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Thoughts on Affirmation
By Steven Fales | August 31, 2010
I am interested in an Affirmation that is an umbrella for the Mormon heritage we all share whether we believe in the “Restoration” or not (which I don’t). Or whether we believe in God or not (which I do). Where else can you go in the gay community and ask, “Where did you serve YOUR mission?” or “How many kids do YOU have?” or “What was YOUR excommunication like?” or “Didn’t you just hate Steven Fales’s last play?” (Was that another plug for my work? Darn. I learned this from somewhere . . . just ask Mitt Romney!)
I also believe in full-artistic personal expression and a wonderful, good, hokey Mormon joke here and there. Where are we taking ourselves too flippin’ seriously?
I believe in an Affirmation where we do not shoot our wounded. For we are all in recovery from post-traumatic spiritual disorder. All should be welcome at the table whether we pray or not. (which I do.) That is why I’m Episcopalian/MCC after my disaster with pure secular humanism and, of course, Latter-day Saint-ism. But when it’s all said and done, even though I’m not a Latter-day Saint (first by excommunication, second by personal revelation and self-liberation), something about me will always be Mormon. I believe in Affirmation even when Affirmation doesn’t believe in me.
I do not believe that Affirmation’s mission is to promote politics or the next Wasatch artistic masterpiece. Affirmation should be limited to general education and fellowship. Nothing more. And it is not our job to change the Mormon Church’s mind. It is a place for me to be me. And you to be you. (As well as a safe haven free from sexual harassment as much as bashing of beliefs.)
George, thank you for leading this conversation. “To Thine Own Self Be True.” “The wolf cannot exist without the pack. The pack cannot exist without the wolf.” When this shift happens, Affirmation just may realize its potential.
Topics: Steven Fales | 3 Comments »
August 31st, 2010 at 7:26 pm
Nice post!
I haven’t participated in Affirmation for many years now. It served a purpose for a brief time in my life and I liked many people I met there. Overall I found the experience quite toxic. Like you I wasn’t interested in politics, nor changing the church. Dwelling on all the pain and injustice felt like a black hole that you’d never escape from.
September 23rd, 2010 at 7:37 pm
I’ve always found it rather interesting and perhaps a tad codependent, that in order to be validated and made whole, someone or some organization has to change. Meanwhile, we are to wait, hope and pray for expectations and fantasies to come true. Perhaps part of a healthy recovery from Mormonism is to accept life on life’s terms. What IS as opposed to what could or ought to be. Would time be better spent detaching from dysfunctional organizations and people. How about, Just let go, and let them be.
December 20th, 2010 at 2:24 pm
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