Monday Musings: Unity vs. Conformity

Last week I posted about the questions I have about whether we have to wear a white shirt to pass the sacrament. I myself find it to be an interesting challenge to encourage unity without mandating conformity. Clearly every organization has a right to define what behavior is acceptable to remain part of that organization. I wonder though sometimes if we are substituting conformity for unity. I have thought about this a lot lately, and really haven't come to any firm conclusion, but it is interesting to me that if you look at the rebellion, it becomes the tyranny. I have written about this before, just briefly. But it keeps coming back to me that whenever a person fights against tyranny, they get others to join them, and immediately form a group that then becomes they tyranny of that group. I think it is a challenging balance to maintain our openess, trust and love of others. To be tolerant and understanding and to maintain our principles.

I am no advocate of rebellion. I am about as conformist as they come. I am a middle age guy who has made his living teaching in the public schools. Yet I see myself, and others sometimes condemned or judged for not conforming in all areas. I just have a strong idea that although the strait and narrow path is still strait and narrow, it isn't single file. Whether I keep my fruit in baskets or bottles isn't as important as whether I love and serve my fellow man.

On further thought, it really isn't about the rebellion becoming the tyranny, just the institution. And don't get me wrong, I am not about refusing to comply. For society as a whole to work and for groups to function we must all comply and agree to allow the institution to hold sway over us, but at least for me it's about the strait and narrow path being strait and narrow but not single file. It's about not condemning other when their actions are well within what the commandments allow.

BTW this is what I wore to church yesterday! (snicker, snicker)