Dissonance
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Inspired Mistakes?
I recall a time several years ago when I was seeking to “hold on” in church activity due to some pretty intense leadership mistreatments that had occurred. I seemed stuck with no options to address it or heal from it. As I was so struggling with the complexity of the situation, my mind caught hold of a foreign thought: Perhaps sometimes mistakes are inspired. As I pondered on this strange thought, I began awing over what a blessing one particular “church mistake” had become in my life. I wondered: Could it have been an inspired mistake? Our initial response to such a question is probably, “No!” In fact, my last post…
- Courage to Speak Up, Danna Hartline's articles, Dissonance, Examples of Courage, Mental Illness, Mormon Culture
Are Happiness and Dissonance in Opposition?
Recently, I saw a meme on Facebook that said in essence, “The longer I live, the more I want to stay away from drama, conflict, or stress and just live a happy life, surrounded by friends, eating good food in my cozy house.” Doesn’t that sound appealing and even right? It received lots of likes and affirmative comments. But I couldn’t help but ask myself, “What about those who do not feel that kind of life is available to them? What about those who feel thrown into a life that is filled with conflict and drama, a life they didn’t ‘ask for?’ What about facing wrongs that need a voice?” …
- Abuser Loyalty, Courage to Speak Up, Danna Hartline's articles, Dissociation, Dissonance, Mormon Culture, Trauma vs. Offense
The Deep and Unspoken Church Ache
I often sit in church meetings that teach about church growth and fellowship. In general, they are uplifting, pat-yourself-on-the-back lessons—very encouraging and good. But for some reason I cannot ever fully buy into what I am hearing. I want to—and I do to a point because I do see so much good that is happening in the Church. But in the same breath, it seems a little off to think that all is well in Zion and that everyone is as happy and thriving as well as seems to be claimed. I know there are success stories of conversion going on and I am so grateful that those people are being reached and are finding such a…
