Active non-believing Mormons?

[_harmony]

I often have friends and ward members wanting to confide in me of their unbelief because of my perceived, and wrongfully so I might add, deep knowledge of Mormon problems.

Some really good people hang in there with activity and I admire them. In large part, they do it because they believe the Church's youth program will help their kids, or perhaps provide community support for a handicapped child.

One good friend of mine who doesn't believe is the first one out for service projects, "Helping Hands" projects, city cleanup day, working at the homeless shelter because he finds the Church's organized activities for Christian service a good way to be of service rather than lying around.

Going good. I'm with ya all the way...

I've also observed that divorce plays a huge part in the dynamic of whether a non-believer will be active.

Uh oh. Treading on shaky sand now...

I've also observed that the non-believer has never made the attempt to internalize the meaning and message of Jesus Christ, and has his entire life just been sucked along with the social aspects of Mormonism.

BAM! You just couldn't let an opportunity go by to lay the blame on the individual, rather than the institution, could ya?

[_beefcalf]

I've also observed that the non-believer has never made the attempt to internalize the meaning and message of Jesus Christ, and has his entire life just been sucked along with the social aspects of Mormonism.

You're painting with an awfully big brush... Are there any details you'd care to provide which might support this assertion?

[_Aristotle Smith]

I've also observed that the non-believer has never made the attempt to internalize the meaning and message of Jesus Christ, and has his entire life just been sucked along with the social aspects of Mormonism.

And what do you make of those people who did internalize the meaning and message of Jesus Christ and it was instrumental in their leaving?

[_epiginosko]

And what do you make of those people who did internalize the meaning and message of Jesus Christ and it was instrumental in their leaving?

Excellent point. In my case, despite my doubts in the history and claims of Christianity and religion in general, I have remained active in the LDS church partly because I think the meaning and message of Jesus Christ that is taught is a wonderful thing: love thy neighbor, be humble, be charitable, judge not, serve others, cherish the youth, etc.

[_cinepro]

Is there anyone else on this board in a similar position? If so, I would love to hear your story.

I'm still a theist, but I've found that the Scouting program can be an excellent "low impact" calling where you can have a good influence on the boys, make good friends with the parents and other adult leaders, go on some great activities, and avoid having to pretend to believe something you don't.

Unless you have issues with the Scouting program, or don't enjoy camping.

[_Darth J]

Is there anyone else on this board in a similar position? If so, I would love to hear your story.

I'm still a theist, but I've found that the Scouting program can be an excellent "low impact" calling where you can have a good influence on the boys, make good friends with the parents and other adult leaders, go on some great activities, and avoid having to pretend to believe something you don't.

Unless you have issues with the Scouting program, or don't enjoy camping.

I think I am in the same general camp as Seth Payne, Fletch, and Yoda.

And I really wish that Scouts would not be treated as if it's a priesthood office. Apparently, there are also some people who take issue with the BSA being nearly co-opted by the LDS Church, like Penn and Teller (warning: lots of bad words, but with convenient Portugese subtitles).

It's also disappointing how social pressure in LDS culture is sometimes counter-productive to Scouting (like the kids all of us know or have heard of whose parents won't let him have a driver's license until he gets his Eagle). My two best friends in Utah didn't get past Tenderfoot (actually, I think one of them got to Second Class). I was in California during my Boy Scout years, and even though most of the time the troop consisted of me and my parents, I got my Eagle.

Also, Cub Scouts is more fun than Boy Scouts, but what can you do?

Despite all that, I think Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts are great programs. (I think I mentioned somewhere on the board that I had a pierced ear when I had my Eagle Scout court of honor). If you really earn an Eagle Scout, without going to scout camp where merit badges are handed out like party favors, then that is a real accomplishment.

*For those who are Scouting-deprived: a court of honor is a ceremony where you are given awards like merit badges or rank advancements.

[_epiginosko]

Although I am not currently serving in a calling, I have no problem teaching the principles of the Church. I think they contain good values. I would probably be a little more careful of how I word my lessons; using more third-party disclaimers (the church teaches this, Joseph Smith taught that, etc.) and my testimony at the end would probably be more an acknowledgment of the value of the principles.

I don't really have a problem with Joseph Smith, Brigham Young, or any of the Church's historical leaders. I just believe that the LDS Church, like any other church, was founded by men who were products of their time and drew their conclusions on Christianity from a variety of sources. They are just another part of the ongoing evolution of Christianity. I can sustain Thomas Monson as the current President of the LDS Church. Do I sustain him as a prophet, seer, and revelator, and as the only one on earth who holds all of the priesthood keys? Well, I've grown less comfortable with that idea. However, I'll still read his Ensign messages with my family, and I'll still tell my children that he leads the church and seems like a wonderful man.

[_moksha]

I've also observed that the non-believer has never made the attempt to internalize the meaning and message of Jesus Christ.

Bob, I have asked the question of what religion my fellow Mormons would be if they were not Mormon at different times on three different websites, and each time the majority answered that they would be something other than Christian. My question would be whether this internalization you mention is something real. In my mind, the message of Jesus is paramount and that should have been reflected in the answers.