Zee: "Actually, just being here is totally depressing. I could be jumping on the tramp with my kids but instead, they are sitting in a classroom being taught deceptions that I will need to fix when we get home."
Why do people go in with the intentions of causing trouble, being insulting, or making a scene? Do people go into a Catholic church to stand up and tell the priest to stop lying?
No one is teaching deceptions. They are teaching their side of the story. It's immature to give it labels like that and certainly is a key reason believers and unbelievers are so harshly divided.
This is Mormon Discussions, right? But comments and attitudes like that make it Mormon Debates or even worse, Mormon Flamewars.
JMHO
JMS
Great Spirits Have Always Encountered Violent Opposition from Mediocre Minds - Albert Einstein
Dr. Shades wrote:They probably won't have noticed that you were gone.
So true Shades. Whenever I go to a Mormon party there are some people that say to me. Rambo I haven't seen you forever. They then ask what ward am I in. I tell them oh I have been around. Then they say that's odd.
They may notice that you have come back but they might have never noticed you left. Once they see you they will just think to themselves I don't think I have seen that guy for a long time.
Can't really blame them. Mormons are really busy and the guys my age are focused on the girls. Other guys are just kind of side notes or competition!
jskains wrote:Why do people go in with the intentions of causing trouble, being insulting, or making a scene? Do people go into a Catholic church to stand up and tell the priest to stop lying?
No one is teaching deceptions. They are teaching their side of the story. It's immature to give it labels like that and certainly is a key reason believers and unbelievers are so harshly divided.
This is Mormon Discussions, right? But comments and attitudes like that make it Mormon Debates or even worse, Mormon Flamewars.
JMHO
JMS
Point taken. Note I consider my words the result of my personal opinion, which I am entitled to express just as they are entitled to express theirs.
Oh for shame, how the mortals put the blame on us gods, for they say evils come from us, but it is they, rather, who by their own recklessness win sorrow beyond what is given... Zeus (1178 BC)
How public was your reason for leaving? If it was known to everyone that you are an "apostate" rather than just a lazy sinner it will be more awkward, in my opinion.
If it was not public knowledge why you stopped coming.... Everyone will likely just smile and say hi. You will get your hand shook by the bishopric. You will be told you have been missed.
~Those who benefit from the status quo always attribute inequities to the choices of the underdog.~Ann Crittenden ~The Goddess is not separate from the world-She is the world and all things in it.~
In the end I agree with Runtu. You don't owe anyone an explanation. Also, I wouldn't doubt if there are some who will ask something like, "where've you been?" but that could be more of a way to greet you than a question for an explanation. Anyway, I'd wager there will be some who would be happy to see you, because you're you, not necessarily because they are thinking "oh boy he's coming back, let's do the admirable thing and fellowship him back to activity".
Love ya tons, Stem
I ain't nuttin'. don't get all worked up on account of me.
Runtu wrote:You really don't owe anyone an explanation, do you?
No I don't owe anything. But I do feel everyone has a right to feel useful in some way. If I have a personal zeal about getting people to consider the idea that Heavenly Mother is listening and women can hold the priesthood, I should be able to express these ideas just as I please. It is my right as a member of the church. If they want to take away my membership, it will be their decision, not mine. If I go back, it will be because I go back not because I was forced to go back.
Oh for shame, how the mortals put the blame on us gods, for they say evils come from us, but it is they, rather, who by their own recklessness win sorrow beyond what is given... Zeus (1178 BC)
zeezrom wrote:No I don't owe anything. But I do feel everyone has a right to feel useful in some way. If I have a personal zeal about getting people to consider the idea that Heavenly Mother is listening and women can hold the priesthood, I should be able to express these ideas just as I please. It is my right as a member of the church. If they want to take away my membership, it will be their decision, not mine. If I go back, it will be because I go back not because I was forced to go back.
Sure, it's your right to express what you think, but you know how it will end. What would be the point to go back just to get them to take action against you?
I just do what my conscience tells me is right. If that meant going back to the church, I would. But I don't think it's wise to go back if our hearts aren't in it all the way. Mine isn't, anyway.
Runtu wrote:What would be the point to go back just to get them to take action against you?
The point would be to help the church get one step closer to where they should be.
"Oh, what difference could you possibly make, Zee?"
haha,
Let me tell you a story about a boy walking along the beach. He noticed many starfishes lying on the sand...
Oh for shame, how the mortals put the blame on us gods, for they say evils come from us, but it is they, rather, who by their own recklessness win sorrow beyond what is given... Zeus (1178 BC)