Where is the Joy in Mormonism?
Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2008 10:13 pm
For me, Mormon services were utterly joyless. The music was boring. The speakers were usually boring because they didn't want to be there, either. I rarely felt better for having gone to my meetings, and I usually felt worse. Often, I felt condemned for not doing enough.
Like me, many of my fellow ward members attended meetings and went through other routines because they were compelled--not by love of God, but by fear or duty or a burdensome sense of responsibility. I dreaded meetings.
Everything was so boring and overly-controlled by some distant, seemingly uncaring authority. We, as a ward, had little autonomy. When I taught Primary, a Stake rule was implemented that we weren't to give the children any snacks. Church was where they were to learn the gospel, not have cookies. For a while, we ignored the rule, but eventually the Bishop put his foot down and that was that. Those three year olds lost their Goldfish crackers. And I lost what remaining respect I had for the Stake Presidency.
I attend a UMC congregation now and I can’t over-exaggerate the difference. It’s non-dogmatic. The services are joyful. People are there because they want to be there, and for no other reason. They don’t believe it’s required to attend church to be “saved”. They just like going. The music is uplifting. Most people seem happier for having spent their Sunday morning at church, and although I am probably not in theological agreement with the majority of folks in my congregation, I never, ever feel condemned by anything I hear there.
Kids dance and sing right up front and no one cares. People like it! I often provide sign language interpretation for the music, not because there are any deaf folks there, but because people enjoy it for some reason. And, I like doing it, so it’s win-win.
I can’t imagine anyone telling us we can’t give snacks to kids! Kids can go to church to learn about God, just like in the Mormon church. But, they can have Goldfish crackers, too. And, even if they’re not convinced God loves them, or if He even exists, those kids will know there are lots of people who love them. Who make them chocolate chip cookies. And who answer to no controlling Stake President who sees some value in a child being hungry!
No one cares how anyone else is dressed. No one cares who has a tattoo or how many earrings are in ears, male or female. And, the pastor asks folks to come up front to pray--specifically those who are struggling with addictions, or know someone who is. He struggled with alcoholism for years, and knows there are people right there in the building who need help. And people go forward to pray. They do it without shame, and others join them. I’ve gone up for someone else before, and didn’t think twice if anyone thought it was me with the addiction! The atmosphere is so supportive. No one has to fake like they’ve no problems. The people are “real”, for lack of a better term.
Why is such joy and acceptance lacking in Mormon congregations? I submit it is because Mormonism is a graceless and controlling organization. And that’s not just cultural. It’s doctrinal, as well. There’s no escaping the issue either way. In my opinion, Mormonism offers nothing good that cannot be found elsewhere in a much less controlling and much more joyful environment.
KA
Like me, many of my fellow ward members attended meetings and went through other routines because they were compelled--not by love of God, but by fear or duty or a burdensome sense of responsibility. I dreaded meetings.
Everything was so boring and overly-controlled by some distant, seemingly uncaring authority. We, as a ward, had little autonomy. When I taught Primary, a Stake rule was implemented that we weren't to give the children any snacks. Church was where they were to learn the gospel, not have cookies. For a while, we ignored the rule, but eventually the Bishop put his foot down and that was that. Those three year olds lost their Goldfish crackers. And I lost what remaining respect I had for the Stake Presidency.
I attend a UMC congregation now and I can’t over-exaggerate the difference. It’s non-dogmatic. The services are joyful. People are there because they want to be there, and for no other reason. They don’t believe it’s required to attend church to be “saved”. They just like going. The music is uplifting. Most people seem happier for having spent their Sunday morning at church, and although I am probably not in theological agreement with the majority of folks in my congregation, I never, ever feel condemned by anything I hear there.
Kids dance and sing right up front and no one cares. People like it! I often provide sign language interpretation for the music, not because there are any deaf folks there, but because people enjoy it for some reason. And, I like doing it, so it’s win-win.
I can’t imagine anyone telling us we can’t give snacks to kids! Kids can go to church to learn about God, just like in the Mormon church. But, they can have Goldfish crackers, too. And, even if they’re not convinced God loves them, or if He even exists, those kids will know there are lots of people who love them. Who make them chocolate chip cookies. And who answer to no controlling Stake President who sees some value in a child being hungry!
No one cares how anyone else is dressed. No one cares who has a tattoo or how many earrings are in ears, male or female. And, the pastor asks folks to come up front to pray--specifically those who are struggling with addictions, or know someone who is. He struggled with alcoholism for years, and knows there are people right there in the building who need help. And people go forward to pray. They do it without shame, and others join them. I’ve gone up for someone else before, and didn’t think twice if anyone thought it was me with the addiction! The atmosphere is so supportive. No one has to fake like they’ve no problems. The people are “real”, for lack of a better term.
Why is such joy and acceptance lacking in Mormon congregations? I submit it is because Mormonism is a graceless and controlling organization. And that’s not just cultural. It’s doctrinal, as well. There’s no escaping the issue either way. In my opinion, Mormonism offers nothing good that cannot be found elsewhere in a much less controlling and much more joyful environment.
KA