Simon Southerton wrote:He could equally be just weighing up the real personal cost of leaving and reaching the conclusion that the price was too high.
I'm disappointed for, rather than in, John.
Simon, I wish you all the best. You have been put through hell for arguing something honestly.
I did not hear in John's speech what you apparently heard. I am happy for and proud of John.
I was surprised to hear him say how much he wanted to be at church when at the time I spoke to him he was attending once a month and it was a chore. I can't remember in my last 5-10 years of activity in the church serving in several bishoprics and then as bishop, feeling like the church was a huge positive in my life. And from a 1.5 hr chat I had with John a few months back I know that he shared many of my concerns.
I think John enjoys Mormon Stories and what he is doing far more than he enjoys church.
LDS apologetics --> "It's not the crime, it's the cover-up, which creates the scandal." "Bigfoot is a crucial part of the ecosystem, if he exists. So let's all help keep Bigfoot possibly alive for future generations to enjoy, unless he doesn't exist." - Futurama
Simon Southerton wrote:I was surprised to hear him say how much he wanted to be at church when at the time I spoke to him he was attending once a month and it was a chore. I can't remember in my last 5-10 years of activity in the church serving in several bishoprics and then as bishop, feeling like the church was a huge positive in my life. And from a 1.5 hr chat I had with John a few months back I know that he shared many of my concerns.
I think John enjoys Mormon Stories and what he is doing far more than he enjoys church.
In his position, I am sure there are some shifts with mood. Some days you hate it, and some days you remember why you thought it was so wonderful. It is impossible to unring the bell, so to speak. Innocence through experience does not forget experience, to mangle William Blake. I think he was completely sincere when he spoke of the rejuvenating effect of attending sacrament meeting. I have attended twice in the past month, and it really lifted my mood too.
I know just about as well as John does what the problems with Mormonism are.
"Petition wasn’t meant to start a witch hunt as I’ve said 6000 times." ~ Hanna Seariac, LDS apologist
Simon Southerton wrote:He could equally be just weighing up the real personal cost of leaving and reaching the conclusion that the price was too high.
I'm disappointed for, rather than in, John.
Simon, I wish you all the best. You have been put through hell for arguing something honestly.
Thanks Kishkumen. I've enjoyed our interactions. Yes, I will be dropping out..which is a positive thing in my book.
I just got back from a months REAL leave where I had totally dropped out of things exmo. I don't think I have the energy anymore. While talking to friends the other day my wife observed that the church took the first half of my life and sometimes she feels like it has still got a hold of me for the second.
LDS apologetics --> "It's not the crime, it's the cover-up, which creates the scandal." "Bigfoot is a crucial part of the ecosystem, if he exists. So let's all help keep Bigfoot possibly alive for future generations to enjoy, unless he doesn't exist." - Futurama
Simon Southerton wrote:Thanks Kishkumen. I've enjoyed our interactions. Yes, I will be dropping out..which is a positive thing in my book.
I just got back from a months REAL leave where I had totally dropped out of things exmo. I don't think I have the energy anymore. While talking to friends the other day my wife observed that the church took the first half of my life and sometimes she feels like it has still got a hold of me for the second.
I place my wife in very high priority in my life, partly because of her wisdom. It sounds like you have a wise wife who is making a valid observation. I wish you all the best. It very well may be that I drop out of the discussion boards in the near future, because if anything is taking up far too much of my time, it is this stuff.
Live life to its fullest and be happy. You are a good fellow, and, again, I want all the best for you.
"Petition wasn’t meant to start a witch hunt as I’ve said 6000 times." ~ Hanna Seariac, LDS apologist
Simon Southerton wrote:While talking to friends the other day my wife observed that the church took the first half of my life and sometimes she feels like it has still got a hold of me for the second.
I very much enjoyed your book and the podcast you did with John, and if you are signing off for good then I wish you all the best.
Thanks Cicero. I'll probably drop in during the next week, post my last missive, then go walkabout for a few years.
LDS apologetics --> "It's not the crime, it's the cover-up, which creates the scandal." "Bigfoot is a crucial part of the ecosystem, if he exists. So let's all help keep Bigfoot possibly alive for future generations to enjoy, unless he doesn't exist." - Futurama
Kishkumen wrote:I place my wife in very high priority in my life, partly because of her wisdom. It sounds like you have a wise wife who is making a valid observation. I wish you all the best. It very well may be that I drop out of the discussion boards in the near future, because if anything is taking up far too much of my time, it is this stuff.
I understand how you feel, but it would be our loss.
Jason Bourne wrote:See the link below for the NYC Mormon Stories Conference. Quite a line up. Richard Bushman, Clayton Christensen and Dr Andrew Kimball grandson and biographer of Spencer Kimball.
This is a pretty power packed group. Are these all fringers, NOMers, the type that BC and Droopy love to hate? I just heard Clayton Christensen speak a few weeks ago. Based on his comments he sure does not seem like a person on their way out. How does such an awful apostate like John Dehlin get such a line up pf speakers? I want to go.