We received numerous requests for our thoughts around some of the messages delivered at General Conference. In this bonus episode, Cynthia and guest Sherry Macnab get real about their experiences raising LGBTQ kids. It’s a vulnerable conversation about the perils of bringing up any kids in a church where they will almost certainly be exposed to some harmful messages.
Notes:
Divine Love in the Father’s Plan, by Dallin H. Oaks, April 2022
Glery Becerra
I am the parent of a 19 year old trans-gender boy. Thanks to our dear son, our lives have been brought up to a better understanding and a more compassionate view of people in general. I still attend church to support my wife’s faith, and to enjoy the company of good friends and neighbors, a community of sincere believers. But after 36 years of dedicated activity I stopped altogether believing in any of the doctrines of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I came to the realization that the church is man made, yes MAN (not woman) made. That simple conclusion has opened my eyes and made sense of anything that was painful and incomprehensible before. Man are guiding the church, man are changing policies and doctrines for political, cultural, and personal reasons. All inspiration comes from their minds, not any external spiritual being or influence. Revelation comes only after science discoveries, which for millennia has been violently opposed by religion. Revelation continues to come after public opinions have evolved. The Church is not leading mankind guided by an all-knowing creator, instead is way behind, after wonderful discoveries are made by doctors, thinkers, philosophers, teachers, artists, astronomers, who have sacrificed for the wellbeing of others, not expecting any heavenly reward. Yes, it’s true there are many religious people doing good as well, but they are not the only ones. I believe in mankind, I admire what we are capable of doing. We don’t need any celestial prison warden, in fact we are going to do much better without Him. Before I was baptized at 17 years old, I was already a decent human being, honest, hard working, guided by moral principals and I feel the same way today. Leaving the church belief system was like a child coming to terms with the reality that Santa Claus does not exists, realizing the presents on Christmas morning are not free, millions of children will never find them under the tree, and reindeer don’t fly. This is the truth. You maybe sad for a while, but, would you ask you parents and society to keep the fantasy alive because it gives you comfort?
I’ll leave it there for now…
I love your show, you guys rock. Thank you for letting me rant,
Glery