Civil Rights in the Church and Society

[SilentDawning]

With all the discussion about John and Katy and the threat of disciplinary councils, I was wondering — should the same rights we have in society be respected in the church?

Particularly the freedom to assemble, to speak out about things we don’t agree with, and protest? If not, why not?

[afterall]

I have thought on this subject too. So many angles to consider.

[SamBee]

I think it depends where you draw the line between right to protest and being nasty and obstructive; or the line between disagreeing and becoming vindictive and obsessive.

[Thoreau]

SilentDawning wrote:

With all the discussion about John and Katy and the threat of disciplinary councils, I was wondering — should the same rights we have in society be respected in the church?

Particularly the freedom to assemble, to speak out about things we don’t agree with, and protest? If not, why not?

We do have the right but we must be willing to pay the price. We also have to stay within the laws. Church property is not public property.

[Roadrunner]

This is a difficult question and I find myself want two conflicting things. I have to say I like a house of order at church (as opposed to say any lawmaking body), but I love the idea of civil rights being recognized at church.

[hawkgrrrl]

The church is going to differ as a private organization from the rules and rights of society. All churches do. But also we are global, so all societies do.

[Roy]

Richard Bushman in RSR described how Oliver Cowdery tried to bring in democratic principles of checks & balances etc. at his [Oliver’s] diciplinary hearing. It didn’t go very well for him.

[SamBee]

hawkgrrrl wrote:

The church is going to differ as a private organization from the rules and rights of society. All churches do. But also we are global, so all societies do.

Any club or organization will have slightly different rules to society, it’s just a matter of how and why they differ.

[Author]

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