Serragon wrote: ↑September 5th, 2017, 9:50 pmI agree that there is value in being around those with the same beliefs and ideals. I prefer that myself. There is plenty of growth that can happen there. But at some point, you need to test those beliefs. In order to do that, you must be able to hear and measure the beliefs of others. If you do not, you will most definately stagnate and reach a limit to your growth. This is the pattern of the plan of salvation. We must be tested.David13 wrote: ↑September 5th, 2017, 9:34 pmAnd perhaps, on the contrary, when you get around, and surround yourself with like minded people, you grow more. You are able to advance based on the advance state of development of the things you all value the most.Serragon wrote: ↑September 5th, 2017, 4:01 pm I enjoy the different perspectives here. I would never desire anyone to be silenced. What better way to test my own beliefs, assumptions, and biases than against those of others? There have been many times I have been in the process of writing a response to a post only to delete it part way through because I discovered something beautiful and true in what they had said and something ugly and false in my own belief. There have also been times when I have felt my belief to be confirmed.
It can be uncomfortable though. I understand why sometimes people want to be surrounded by those of like mind and spirit. It is a vacation from the hard work that is required for spiritual self-improvement. There is nothing wrong with a vacation from time to time, but when it becomes your main pursuit in life you will stagnate.
And maybe when you are in a hodge podge of contention, off the wall nonsense, and other useless stuff of "diversity" you stagnate.
Who knows for sure? Do you?
dc
The church and the gospel provide a firm foundation in doctrine and principles. They have the keys to organize the work. But at some point we must be able to take those principles and ideas and make them our own. I find this site a wonderful place for the exam to determine if our understanding is sound or lacking. As a consequence, I have found my understanding to be faulty more often than I ever would have suspected.
Our tests are individual and personal.
I don't need to go to the Catholic Church to find out if I believe the Book of Mormon to be true.
I don't need someone to tell me it isn't true to know if I believe it is true or not.
Our knowledge of the Gospel is like growing flowers in a garden. We can grow the same flowers, but weeds detract from the growth of the flowers, they do not teach the flowers anything, nor enhance them in any way.
Many of the weeds stifle and choke out the flowers. The weeds take over and destroy the flowers.
Diversity of culture gives you a lowest common denominator, not exaltation.
I learn here from those deeply and faithfully rooted in the Gospel, not from the apostates.
I'll stick with the flowers. You can have the weeds.
dc