I’m absolutely pro-choice when it comes to religion. I think everybody should have the freedom to choose faith in Christ, and the privilege of choosing baptism to follow Jesus Christ. I think they should have this freedom to choose – even if they lived and died without the opportunity to hear and receive the Gospel while on this earth. That’s why I love the revealed and restored Christian practice of baptism for the dead. It’s not about making people Mormon or violating the rights of deceased ancestors. It’s about giving the deceased the freedom to choose. With baptism for the dead, if we are right, we can extend choice and the option of accepting a valid Christian baptism to those who died without that privilege. No harm is done if we are right – it’s still their choice. If we are wrong, we’re just wasting our time with a meaningless, innocuous ritual. Again, no harm done.
Got ancestors? Give them the gift of choice. It’s one kind of choice where no one gets hurts.
Just wanted to let you know I enjoy reading your blog. I find it insightful, exploring and open-minded. Thanks!
I love your post. There is one addition I would make; I’m pro choice on everything. Folks have the right to choose good over evil or visa versa. For those who choose good, Yea!! For the visa versa’s, I’m sorry. Then here’s the rub; I don’t beleive we should ever make choosing evil an accepted practice, i.e., Roe v Wade, marriage of any sort, etc.
Thanks, Jeff for your insight and goodness.
“I don’t beleive we should ever make choosing evil an accepted practice”
But agency is the God-given ability for people to choose the wrong.
Do you really want everybody to follow Satan’s plans by limiting their choices?
I would never want to limit one’s choices. I say that one has the right to choose to murder, for example. But, I don’t believe that we should make laws and/or establish accepted practices that make their murders acceptable in our society.
Love this post! Incidentally, there was a great article from the Chicago Tribune, reprinted in the Deseret News about this topic: Jewish family makes peace with LDS baptism
I don’t believe that we should make laws and/or establish accepted practices that make their murders acceptable in our society.
How about if murder is kind of a one-off deal, committed only when society as a whole would be better off?
You have a point Peter IIc. I guess if there were enough Nephi and Laban situations to warrent a society for “one man perishing to prevent nations dwindling in unbelief” it may be justified. However, with a society that uses pro-choice rationale to murder pre-natal babies, I don’t think we should make the practice acceptable in our society. They should still have the right to choose.
Attaching consequences to a choice is not limiting a choice just thought I’d point that out.
Jeff, your reasoning is the same as I have used for years to explain temple work for the dead to non-Mormons. Once they see choice is still in play most of them calm down. I think the other religions get upset and won’t let go of the subject is because maybe they’re afraid we Mormons are right. Maybe the priests and ministers are afraid that when they get to the other side they won’t have anybody coming to their churchs and they will have to find another line of work.
RG
I am absolutely pro-choice as well. That is, if you choose to have sex you might have to live with the consequences of being pregnant. I believe this is the choice that people have to make- not the choice whether or not another human is going to be alowed to live or not.