As the political atmosphere in the US and many countries is becoming deeply polarized, do you sense that discord has creeped into your wards and stakes? If so, how does it manifest itself? And if not, what has your ward or stake been doing to keep that polarization at bay? How do you yourself navigate this issue?
Full Citation for this Article: Editorial Board, SquareTwo Journal (2024) "Reader's Puzzle for Spring 2024," SquareTwo, Vol. 17 No. 1 (Spring 2024), http://squaretwo.org/Sq2ArticleReadersPuzzleSpring2024.html, accessed <give access date>.
Would you like to comment on this article? Thoughtful, faithful comments of at least 100 words are welcome.
I. Stephen Cranney
My ward hasn't experienced much of this, I suppose primarily because of its demographics. Being on the East Coast, its white membership is largely left-leaning with a few exceptions, whereas the more socially conservative are typically first generation African Americans and their political perspective is more international (e.g. their posts are as likely to do with elections in their home country as they are to do with the current American election). There's kind of an unspoken live and let live rule.
_______________________________________________________________________II. Ralph Hancock
Julie and I are blessed to be members of a ward and stake in which ideological discord has been quite rare and muted. Partly this is because members and leaders have the good sense not to stray unnecessarily and unfruitfully into politically fraught topics. But of course, and alas, some topics central to Church teaching are now inherently controversial and stakes in political conflict. These have to do especially with sexual morality and with the meaning and purpose of our sexed natures more generally and also, sometimes, with our understanding of male and female role differentiation. Polarization in the wider moral and political world cannot help penetrate, not to say invade, our religious congregations, if we leave ourselves open to worldly, ideological influences. What we call "polarization" is not, unfortunately, a mere matter of tone or manners or an effect of social media dynamics (although these are all relevant matters of concern), but a consequence of a fundamental moral division in our late-liberal western societies, a division that is inherently bound up with religious beliefs and the fundamental question of how we should live. Latter-day Saints cannot be "neutral" on these questions; in this sense we cannot be neutral politically or morally. If the "culture war" is now obsolete, it is only because we have largely lost it politically. To recognize that it was a war with consequences and that we have lost it politically is the necessary first step in not losing it religiously as well. Stake and local leaders who, without any relish for conflict or unnecessary controversy, clearly uphold Church teachings on sexuality and morality are providing the essential foundation for promoting unity on essentials and thus avoiding polarization in our congregations.
_______________________________________________________________________III. V.H. Cassler
I have not experienced anyone in my wards talking politics. I think the issue has become radioactive, and so members shy away from anything that might be construed as contentious. At the same time, I hear comments that express dissatisfaction with the Church’s approach to gender and sexuality, which often then becomes a marker for whom you are voting for politically. Rachel Zirkle’s piece in this issue is an important one, I think. It raises the question of whether our studied silence to avoid contention is actually the proper course. Zirkle suggests that disciples of Christ cannot avoid the discomfort that comes from standing up for Gospel principles. The “salt that has lost its savor” meets a bitter end, according to the Savior. Thinking on these things, when I hear grumblings about the Church’s stance on gender/sexuality, I try to speak up and express appreciation for the Church’s stance. While I don’t expect to change any minds, I know there are also other minds within earshot that are undecided, and they need to know there are people who support the Church on these issues. I think the days when we could be “comfortable” as Latter-day Saints are over. The choice before us is between trying to hold onto our comfortableness through silence, or being willing to risk opprobrium by supporting our principles. Learning to stand up without being contentious is a crucial skill to develop in our spiritual progress.
_______________________________________________________________________