By: A. True Ott, PhD
Brigham Young University is today under the national spotlight, and this time no amount of “spin doctoring” by ex-BYU Cougar/Boston Celtic great (and LDS Bishop) Danny Ainge, and the PR department of the LDS Church “Brethren” in Salt Lake City will be able to obfuscate the truth.
In case you didn’t know, the BYU men’s basketball team has enjoyed great success this season. Following a nationally televised win against top-1 ranked San Diego State, the Cougars ascended to a #3 national ranking and a possible #1 seeding in the NCAA Tournament event known world-wide as “March Madness”. The following day after this amazing win at SDSU, however, brought a “confession” from the lips of the young and highly-talented 19-year old sophomore center and key-player Brandon Davies. He confessed to his coach Dave Rose that he had gone too far with his girlfriend. In a moment of passion and guilt, he freely admitted that he had lost his virginity, and of course, felt incredible personal guilt about his sinful act – which then led him to his open “confession”. Coach Rose then contacted BYU athletic director Holmoe, who then in turn reported the indiscretion to the “BYU HONOR CODE GESTAPO POLICE” – and by Monday afternoon, Brandon Davies was forever branded with the ultimate scarlet letter – he was immediately booted off the basketball team – for starters.
Danny Ainge speaking out on Brandon Davies
I know, I know. Davies signed a contract that he wouldn’t engage in pre-marital sex, smoke cigarettes, drink Budweiser or Hard Lemonade, cheat on tests, grow a scruffy beard and/or have his hair in a pony tail. Ainge is right, of course, when he tells the press that this “builds character” in young people – that they need boundaries to guide them. This, I submit with all due respect to Mr. Ainge, is NOT about boundaries, but rather – is ALL ABOUT METHODOLOGY – I submit it is all about how to handle those boundaries.
Here is the dichotomy. What Brandon Davies did would not have cost him his LDS membership. Far from it, as a matter of fact. Thousands of young LDS 19-year-olds have found themselves in the exact same situation. That’s what raging hormones do, after all, in the bodies of young 19-year-olds. Why then, is it such a vital imperative for BYU student-athletes to be held to a much higher code of conduct than say LDS student-athletes at arch-rival University of Utah? Let’s be honest, this is why BYU is villified and mocked by fans and students at other NCAA university venues. It’s NOT that they are mostly white and often have cherubic, angelic faces (ala poster-boy Jimmer Fredette). No, it’s not that, folks. Americans respect and honor virtue, fair-play and integrity – for the most part. No, what brings out the venom is the double standard – the haughty “I’m Better than You Spiritually and Morally” nose-in-the-air superiority complex – while often bending the rules with dirty tactics to “gain the edge”.
Here’s the TRUTH, folks. It is human nature to OVER-COMPENSATE IN PUBLIC for short-comings, inadequacies and failures realized in private. For instance, a father who himself has a problem with morality, will do his best to APPEAR doubly chaste to his friends and colleagues. This, in the warped psyche of the imperfect human being, is the coping mechanism employed. I submit this is exactly why BYU continues to employ such a ridiculous “Honor Code”.
Consider just a few facts.
1. Predominantly Mormon Utah leads the nation in on-line pornography subscriptions. Let’s see, the public “front” is one of wholesome family-values of chastity and morality. In private, however, porn sites give “the priesthood” an outlet. See http://www.deseretnews.com/article/7528835/Utah-No-1-in-online-porn-subscriptions-report-says.html
2. Brigham Young – the very namesake of the University – had at least 55 wives. Think about it. Brigham’s (and for that matter LDS Founder Joseph Smith) sexual conquests make young Brandon Davies’ indiscretions pale into insignificance. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brigham_Young
9 responses to “A Study in Hypocrisy and Dichotomy – BYU and Brandon Davies”
This is an irresponsible piece written by a guy who doesn’t know 1% of the facts and then sits in judgment. Who is the hypocrite? Clearly this guy has a problem with the LDS church
No, Mr. Nelson, I KNOW 1% OF THE FACTS. You immediately begin casting aspersions and false judgment against me personally, while refusing to focus on the facts, let alone debate them. Sorry if the truth offends you, (as it does MOST Mormons). I don’t have “a problem with the LDS Church” — it is the LDS Church that is/has the problem, and can’t handle honest truth-seekers in wholesome debate and honest presentation of facts. LDS “official” history is full of so many falsehoods and lies – and therefore of necessity it keeps its true history hidden as much as possible. Brigham Young was not only a polygamist, but when non-jaundiced history is reviewed was nothing more than a despicable petty tyrant whose “Danite” agents murdered hundreds of innocent dissidents in early Utah territory (not to mention 12 WEALTHY emigrants at Mountain Meadows. Haven’t you ever wondered what became of over $2, in Fancher Party ASSETS????) In today’s societal norms, Young’s name would be synonymous with Manson, but yet, he has a major University named after him. Go Figure!!! BTW — do you think Gordon Monson is equally “irresponsible”??? See http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/cougars/51355487-88/byu-code-honor-lds.html.csp
Dear Mr. Nelson,
Please enlighten us with the other 9% of the facts that True so irresponsibly left out rather than lowering yourself to ad hominem attacks. I would submit that had this been a homosexual indiscretion, it would’ve been swept under the rug and we never would’ve heard a peep. After all, the Church can’t let the world know of the rampant homosexuality, and other dead bones within. IMAGE IMAGE IMAGE!!! The Church is all about IMAGE, not substance, a whited sepulcher!!!
Right On True! Keep swinging that Sword!
I’m sorry Mr. Ott, but you know nothing close to 1%. I was introduced to the Mormon church a mere 6 weeks ago and even I can tell you the leader’s name is not “Gordon Monson”. This is about as basic of a fact as you can get. How can I trust you as a provider of these deep dark secrets you claim to have about the church if you don’t even have the basics straight?
The truth is, BYU gave up a shot at winning a national championship in order to stand up for what they believe. Despite your spin doctoring, I find their decision refreshing and admirable at a time when most colleges do whatever it takes to win. For example, a team like OSU this football bowl season, deciding to “punish” their players next season and allowing them to play in the bowl game first because it was in the school’s interest to win over teaching young boys to be men.
I apologize. I read the link just now and realized you were referring to a different Monson. However, I still stand by my other remarks.
Phil:
Keep looking and searching – as that is how we learn. I’m at the top of that list – I try to learn something new every day. Once again, let me re-iterate the theme of my post – which is the dichotomy of hypocrisy present in the LDS Church. I am not condoning pre-marital sex. I am not excusing Davies’ actions. I am merely saying that BYU, more than any other major university, rubs their subjective brand of RIGHTEOUSNESS in the faces of the public — and this causes resentment and hard feelings. If they themselves were squeaky-clean – fine. But, they’re far, far from it. That’s my entire point. “He who is without sin – let him cast the first stone” is what I’m referring to.
Thanks for weighing in.
True
A poignant piece of writing that reflects what 9% of North Americans were thinking when the suspension was announced. “Do as I say, not as I do” seems to the moniker of every organized religious group. Keep up the great writing!
I personally know a case where a missionary came into the ward and put the move on 4 young boys. The Elder merely denied it and was transferred to another ward where he could prey on other young boys, while those who tried to bring it to light were persecuted, and the one who covered it up was elevated to a high position within the church.
So here we have a repentant young man who confesses, and they bring down the iron fist, while another denies it, and despite 4 witnesses against him, get off scot-free. Hmmm̷.where is the “standing up for what we believe in”?
I still say this is about maintaining an image not standing up for what they believe, and the loss at a chance for a national championship was an acceptable sacrifice. Knowing they would catch some flak, they can now stand up and say “look at us, world; see how we are persecuted for standing up for high moral standards”.
IMAGE. It’s all about IMAGE; a whited sepulcher!
Thanks, Don.
This comment came from Christian Pastor Jim Catlin applies so well:
RE: Davies,
Well said my friend!
The haughtiness of self-righteousness is more the issue here and not the indiscretion itself. The confrontation involving the woman caught in adultery (John
was less about the indiscretion and more about her judges’ hypocrisy. Jesus was not soft on her sin but he took opportunity to cast a glaring light upon their wickedness which paraded as light. Thus finding themselves caught in the very trap which they had intended for Jesus.
“God is opposed to the proud” (James 4:6, 1 Peter 5:5)
“It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” (Hebrews 1:31)
These guys need to be warned. Thanks for voicing that warning.
Christ is all!