As a student at BYU and a firm believer in the gospel and the benefits of having such a code, I would like to address some typical concerns with a few of the rules: namely the dress and grooming standards. By having such explicit standards and qualifications, students have a harder time finding originality. In the honor code, beards on men are not allowed, however mustaches are. Does limiting man's god-given ability to grow facial hair necessarily promote spirituality and endorsement of the gospel? While, of course, mustaches and beards aren't for everyone, it does not deem necessary to explicitly ban all types of beards arbitrarily.
Similarly, as stated in the honor code, "Modesty and cleanliness are important values that reflect personal dignity and integrity, through which students, staff and faculty represent the principles and standards of the Church.". If this is the underlying purpose in having dress and grooming standards, who then decides what is categorized as modest and clean? Similarly, is it necessary to categorize all men with long hair or beards as unclean and immodest? Men having hair over the ears, or a small beard can still show cleanliness, modesty and the light of Christ. Who is to say that having clean cut hair slightly over the ears is less modest than having an honor code approved, short length, hairstyle much more attention drawing and extreme? Regardless, the strict rules for grooming and dress don't seem to reflect the overall purpose of the dress and grooming standards in the honor code.
Lastly, the honor code, like any good code of conduct, has changed with time to better represent modern day life. Dress and styles go through phases and as a result become outdated and change. As a result, it shouldn't be too preposterous to reconsider some of the current dress and grooming rules. While twenty years ago it may have been unacceptable to have longer hair, it may be socially acceptable now. Similarly, in the early twentieth century, having a beard showed a sign of maturity and wisdom; that may not come across as explicitly now. This issue is one that will continue to prove important to me as well as many students currently committed to follow this way of life.
Sheesh I missed the facial hair memo! Once again, I love this idea. It should be all or nothing. If there are no beards, no moustaches either, or if moustaches are allowed than beards should be too.
ReplyDeleteI thought you brought up some interesting and valid points. I do have one issue, though. Your post was pretty long. If you were to have submitted this to the newspaper, I don't think they would have published it unless you had trimmed it down a bit. Maybe you could take your strongest arguments and left those, then deleted the extra wording. That can be hard to do, but it would make this a lot easier to read. When people see long blocks of text, they seem to view this as a chore. Especially when they see that someone else posted something a lot shorter. Just a suggestion! Good points though. I agree with your opinions.
ReplyDeleteThank you I will try and trim down my arguments in the future
ReplyDeleteI thought your post was well-written and articulate. However, I disagree with you on the issue. I think if you look at the principle behind the Honor Code, you will find that it goes right along with the gospel of Jesus Christ. The point of the Honor Code is to not draw attention to one's self, thereby focusing the attention on Christ. It is about dressing and grooming in a pattern that is conservative for the times. How can we find what is conservative? Simply look at the Apostles of Jesus Christ. Apostles and prophets have been clean shaven since the days of George Albert Smith. Not that anything is wrong in the slightest with facial hair, it is just teaching the principle of keeping the focus on Christ. For example, would you say that it is alright for missionaries of the church to wear facial hair and have longer hair. Not that this would take away from their spirituality, necessarily, but it draws the focus away from the message that they bear. Plus, I think that living the gospel of Jesus Christ makes you unique, unlike anything else on earth.
ReplyDeleteStrong arguments. I especially like the argument that the Honor Code has been modified before, so it makes sense that we could do it again.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the comments--trimming it down could make it more powerful and more likely to be published. And definitely look at Mark's comment for some of the counterarguments.... you don't necessarily have to address all of them, but you should be aware of them.