Politics and the Shaman View

 Here is my imperfect article. 

Because, writing a perfect article is too much pressure. 

And, when I put upon myself the pressure to write a good article- they almost always never get written. 

 

Can we accept imperfection in our lives and with acknowledgement, no judgement, just keep moving?

 

I was “corrected” today when I posted a comment on an Instagram account that encouraged members of the LDS church to open the dialogue about racism with people of color and to include them. 

 

So many comments were about how “the church” has remedied this ever since they allowed people of color to hold priesthood. 

 

This isn’t true. We must change today; but also refuse to excuse the past. This isn’t true if we share scriptures on Sundays that support and advocate prejudice perspectives without clarifying that they are unacceptable. 

 

What I commented and would like to encourage is the acceptance of NON-perfection. 

 

In 2^ndNephi, it says that people with dark skin are cursed. When you marry a cursed person, you bring the curse upon your children.

 

(2 Nephi 5:21-23)

 

 

If we teach this scripture as truth- we are advocating prejudice and racism. 

 

Now, many commenters said; “I’ve researched scripture scholars who explain that if you really understand it properly … yada yada yada.”

 

Scripture Scholars in Jesus’ time were called PHARISEE’s. We ALL know how much stock Big J put in their knowledge and wisdom. ANY Scripture Scholar can use their expertise to manipulate the "meaning" of someones words to excuse their behavior. 

 

A commenter said: “The scriptures are hard to understand.” No. Scripture that says dark skin IS a curse is NOT hard to understand. 

 

It is ONLY hard to understand if you are trying to justify it. If you are afraid that unless your “church” is perfect, you can’t be part of it. 

 

It doesn’t matter HOW many times you say “new revelation” or not. Withholding priesthood from black members and keeping their families out of the temples- was wrong. 

 

Saying people with dark skin are cursed: is wrong. 

 

Can you accept that there are…. (oh my oh my… will she say it?) MISTAKES in the scriptures?

 

That they were written by slave holders who held on to their elite-ism. Who had to justify their own actions by saying they were advocated by God? 

AND, they were explaining as best as they could- doing what they knew, a product of the culture they were raised in. I truly believe they were trying their best. With their limited understanding that they had at the time. 

 

Guess what? IT’S OKAY if your CHURCH made mistakes. 

It’s OKAY to say there are scriptures and edicts that were and are racist in your church. It’s OKAY to call a spade a spade. When we acknowledge these things; we are able to step forward and foster TRUE change. 

Go forward so that NO child sitting Sunday school glances down at the color of their hands and wonders if they are cursed (or blessed.) 

 

The American Country was built on racism. It wasn’t right then- it isn’t right now. We know more now. We don’t need to say: “It was right at the time.” We don’t need to say, “If you REALLY study the scholars and historians, you’ll understand racism in America’s roots.”

 

We can SIMPLY say “It was wrong.”

We can simply state: “That scripture is wrong. It is from a limited understanding and cultural perspective.”

 

What if you allow yourself to be part of something and choose to see and convey it with truth and clarity?

 

And, if this is upsetting you- ask yourself why?

Does your religion have to have a perfect past in order for you to be part of it?

Because IF SO…. I don’t know which one you’ll find to be part of. 

 

DO BETTER NOW. 

Teach BETTER NOW.

Don’t excuse, don’t scripture scholar research to justify, don’t advocate, don’t “Understand” simply DO BETTER NOW. 

 

People are very tolerant of accountability and authenticity.

We ALL know what history was. 

Let’s not pretend. 

Let’s step forward now. 

 

This article is not meant to point fingers or blame or be ANTI any religion at all- but it very much is meant to create awareness and better tolerance for all of us. 

 

If you are part of this faith system: I commend you and I commend absolutely any of you who are trying to better yourself, fulfill your spiritual path and live in a way that serves others. 

Final sidenote:

 

It is common in Utah for people to say; “The Church.” This is a pointed and undisciplined phrase that creates separation. 

 

If you were in ANY other area of the UNITED STATES or WORLD to use the term “THE CHURCH” would be considered rude. Rude, because there is SUCH diversity in other places- that by saying those two words you inadvertently imply that your church is THE CHURCH for all. 

 

Try instead, to say: “My faith system or The Church I’m part of or The LDS Church.” I have found that over the years- many beautiful and wonderful people unintentionally say rude things without knowing they are.