Cast your vote...

[Guest]

...on whether or not I should accept a calling as Gospel Doctrine teacher.

The Sunday before GC, one of the Bishop's counselors pulled me into a classroom after church and asked me to be the new Ward Gospel Doctrine teacher. I'd be alternating Sundays with the current teacher.

I couldn't help but but laugh when he offered the job. I had wondered on the way in if the SCMC had finally found the man behind Mortal Man. For a moment I thought, WWCD (what would consiglieri do?). Then I told him I couldn't stick to the manual. He went on for a bit about how good I'd be, trying to talk me into it, to which I replied, "No, I mean I REALLY couldn't stick to the manual!" Of course, he didn't get what I was saying, so I just told him I'd think about it.

What do y'all think?

[_RayAgostini]

I think you should tell him you're an apostate who no longer believes in Mormonism, and that's why you can't "stick to the manual".

[_Kittens_and_Jesus]

...on whether or not I should accept a calling as Gospel Doctrine teacher.

The Sunday before GC, one of the Bishop's counselors pulled me into a classroom after church and asked me to be the new Ward Gospel Doctrine teacher. I'd be alternating Sundays with the current teacher.

I couldn't help but but laugh when he offered the job. I figured the SCMC had finally found the man behind Mortal Man. For a moment I thought, WWCD (What would consiglieri do?). Then I told him I couldn't stick to the manual. He went on for a bit about how good I'd be, trying to talk me into it, to which I replied, "No, I mean I REALLY couldn't stick to the manual!" Of course, he didn't get what I was saying, so I just told him I'd think about it.

What do y'all think?

The spirit of discernment fails again.

[_RayAgostini]

The spirit of discernment fails again.

Judas was an apostle.

[_Mortal Man]

I think you should tell him you're an apostate who no longer believes in Mormonism, and that's why you can't "stick to the manual".

I'd be more than happy to do that, were it not for my family.

[_Mortal Man]

Judas was an apostle.

Well, they haven't called me to that yet but I'm pretty sure I'd turn it down if they did.

[_DrW]

MM,

Did you tell your wife about this request?

If so, what does she think?

If you are going to be in Church anyway to support your family, why not?

Every other week is not so bad.

If your wife supports you in this, I would vote to teach the class

Don't bother sticking to the manual, just as you stated would be the case up front.

See what happens.

Your victims will always have at least two weeks to recover, with a pap booster in between, before their next dose of truth.

[_RayAgostini]

I'd be more than happy to do that, were it not for my family.

Do you hold the courage of your convictions? Why is it that exmos or unbelievers always feel they have to tread "softly, softly"? So as not to upset the apple cart. Still harbouring some "reservations"? Think that religion is good for society? Why the secrecy? Why the double persona?

You're worried about what your family may think?

You're not willing to put your whole soul into your disbelief?

Like the believers who are willing to lay down life and limb for their beliefs.

Oh, I forget. You call that "fanaticism".

[_Stormy Waters]

I'd be more than happy to do that, were it not for my family.

Do you hold the courage of your convictions? Why is it that exmos or unbelievers always feel they have to tread "softly, softly"? So as not to upset the apple cart. Still harbouring some "reservations"? Think that religion is good for society? Why the secrecy? Why the double persona?

You're worried about what your family may think?

You're not willing to put your whole soul into your disbelief?

Like the believers who are willing to lay down life and limb for their beliefs.

Oh, I forget. You call that "fanaticism".

So what if some value their family relationships more than their belief that Mormonism is false? And how are we supposed to lay down our lives for the belief that Mormonism isn't true?

[_DrW]

I'd be more than happy to do that, were it not for my family.

Do you hold the courage of your convictions? Why is it that exmos or unbelievers always feel they have to tread "softly, softly"? So as not to upset the apple cart. Still harbouring some "reservations"? Think that religion is good for society? Why the secrecy? Why the double persona?

You're worried about what your family may think?

You're not willing to put your whole soul into your disbelief?

Like the believers who are willing to lay down life and limb for their beliefs.

Oh, I forget. You call that "fanaticism".

Ray,

This sort of mindless preaching just annoys people, and it annoys me greatly. Here is the reality.

Many Mormons, especially the BIC type, figure out at some point in their lives that they have been lied to and scammed by the LDS Church. Lied to and scammed, Ray. Much of what they have been taught by the LDS Church is verifiably false, and most of the rest is highly questionable.

They find themselves in a position where being up front about their belief (or rather lack of belief) could damage their family, and perhaps even their career, if they are unfortunate enough to live in a majority Mormon area.

Their choice has to be, as mine was, to take a pragmatic view of the situation, put Family First no matter what (something the LDS Church teaches well and executes poorly) and move forward as best they can.

The lucky ones eventually reach an accommodation with their family and make it out with no lasting damage. The unlucky ones face divorce, damage to their career, or both.

You see Ray, belief is not the problem. What one does believe in does not matter. It is the lack of belief, in one of the monumental religious scams of all time, that is the problem.

Do you understand now Ray?