I'm a big fan of questions…as stereotypical as a gay theatre student is...that's all they teach you. Question everything, never stop questioning, why did you do this? What does this mean in terms of humanity?
You never have to answer these questions, all you need to bring to the table is an unceasing curiosity.
The only way to make it through life as far as I'm concerned is with curiosity (even though it killed the cat). How boring would the world be if everything was finite and so easily quantified.
So when I read, "Confronting What We Don't Know" by JonJon I recognized immediately his own curiosity on the subject. Starting off with rhetorical questions, he allows his readers to wonder with him as he explores the ongoing dilemma that gay members of the Church face.
"Have you ever stopped to consider the enormity of what you don’t know? Or what about the things that you don’t even know you don’t know? Overwhelming, right? There’s a certain amount of comfort that comes with believing I know much more than I actually do, in being able to wrap difficult and complex issues up into neat and tidy little packages."
He has a much softer voice than many of the other blogs I've read on the topic. I think leading with these questions helps temper his argument by admitting he doesn't have an answer. Now the audience can relax and form their own opinion even as he gives them his own. I've made similar claims when talking about stereotypes and the lengths people go to label other people.
He also uses 'I,' which puts less pressure on the reader, making it less accusatory. He shares his own guilt with us, disarming us and allowing us a real moment of self reflection. He also answers his own question with a question. This choice in structure mirrors the content as he talks about the complex nature of the topic. There are no answers only more questions. From this introduction he uses this inquisitive voice to ease us into the main subject of the blog: we have to approach the conversation surrounding homosexuality and spirituality with a sense of "openness, patience, humility, courage, and thoughtfulness."
I couldn't agree more and I think this post delivers on that. Using quotes to guide the argument along he creates a conversation rather than attacking the Church shouting and yelling as so many people have done. Choosing the water puts out the fire technique rather than the other cliche.
"As you can see, the questions begin to mount. I know, I know, just put them on a shelf and trust in God. How long is that a viable and effective strategy though? What are we missing out on by not allowing ourselves to wrestle with these questions? Can we expect God to just hand us the answers if we’re not willing to wrestle with these questions ourselves and together?"
Much like the intro he has a recurring love affair with the open question. Here however the voice shifts as he anticipates the answers to the questions. Here by the simple "I know I know" he shows the audience that he is aware of the counterarguments out there. He knows the Mormon way because he knows the culture. So this phrase operates on several levels: establishing his expertise and giving the opportunity to respond to his opposition.
He anticipates and then challenges. I think this shows a stronger voice than he uses, which effectively forces the audience to react to the shift. Now it is up to them to answer these questions individually. He urges us all to actively engage with doctrine, scripture, even calling on the individuals living through these, as he says, "Seemingly dissonant identities" to consider things with an open mind as well.
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