12/08/2004

a pattern of procrastination (and a side note)

I've been trying to write about the patterns mentioned in my last post, but I haven't been able to get any traction. Instead of fighting it any longer, I'll just write about some other stuff for a while.

On a completely unrelated note, I'm saddened to see that so many people are getting involved in the apparent action against Brother Palmer. Publishing a press release or otherwise discussing something that should remain a private matter strikes me as both inappropriate and incredibly sad.

-pate

3 comments:

J. Max Wilson said...

I agree with you Pate. So far I have received emails from two friends of mine asking for help to protest the action. It is inappropriate. The whole business makes me sad, not only for borther Palmer, but for my friends as well.

David said...

I agree it seems unseemly to engage in debate over a very private matter.

Dave said...

Well you're certainly free to not join the conversation on what is a matter of considerable interest to many Mormons, but I think it's incorrect to depict this as a private matter that it is wrong to talk about. Privacy in such matters is to protect the interests of the person under review. Since Palmer himself is talking to the media, it's clear he views publicity as a positive thing in this case. I agree -- in heresy trials, the Church uses secrecy to further its own interests and avoid defining and defending its policy, not to safeguard the confidentiality of the person under review. If it were truly a private matter -- a Mormon under review for a moral transgression who wanted to keep the proceeding confidential -- it would be harder to defend a public conversation.