brade wrote:...There's a lot about the religion that I'm fond of. I think that in many ways Mormonism could offer a nice spiritual scaffolding as a sort of praxis, or spiritual way of life. The problem is that I can't participate in the Mormon way of life in the way I'd like unless I assent to certain beliefs. There's a very serious emphasis on orthodoxy, and if you don't adhere to the right dogma, then you can't fully participate in the Mormon praxis...I'm just saying, that's why I don't participate, because, if I'm honest, then I can't participate in the ways I'd like - the ways most spiritually useful to me.
I hear you Brade. I have no urgent desire to "return," but I still find the things you mention frustrating. Still, it is
my history and
my background, and I am damned well going to participate in it in the fashion I feel most useful and ethical: through my scholarly work. So, I don't care what any fundapolgist says, I
am still a Mormon: whether I attend, whether I could pass a TR, whether or not I'm still listed on the rolls, even whether I believe in god or not. I'd even venture to say I'm a better Mormon than most self-righteous Mormons; my appreciation and critique both come from a desire to honor what is best in all of Mormonism's history and not from a thoughtless and pharisaic worship of obedience.
From the Ernest L. Wilkinson Diaries: "ELW dreams he's spattered w/ grease. Hundreds steal his greasy pants."