Thinking it's time to resign

[_LifeOnaPlate]

Never make a big decision like that on a "dark day," Runtu.

[_Yoda]

Never make a big decision like that on a "dark day," Runtu.

Wise words from the green colored alien.

by the way, LifeOnaPlate, what IS that thing in your avatar?

;)

[_Runtu]

Runtu,

if you care to share, how long has your wife known of your new view on church/doctrine?

About 2 1/2 years. She told me that my resigning would be a "deal breaker."

[_Yoda]

Runtu,

if you care to share, how long has your wife known of your new view on church/doctrine?

About 2 1/2 years. She told me that my resigning would be a "deal breaker."

Yikes! If that is really the case, and you're interested in keeping your marriage intact, then I would advise against it.

[_Scottie]

Runtu,

if you care to share, how long has your wife known of your new view on church/doctrine?

About 2 1/2 years. She told me that my resigning would be a "deal breaker."

I have to wonder if her bishop counselled her in that, like my ex did.

[_Runtu]

I have to wonder if her bishop counselled her in that, like my ex did.

I don't know. I think I'm just going to let things lie for the time being.

[_Some Schmo]

In most churches of which I am aware, if you do not want to be a part of the congregation or the community, or if you do not believe the particular doctrine or teachings, you just stop going. There is none of this formal resignation, taking one's name off the roles, or a big deal... you just stop going and move on.

Why do non-believers feel there is this big need to make departure an ordeal other than the fact that the LDS makes it so?

I TOTALLY understand the point of resignation... I'm not saying there is not value to this, (of course there is for many), but for those for whom the ritual or formal process will cause difficulties for their famliy, I wonder if just an acknowledgment of one's own personal truth is enough?

In other words, CAN (for some), the very idea of of needing a formal resignation be, once again, buying into the "authority" or rules of the church?

I whole heartedly agree with this. Going through the process of resignation is one last submission to their authoritarian system. That's why I didn't do it for years. I just thought, "I don't care what they think. It's what I think that matters." And I thought of myself as a non-member.

The only reason I resigned after 20+ years of inactivity was for my wife, mostly. The missionaries kept coming by uninvited, and it really pissed off my wife. I figured the only way I could get them to cut it out was to resign. It was ok; it gave me the opportunity to tell the local bishop exactly what I thought of the church. I typed it up, left it by the door, and the next time the missionaries stopped by, before they could even get a word out, I said, "Oh, you're here... wait a sec." I grabbed the letter, told them to give it to the bishop, smiled and closed the door. Quite satisfying, I must say.

[_LifeOnaPlate]

Never make a big decision like that on a "dark day," Runtu.

Wise words from the green colored alien.

by the way, LifeOnaPlate, what IS that thing in your avatar?

;)

It's me, of course.

The only reason I resigned after 20+ years of inactivity was for my wife, mostly. The missionaries kept coming by uninvited, and it really pissed off my wife. I figured the only way I could get them to cut it out was to resign. It was ok; it gave me the opportunity to tell the local bishop exactly what I thought of the church. I typed it up, left it by the door, and the next time the missionaries stopped by, before they could even get a word out, I said, "Oh, you're here... wait a sec." I grabbed the letter, told them to give it to the bishop, smiled and closed the door. Quite satisfying, I must say.

I actually appreciated he people who would just get their names removed rather than continually get mad about missionaries coming around. Believe it or not, the missionaries don't spend a lot of time in meetings with local leaders discussing "who not to visit" because a lot of times people just don't really know. On my mission I tried to make an effort to help people remove their names if they had been continually annoyed by missionaries and wanted no contact. Makes things easier for everyone. No need to waste each others' time.

[_Some Schmo]

I actually appreciated he people who would just get their names removed rather than continually get mad about missionaries coming around. Believe it or not, the missionaries don't spend a lot of time in meetings with local leaders discussing "who not to visit" because a lot of times people just don't really know. On my mission I tried to make an effort to help people remove their names if they had been continually annoyed by missionaries and wanted no contact. Makes things easier for everyone. No need to waste each others' time.

Well, part of the problem is that they don't listen. I had told the missionaries on several occasions that we'd never be coming back to church, that it wasn't for us, please stop coming by, etc. How difficult would it have been to just but a "do not visit" note by our names and deliver that to the bishop?

Quite frankly, I don't think it's hard at all. It felt like they just wanted an excuse to keep bugging us.

[_MishMagnet]

I've decided not to resign while my parents are living. I don't feel that this means I'm playing both sides.