On Sun, 05 Jul 2009 22:50:41 -0700, Chambers wrote:

> Jim Henderson wrote:
>> That it's not direct direction doesn't mean they're not saying "do what
>> we say" - "this is what is good", and then "do what you think is right"
>> is pushing a particular social agenda.
> 
> True, but in most (not all) cases there's enough room for interpretation
> that members can (and do) take different sides in debates.

At least up to the point where someone stands in front of a congregation 
and says "here's my interpretation" if that interpretation differs from 
the "official" interpretation from the Church leadership.

I have friends who are members who clearly think that "separate but 
equal" is a bad idea with regards to gay marriage.  They can have a 
philosophical debate about that all they want, but if they try to 
convince others in the Church that they are misguided, then the 
leadership "comes down hard on them".  How many BYU professors (for 
example) have been dismissed for being seen to be challenging the 
Church's authority?

Jim

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