Why I am (still) a Latter-day Saint

[_Everybody Wang Chung]

I don't believe in rubbish.

Call me crazy, but wouldn't most people consider an alien/god appearing to someone in an apartment building in New York for the sole purpose of stopping a couple from going to third base, as complete rubbish?

I'm just keepin it real, brotha.

[_Tobin]

I don't believe in rubbish.

Call me crazy, but wouldn't most people consider an alien/god appearing to someone in an apartment building in New York for the sole purpose of stopping a couple from going to third base, as complete rubbish?

I'm just keepin it real, brotha.

I'm just stating the facts. If you wish to believe in rubbish, you are welcome to. I have provided my explanation for what happened to me and as I said, you can believe whatever nonsense you wish. You seem comfortable in your distorted world, so who am I to help you out of it?

[_Tobin]

I don't believe in rubbish. And doing silly things is part of a mid-life crisis.

Did I say it was a mid-life crisis?

No, I made that observation if you are confused.

The LDS Church is a church and for some a lifestyle. You identify with that and it is ridiculous you felt the need to resign (yet still attend).

Why is is ridiculous I felt the need to resign?

It's a completely unnecessary step. It is victim psychology. Reasonable adults wouldn't bother and just would stop going (which you haven't I might note).

I attend lots of organizations and don't feel the need to formally resign from them. If I don't want to go, I just don't. It's no more difficult than that.

So if you were married and you didn't want to be married anymore, you would just stop and not make it official by divorce? If you believed the church was selling a lie (this might be hard for you to imagine, but it's true), you would not want to be numbered and counted on a deceitful organization. Yes, you can stop attending and a lot of people do just that, but for some of us, resignation is the divorce we need from the church.

Marriage is not an organization. It's a legal contractual arrangement. You need a course in remedial reasoning and logic.

[_GrandMoffTarkin]

ROFL

The LDS Church isn't a sham. It exists. I've seen it. If Zeezrom wants to give his money to the LDS Church, then he is welcome to do it. If he feels that sacrifice makes him invested in continuing to attend, so be it. There is more to life than money. Maybe one day you'll realize that.

Thanks for being intentionally obtuse. It was very helpful.

[_Some Schmo]

ROFL

The LDS Church isn't a sham. It exists. I've seen it. If Zeezrom wants to give his money to the LDS Church, then he is welcome to do it. If he feels that sacrifice makes him invested in continuing to attend, so be it. There is more to life than money. Maybe one day you'll realize that.

Thanks for being intentionally obtuse. It was very helpful.

Man, I would love to believe it's intentional. It would save a modicum of esteem I have for humanity.

[_Tobin]

Thanks for being intentionally obtuse. It was very helpful.

I think you are being obtuse. The LDS Church is none of the things you claim. Yes, we get it. You don't believe in the LDS Church's claims. Guess what?!? I don't believe in most of them either. However, I recognize it is simply a Church. I still attend the LDS Church. I'm comfortable there and despite what you think - that claims it makes may still may have a basis in fact. So I think it will be rather interesting to see you at the final judgment and watch as you are unable to answer the question about why you did not seek the truth from God and help build up his kingdom.

[_Brackite]

Hang on. I think we've all got some wires crossed due to my hasty posting on MDB.

Here's the summary:

* I am not actively participating in Sunday meetings.
* Dear Wife still wants some involvement in the community and actively fosters relationships with active members.
* We have dear friends that are interested in Mormonism and who also have friends that are active Mormons.
* I am viewed as an outsider to some TBMs but I feel that is an innacurate view because of my huge investment in the church.
* I feel I am qualified to do missionary work because of my investment.
* I feel my view on Mormonism is more objective than that of other TBMs who are friends of our nevermo friends.
* I feel I deserve a voice in Mormonism just as much as any other TBM due to my investment.
* I feel I deserve to call myself a Mormon as long as I wish to do so because Sunday activity is NOT an indicator of Mormon-ness.

I agree. You have ever right to want to be numbered among Mormons even if you don't fit the mold 100%. I've had my records removed, but still do a ton of socializing at the local ward. We didn't just up and move when I resigned. Most of my close friends are Mormon. My wife is still Mormon. So even though I am not counted on the rolls of the church and find great joy in claiming I am no longer a Mormon, I still consider myself Mormon by my upbringing and social ties. If I were to ever move from Utah, I would not seek out Mormon subculture to associate with, but while we reside here, I find no problems with it. This is why I am still a BYU football fan.

Great Posts here by both Zeezrom and Sanctorian!!

[_Darth J]

Hang on. I think we've all got some wires crossed due to my hasty posting on MDB.

Here's the summary:

* I am not actively participating in Sunday meetings.
* Dear Wife still wants some involvement in the community and actively fosters relationships with active members.
* We have dear friends that are interested in Mormonism and who also have friends that are active Mormons.
* I am viewed as an outsider to some TBMs but I feel that is an innacurate view because of my huge investment in the church.
* I feel I am qualified to do missionary work because of my investment.
* I feel my view on Mormonism is more objective than that of other TBMs who are friends of our nevermo friends.
* I feel I deserve a voice in Mormonism just as much as any other TBM due to my investment.
* I feel I deserve to call myself a Mormon as long as I wish to do so because Sunday activity is NOT an indicator of Mormon-ness.

I agree. You have ever right to want to be numbered among Mormons even if you don't fit the mold 100%. I've had my records removed, but still do a ton of socializing at the local ward. We didn't just up and move when I resigned. Most of my close friends are Mormon. My wife is still Mormon. So even though I am not counted on the rolls of the church and find great joy in claiming I am no longer a Mormon, I still consider myself Mormon by my upbringing and social ties. If I were to ever move from Utah, I would not seek out Mormon subculture to associate with, but while we reside here, I find no problems with it. This is why I am still a BYU football fan.

Great Posts here by both Zeezrom and Sanctorian!!

+1

[_GrandMoffTarkin]

Thanks for being intentionally obtuse. It was very helpful.

I think you are being obtuse. The LDS Church is none of the things you claim. Yes, we get it. You don't believe in the LDS Church's claims. Guess what?!? I don't believe in most of them either. However, I recognize it is simply a Church. I still attend the LDS Church. I'm comfortable there and despite what you think - that claims it makes may still may have a basis in fact. So I think it will be rather interesting to see you at the final judgment and watch as you are unable to answer the question about why you did not seek the truth from God and help build up his kingdom.

Don't worry, I'm not losing sleep over the prospect. You see, you incorrectly assume that I have not sought truth. In fact, that is the obvious difference between us. I have actually done my homework and I am secure in my position. Accordingly, I don't react like a child when my views are challenged.

You knew what I meant when I said the church was a sham. Just so you know, some of us here actually have some regard for intellectual integrity and find the idea of continuing to attend church and pay tithing for cultural/social reasons rather repulsive.

[_Tobin]

Don't worry, I'm not losing sleep over the prospect. You see, you incorrectly assume that I have not sought truth. In fact, that is the obvious difference between us. I have actually done my homework and I am secure in my position. Accordingly, I don't react like a child when my views are challenged.

Oh, I've got to hear this. What has your homework taught you exactly that I haven't heard before?

You knew what I meant when I said the church was a sham. Just so you know, some of us here actually have some regard for intellectual integrity and find the idea of continuing to attend church and pay tithing for cultural/social reasons rather repulsive.

It's a Church (and a rather nice one). The idea that you find it repulsive (or even a sham) is rather silly.