Will NOMs Save the LDS Church?

[_Aristotle Smith]

No.

[_Willy Law]

Is for the members who are more socially aware? Is it for the members who are more doctrinally aware? Is it for the members that are part of one of the internet Mormon sub cultures?

I get the idea that maybe the NOM definition is broadening to include regular Mormons who happen to be more aware, more liberal? As if this is a new thing and those types haven't existed for the past 180 years and as if they aren't just regular LDS?

I believe one has to go farther than being "aware" to be considered a NOM. To me, a NOM has to have lost belief in some or all of the faith claims of the church, but still has attachment to the church for whatever reason.

[_Fence Sitter]

It's where we made the best spit wads and paper airplanes ever. But interestingly enough, I did not become a NOM or the standard LDS inactive even though I occasionally brought my Dungeons and Dragons manuals as well.

Admit it BC, you also swung on the stage drapes. I know there is a rebel in there somewhere.

[_harmony]

I get the idea that maybe the NOM definition is broadening to include regular Mormons who happen to be more aware, more liberal?

It is tempting to include Mormon Democrats in the list of NOM's. They are organized and they do seek to change the doctrines of the Church which means they are unbelievers. It would increase the number from much less than 1% to about 22%. But since they are not preserving anything, such would not fit Consig's (erroneous) description.

We need Armageddon, bcspace. Be grateful for those Democrats.

[_Blixa]

... the NOMs are, by and large, attempting to retain the distinctive doctrines of Mormonism.

If the LDS Church is to be saved as a recognizable institution separate and apart from Protestantism, will it be the NOMs who lead the way?

--Consiglieri

I don't see anyone much attempting to retain Mormon distinctiveness, frankly. That ship left the harbor with correlation and my guess is the church will continue its mainstreaming slide toward generic Protestantism, getting more and more watered down as the years go by.

While a few of the more objectionable beliefs are dropped out or de-emphasized (polygamy, racist strictures, etc.) a great deal of what was once most interesting or different about Mormonism is also going by the wayside: culturally, doctrinally, and after a generation or two, politically as well.

I do find it interesting that such "blandification" is often legitimated with apologetic prevarications over "official doctrine." The wide, various, contradictory, wonderful, eccentric, and moving beliefs and convictions that have historically comprised Mormonism are sorted into rigid and historically false categories of “doctrine” and “non-doctrine.” The result is, to me, an impoverished Mormonism that is becoming less and less Mormon.

[_moksha]

If Reformed Judaism had not stepped forward, there would be many more Unitarians.

[_hatersinmyward]

The only thing that's going to save the church now is bringing in a 20's something left wing apostle to restore Polygamy and social drinking.

[_zeezrom]

Most of my Mormon friends seem to be taking on a flavor of NOM'ness.

[_Yoda]

What are characteristics of 'NOMs'?

I'm slightly confused. On one hand it seems to encompass everyone who has had a sort of 'awakening' with respects to their relationship with the church. On the other hand it seems to be the term for disbelievers who havn't taken the road of a blinding rage who abandon any association with the church and leave a trail of destruction on their way out.

Is for the members who are more socially aware? Is it for the members who are more doctrinally aware? Is it for the members that are part of one of the internet Mormon sub cultures?

I get the idea that maybe the NOM definition is broadening to include regular Mormons who happen to be more aware, more liberal? As if this is a new thing and those types haven't existed for the past 180 years and as if they aren't just regular LDS?

There seem to be two types of NOMs.

1. The NOM who primarily attends for social reasons, or to simply keep the peace with the family. This type of NOM would likely leave the Church if family relationships could remain intact.

2. The NOM who still finds comfort in some, but not all of the doctrine, and has chosen to take a "cafeteria" approach to the practice of the Mormon faith. He/she is normally active, holds a calling, and also has strong family ties to the Church.

[_moksha]

If Reformed Judaism had not stepped forward, there would be many more Unitarians.

Is this some cryptic suggestion that both Flat and Round Earthers could sit and watch the Superbowl together on Sundays and perhaps break wind together?

Maybe there is some value in this Nomishness after all.