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Founded in 1994.
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Welcome to Disciples2, a worldwide support system for LDS people experiencing same-sex attractions.
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Our Mission Statement:
The goal of Disciples is to provide a place of mutual support for those who have chosen or may someday choose to be in harmony with our Heavenly Father and His laws as set forth by modern-day prophets and apostles. Those whom we serve are attempting to obey the laws of the Lord, including the law of chastity. The purpose of these lists is to provide a place of safety and comfort, as each of us grows toward our goal of exaltation and obedience to the principles and ordinances of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We hold no means of cure or change as the only option for our lives, yet we hold dear to our hearts the desire to remain clean and pure as we move closer to freedom from this conflict known as same-sex attraction.
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Real disciples absorb the fiery darts of the adversary by holding aloft the quenching shield of faith with one hand while holding to the iron rod with the other. There should be no mistaking; it will take both hands!
---Elder Neal A. Maxwell
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To join one of our support groups, please select which group applies to you from the left hand menu. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to
email the List Administrator.
How to join:
Those who would like to join any of these groups can do so by providing the following information to owner@disciples2.org: Real name, address, phone number, and indicate if you are LDS. This information is only for the moderator's use and will not be shared with the rest of the mailing list. It is used to ensure the safety and validity of the group. Remember, it is never used to contact you and is never shared with anyone else, and it is required without exception. Please indicate which group you wish to join.
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The Charter
-- Latest update April 13, 2006
Those who join the virtual support group of Disciples do so in order to associate freely with others and to discuss personal topics in the light of the revealed gospel of Jesus Christ. Though a wide range of discussion over how to deal with same-sex attraction in light of our commitment to the gospel is encouraged, arguments intended to dissuade members from keeping covenants or otherwise undermining their commitment to the gospel and/or The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints will not be posted. This in no way imposes a standard of perfection upon members of the group. We hope to share what we have learned and to learn from others so that we can be strengthened in our endeavors and to better serve the Lord and our fellow beings. In order to do so, we agree to the following guidelines:
Though you don't have to be Latter-day Saint to join this list, it was founded to cater to those of the LDS church. If you are not LDS, we ask that you honor our belief that the Lord directs the Church and teaches us through modern revelation. All of us on this list understand that the scriptures (including the Bible, Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price) and official statements of the First Presidency and other General Authorities of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints carry significant importance concerning the struggles in our lives. Those whom we have sustained as prophets, seers, and revelators are to be spoken of with respect. We hold the unique belief that there is a living prophet who has the authority to declare the mind and will of God and we have committed to follow this counsel.
We treat each other as equals and realize that no one, other than those mentioned in paragraph one above, holds more or less authority over matters of belief or policy than any other. Support of our ideas is best attained through reference to scripture, publications by those in authority, personal experiences, and our own best reasoning.
We avoid contention. We never attack another or publicly question the motives of another member of Disciples. We work under the assumption that all of our intentions are good. If there is a misunderstanding of interpretation or a disagreement on a subject, we approach the matter kindly and with humility. We admit the possibility that, even though our precepts appear to be founded in scripture and supported by the prophets, a personal idea we may have could be wrong through our own flawed understanding and experiences. We approach all such differences with courtesy, allowing each of us the right to our own opinion and the privilege of following the dictates of our own conscience.
We hold the Temple to be sacred and do not discuss in public that which is found in the Temple ceremony.
We do not use Disciples as a means to convert another to our own set of beliefs. We recognize that good upstanding citizens can belong to any one of the political parties, choose to adhere to differing health practices and/or socio-political agendas, etc. We recognize that others have the agency to choose for themselves how to conduct their own lives.
We also (with humor or not) do not use language that is socially regarded as coarse, blasphemous, or vulgar.
All are welcome on Disciples making us a diverse group. We thrive on this diversity, seeing it as enriching and unifying, rather than as a means of division. We do not use remarks that could cause needless hurt to any group of people and we refrain from personal attacks.
Disciples2 was created as a haven for those who are struggling. Due to the sensitive nature of the subject matter, confidentiality is of the highest priority. Violation of this provision is grounds for immediate removal from Disciples2. Any information we have about another member, or his or her family, will be kept confidential at all costs.
We will not contact anyone on this mailing list via phone or house calls without express permission from that member.
If a spouse of an SSAer is not a part of Disciples2, no member of Disciples will share information with that spouse which was gleaned from the posts on the list.
Posts may not be distributed to anyone by anyone without the express written permission from the author of that post.
If one of us feels wronged, slighted, or offended in any way, we try to communicate by personal E-mail if possible. If that does not seem to have an effect or we find that impossible to accomplish, we take the matter privately to the moderator of Disciples (owner@disciples2.org). Retaliation, sharp reproof, or cynicism is to be avoided in public posts. The moderator is available to intervene in such matters if needed.
Additional Posting Guidelines:
"GAY-RELATING": Under this category would fall the comments we make in jest concerning the body parts or features of another of our gender. It would include the "gestures", albeit cyberly, which are considered highly "gay". This "gay relating" would seem in direct contrast with our desire to "overcome" and/or become masters over our burden of SSA. For those who come to Disciples to assist in freeing themselves from the influences of their homosexual past or desires, this "gay relating" may be counterproductive. Included in "gay relating" is the critiquing and discussion of gay-related entertainment, literature, movies, plays, etc. As Boyd K. Packer once stated: "True doctrine, understood, changes attitudes and behavior. The study of the doctrines of the gospel will improve behavior quicker than the study of behavior will improve behavior. Preoccupation with unworthy behavior can lead to unworthy behavior. That is why we stress so forcefully the study of the doctrines of the gospel." We encourage discussion of literature and works which are geared toward helping us overcome our SSA, including, but not exclusively, the scriptures and works by leaders of the church.
DISCUSSION OF EXPERIENCES: Although relating our own homosexual experiences, thoughts, or failures might be beneficial in making a point or bearing a testimony, relating the graphic details of such an experience have the possibility of doing more harm than good. To have the hows, whys, and wheres described in any detail often leave a deeper impression than the good that came from what you learned. Details are better left unmentioned on a list such as this. The telling of experiences is welcome, but it is recommended that the details be eschewed. Even the hinting of a location will not be allowed. Comments such as "the biggest park in my town", "the bar down the street from where I work", etc will not be tolerated. Surely one can discuss addictions and problems associated with cruising, pornography, etc but this can and should be done with no reference to where in any form.
DISCUSSION OF SENSITIVE TOPICS: There are many sensitive topics related to our mailing list, which include masturbation, pornography, sexual abuse, and many other sexual topics. These discussions are welcome, however, it is an area which needs special attention to assure that these topics are not spoken of lightly, in too great of detail, or in a context which will make the subject matter more offensive than helpful. This includes the need to keep the discussion of such matters to a minimum and making sure the discussion directly relates to our issue of SSA.
HUMOR: In light of the above guidelines, humor on this mailing list needs to be that which is becoming of a Latter-day Saint. Humor of a sexual nature, or that which includes "gay relating" described above, or which might be considered offensive to some audiences, will not be a part of this mailing list. Humor is necessary and welcome, but needs to be shared in light of the goals of this mailing list. We stay clear of cruelty or light-mindedness about sacred things.
With the respect to the guidelines stated above, I would like to add one caveat concerning posting on Disciples. If you would not say it to a small group of people with Jesus Christ in the midst, it is better left unsaid. If I feel that Disciples is the Lord's (which I do feel), then it would follow that discussion would be that which is comfortable to His spirit.
Compliance with this Charter is a condition of your membership on Disciples. Allowing your name to remain on the Disciples2 mailing list constitutes agreement with these guidelines.
End of Charter
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