What is happening at BYU? Two LDS academics explain.

Again, these are cultish control tactics of the Church.

Oooo... this makes me uncomfortable. I went to BYU (about 20 years ago) and I had some very knowledgeable professors. It makes me sad to think that some extremity qualified people and some very good teachers could be disqualified from teaching at BYU.

This policy, sort of, makes sense if someone is applying to teach in the religion department (BYU's religion department has a focus on Mormonish vs other universities who focus on religion and theology more broadly). But it doesn't make sense to insist that a music, nursing, or math professor have the same beliefs in God.

I'd rather learn from the best teachers, than from (potentially) mediocre teachers who share my same beliefs. Note: I'm NOT saying that BYU has mediocre professors! But if they severely limit their hiring pool, they might miss out on some amazing teachers.

It’s important to employ professors who believe or support our faith and our values. There are enough prestigious professors in our faith to fill every positions needed. It’s a church owned university so as long as they follow the law, they can hire whoever they feel can contribute to the mission of the university or let go of those who doesn’t contribute to it.

When attending BYU I knew several students who became non-believers while attending BYU but hid their true feelings until after they graduated. I had one professor who I suspect was an unbeliever, who left later and got a job at another school.
How does Notre Dame deal with this situation?

The baffling argument here seems to be, “The Church shouldn’t require its frontline of educators to live or believe church doctrine.”
“If church educators could just openly believe and promote sin, they wouldn’t have to hide their real feelings. Wouldn’t that be better?”
The Church should allow its faculty to undermine its core doctrines without retribution? I’m confused.

I support the prophet Russell Nelson

Education is dominated by left wing echo chambers. A conservative voice is desperately needed.

Money and Power !

The comparison to Oral Roberts University was on pointe.

The comparison to Oral Roberts University was on pointe.

You fail to mention the LGBTQ+ people who are alienated from BYU by these policies, even though they could make significant contributions to the Church. Church authorities reject the LGBTQ+ population without considering the reality and morality of such a stance. That should always be the starting point of debates concerning the BYU "honor code". Innocent people are being harmed by the musket fire.

The church is a Corporation led by lawyers.

Why have you never talked to me, a full professor and department chair emeritus at BYU?

I wish there would be some honesty in specifying the goal of this podcast episode. You are at odds with Church teachings about marriage and gender, and you are trying to pressure the Church to change its positions on this topics. I would have more respect for you if you would be honest about your agenda.

No they are not all lawyers.

Your conversation astounds me. The school is funded by the church and its beliefs are central. Why subject young people to ridiculous left leaning ideas. Good for the school. Those professors who don’t agree, get a job where you can confuse our youth

I think of this like I do of the time period where black men were not allowed to hold the priesthood. Which is this.

I think they are both intentional* stumbling blocks to weed out the saints.

*Not intentional as in the direct will of the Lord but rather the Lord allowing church leaders to make incorrect decisions for a trial of the faith of the saints.

I also assume that some overall good for the church as a whole has been and will be accomplished by these strange decisions.

I think about the story of Gideon in the Bible having too many men. The methods of sorting them out seem to make little to no sense. Neither does reducing the number of men.

Maybe the Lord is allowing stupid policies to perpetuate to test and/or refine the saints. I don’t know. I do know that our church leaders are fallible men and I also have absolute faith that the Lord’s will is taking place.

Maybe things that we think are or have inhibited the growth of the church, things that are awkward at times to even talk about, have helped the church flourish?

I’m not saying that they are/right, nor am I saying that they’re even justifiably. But maybe letting men make mistakes is the plan. Like that couple eating that fruit they were told not to eat.

What if we desperately need black and gay saints who have had to personally struggle with not feeling accepted by the body of the church. They can teach us commonplace followers aspects of faith and belief we might never have understood by any other means.

Maybe the church as a whole needs some of the more socially progressive members cast themselves off or run out of oil in their lamps. So as not to spoil the rest of the fruit? Or maybe to prevent us from becoming a Zion people ahead of schedule. I don’t pretend to know the condescension of God. But I do have faith that The Church is His Church.

Sacred funds help pay these salaries. How sad that the faculty needs this kind of correction. I have personally been concerned for a long time. Standards matter and this should be no surprise to anyone choosing to work in that privileged environment.

Novel idea!!! If you are going to accept a job teaching at BYU, a private religious affiliated institution, you should support the positions espoused by the faith. Teach and support the positions of the Church. Otherwise, move on.

Maybe you could help me, can you tell me WHO it was that said “if you are not one you are not Mine” who do you belong to?

The current church leadership seems to want a smaller, more Orthodox Church. Nuanced members will have a choice to make.