Fence Sitter wrote:Similar to Miss Cleo I think every LDS ward has the Stepford Family". The kids are perfectly dressed and behaved (all 7 of them), each one plays a musical instrument and love to perform in front of an audience, they always do their seminary homework, scriptures are open to the proper place during sacrament talks, talks are not read and are given looking directly at the audience and so on and so on.
I am sure these children exist because every Sunday I was asked by my wife why our boys couldn't act like them.
Yesterday, I sat behind a family with kids ranging from about 16 to 5. The husband is in the bishopric, so the mother was on her own. All through sacrament meeting, the kids poked and pinched and sniped at each other, and the mother's exasperation increased until she was telling them under her breath with clenched teeth and red, enraged face, "Don't say another word, or you will regret it."
It made me so glad that my kids are past that. My boys sat quietly during the meeting.
Runtu wrote:...she was telling them under her breath with clenched teeth and red, enraged face, "Don't say another word, or you will regret it."
I guess that's part of growing up. Although, it sure sucks for mom. Frankly, I would rather be playing ball with them. Oh well. Yesterday, I did races with my 2-yr old and jumped on the trampoline during church hours.
It's been almost a year since I stopped going! I can't believe it. I don't even know what good church is anymore... LOL.
Oh for shame, how the mortals put the blame on us gods, for they say evils come from us, but it is they, rather, who by their own recklessness win sorrow beyond what is given... Zeus (1178 BC)
zeezrom wrote:It's been almost a year since I stopped going! I can't believe it.
I cannot believe it, either!! Wow. Time flies and all that jazz.
~Those who benefit from the status quo always attribute inequities to the choices of the underdog.~Ann Crittenden ~The Goddess is not separate from the world-She is the world and all things in it.~
just me wrote:I cannot believe it, either!! Wow. Time flies and all that jazz.
Yes, it was just over a year ago that I met Zee at Pollo Loco and led him down the path to destruction. [Insert maniacal laugh.]
Zee and I went to the Punjab for our lunch! I was a changed man afterwards.
Zeez, I wouldn't sweat the beard, just be yourself and forget the rest. There is no one there you need to impress, you need to be *that* guy who doesn't give a crap, your presence will be much appreciated to closet apostates. I wouldn't even wear a tie.
why me wrote:I think that his kids haven't gone to church for a while. And zee has been their teacher in the meantime. No wonder the kids are crying. Freedom to do what one wishes on a sunday would do that to any kid who has to go to a church which daddy doesn't believe in anymore.
There are kids out there who want to go on their own. I know Zee and his family well in real life, and have kids the same age as his. I've also 'helped' him out on his path to 'apostasy' - or being true to himself depending on your POV. My oldest child goes to church probably twice a month by herself because she wants to. Her parents and siblings haven't been in more than 2 years, but she's still active. We're very firm and vocal about our lack of belief in all things Mormon, but have allowed her to choose her path and support her in the activities she chooses to participate in.
Also, Zee's extended family situation is VERY different than mine, and if I was in his shoes, I'd probably go back too. Living with the cognitive dissonance (difficult as it is), would be easier than dealing with the accusations, presumptions and treatment Zee and his family have endured at the hands of supposed 'Christians' masquerading as Mormon family members. It's unbelievable to me the things that have been said/done by Zee's extended family.
Zee - Don't wear a white t-shirt or shave your beard! Be who you are!
PS- our families haven't been too harsh. Just the usual proclamations of our porn addiction. So what if we're addicted... To imagery that makes us smile? No, we aren't looking for rocks to hide under anymore. We hope our lives will be displayed on the big silver screen at the judgment day. Let 'em look! They might enjoy it as much as we did!
Oh for shame, how the mortals put the blame on us gods, for they say evils come from us, but it is they, rather, who by their own recklessness win sorrow beyond what is given... Zeus (1178 BC)
MrStakhanovite wrote:Zee and I went to the Punjab for our lunch! I was a changed man afterwards.
Zeez, I wouldn't sweat the beard, just be yourself and forget the rest. There is no one there you need to impress, you need to be *that* guy who doesn't give a s***, your presence will be much appreciated to closet apostates. I wouldn't even wear a tie.
Dearest Stak,
I can't imagine why you would be changed after talking with the likes of me but it sure was fun nonetheless. I liked listening to your stories about your early exposures to LDS and the teachings of your Jewish guru.
Yeah, beard stays. Honestly, enough in me has changed that I can't like my old formal style anymore. I can't do the white shirt and tie with dark jacket thing. I don't know why. Could be my having lived in a cesspool or something.
Oh for shame, how the mortals put the blame on us gods, for they say evils come from us, but it is they, rather, who by their own recklessness win sorrow beyond what is given... Zeus (1178 BC)
Did he11 freeze over? I didn't think it had yet. If you're going to bear your 'final testimony' of the truthfulness of pie crusts made with vodka, then I'll come and bear my testimony of St. Lombardi and the immaculate reception. Should make for an interesting meeting...The Bishop will be out of town, so it may be easier to have some fun :).
zeezrom wrote:Yeah, beard stays. Honestly, enough in me has changed that I can't like my old formal style anymore. I can't do the white shirt and tie with dark jacket thing. I don't know why. Could be my having lived in a cesspool or something.
One of my sons bore his testimony last month. His Mohawk was died purple for the occasion.
(Nevo, Jan 23) And the Melchizedek Priesthood may not have been restored until the summer of 1830, several months after the organization of the Church.