What compels you to stay?

[_Maxrep]

A good friend of mine, who shares my views, gave me this little gem:

He said that his wifes testimony was simply this, "Get your a$$ out of bed - were going to church"! Now his wife is not TBM, but they have kids and both of them grew up in the church.

In the LDS faith the decision to attend church each Sunday morning is not the same as deciding to show up for services at any number of other religious denominations. What influences you, or people you know, to attend while not being fully committed to the beliefs of Mormonism? Do you have a calling that ward members are counting on you to fulfill?

One reason that I bring up this topic is that I recently found out that there are definitely more individuals in my own ward that have faith questions than I would have previously guessed. These members are still temple recommend holding active types.

[_Imwashingmypirate]

I guess I fall under this category. I don't really know what keeps me going. I am not entirely sure what I believe at the moment. I am questioning alot. I think the main reason I go is for securety and safety. It makes me feel bubble wrapped from the real world and in a way that is nice.

Pirate.

[_Yong Xi]

A good friend of mine, who shares my views, gave me this little gem:

He said that his wifes testimony was simply this, "Get your a$$ out of bed - were going to church"! Now his wife is not TBM, but they have kids and both of them grew up in the church.

In the LDS faith the decision to attend church each Sunday morning is not the same as deciding to show up for services at any number of other religious denominations. What influences you, or people you know, to attend while not being fully committed to the beliefs of Mormonism? Do you have a calling that ward members are counting on you to fulfill?

One reason that I bring up this topic is that I recently found out that there are definitely more individuals in my own ward that have faith questions than I would have previously guessed. These members are still temple recommend holding active types.

Sounds like she suffers from guilt, social pressure and Mormon Sunday addiction. This was about how I approached Sundays when I was "active". Even though I haven't been to church for a number of years, I still roll out of bed early Sunday raring to go.

[_evolving]

I attend for many reasons --

My Wife - who still believes in the woo woo of mormonisim.. she is taking notice of many things she does not agree with, or actions that seem odd to her.. and I like being with her, wherever we are.

I have 4 kids, they like church(for the most part), their friends are there, they feel comfortable there, there is a sense of community there.. I like that

I like being with my friends from the neighborhood, I love them. I have helped them during floods, I have helped them build their homes, fixed their plumbing, moved them in and out of their homes, helped with sprinkling systems.

I am a testimony to myself of the good that can come from being raised a Mormon.. I am successful in what I do. I think I have a great family, I have a great home, in a great neighborhood, with great friends, some of them know exactly why, and what I no longer believe, some have no clue.. I will never lie about what that is ever again..

after tearing my Mormon belief system apart, I started a search for the next best thing.. from what I have found, that thing does not exist. all religions Christian, and non-Christian are based on different sets of mythologies ancient and modern -- fairy tales of great gods, that bless and curse for no reason at all, Hey I have an Idea, lets drop another virgin into the volcano, and see if it starts raining..

as far as I can tell there is no such thing as "eternal truth". if god exists, he does not mingle or interfere with the mortals, in any way shape or form. and this life is all about the experience. and as of Today, right now -- I am getting joy from being with the saints. If one day, the LDS church starts dropping virgins into volcanoes. I will re-address my participation with more fervor.

[_Maxrep]

I guess I fall under this category. I don't really know what keeps me going. I am not entirely sure what I believe at the moment. I am questioning alot. I think the main reason I go is for securety and safety. It makes me feel bubble wrapped from the real world and in a way that is nice.

Pirate.

From the view in my little world, I think there are more folks wearing your shoes than you might think as you look around the chapel during sacrement meeting.

[_Maxrep]

I attend for many reasons --

My Wife - who still believes in the woo woo of mormonisim.. she is taking notice of many things she does not agree with, or actions that seem odd to her.. and I like being with her, wherever we are.

I have 4 kids, they like church(for the most part), their friends are there, they feel comfortable there, there is a sense of community there.. I like that

I like being with my friends from the neighborhood, I love them. I have helped them during floods, I have helped them build their homes, fixed their plumbing, moved them in and out of their homes, helped with sprinkling systems.

I am a testimony to myself of the good that can come from being raised a Mormon.. I am successful in what I do. I think I have a great family, I have a great home, in a great neighborhood, with great friends, some of them know exactly why, and what I no longer believe, some have no clue.. I will never lie about what that is ever again..

after tearing my Mormon belief system apart, I started a search for the next best thing.. from what I have found, that thing does not exist. all religions Christian, and non-Christian are based on different sets of mythologies ancient and modern -- fairy tales of great gods, that bless and curse for no reason at all, Hey I have an Idea, lets drop another virgin into the volcano, and see if it starts raining..

as far as I can tell there is no such thing as "eternal truth". if god exists, he does not mingle or interfere with the mortals, in any way shape or form. and this life is all about the experience. and as of Today, right now -- I am getting joy from being with the saints. If one day, the LDS church starts dropping virgins into volcanoes. I will re-address my participation with more fervor.

How long has it been since "examining" your views? As time goes by, does it become increasingly difficult to sit through church? I know that in my particular case it did, though it took a while. :)

[_evolving]

How long has it been since "examining" your views? As time goes by, does it become increasingly difficult to sit through church? I know that in my particular case it did, though it took a while. :)

I am finding out, the more people who know of my position of non-belief, the easier it is to disagree with them openly and discuss the possibilities and not Mormon absolutes.

I know I challenge many people in my ward and stake including my bishop, because according to his limited world view, I am supposed to be broke, divorced and miserable about now.. I think it really bothers him I maintain such good friendships with the members of "his" ward.... as I mentioned above, I don't see anything better or worse that being Mormon.. it is what it is.. as long as I approach doctrinal discussions from a non offensive position, or you are all sooo stupid position. I get along just fine..

[_Maxrep]

How long has it been since "examining" your views? As time goes by, does it become increasingly difficult to sit through church? I know that in my particular case it did, though it took a while. :)

I am finding out, the more people who know of my position of non-belief, the easier it is to disagree with them openly and discuss the possibilities and not Mormon absolutes.

I know I challenge many people in my ward and stake including my bishop, because according to his limited world view, I am supposed to be broke, divorced and miserable about now.. I think it really bothers him I maintain such good friendships with the members of "his" ward.... as I mentioned above, I don't see anything better or worse that being Mormon.. it is what it is.. as long as I approach doctrinal discussions from a non offensive position, or you are all sooo stupid position. I get along just fine..

I agree with you.

Recently at a informal gathering with some men from the ward, I received a point blank question as to whether or not I would hoof it to Jackson County if the prophet asked me to do so. At first I side stepped the question, stating that it seemed quite an unlikely scenario. I was hit with the question a second time. This was what I was hoping for, after all, if they press you on the issue, you can't be viewed in a poor light for engaging them. At this point I was now given full license to unload both barrels. With courtesy, I proceeded to explain my views. The conversation went on for hours with several of the ward members. Another one of them is a non believer as well. We are all still very much on good terms. And, as you said, it is a comfortable situation to be able to air your views, and still be an appreciated part of the social structure of the ward - Bishops frustration not withstanding!