Envy of Non-Members

[_Jason Bourne]

Very moving post, Jason. Thank you for sharing it.

Thanks!

[_why me]

Nah...I didn't feel that way. I was just sad, at times, that I didn't get to hump when I was a teenager.

Stem gets right to the point. It is mostly about the sex. LDST puts it well by describing it as limited, which many members do feel. Lets face it, most want sex, and lots of it. I remember a joke that was not really that good, but kinda describes how people in religions like LDS may feel.

What happens at a party when the booze arrives?

.

Since at least 20 percent of the US population have genital herpes I can honestly say that I am grateful that I am not part of that 20 percent. We tend to glamorize the sex part. But when one watches the Jersey Shore I can only say that I am glad that I didn't have the values of that show.

Sometimes the grass is not always greener in the neighbor's yard.

[_Jason Bourne]

Why me

You watch Jersey Shore? Really?

[_Hoops]

.

Since at least 20 percent of the US population have genital herpes

Wow! What are the odds that I managed to only date people from that exclusive club.

[_why me]

For those of you who are members...did anyone else feel this way? Buffalo mentioned that he felt this way as well.

If you did, how did you come to reconcile these feelings?

No one who has been a member of the church knows just how their life would have turned out without it. We may assume that all would have been well but there would also be a good chance that it wouldn't. I see many train wrecks out there when it comes to life course. Many people who are not members are screwed up as are their kids. Why would I wish my children never to be members if their lives are now treating them well as members? Why would I wish my life never to have been a member when all is said and done, my life fine.

I see many lives that are messed up because these lives have no religious guidence.

[_why me]

Why me

You watch Jersey Shore? Really?

I hung out in seaside heights new jersey. It was quite a place in the 70's and 80's. The pizza was great and the bikinis hot. But I still led a Mormon life.

[_why me]

Wow! What are the odds that I managed to only date people from that exclusive club.

Herpes came to public attention in 1982 with a Time Magazine cover. It shook the NYC sex world. No one was the same after that cover story. Before that it was common knowledge that one couldn't catch anything that a shot couldn't cure.

http://www.time.com/time/covers/0,16641 ... 02,00.html

Unfortunately the generation after my generation forgot the cover story. HIV followed a short time later and many forgot the herpes virus since they became more concerned with AIDS.

[_mentalgymnast]

I have thought a bit more about this. Especially after this AM and going to the funeral of a friend who very unexpectedly died last Monday. He was only 60. Had a flue type issue that apparently turned to pneumonia and he died in his sleep.

I like faith. I know there are many issues with the LDS Church one can use to poke holes into its claims. I know there are issues with Christianity too. I know that God has not been proven to exist and science seems to refute much of which seems critical for Christian truth claims unless one wants to modify their views and be more liberal about things.

There is a lot that worries and concerns me about the LDS Church and at times religion in general. Personally I really do not have a longing to go live some hedonistic life style. Nor if I gave up membership in the LDS Church do I think my lifestyle would change much. Maybe a beer or tea, or a glass of wine once in a while. But I would not drink a lot because of two reasons. The first is alcohol problems run strong in my heritage and I know that my disposition might be towards using liquor excessively. Next I am very physically active. I have done endurance cycling for six year including many 100 mile rides each year, ultra marathon races of 12 hours and multi day tour rides. This year I started racing and have done some road races and focused on time trial events as well. I was 4th in my state and 78th in the USA for my age and class. So too much booze would be bad for that! Need to watch the weight especially for races with hills, which they all seem to have!

I guess if I was not LDS I would have a free up tithing. But I really do not mind paying tithing and I am all for fast offering and humanitarian funding as well as the perpetual education fund. I would probably just give the 10% to other organizations so I would not have extra cash. I like giving really.

I am happily married and love my wife intensely and deeply. Not rocking her life with abandoning our religion is really important. I would not want to do anything that would betray her whether I am LDS or not.

So little would change if I were not LDS perhaps other than maybe worshiping not at all or somewhere else on my own. I discussed this with a person that I have used for therapy as well as where my faith has led me. I saw this man for counseling personally as a TBM and as my faith has modified. He agrees that as far as how I live little will change where ever my faith takes me.

So I as I started to say, the community that comes from being part of a faith group is a tremendous thing. I saw it today and have seen it this year as we have had our own personal tragedies. Also from an view of what life is and what it might hold I guess I like leaning on my faith a bit as well. I am open more than ever that this life may be all we have. Yet my heart is still tugged toward belief that this just did not all start on its own and that it is not the end. And I am fully aware that I cannot prove it.

Well my friend who died this week now knows, or is asleep forever. I wish if there is something more I could talk to him right now. We have had many deep discussions about this and such things over the years. He was a thinker and a bit quirky in some of his thoughts. But always he thought it through. I am happy he was a faithful man, to his religion, his wife and family. He had little by the way of the world. He ran a small business doing what he loved. But he raised 8 wonderful children was able to support them with his wife at home ( their choice). He joined the Church as a young adult. He was one of the most patient fathers I know. I wanted to be more like him. His life was full as a faithful latter day saint. His wife and children have great comfort from their own faith. Is that bad even if there really is nothing? I do not think I have the answer to that. Maybe some of you who are much smarter than me do.

So no I really do not envy non members. My LDS life has been a pretty good one. I think it won't hurt me to continue in it at least most days.

I like these sentiments.

I remember a number of years ago when I was smack dab in the middle of an intensive faith crisis I was talking to my bishop who is a bit younger than I am. We knew each other fairly well. In our conversation he mentioned that whether or not the gospel/church is ultimately true, it provides a very good place for raising righteous/moral children and to instill faith in a higher power, provide real opportunities for service, and so forth. His honesty was refreshing, as is yours.

And if the church/gospel IS true, it's a good place to be when all is said and done.

Regards,
MG

[_ajax18]

[quote]In other words, I viewed it as men and women become the kingdom in this life they would inherit in the next. The ordinances and other proxy work only served to unlock the door for those who have already were becoming celestial in thought and action.[quote]

That's my view of the gospel. Thanks for sharing.

[_Themis]

Since at least 20 percent of the US population have genital herpes I can honestly say that I am grateful that I am not part of that 20 percent.

Actually it's about 16%. Higher for women and black populations.

We tend to glamorize the sex part. But when one watches the Jersey Shore I can only say that I am glad that I didn't have the values of that show.

Reality is that people want sex for biological reasons. Certainly today and in the past their are real risks. I suppose Joseph would probably have a number of sexually transmitted diseases today.

Sometimes the grass is not always greener in the neighbor's yard.

The idea is that many members of religious groups that frown on things like no sex before marriage tend to be envious of those who are not so limited. Certainly they are not envious of those who contract some disease, and religious constraints on sex have nothing to do with sexually transmitted diseases.