28: On the "Cafeteria Approach" to Spirituality & its Value

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In this episode, Valerie pushes back on the common belief in the LDS church that the "a la carte" approach to gospel belief is evidence of lack of faith, trust, and commitment to one's spiritual growth.  

She builds a case for the "a la carte" approach to building one's beliefs as more risky in the short term (yes, our own agency means we might botch things from time to time) but also as more rewarding for those who take their discipleship seriously and learn to truly apply the atonement of Jesus Christ when necessary.

This approach insulates the institution from making promises it cannot keep as it hands power to its constituents and it insulates the church's constituents from the inevitable disillusionment that always follows when an institution over-promises.  

Finally, Val talks about the difference between the stances of the "preacher", the "prosecutor", and the "politician" and how each of these styles of relating to one's beliefs are problematic, and how alternatively, the truth-seeking approach of the "scientist" may lead us most accurately to God.

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