BULLYING AT CHURCH
Thoughts about bullying in and out of the Church:
1. Object lesson. (we cant put back in or take back things we say or do that effect other people. Who is affected by unkind words and actions? Everyone at some point in their lives, Children, youth, and even adults.
2. Being unkind is a form of bullying…. (bullying is a more severe form of teasing or playing around which sometimes is difficult to distinguish between the two, how can we determine the difference?)
3. What are some examples of bullying that we see? Physical, verbal, emotional, social, media, judging, and rejection.
4. Where do we see bullying? Home, schools, work places, social events and even at church meetings, activities and classes.
5. Why do bullies bully? It can be for a number of factors… feeling Insecure, revenge, being judgmental, jealousy, like power and authority over others?
6. How can we help those been bullied at church? Listen and don’t just dismiss, show love and understanding, help them learn to say no or to be assertive towards bullying without being aggressive… walking away is not a sign of weakness.
7. How can we help or encourage the bullies to stop? Make it clear there is no tolerance for it, have a lesson/discussion on it in classes.. show them love and understanding without judging as it is difficult for those who do it to stop this pattern of behaviors, show them the right way by being an example. (Keep in mind that some are unaware they are bullying others.)
8. Bullying happened way back in the beginning with Cain and Abel, Joseph of Egypt, Moses, Jesus Christ, the adulterous woman, Nephi from the book of Mormon, Joseph smith, many many more found in the scriptures… right up to today…. In each of these examples we see different forms of bullying..
9. A valuable lesson was when Jesus stood up to the bullies who were casting stones at the adulterous woman… Jesus helped the woman, he stood up to them and challenged them by saying those without sin cast the first stone.. (Jesus taught us here we can also stand up and help those been bullied). These men felt they were justified by there actions… (they were judgmental, Jesus taught we should not judge). Jesus also teaches us here to forgive. If we are sinning we must sin no more…
10. President Uchtdorf has given a wonderful talk from 2012 general conference called :Judging others…stop it…”
11. From President Uchtdorf’s talk: “This topic of judging others could actually be taught in a two-word sermon. When it comes to hating, gossiping, ignoring, ridiculing, holding grudges, or wanting to cause harm, please apply the following: Stop it! It’s that simple. We simply have to stop judging others and replace judgmental thoughts and feelings with a heart full of love for God and His children. God is our Father. We are His children. We are all brothers and sisters. I don’t know exactly how to articulate this point of not judging others with sufficient eloquence, passion, and persuasion to make it stick. I can quote scripture, I can try to expound doctrine, and I will even quote a bumper sticker I recently saw. It was attached to the back of a car whose driver appeared to be a little rough around the edges, but the words on the sticker taught an insightful lesson. It read, “Don’t judge me because I sin differently than you.” We must recognize that we are all imperfect—that we are beggars before God. Haven’t we all, at one time or another, meekly approached the mercy seat and pleaded for grace? Haven’t we wished with all the energy of our souls for mercy—to be forgiven for the mistakes we have made and the sins we have committed? Because we all depend on the mercy of God, how can we deny to others any measure of the grace we so desperately desire for ourselves? My beloved brothers and sisters, should we not forgive as we wish to be forgiven? . . . The people around us are not perfect (see Romans 3:23). People do things that annoy, disappoint, and anger. In this mortal life it will always be that way. Nevertheless, we must let go of our grievances. Part of the challenge of mortality is to learn to let go of such things. This is the Lord’s way.”
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