Monday, November 3, 2014

My letter to the LDS Church: Subject: Human Diversity

The following letter was sent to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (aka, Mormon Church) after my excommunication from that organization.  It explains the principles that I believe in, and that I am teaching my children.

In response to this letter, the local church officials said:
(1) It would be impossible for them to inform me every time they were teaching my children something contrary to to these principles.
(2) These principles challenge almost every aspect of Mormonism, and run contrary to everything they teach in every meetings.

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My letter to the LDS Church: Subject: Human Diversity
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I, Bruce Boston, am the parent of B. Boston, A. Boston and Z. Boston.

I will be teaching the following principles to my children, as part of their upbringing in their Home.

I asks that whenever the children are taught or exposed to something at Church that might conflict with the following, that I  be notified immediately so that I may have a timely discussion with my children on the given topic discussed at Church...

I can be notified by email at:b.boston@me.com

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Basic Principles of my Beliefs
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Human Diversity, in terms of geographic location; geographic origin; racial traits like height, eye/hair/skin color; native language; cultural traditions; and any other factors considered to be part of the collective characteristics of our HumanFamily, are all the result of natural processes.

Human Equality, all humans (regardless of person) are equal in terms of their inherent rights to the resources of the Planet, in terms of their inherent rights to their time on the Planet, and in terms of their inherent rights to have these rights respected by others on the Planet.

A proper understanding of the Human Body, is best done through scientific discovery.  What is healthy, both for our minds and for our bodies, is best discovered through scientific methodologies, and open public debate through qualified specialists and peer-review.

Scientific learning and teaching are best done in open, public settings.  Teaching material, like textbooks, is best developed by qualified specialists through open, peer-review and open, public review.

Gender-based abilities, do not exist.  
Due to bio-diversity within the Human Family, very few (if any) inherent abilities seem to exist within the whole of the HumanFamily.  And while there are some clear patterns in what each person is able to do with their body, these physical, emotional and cognitive abilities are not universal. As such, gender does not convey any sort of biological ability, or fixed set of abilities.  Thus, inherent gender based abilities do not exist.

Gender-based roles, do not exist.
Because Gender-based abilities do not exist, inherent Gender-based roles do not exist.  Each person is free, and should be equally encouraged to seek out roles in society based on their individual physical, emotional and cognitive strengths.

Gender-based Segregation, serves no purpose in non-private settings.
Because Gender-based roles do not exist, the segregation of individuals by Gender serves no purpose in non-private settings.  In particular, Educational settings (be it for the development of physical, emotional or cognitive abilities) should never be segregated if possible.  And if segregation is necessary, groups should never be divided upon lines based on inherent genetic traits like race, skin color, or gender.

Gender-based responsibilities do not exist.
Because Gender-based abilities do not exist, and because Gender-based roles do not exist, and because Gender-based segregation should not exist; each person is free, and should be equally encouraged to seek out responsibilities in society based on their individual physical, emotional and cognitive strengths.  Among these, each person has a responsibility to be honest, true, virtuous, and a responsibility to do good to all others who do now or who may later dwell on the Planet. Additionally each person has a responsibility to obey, honor, and sustain the laws of the land as they understand them.

Sexual Diversity is natural and amoral. HomoSexuality and HeteroSexuality are natural and amoral in nature.

Physical Intimacy is not inherently immoral, or unnatural.  Personal Intimacy and Consensual Interpersonal Intimacy are not inherently immoral, or unnatural.

Each person has the right to live according to the dictates of their own conscience and the responsibility to allow all others this same liberty.  Every person has the right to live how, where, and for what reasons they may.

Moderate consumption of substances like caffeine, coffee, and tea, are not inherently immoral, or unnatural.

Each person should be free to create a setting (if they so desire, and as they see fit) for the rearing and upbringing of children.  And each person is free to determine what roles they wish to fulfill or avoid in the upbringing of children.

Language, both vocalized and internalized, is inherently amoral.  Thoughts are inherently amoral.  

Morality is entirely about the choices people make, and the results of those choices.

Life is inherently unfair.  Personal abilities are not inherently equal.  Resources are not equally distributed.  Calamities, Disease  and the Trials of Life, are not equally distributed.  Education and Opportunities to Learn are not equally distributed.  Life is only made more fair through the efforts of people.

Personal finances are more important, and take a higher priority than do the finances of the Church.  A person's highest financial priority is to first lift themselves and their family out of poverty.