Dr. Shades wrote:rcrocket wrote:I am here for the rhetoric. I see weaknesses, I'll point them out. Just like the rest of you, but most of the rest of you hide cowardly behind your anonymous names so that no damage can really be done to you.
Isn't that the smart thing to do?
I suppose one could be braver and perhaps one day I will be and Bob will get his wish. Then perhaps the Church I still care about will boot me out or maybe it will tolerate me. The thing Bob does not note is the Church fosters this really. It uses fear to keep dissenters and even honest and open questions under wrap.
Sure one can believe whatever they want, have questions, doubts, and so on. One can discuss it with their leaders but cannot bring it up in Sunday School or really even in private conversations with other members. It they did they would be causing dissent, be considered in a state of apostasy and threatened with discipline. This potential action threatens emotional well being, ones social circle and one reputation and standing in the Church community and even more than that depending on the demographics where one lives. Additionally it threatens one's family well being. If one spouse has become disillusioned and the other has not and the one who has doubts is vocal and disciplined the other spouses reputation may also be tainted. Certainly the marriage will be stressed and could be put in jeopardy. Relationships with children Questioning doctrine, practice and policy in any public way, even on a message board for Bob where interaction in limited, is really taboo.
So one must weigh the costs. Bob really does have some valid points. But it is the stance he takes as well as the threat of action by the Church that creates this conundrum. Oh sure the doubter does too. One could argue that if they did not doubt but stuck to the party line there would be no issue. But for many there was really not a omniscience choice to end up where they are. And many are extremely distressed that all they built their life on seems not to be what they thought it was.
Some leave, some stay and do the best they can. And some still find great value and enjoy filling their spiritual life. Bob has a problem with that apparently but really that is his problem. And it is his opinion and all do not share it. Certainly my leaders do not. In Bob's realm of ecclesiastical authority as long as he has it it does mean something to those in his congregation. He can discipline those whom he has stewardship over. But he has none over me and those who do are aware of where I am at. And yes they know I discuss some of these things on a message board but no Bob, I have nor shared with them specific post.
So after all is said and done Bob can continue to bring this up and hammer away at it. As I have thought a lot about this over the past few days and actually let it cause me some consternation I have realized that it Bob's view on this is really not important to me in the overall scheme at least as far as resigning or not. It in none of his business. I have asked him in a PM and in open to stop badgering me about this. Whether he choses to do so or not is up to him. But I am not going to sweat it.
Bob, I will say that we all know this is an important issue to you. But to continually bring it up over and over is really tiresome. We know how you feel. Why not drop it now and just discuss the issues that you feel are worth debating?
Thanks!