Jana Riess has an excellent piece about how non-mormons respond MORE positively to us when they see us disagreeing, it can be found here: Mormonism, Warts and All
The following are responses I received when I asked for feedback on whether CoaMMF has helped anyone or not:
You have helped me see that it's okay to ask
questions. It's okay not to know the answers. Mostly, though, you've
showed me what it is to love. Even in the face of open hostility,
which is something I greatly admire. I think we need more open
thought, discussion, inclusion, & yes -LOVE (the very kind Christ
himself espoused in sermon after sermon). I am thankful for your
thoughtful discussion, insightful study, and Christlike spirit of love
towards ALL...no matter their reaction to you (which can be hard, I
admit). You've also made it possible for me to see that we don't have
to agree to talk & then still be friends. :) The world needs more
of that. The world needs more Kristine!
-Katie
Hi
Kristine! I for one do not want you to stop blogging or speaking out.
Venturing into this world of Mormon Feminism has been scary and
downright lonely at times. I have found a kindred spirit in you, and I
appreciate that I can reach out to you across the internets when I'm
feeling isolated in my own ward. I especially appreciate your experience
with your Bishop that you shared on BCC. It gave me hope that someday
I can talk with my priesthood leaders without fear of punishment. I'm
really struggling with this fear in the Kate Kelly excommunication
aftermath. Should I speak out about inequalities that I believe are so
hurtful to our youth? Or is the risk of rejection from my family or the
risk of punishment from my ward too great? Keep writing. Keep
thinking. Keep feeling. I like having you around. -Elaine
Just
having a friend who is MoFem helps me. Knowing that you struggle with
the same sorts of questions but find a way to make it work helps me
keep going. Your blog has led me to articles that have helped me
articulate my feelings on feminism as it applies to churchy things.
Over
the last few years it has been such a relief to find an entire
community of like minded people when it relates to the gospel/church.
I've always struggled with some of the positions the church has taken on
topics such as gay marriage and women's issues. Contrary to the
beliefs that more "liberal" blogs like these cause people to stray, I
have found my testimony to be strengthened. Knowing that there are
others with the same concerns as me who have managed to maintain a
positive relationship with the church, hold a calling and stay active in
the temple gives me hope. It shows me that there is room for me in
the church. I completely believe, as you said Kristine, that there is
more than one way to be a Mormon, and that it's important to have every
kind of Mormon in our congregation. I am grateful for your words, and
even more grateful for your courage. I know that what you do is not
easy and has caused pain, but I have definitely been strengthened by
your words, especially since they are filled with so much love.
-Teresa
I have really enjoyed your blog. I was
randomly googling a few months back and found this site. It has
definitely made me feel less alone. I only wish you blogged more often!
I was excited to see your post on By Common Consent and have since
enjoyed your "Kristine A" comments on different sites. To further
encourage you (or maybe freak you out a little), you have even become a
household name in our home. When talking about my online reading with
my husband, I describe you as "my Kristine" and the Dialogue editor
Kristine as "the other Kristine". We have both cheered "my Kristine" on
as you have bravely asked important questions and exposed yourself to
criticism. Go Kristine go! On another note, you also helped me
discover Rachel Held Evans, whom I now love. So thank you for
everything and keep up the great work!
I've enjoyed your writing, both here and in comments on all the
blogs. Sometimes I need to hear someone being calm and reasonable
instead of only angry about the deficiencies in the church. I can do
angry on my own very well! So it helps me to have people who can
discuss issues without bringing in all the hate we're seeing too often
in the blogosphere. I'm not as moderate as you seem to be, but I love
discussions where we can all look at each other's ideas respectfully.
Your blogging has helped me! I have had similar feelings in and
about church for a long time. I just felt like I was the only one,
which shows me there are probably many who feel this way. I have felt a
connection to everything you have written about. I've been through too
much in my life to not have shaped some of my views. Sometimes I think
the people with the 'Let it go' sentimentality have simply never
experienced much of life outside their bubble.
So I love reading your blog because you ask the right questions
and you are looking for answers in the right places, like through
prayer and contemplation. You rationally try to see both sides of the
issue. You give me hope that one day I will have the courage to
actually tell people my true inner thoughts when the difficult subject
of feminism comes up in conversation.
Although I can't say that I've really been struggling in the
time that I've known you and been reading your blog, I know that I have
been inspired and intrigued by many of the ideas you've shared and
discussions you've started. I remember when we first became friends on
Facebook I felt very defensive about some of the negative comments that
were being made to you and about you -- I felt defensive about someone I
had never even met! I believe that the main reason for that (besides
generally not wanting people to be hurt) is that I could sense your
goodness and sincerity right from the start. I'm so glad you're you and
you're here, on the internet, so that our friendship can keep growing
even from a distance. Lindsay
Kristine, you have helped me to see the importance of communicating with clarity, effectiveness and
compassion.
I know that this is a weak spot for me so I have become determined to
improve. You have shown me that we can disagree without being
disagreeable. Thank you for your example, I truly appreciate it. Our
friendship means a lot to me. -Annette
No comments:
Post a Comment