How Come Some People Stand Up for Truth Despite Punishment?

[Atrasado]

This article by a Midwestern Doctor takes on the question: Why did some doctors stand for truth (as they see it) even in the face of significant opposition? By this doctor's estimation only about "1-10%" are willing to see and state the truth despite the costs.

It makes me think of the Asch Conformity Experiments. In those experiments, and the ones that followed (this is one of the more well-confirmed psychology experiments), only 26% of the people resisted social pressure all of the time with NOTHING at stake. I think it is very likely that the estimate by this doctor of 1 to 10 percent of people who will take an unpopular but correct stand is about right.

This is a big part of everything we talk about here and in our lives. We temporize on what we will tell people because we know that some people will not accept what we think. The hard part is that we don't know which people would accept the truth (about things such as vaccines or about the corruption of Church leaders, as examples) and which wouldn't so we hold back on what we say.

This is natural. No one wants to be a martyr if they don't have to be. We all want peace at home, so when the people we live with don't accept the things we see, we tend to avoid talking about those things with them. But how do we get past this? Speaking truth to earthly power is what caused Jesus to be hated by the Pharisees and condemned by the Sanhedrin. If we want to be like Jesus, it seems like being so comes at a cost. Are we willing to pay that cost?

I struggle with this, but I at least I have been honest with those closest to me. My family, my boss and coworkers, and others know where I stand on things, even things like not paying tithing anymore which is significant because I will lose my job here at BYUI because of that, I think. But, I'm still careful not to publicly attack Rusty or the other criminals running our Church. I try to not be too big a pain to those around me. I'm careful. But, maybe I'm too careful. I'm trying to understand how to please God in this regard and I'm still not sure.

[madvin]

Is this true, that you will lose your job because of not paying tithing? How is that their business?

[Atrasado]

Is this true, that you will lose your job because of not paying tithing? How is that their business?

I work for a Church school. I'm shocked I'm still here, to be honest.

[madvin]

Is this true, that you will lose your job because of not paying tithing? How is that their business?

I work for a Church school. I'm shocked I'm still here, to be honest.

I know BYU I is. I worked at BYU Provo and tithing never entered the equation. I do realize that BYU I is "stricter", but didn't realize how much they get into your business.

[Fred]

Money is worth more to them than truth or righteousness. You can be queer, democrat, communist, socialist, Marxist, or even give blood to the Red Cross, as long as you contribute to their loot.

[J2]

No one wants to be a martyr if they don't have to be. We all want peace at home, so when the people we live with don't accept the things we see, we tend to avoid talking about those things with them. But how do we get past this? Speaking truth to earthly power is what caused Jesus to be hated by the Pharisees and condemned by the Sanhedrin. If we want to be like Jesus, it seems like being so comes at a cost. Are we willing to pay that cost?

I've been thinking about this a lot recently. What would the consequences actually be if I started speaking out against the things our leaders are doing? I know that it's likely I would lose my calling in the church, and I'd probably lose the respect of many friends, family, and ward members.

It's quite possible I would be disfellowshipped or even excommunicated. I've thought long and hard about whether that would jeopardize my salvation.

Nevertheless, I find it increasingly uncomfortable and difficult to continue sitting on the sidelines and just watching while the church destroys itself. I feel like I have a duty to do or say something about it, even if no one will listen.

[Peeps]

This article by a Midwestern Doctor takes on the question: Why did some doctors stand for truth (as they see it) even in the face of significant opposition? By this doctor's estimation only about "1-10%" are willing to see and state the truth despite the costs.

It makes me think of the Asch Conformity Experiments. In those experiments, and the ones that followed (this is one of the more well-confirmed psychology experiments), only 26% of the people resisted social pressure all of the time with NOTHING at stake. I think it is very likely that the estimate by this doctor of 1 to 10 percent of people who will take an unpopular but correct stand is about right.

This is a big part of everything we talk about here and in our lives. We temporize on what we will tell people because we know that some people will not accept what we think. The hard part is that we don't know which people would accept the truth (about things such as vaccines or about the corruption of Church leaders, as examples) and which wouldn't so we hold back on what we say.

This is natural. No one wants to be a martyr if they don't have to be. We all want peace at home, so when the people we live with don't accept the things we see, we tend to avoid talking about those things with them. But how do we get past this? Speaking truth to earthly power is what caused Jesus to be hated by the Pharisees and condemned by the Sanhedrin. If we want to be like Jesus, it seems like being so comes at a cost. Are we willing to pay that cost?

I struggle with this, but I at least I have been honest with those closest to me. My family, my boss and coworkers, and others know where I stand on things, even things like not paying tithing anymore which is significant because I will lose my job here at BYUI because of that, I think. But, I'm still careful not to publicly attack Rusty or the other criminals running our Church. I try to not be too big a pain to those around me. I'm careful. But, maybe I'm too careful. I'm trying to understand how to please God in this regard and I'm still not sure.

Maybe this 4min 48sec testimony of Lynn Wilder, a former BYU professor, may help you in your decisions...

[Atrasado]

Is this true, that you will lose your job because of not paying tithing? How is that their business?

I work for a Church school. I'm shocked I'm still here, to be honest.

I know BYU I is. I worked at BYU Provo and tithing never entered the equation. I do realize that BYU I is "stricter", but didn't realize how much they get into your business.

You have to have a temple recommend to work there. Lose that and you lose your job.

[madvin]

I work for a Church school. I'm shocked I'm still here, to be honest.

I know BYU I is. I worked at BYU Provo and tithing never entered the equation. I do realize that BYU I is "stricter", but didn't realize how much they get into your business.

You have to have a temple recommend to work there. Lose that and you lose your job.

Huh, I see. Must be a relatively new “rule”.

[Reluctant Watchman]

You have to have a temple recommend to work there. Lose that and you lose your job.

I attended the funeral of a man who was friends with my dad; hiked and fished with him and have known him most of my life. The second counselor in the bishopric closed his remarks by recounting the story of giving this man his last temple recommend interview, even though he'd never actually attend the temple again due to health problems. He made it a point to quote this man when he held up the recommend and said, "That's the most important paper I own."

"Recommended to the Lord" is one of the worst talks given by Rasband. One of many.