Are Ex-Mo's TBM's in reverse?

[_John Larsen]

Have you ever been to the postmormon.org site? Chapters (organized groups with leaders), magazines, fundraising... conferences.

I am an officer in that organization. I don't spend a 1/50 of the time I spent as a member of the Church--and I wasn't even a diligent member.

[_beastie]

Seriously, anyone who thinks that exmormons spend an equivalent amount of time on "exmormonism" as they did no Mormonism has no idea how demanding the church can be (unless you choose to say NO a lot). Leaving the church opens up huge expanses of time (and money).

Besides, I've worked, over the years, to rid myself of the idea that my life ought to be productive every waking moment... shoulder to the wheel and all that... not a moment to lose...don't waste life, etc etc. I now think a healthy life entails a certain amount of plain goofing off. I always felt guilty for goofing off as a believer, so I rarely did. I think that was an unfortunate choice that reduced the quality of my life and increased stress.

[_ajax18]

I definitely see a positive correlation between an increase in couch time and an increase in my quality of life. Church is so mindless often times that it doesn't demand a high level of mental energy along with the time. I see a lot of TBMs dozing off when they're not chasing kids (which they'd be doing anyway).

I still feel guilty for wasting time and am glad I do. The truth is, Church felt like a big waste of time in many ways as well, and that's coming from someone who still strongly believes in the afterlife and a reciprocity to all our actions. I struggled for years trying to find a reason for all the hours spent sitting in meetings listening to the same thing over and over. I've even caught my Dad saying, "Why are they going on and on about this to us?"

So why do I post and read these message boards. It's fun and I enjoy it. Often times I find it interesting. It doesn't require much effort either. So I guess if other people enjoy church, that's fine too.

[_Ray A]

So why do I post and read these message boards. It's fun and I enjoy it. Often times I find it interesting. It doesn't require much effort either. So I guess if other people enjoy church, that's fine too.

I think that about sums up my motivation. I don't post on Exmo boards, though I occasionally post on pro-Mormon and exmo blogs. I find interacting with Mormons much more interesting, but I think exmo/pro-Mormon MBs are too biased to their own points of view and supported in large numbers, like preaching to the choir, and I don't need "reinforcement" for anything.

Some aspects of Mormonism still interests me quite a lot, but I really have no dog in either race.

The time factor does concern me, but I like the intellectual stimulation, and I find some online personalities very interesting. The intelligence and writing styles on both sides of the fence is probably what attracts me most. So I think it's more interesting from that point of view. Even when someone articulately argues a point I disagree with, I admire that per se.

I'd say I've spent far more time studying Mormonism, and commenting on Mormonism, than I did as a Mormon. Even as a bishop I didn't spend this much time on Church. The crucial difference is that one is interesting, and the other bored me most of the time.

[_Jersey Girl]

You are underestimating the amount of time (to say nothing of money) that is required for church attendance, fulfilling callings, and scripture study. It is often like a second job. You are also overestimating the amount of time most exmo's spend on boards such as this. There really is no comparison.

I'm not underestimating anything, beastie. I have friends who are LDS and am well aware of their hectic schedules.

[_Jason Bourne]

Besides, I've worked, over the years, to rid myself of the idea that my life ought to be productive every waking moment... shoulder to the wheel and all that... not a moment to lose...don't waste life, etc etc. I now think a healthy life entails a certain amount of plain goofing off. I always felt guilty for goofing off as a believer, so I rarely did. I think that was an unfortunate choice that reduced the quality of my life and increased stress.

I hear you beastie. As a participating member I it has taken me a long time to come to the the same conclusion you do about goofing off, or some leisure time. Now, even while I have had some callings that have taken some time I make sure I get some time to relax as well and to pursue some athletic activities which have become important to me for many reasons.

[_beastie]

Good for you, Jason. You'll be healthier and happier in the long run, in my opinion.

Jersey Girl

I'm not underestimating anything, beastie. I have friends who are LDS and am well aware of their hectic schedules.

So knowing how hectic active LDS schedules are, you still maintain that
"many" exmormons who post on boards like this are spending an equivalent amount of time on this activity????

[_Jersey Girl]

Good for you, Jason. You'll be healthier and happier in the long run, in my opinion.

Jersey Girl

I'm not underestimating anything, beastie. I have friends who are LDS and am well aware of their hectic schedules.

So knowing how hectic active LDS schedules are, you still maintain that
"many" exmormons who post on boards like this are spending an equivalent amount of time on this activity????

Yup.

[_collegeterrace]

I'd get tossed out of church if I made fun of Mormons --at least if I did it in a Mormon chapel.

[_collegeterrace]

Hell, by you post volume I would bet that you (Jersey) put more energy into Mormonism than I do.

ROFL!!

Thanks for the new siggy John!