So a while back we had a post on Chad Hardy, the man responsible for the "Men on a Mission" beefcake calendar that lead in part to his excommunication from the LDS Church. Chad is back in the news now because he is trying to obtain his diploma from BYU that was withheld from him back almost a year ago.
For those unaware, BYU is owned by the LDS Church. And as a private university is allowed to and has set the standard of student conduct known as the honor code. As part of the honor code individuals are expected to live the teachings of the church including staying morally chaste, and in good standing with local ecclesiastical leaders. In fact, an individual looking to graduate must be signed off by the stake president and bishop before receiving a diploma. Should be noted that his 2009 calendar is now for sale. (Seems like a convenient coincidence that he gets publicty for this now huh?)
Chad Hardy was excommunicated and now the university has withheld the degree for non-academic reasons. His argument is that BYU is doing this out as punishment for the calendars.... ummm yeah... Suppose you don't go to BYU the next time you chose not to live the standards that are clearly explained before admission. Perhaps individuals should consider the consequences of their actions before they do them? Maybe, just maybe, he should realize that this studpid calendar has not only cost him his diploma, but his membership in God's kingdom- is it all worth a calendar?
Now we could sit here and debate the merits and downfalls of the Honor Code. I for one am okay with it because no one is forcing you to go to BYU. And unlike other schools where immoral behavior tends to be endorsed, I think it is a higher path to set high standards and seek to achieve them. Do they go too far sometimes? Sure. College is an educational pursuit, not a moral one. Keeping them separate seems like a reasonable alternative. Such is BYU's and the Church's prerogative to enforce these standards of student conduct.
This was a tough one, my initial reaction to this was "Why block this yutz from receiving his degree?" However reviewing BYU's Honor Code It's very clear.
ReplyDelete"h. Display of objects or pictures which depict nudity or are otherwise sexual in nature
i. Persistent and unwanted attempts to change a casual or friendly relationship into a romantic or more intimate one
Pornography and indecent material
Involvement with pornographic, erotic, obscene, indecent, or other offensive materials, expressions, or conduct which, in the sole discretion and judgment of the university, is inconsistent with the BYU Honor Code or with the principles of BYU's sponsor, the LDS Church, is a serious offense which may result in university sanctions including, in appropriate cases, termination from university employment, immediate suspension or dismissal from the university as well as prosecution pursuant to the law."
My experience is that leaders within the church dont seek to be more punitive than required. Clearly he's in violation of the Honor Code as stated above. My feeling is had he commited to not publishing the calender he would have graduated, and not lost his membership. Instead he tried to play the Victim card in front of the press, like the church and college were just beating him down for no reason.
My advice: Chad quit fronting like you have no idea why this is happening.
My advice to Chad, stop busting our balls becuase your gay. It's ok, if you want to be gay go be gay but why try to tear down the thing you feel guilty over. It's not the church's fault you feel this way.
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