Sethbag wrote:Since this church is nothing more than a manmade organization from A to Z, it matters not in any sort of cosmic way whether I resign or not. A few family members might feel a pinch from it, but I doubt anyone else in the entire universe will care one way or the other.
I'm in a similar situation. I stopped believing about 5 years ago but still haven't resigned. I've only been to a few sacrament meetings since my "apostasy", for family reasons. A formal resignation would be nice, but I think it would be difficult for my parents, even though they know where I stand. Also, I haven't been bothered by anyone since I dropped off the radar, so I haven't really felt the need to write the letter.
I couldn't remain on the books once I no longer believed and I didn't give a rat's ass what anyone thought about my resigning. It cannot be said of me that I apostatized quietly. Causing a stir was ultimately beneficial. I ended up bringing lots of folks along with me.
Remaining on the books is important to some people. I understand that, but for myself, I just couldn't bear being counted as a member of an organization in which I had no belief and which I believe was harmful to me.
KA
PS. SilentKid, I love the song in your sig line. I've listened to it many times.
Gadianton Plumber wrote:Best beer outside of Belgium.
Ah, so many to sample, so little time.
From this picture one can easily discern this is a man - made religion. Which bonehead doctrine would prohibit members drinking beer, especially on a hot day? (I'm not a beer fan by no means, but it feels awesome on a sizzling day).
The temperance movements were a popular phenomenon during the times when the WoW first came out, and when it evolved to cover all drinks containing any alcohol, and became mandatory.
What's funny is that the text of the WoW, as it came from Joseph Smith, seems to endorse the use of barley in making beer. At least, barley is said to be for the making of mild drinks. Mild in this context meaning "as opposed to strong". By strong drink was meant spirits, and by comparison with distilled spirits, beer is indeed mild.
At any rate, I challenge anyone to come up with a commonly-known drink made from barley which was not fermented, which would have been well-known enough in 1833 Ohio that a reference to it as merely a "mild drink" would have been so clear as not to have required disambiguation from beer - which was universally known. I think "mild drink made from barley = beer" is incontrovertible.
Mormonism ceased being a compelling topic for me when I finally came to terms with its transformation from a personality cult into a combination of a real estate company, a SuperPac, and Westboro Baptist Church. - Kishkumen
Mercury wrote: Bullshyte. They shun, they talk behind your back, they tell their kids not to play with your kids. They care in the same way a car salesman who has been dissed cares.
Maybe a select few do this but it is not encouraged that is for sure. In fact, just the opposite should happen. But on the other hand, I have read posts from former members on the postmormon morgue that they hate it when members still befriend them after they left the church. Mormons can't win on this one.
But shunning is not encouraged and is done by very imperfect people.
Its culturally embedded in Mormonism. You don't have to announce the shunning over the pulpit. The grapevine usually takes care of the announcement. My wife still attends and she will not be invited out with other families because its easier to involve a "traditional Mormon family" instead of the talkative exmo and the TBM wife. Its sad that once I talk to people at ward parties they are great. Then they start with the short conversations and childish act of trying to have a conversation while giving the hint to buzz off and don;t taint them with anti-mormon lies, all the while not mentioning anything involving Mormonism.
And crawling on the planet's face Some insects called the human race Lost in time And lost in space...and meaning
When I retired from the religeon it would have been nice to at least get a watch or something.
The resignation acknowledgement was little more than a cold mechanical boot from a COB beaurocrat. I felt a little dissed that the letter did not contain one "we appreciate.." (I really have grown to hate that platitude anyways).
I had to resign. I could not live a lie, nor represent one. To my family or to anyone else.
by the way, the beer sure looks good. Unfortunately, I may never take the opportunity to ever taste one. I'd probably abuse it as a welcome escape hatch. Life's been tough and the resignation hasn't come without a hellacious price tag. I'd love something to take the edge off.
Mercury wrote:Its culturally embedded in Mormonism. You don't have to announce the shunning over the pulpit. The grapevine usually takes care of the announcement. My wife still attends and she will not be invited out with other families because its easier to involve a "traditional Mormon family" instead of the talkative exmo and the TBM wife. Its sad that once I talk to people at ward parties they are great. Then they start with the short conversations and childish act of trying to have a conversation while giving the hint to buzz off and don;t taint them with anti-mormon lies, all the while not mentioning anything involving Mormonism.
Perhaps you need to get out of Utah more. (I'm assuming, so sorry if I'm wrong). The culture of Mormonism is sometimes very relative to location, I've found.
Mercury wrote:Its culturally embedded in Mormonism. You don't have to announce the shunning over the pulpit. The grapevine usually takes care of the announcement. My wife still attends and she will not be invited out with other families because its easier to involve a "traditional Mormon family" instead of the talkative exmo and the TBM wife. Its sad that once I talk to people at ward parties they are great. Then they start with the short conversations and childish act of trying to have a conversation while giving the hint to buzz off and don;t taint them with anti-mormon lies, all the while not mentioning anything involving Mormonism.
Perhaps you need to get out of Utah more. (I'm assuming, so sorry if I'm wrong). The culture of Mormonism is sometimes very relative to location, I've found.
I live in the Bible belt.
And crawling on the planet's face Some insects called the human race Lost in time And lost in space...and meaning
So do I. I suppose we have just had different experiences. I certainly wouldn't stop my kids from hanging out with yours just on the grounds you were speaking of. I have an apostate uncle, and he probably gives us more of a hard time than we do him. From what I've seen, nobody really argues with him. It's all relative, unless you have a bone to pick.
