Picture this: if I worked for Microsoft and you were my boss, and for whatever reason I became disillusioned with the Windows operating system and became enamored with the Apple Mac operating system, you might humor me for a while. However, if I started to insist that Microsoft ditch Windows OS and go with Apple’s Mac OS, you’d probably start to lose your good humor. What if I started to advocate my love for Mac OS to coworkers and customers while simultaneously picketing in front of Microsoft’s headquarters and involving the media in my demands? I’m pretty sure that, as my boss, you would suggest that I go work for Apple as you kicked me to the curb.

If Microsoft decided to fire me for demanding that they change their business model while advocating my own ideas, it would seem perfectly reasonable to most people. However, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has come under fire for the high-profile, public excommunications of Kate Kelly and John Dehlin.

The LDS church is referred to by many as LDS Inc., insinuating that it is more like a business than a church. Yet those same people criticize the church for acting like any business would with a disillusioned employee. Working for Microsoft or another company is a choice — in return for a paycheck, employees are expected to embrace the company’s business model or are asked to leave. The LDS church is no different — membership is voluntary, and in return for a place in paradise, members are expected to adhere to doctrine or they will be asked to leave.

In 2013, Kelly formed the group Ordain Women, which actively pushed for the church to allow women to hold the priesthood — which, in the LDS faith, is only for men. For the last few years Kelly has publicly insisted that the church change its long-standing theology to meet her expectations by picketing the biannual priesthood session of the LDS General Conference and demanding admittance. Despite being asked by church leaders to keep her views in-house, Kelly insisted on making public demands — which is what led to her eventual excommunication. Basically, Kelly was demanding that the church change their business model to meet her desires.

Dehlin, one of the directors of the Open Stories Foundation, has made a living off of his podcasts that openly question and criticize LDS doctrine. According to the Salt Lake Tribune, in 2013 Dehlin received nearly $90,000 in donations, which he kept as a salary. Dehlin started his podcasts in 2008 and, like Kelly, was asked by leaders to cease his public criticism of the LDS church. After their repeated requests went unheeded, church leaders excommunicated Dehlin.

Those who criticize the LDS church for excommunicating Kelly and Dehlin need to ask themselves if they believe it’s appropriate for any modern business establishment to fire a divisive, disgruntled employee. If so, then why isn’t the church justified in its actions for doing the same? The church encourages open dialogue among members about their doctrine, but only to a point. When a member decides to push their views publicly and encourage others to subscribe, it’s fair game for the LDS church to suggest that they find membership in a different church.

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