Discussing the Church is NOT True

I was really wanting to start a discussion thread on how some might feel the Church isn’t true, but share more ways that people cope with these thoughts. But I first thought maybe you all might have thoughts if this is not a good idea or not.

Here is my thinking:

– Many people may be going through their transitions and really feel the church is not what it claims to be, or maybe even out right they don’t believe it at all or that we can even know God exists.

– Our site is OK with talking about these things, we don’t have to only talk positive things or defend the utility of church, regardless of the truth claims.

– Some people may need practice talking or thinking through how to convey their thoughts on a board like ours that is safe, prior to trying to express it to close family members or their church leaders. In other words, we can practice saying, “Ya, I don’t think its true anymore, but I still love this and this and this about it. I’m not angry about it. I can respect others who still believe it.”

– We might be able to support some people by openly recognizing their feelings about WoW, or Tithing, or Polygamy makes it legitimately hard to believe some of the claims by the church. They may need practice thinking through the cafeteria approach in their specific situation, not feel like they need to hold back their problems because they may get moderated on this board.

– The goal and purpose is to focus on coping strategies, not the problems or the things they don’t believe. For example, one might no longer believe in revelation, that Joseph thought it up in his mind or “spiritual eyes”, and it shatters their prior belief the church is led by direct revelation from God to a prophet. Ok, let them say it openly…but now focus on what that means to the person, what they still choose to do about attending or finding other things they like or still believe, and not throw the baby out with the bath water.

– Can we entice some lurkers to come forward, who may not trust they can open up yet?

– The main goal: It is OK to say I don’t believe the church is true. You are safe here in saying it.

What do you all think? Is this just inevitably going to go bad and become negative and bashing? Is that already being done sufficiently in Intros and the current threads?

My idea of the first post would be this:

TITLE: IT’S OK NOT TO BELIEVE IT ANYMORE

In this forum, we share a variety of views. We like to use the analogy that the orchestra sounds better with variation of instruments to represent the discussions are deeper when there are a variety of thoughts and ideas. While we are open to hearing divergent views that may be difficult to express in church or at home, we want this forum to be a safe place to open up, not for the sake of being negative or just venting, but for the purpose of exploring how to deal with feelings we keep inside, or how we can share with others who may go through similar feelings that there are ways to cope and come out of the transitions in a healthy way.

Perhaps some think the Church is not true. Perhaps some think God doesn’t exist, or maybe we just can’t really know for sure. I know there are some here who still believe the Church is true. So how can we discuss it all together? How can we practice discussing different views without just clamming up or starting to get offensive or defensive?

It is OK to express those feelings. Let’s talk about them openly and responsibly. Let’s practice here, so we can do it successfully with those in our life around us.

What are the biggest things that bother you about the church, and what do you do to make that a part of your experience and your family’s (if applicable) experience?

Has anyone gone through phases where they no longer thought they could believe anything about the church, but over time, has seen, that they actually do still believe, and have come back around to believing more (even if not all) then they thought they could? Please share.

I just want to encourage any lurkers out there to feel comfortable coming forward. I want to encourage anyone with pent up feelings who may fear sharing things, even declarations they don’t believe the church is true, that we can talk about these things openly and with support to overcome them…not just vent about them.

Who wants to go first?

Any particular opposition from the moderators before I try this? Or is it unnecessary, or inappropriate? Have we already experimented in this and found it wasn’t helpful? What do you all think?