Runtu wrote:One of my biggest issues is that, although my wife says she is willing to go to another church with me, she will only go to the most seriously conservative churches, and my experience visiting them is that they are just as fixated on appearances and self-righteousness as the LDS church is. I would love to try out a more moderate, mainstream religion, but she thinks they're too liberal. So, I haven't found another church I'm comfortable with.
Join the Sierra club and experience God in the raw. No silly dogma to wrestle with. No temples to attend. Just the pure beauty of God's creations without all the annoying commentary.
Last edited by Guest on Mon Jan 09, 2012 9:07 pm, edited 1 time in total.
This, or any other post that I have made or will make in the future, is strictly my own opinion and consequently of little or no value.
"Faith is believing something you know ain't true" Twain.
Aristotle wrote:I still attend Sunday School with my wife and it's rare that a week goes by without being peppered with comments about how other churches are sell outs, wusses, capitulators, don't behave well, are jealous of the LDS church, etc.
I haven't heard anything quite that negative about other Churches in my ward, but I agree that there is definitely that negative connotation.
And, it is really a shame because the other churches I have attended are really not like that. They have very positive messages. Also, I find a distinct beauty in the Catholic Mass. The Sunday Catholic service I attended that created a lasting impression on me spiritually was a Palm Sunday service that I attended with a co-worker/friend while traveling in Canada on business 10 years ago. I remember thinking that it is a shame that LDS don't really celebrate Palm Sunday, or incorporate a special Sacrament Meeting devoted to it, like they do Easter.
The pain of leaving is purely a function of knowing one is rebelling against the truth that one innately believes. But speaking of making it easy, write me a letter......
bcspace wrote:The pain of leaving is purely a function of knowing one is rebelling against the truth that one innately believes. But speaking of making it easy, write me a letter......
And being shunned, Jehovah's Witness style, by your family, friends, neighbors, being fired by your Mormon boss, etc. Having a whisper campaign started against you at your old ward speculating about your deep dark sins. Etc. You forgot those trivial details.
In any case, only the truly brainwashed think that ex-Mormons believe deep down in the church. If we did, we wouldn't reject it. You're projecting.
Parley P. Pratt wrote:We must lie to support brother Joseph, it is our duty to do so.
bcspace wrote:The pain of leaving is purely the result of knowing one is rebelling against the truth that one innately believes.
I've said before that one of the distinguishing characteristics of Mormonism is that, no matter what happens, it's always our fault (unless, of course, it's something good, and then it's God's work). Thanks for another good illustration, bc.
Last edited by cacheman on Mon Jan 09, 2012 9:46 pm, edited 1 time in total.
bcspace wrote:The pain of leaving is purely the result of knowing one is rebelling against the truth that one innately believes.
I've said before that, one of the distinguishing characteristics of Mormonism is that, no matter what happens, it's always our fault (unless, of course, it's something good, and then it's God's work). Thanks for another good illustration, bc.
Oh yes. Like if the church is boring, it's your fault. The Brethren are chronic responsibility shirkers, and it creates a culture of blaming the victim.
Parley P. Pratt wrote:We must lie to support brother Joseph, it is our duty to do so.
I've said before that one of the distinguishing characteristics of Mormonism is that, no matter what happens, it's always our fault (unless, of course, it's something good, and then it's God's work). Thanks for another good illustration, bc.
YW!
Was that the cause of your pain BC when you went inactive?
The only time I went inactive was the first month of my mission. My trainer had had a run in with a daughter's father (before I came to the area), been shot in the face with a pellet gun, and was banned from attending the ward. So it was more like I was forced to become inactive. Before they raised the bar obviously......
Buffalo wrote:In any case, only the truly brainwashed think that ex-Mormons believe deep down in the church.
"Brainwashed" is not helpful and definitely an overstatement. In my experience, those who defend the church most stridently are those who are trying desperately not to acknowledge their nagging unbelief.
"Brainwashed" is not helpful and definitely an overstatement. In my experience, those who defend the church most stridently are those who are trying desperately not to acknowledge their nagging unbelief.
I've been on the verge of apostasy for quite a few decades now........