Jesse Pinkman wrote:Do they know that you and your wife have issues with the Church, and have made a long-term decision not to attend?
Yes. They know we haven't attended in a long time. They also know my wife has some interest in staying connected with the church.
Or, would that change?
my wife would probably enjoy attending an hour here and there with the mom. I likely would only join them at Christmas time, if they began attending on a monthly or bi-monthly basis or whatever.
If this family did decide to join the Church, would you and your family start attending Church again?
I highly doubt this family would get baptized.
The mother expressed interest in learning about the church. What better way to do it than from an objective viewpoint of an apostate?
Anyway, the subject never came up in conversation today because we were having too much fun playing badminton.
Oh for shame, how the mortals put the blame on us gods, for they say evils come from us, but it is they, rather, who by their own recklessness win sorrow beyond what is given... Zeus (1178 BC)
ZelphtheGreat wrote:If you are content living a lie and supporting those you know are pushing the scam, enjoy it.
Maybe some day you will wake up and realize that living a lie and 'going along to get along' is not worth it.
Staying in the organization is like being a German in WWII and pre-war Germany.
Staying in the church is like being a Nazi soldier in WWII and pre-war Germany?
I don't think it is like that at all. But then again...
maklelan wrote:Failing to see an analogy you don't want to see is easy. You just have to highlight any area of difference and insist the analogy fails. It betrays a staggering ignorance of what an analogy actually is, but it's pretty standard sophomoric logic.
zeezrom wrote:I am a Latter-day Saint because I invested a lot of time and money in it since childhood. I consider myself a member because I recognize I am vested and invested even though I don't currently participate in Sunday meetings. I recognize that my financial and time investments in the church are meaningful; I am counted as one of the many other Mormons in this world.
Your post is a little confusing. You are writing in the present tense to things that should be in the past. For example, when you said that your financial and time investments in the church are meaningful. But you don't attend church and you don't pay tithing. I think Zee that you would like to belong again but can't seem to do it. Maybe you should look at the bigger picture: it is not a bad church.
I intend to lay a foundation that will revolutionize the whole world. Joseph Smith We are “to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, to provide for the widow, to dry up the tear of the orphan, to comfort the afflicted, whether in this church, or in any other, or in no church at all…” Joseph Smith
zeezrom wrote:...and we were invited to a nevermo's house for Easter brunch tomorrow. They have become our good friends. They have 2 sons of equal age to ours, I ride bikes with their father, and Dear Wife and their mom get along splendidly.
It turns out that the mother has shown interest in the Mormon church. We have taken this opportunity to be supportive of her interest and Dear Wife plans to invite her to church and even attend with her. This will be done despite the fact that neither of us believe in the truth claims of the church nor have we participated in many months.
This is because we are Mormons.
At least you are not poisoning the well for them. I think that they will be nicely surprise when they attend. Lets hope that they will pray and receive a spiritual experiences that confirms the truth claim.
I intend to lay a foundation that will revolutionize the whole world. Joseph Smith We are “to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, to provide for the widow, to dry up the tear of the orphan, to comfort the afflicted, whether in this church, or in any other, or in no church at all…” Joseph Smith
zeezrom wrote:I am a Latter-day Saint because I invested a lot of time and money in it since childhood. I consider myself a member because I recognize I am vested and invested even though I don't currently participate in Sunday meetings. I recognize that my financial and time investments in the church are meaningful; I am counted as one of the many other Mormons in this world.
Your post is a little confusing. You are writing in the present tense to things that should be in the past. For example, when you said that your financial and time investments in the church are meaningful. But you don't attend church and you don't pay tithing. I think Zee that you would like to belong again but can't seem to do it. Maybe you should look at the bigger picture: it is not a bad church.
I invested money in the church (past tense).
I am invested in the church (present tense).
I was, I am, and I likely will be LDS in the future.
Oh for shame, how the mortals put the blame on us gods, for they say evils come from us, but it is they, rather, who by their own recklessness win sorrow beyond what is given... Zeus (1178 BC)
zeezrom wrote:I invested money in the church (past tense).
I am invested in the church (present tense).
I was, I am, and I likely will be LDS in the future.
You don't have much invested now. But it is good that you are still lds and that is a good thing. I hope that the family in question enjoy their experience at church. Keep us informed.
I intend to lay a foundation that will revolutionize the whole world. Joseph Smith We are “to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, to provide for the widow, to dry up the tear of the orphan, to comfort the afflicted, whether in this church, or in any other, or in no church at all…” Joseph Smith
More than my 401K. I'd say that's a lot of investment.
Oh for shame, how the mortals put the blame on us gods, for they say evils come from us, but it is they, rather, who by their own recklessness win sorrow beyond what is given... Zeus (1178 BC)
Part of my current attitude toward things religious is that different paths work better for different people.
There are no doubt people for whom the traditional LDS path works best.
It may be that your friends fit that description.
I see nothing wrong with letting them examine it for themselves and making their own decisions.
All the Best!
--Consiglieri
Thanks Consig! I agree with you. One evening while enjoying a glass of wine at their house, they asked us about our departure from the church. I told them some of my experiences and they were very interested and understanding. I could tell they have their own opinions that likely differ somewhat from mine.
I'm just saying we will help them learn about Mormonism if they ask for more because we grew up Mormons and know everything they would ever want to know about the subject. If the mom wants to go to church to see what it's like, my wife is there to show her in and make any introductions and make her feel as welcome as possible.
If they ask me what my thoughts are about specifics, I will give my honest opinion but I certainly won't seek out opportunities to make disparaging comments. But if they asked me what I think about Joseph Smith (which I doubt they ever will), I would tell them I think he was a liar and a cheat.
Oh for shame, how the mortals put the blame on us gods, for they say evils come from us, but it is they, rather, who by their own recklessness win sorrow beyond what is given... Zeus (1178 BC)