with his stepmother. We are all in this together and Christianity is not a chain of islands. What we do affects everyone else and that should give us pause for consideration before we embark on sexual misconduct.

[sixpacktr]

As a BYU alum, and who has sent all three of my daughters there, I couldn't be more proud of BYU and of Brandon and the BYU fans there on Saturday. My understanding is that Brandon came forth on his own, which probably saved his career at BYU. He gets what the Honor Code is all about.

I have been fascinated to read the reactions of members, non-members, BYU students/alum and those from other universities during this whole thing. I expected cheap shots about how 'antiquated' BYU is to expect the students, let alone the athletes, to adhere to something as silly as an honor code to come from non-members or others that simply don't like Mormons. But what shocked me was the outcry from BYU-land about how unfair BYU was being to Brandon and how they were being unChristlike (????) in this whole matter, how they could have waited until after the tourney and then done this 'quietly'. There were then comparisons to gestapo-like techniques, hidden cameras, etc., making sure no one uttered an errant expletive.

It just showed to me that not only do we have our work cut out for us among non-members regarding our beliefs (one guy in Canada actually wrote that he knew a bunch of Mormons, really nice people, all rich, and that we taught that being rich showed righteousness and being poor meant that you were a sinner! I nearly gagged up my breakfast!), but that there are actually members that believe that the church (and they specifically mentioned the church) controlled everyone and tried to make sure that we were all 'good little robots'. It is sad that people still don't get what BYU or the church is all about.

BYU wasn't built to field NCAA Men's Basketball Champions or BCS National Champions. It was founded to teach those things necessary to get along in this world, tying them together in a spiritual atmosphere, much like the Lord's admonition that all things are spiritual. If BYU had not acted when it found out, they would have been hypocrites of the first order. But they did act, and I guarantee that NOBODY in the Honors Code office told anyone why Brandon was suspended from the team. That is all speculation right now and unworthy of our consideration, let alone none of our business.

Brandon will be back next year, I'm sure. When he went to cut down part of the net on Saturday, I understand the BYU fans chanted 'Davies, Davies'. There is no animosity among the fans. We want him back, and I believe that Charles, Coach Rose and others will help him get back.

If you have a chance, find Danny Ainge's take on the matter on a local Boston sports radio show. Great, great explanation of the code, who we as LDS are, and why it is important to stand up for principles and integrity. I loved it when he stated "there is a difference between having fun and being happy".

Go Cougs! Still a #2 seed, and a good run in the Las Vegas Invitational this week will cement that. (I am SO GLAD we are getting out of the MWC. And SO LONG 'The Mtn'. What a trashy sports network!)

[pam]

In the last week I have read numerous stories of BYU football players that have had to suffer the consequences of honor code violations. Not one of them have said they are bitter and felt they were wronged. All have said they did wrong and that the honor code is there for a reason and should be upheld.

[MichaelPAGuy]

These athletes know what to expect before they attend BYU. Even the athletes who are not members of this faith, everything is told to them before they sign their letter of intent. I applaud BYU for sticking to their decision. The athletes have nothing to complain about.