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I want to take this opportunity to thank all those who are involved in this community, you are a welcoming safe harbor during one’s perilous spiritual storm. I posted on this forum last winter when I was wondering whether to leave the LDS church or not, and I had received many thoughtful responses from other members of this community. This January I resigned my calling and quietly slipped away for a break from the church. I thought a break would help me to clear my mind, so I could think about my relationship with the church more carefully without the cynicism clouding my judgement. Now, I consider myself a Deist who believe that all organized religions are people’s attempt to make sense of God and the world. As with all other artificial creations, almost all the religions have good and bad, and they are often adjusted to fit an existing objective. Although this belief system could enable to stay in the church, I ultimately decide I can’t stay. I can’t stay because I don’t want to force my future children to grow up in the church culture and its negative aspects. I don’t want my future daughter being ridiculed because her clothing items or her career and education ambitions. I don’t want my future son to be forced on a mission by social pressure and delay his education and career. I don’t want them to feel like second class citizen because their marriage status or sexual orientation.
I personally don’t want to stay so I don’t have to sacrifice my career for some time-consuming callings at church. I want to treasure my precious break after a 100-hour work week with a good book instead of listening to a talk on priesthood. I want to be able socialize with my peers and coworkers at a bar without feeling guilty. I want my parents and family to witness my marriage, instead of being banished due to their belief. I want to direct my own wealth towards the charitable causes I care, instead of letting others judge my worthiness based on the tithe.
Please don’t get me wrong, I have loved the church and I will always treasure many good it has done for the world. I also have no desire whatsoever to push my own personal belief on anybody else, so stay or leave, I hope you all the best either way. All banquets must end, and in my case, I raise you the parting glass.
The Parting Glass:
https://youtu.be/eisW0skJ9fUhttps://youtu.be/eisW0skJ9fU” class=”bbcode_url”> It sounds like you are choosing what you think is best for you and that’s all that counts. May you find the peace you seek. Best of luck. Drop by sometime in the future if you feel so inclined. We’re always sad to see people go, but I am glad you found a decision that helps you feel at peace. Ultimately its about being happy isn’t it? And if this works, then so be it for you. Good luck and check in now and then…or more frequently. We hope to hear from you. Be happy. (I love the video.) I wish you well. I do wish to repeat the frequent advice point of “trade up”. The LDS church provides a system of purpose and meaning, community and standards. I do not suggest that without the church all hell will break loose. However, in the case of something with as big as a footprint as the LDS church there is bound to be a void. Try to fill it purposefully and remember to “trade up.”
Thanks for your thoughtful post. You are always welcome here with us at our table…we have no idea what we are talking about
:crazy: but we are happy to have good thoughtful people to jabber along with us. You are always welcome.Besides…few of us ever stay the way we are…we change over time. It would be interesting to continue to hear how your journey goes.
If not…I wish you well and thank you again for your contributions.
God bless!
Roy wrote:
I wish you well. I do wish to repeat the frequent advice point of “trade up”.The LDS church provides a system of purpose and meaning, community and standards. I do not suggest that without the church all hell will break loose. However, in the case of something with as big as a footprint as the LDS church there is bound to be a void. Try to fill it purposefully and remember to “trade up.”
Thanks. I was a convert, so the church never had the same amount of influence in my life as it did with other people. Because of this, the void is not as big as others and I have already filled it with career ambition, hobbies, my new belief and friends. I am also lucky that most of my church friends are understanding, so it’s a relatively painless transition.
I am happy for you, Sleepless. Best of luck on your journey. Thanks for letting us know how you are. We try to help people stay, but if they leave we want them to leave in peace.
I am happy you are at peace.
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