My NOM roadmap: feedback please

[_Rambo]

Rambo. I see what you mean. What if you find a Mo woman that is your soulmate?

I don't believe in soulmates. However; if she was hot and cool I would show her the nasty history side of Mormonism. If she still believed I would dump her.

There are always more fish in the sea and way more fishies that aren't Mormon!

[Guest]

Rambo. I see what you mean. What if you find a Mo woman that is your soulmate?

I don't believe in soulmates. However; if she was hot and cool I would show her the nasty history side of Mormonism. If she still believed I would dump her.

There are always more fish in the sea and way more fishies that aren't Mormon!

Yeah, this isn't even the same. If you aren't already married with children there is very little reason to pursue a person who is a TBM when you are very much not.

[_just me]

Ok, Ok.

I'm making an assumption. I assume I will enjoy the experience. This is the whole reason for "Pious Malingering" in the first place. Don't you think Joseph Smith enjoyed the imaginative engineering? Think about it. He created a whole world out of thin air.

It is true that living in your own world alone is hell. But! But, I have already found that being imaginative about religion is *very* fulfilling. My experience at the Spanish Parish in NM this week was one to be remembered! I stood in front of this statue of Mary and malingered my own spiritual experience. It was amazing! Does it hurt me to realize my spirituality is synthetic? No. It feels just like when I sit and listen to my wife play Beethoven's Pathetique. God, I love that song. I imagine so many things while she plays. It isn't real and I know it. Somehow, it is still meaningful.

If you can do it and enjoy it more power to you. I had more of a spiritual experience at a jr high choir concert the other night than I have had at church in a very long time. But I do feel a kinship with the people at church.

I can never return to the temple ever again. That much I know about myself. If that is something you and your wife want to do...well, I'm assuming she actually does believe in it or why would you go to the trouble.

[_LDSToronto]

Expected outcome: I will find a way to support my my wife in her desire and in the process, will find a deeper spirituality than ever known before.

My friend, let me give you some words of support where others may not agree with your decision.

The church is built on a fictional foundation. Because the foundation is fictional, I see nothing incongruous with presenting a fictional persona to the church to gain the best possible life for yourself and for your family. This includes statements of temple-worthiness.

That should ease your inner self. As for your outer self, well, I'm about to expose you to the greatest secret found within Mormon culture, and it is this: no matter how many callings your reject, no matter how little tithing you pay, no matter how often you wear Joe Boxers instead of the mystical G's, if you attend church with regularity, you will be considered 'OK and active' by the vast majority of members. And no one will bother you. In fact, you can be that edgy guy, the one with the goatee and never wears a suit jacket. As long as you are there most weeks, you will be pass the sniff test.

Best wishes to you in your life and in your marriage. You will find happiness in this choice.

H.

[_Rambo]

Hey man, if you get back to the temple take a small video camera with you. I don't think that has been done yet.

I don't know how you are going to keep a straight face in there. I went to the temple non believing once and I just about burst up laughing a few times. I know it's mean but everyone just looks so funny in the costume they have on. Then some of the stuff that is said and done is pretty funny as well.

[_Rambo]

Yeah, this isn't even the same. If you aren't already married with children there is very little reason to pursue a person who is a TBM when you are very much not.

What are you saying justme? I'm not even close to being a Mormon anymore? I think I could pretend if I really wanted too. Sometimes I think it would be easier dating a jack Mormon or a Mormon that doesn't take things to seriously. That way my family would think all is well and they would look up to me again and be proud of their son. But then I would have to wear that damn underwear. That would be the hardest part of pretending.

[_moksha]

All ideas that I find distasteful or harmful, will be converted to ideas that bring me joy.

This can actually work in some cases. For instance in my own case, I only accept God as possessing qualities that are worthy of praise and devotion. In other cases, it would be like having your head in the sand to not admit the distasteful and harmful.

When asked if I believe in Heavenly Father, I will translate that to mean the Divine Mother Mary and exclaim, "With all my heart, Mr. Bishop!".

If that is what you truly believe to be God, then the best answer is, "I truly believe in God". However, the LDS Church is clearly part of the Christian tradition and a belief in that God is the desired answer to that question.

[_LDSToronto]

Yeah, this isn't even the same. If you aren't already married with children there is very little reason to pursue a person who is a TBM when you are very much not.

What are you saying justme? I'm not even close to being a Mormon anymore? I think I could pretend if I really wanted too. Sometimes I think it would be easier dating a jack Mormon or a Mormon that doesn't take things to seriously. That way my family would think all is well and they would look up to me again and be proud of their son. But then I would have to wear that damn underwear. That would be the hardest part of pretending.

Hey Rambo, you're a good guy. But let a slightly older Canadian give you a bit of advice (and remember, this is worth the money you are paying for it ;) ) - you probably want to date around a bit more. Quark is invested in a relationship already; you aren't, so there is no need for you to pretend. Sure, date some Mormon girls, and date some non-Mormons too, and figure out what you like. You've only been out for what, a year now? You're still a young one! Me too, but when I started transitioning, I didn't have women throwing themselves at me, like you do. So sample from the menu, and don't feel you need to compromise.

H.

[_Ceeboo]

Hello quark,

Suggestions to simply consider:

It matters little what roadmap you are using, going to use, or thinking of using. It is the vehicle used to travel the roads, and the passengers that are inside said vehicle that matters a lot.

As long as the vehicle is safe and reliable, the speed in which it moves is not dangerously fast, great caution is employed should the weather change while traveling, and you always keep an eye of the gas gage to be sure there is plently of fuel in the tank...... you should arrive (Together) safe and sound wherever these raods may lead.

Lastly, make sure all are wearing their seat belts while traveling this journey (Sometimes it is other people on the road that can cause us the most pain and or injury). Considering that the most precious people in the world to you are in your vehicle, it seems appropriate to use great caution, stay alert at the wheel, be willing to slow down at the turns, and/or even be willing to change course should you feel there might be danger ahead.

Peace,
Ceeboo

[_Rambo]

I didn't have women throwing themselves at me, like you do. So sample from the menu, and don't feel you need to compromise.

haha I don't have that. Sure there is sometimes but not all the time. Funny thing is I will go through dry spells but then when it rains it pours.

Sometimes I feel like compromising because I think I want to have kids. But if I compromise than I don't think I truly will be happy.

I made a promise to my mom I'll have kids before I'm 40. haha