Religion, Feminism and Freedom of Conscience

by George D. Smith (Editor)

In September 1993 a unique dialogue took place. Humanists from around the country gathered in Salt Lake City, Utah, to exchange ideas with Mormons on the topics of feminism, freedom of conscience, academic freedom in Mormon universities, and clashes between "dissent intellectuals" and Mormon church authorities. Of particular concern in the discussion was the recent excommunication of members of the Mormon church and the departure of two professors from Brigham Young University for allegedly expressing ideas at variance with church teachings. Ironically, despite such conflicts, Mormons officially and individually endorse freedom of conscience; the dignity of the human right to exercise free agency is a principle rooted in the Mormon as well as the humanist tradition. On the basis for human understanding, the dialogue between the two diverse cultures of Mormonism and humanism proceeded.

George D. Smith has collected twelve essays, all but one were presented at the Utah conference, for this thought-provoking volume. Among the subjects covered are ecclesiastical abuse and the excommunicated "September Six," academic freedom at Brigham Young University, the politics of exclusivity, and free inquiry in a religious context. Paul Kurtz, editor of Free Inquiry, introduces the discussion with an overview of "Humanism and the Idea of Freedom." The volume concludes with a 1939 essay by noted American journalist Walter Lippman entitled "The Indispensible Opposition."

The other contributors include Lavina Fielding Anderson, Robert Alley, Gary James Bergera, Martha Sonntag Bradley, Frederick S. Buchanon, Bonnie Bullough, Vern L. Bullough, Cecillia Konchar Farr, L. Jackson Newell, F. Ross Peterson, and Allen Dale Roberts.

Hardcover

First published March 1, 1994

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Reviews

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was interesting - and a bit outdated. Since it was published 25 years ago, a lot has changed - though a lot has also stayed the same.

The most interesting aspect of this book was the many anecdotes and stories presented - many about BYU rules for faculty, many about current LDS church leadership, and many about individuals who have been excommunicated or who have left the church. This book gave me a deeper understanding of LDS feminism in the 1990's - and some of the unique challenges for liberal Mormons at that time.

This is an interesting read, but I think it would have interested me more if I was better acquainted with different philosophical perspectives and arguments. I found myself having to Google several philosophical perspectives for a more complete understanding of arguments being made and, while interesting, that made this a complicated book to read, especially since I don't believe Mormon liberals my age operate from the same philosophical perspectives as our predecessors did.

Regardless, this was an interesting book that's available to read online at Signature Books.

[Elliot · Rating 4 out of 5]

I devoured this in two days. The final essay The Indispensable Opposition by Walter Lippman was outstanding. Lippman writes, "For, while the right to talk may be the beginning of freedom, the necessity of listening is what makes the right important......What matters is not the utterance of opinions. What matters is the confrontation of opinions in debate." This collection of essays was a fine example of this kind of substantive exchange of ideas regarding religion, freedom of conscience and feminism.