Jana Riess: LDS excommunication need not be present to ‘win.’ Just ask Natasha Helfer.
I find “excommunication” to be not only a theologically barbaric practice but also one of dubious utility. It doesn’t come from the example of Jesus. It also doesn’t work.
(Salt Lake Tribune archives)
Therapist Natasha Helfer had her membership withdrawn by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
By Jana Riess | Religion News Service
| April 23, 2021, 2:57 p.m.
Natasha Helfer, the Latter-day Saint therapist whose views on sexuality resulted in a disciplinary council Sunday, has been excommunicated from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Mormon excommunication: Need not be present to win!
I find excommunication to be not only a theologically barbaric practice but also one of dubious utility. It doesn’t come from the example of Jesus. It also doesn’t work.
April 22, 2021
(RNS) Natasha Helfer, the Mormon therapist whose views on sexuality resulted in a disciplinary council on Sunday, has been excommunicated from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Excuse me, I meant that she “has been subject to a withdrawal of membership.” “Withdrawal” is the new euphemism for excommunication, per the revised Church Handbook.
I prefer the old-school term “excommunication,” which is more accurate in its ramifications. People who are expelled from the LDS Church can’t take the sacrament, so they are outside (ex)