Post-mo virus...

[_Polygamy-Porter]

Did our parents part ways with us after sacrament meeting and say, "thank the heavens we are in this church today. Now we won't have to talk to Lucinda about what will happen if she drinks alcohol at that party she's going to, or has sex with that cute boy she's been dating. We'll let her teachers here talk to her all about it." REALLY??

Sadly for many, yes they do think that way.

I had several ward friends("when I was still a member" friend)tell me they were sooooo thankful that they had their kids in TSCC(the so called church) because they JUST KNEW that they would be involved in sex, drugs, and "who knows what!!" if they weren't LDS.

that's an easy stump, at least out here in nevermo land of California. I asked them "Oh? So the rest of the high school population are druggie sex addicts?"

With their eyes blinking fast and pursed lips twitching, "wooool wooooool uhhhh I am not saying that that ALL non Mormon kids are GOING to do that...I am just saying that its a good way to raise kids"

Living along the wastach front will be tougher because the majority Mormon population creates a very polarized view of the world where people who appear to be good "MUST" be Mormon(at least in LDS eyes) and those outside of that living a perceived bad life obviously must be non Mormon or very inactive.

Mormons are like cops.

Cops can only be friends with other cops because everyone else is a potential suspect.

Mormons can only be friends with other Mormons because everyone else is wrong.

[_Lucinda]

By the same token, I think many will find my beliefs to be ridiculous. I would hope that if they find individual Mormons to be worthy of respect that they too would not mock our beliefs--and not just while we're within earshot. I don't mind people telling me why they find those beliefs to be ridiculous. What I do mind is the idea that I must somehow be less intelligent or less honest if I don't agree that such things are so ridiculous they must be false or that I'm otherwise defective or lacking for even considering that such things could possibly be true. If I don't agree with someone's assessment of rational thought, am I therefore irrational? Could not one of us simply be mistaken yet both of us generally rational (I think all of us are irrational on some points)?

Very good point. I would never want my TBMs to think I was doubting their intelligence. We just think differently. But I'm sure some are thinking that's exactly what I'm doing. Thanks for that insight.
I agree with the occasional need for satire. That's why I still love a good dose of "The Simpsons." Throw being PC out the window and have a good laugh.

[_why me]

But instead of bearing your testimony to me constantly, how about stepping out of your fear and asking some real questions?

I think that most members do not have fear about asking real questions. Most don't think of the questions to ask. Also, it is more of a personal thing. It is not up to them to ask questions and be accused of being nosy. Rather, it is up to you to tell them why. However, what I have seen about people who leave the lds church, they seem to gripe about family members a lot. It seems that family members can do no right. Take the bull by the horns and explain your reasons.

And as you have probably seen, the average member doesn't care less if you and your family left the church. Most are just working, paying their bills, and trying to stay afloat. Personal choices are respected.

[_why me]

TBMs are afraid that your rational thinking might be contagious. 'The horror, the horror.'

And what is rational thinking? I suppose that one can argue that rational thinking leads one away from religion, in general. How can a rational person believe in god? Are postmos suddenly rational thinkers? I doubt it. Are Mormons rational thinkers? Some are and some aren't. Such is the human race.

[_why me]

Since we all were part of that CULTure we already know what people think of us and how they will react.

The lds church is a strange cult. Here are the facts: Most members do not care if Lucinda and her family left the church. Most members do not care if zee and his wife leave the church. For the vast majority of the ward that they belonged to, life goes on without them. And very few people actually care. Strange cult.

We all have free choice or agency. And lucinda and zee exercised their free will. And the members? After a tinge of sadness, they all move on and forget them.

[_Lucinda]

Oh HELLO, why me. (said in very tired, sarcastic tone) Wondered when you'd pop up. Why do you keep putting Zee and me together? Do you think we're married?

[_Baker]

For you bcspace, of course it's fear. Go to your bishop and tell him that you have been hanging out with apostates. Tell him that you are really starting to see their point of view. I'll bet the very thought will cause you fear. I'll bet the bishop's reaction would be entirely fear based.

lol What if Bishops are under my "jurisdiction"? Who then do I see? by the way, I'm quite certain most Bishops would not react this way, especially seeing as how there is no such thing as a chapel/internet Mormon dichotomy.

You would still have a bishop.

[_Hoops]

I don't bite the heads of baby chickens or club baby seals

You wouldn't make it as a Southern Baptist then either.

[_moksha]

It's really too bad that the closest people in your life have little in common with you outside of religion. I am in the same boat, though.

Coming into Mormonism from the outside, my closest friends are still non-mormon. Mormons are hard to get close to and apparently to stay close to if you deviate from what is expected. That said, I think the way to get along is to regard religion as a private matter that is best avoided in public. That is easiest to do outside of the Bible and Jell-O belts.

[_Blixa]

It's really too bad that the closest people in your life have little in common with you outside of religion. I am in the same boat, though.

Coming into Mormonism from the outside, my closest friends are still non-mormon. Mormons are hard to get close to and apparently to stay close to if you deviate from what is expected. That said, I think the way to get along is to regard religion as a private matter that is best avoided in public. That is easiest to do outside of the Bible and Jell-O belts.

Or one can find friends online... The miracle of the internet in my experience is that it's connected me with all kinds of people from very different backgrounds across the globe. And, I've gone on to meet many of these people in real life and develop long, lasting, important friendships. Hopefully we can finally have that long delayed lunch, my little penguin friend. And, if my dream of returning to Zion comes true, much, much more!