- This topic is empty.
-
Posts
-
DJ and everyone,… Its pretty clear I waffle between wanting to “stayLDS” and being totally out. I feel myself shift, trying to reframe things in my own mind to make it work, and I discover something else I didn’t know which blows it apart.
I can’t honestly say I have the desire to keep trying. I enjoy this site, because it has been a place to at least attempt to process, but my processing is not in keeping with the purpose. Its clear to me I am working to progress through the grief cycle from what I’ve lost–a belief system that permeated everything in my life since I have memory. That system is gone completely, and I see no way back or even forward through the “nuanced” approach–which I’ve struggled to achieve, almost at any cost.
I need to withdraw from the site for a while–this is not the right place for me at the moment.
For those of you i’ve offended, I appologize. For those of you i haven’t offended
yet…lucky you. If I stick around, I’m sure it will come to that. In a non-anonymous environment, I actually think most of us would be friends, despite disagreements. I count you friends regardless.
Adieu…
Rob, Whatever you choose to do, I hope you find peace. I didn’t know that ‘peace’ was what was eluding me until I stumbled into it.
You mentioned not being able to “go back” or to go forward with a “nuanced” approach. FWIW, those aren’t the only options for StayingLDS (or is it StayLDSing?). I can’t go back, either, but I can say with certainty that my faith is completely non-nuanced. As you know, I believe there is no God. End of line. Full stop. That’s about as brief of an Article of Faith that anyone can have. Yet, I do have things I believe in. Not other-worldly things, but this-worldly things. Things like the Golden Rule, ‘spiritual’ strength, “God”-centered living. If, as an Atheist, I can find spiritual strength through my association with the Church, then I’m confident that anyone who believes in God, even if they don’t believe in the Mormon-specific constructs, can find a framework in the LDS Church for spirituality. If you believe in God, then one approach you might try is to believe in him at Church, among other believers in God, but without believing everything that they believe. Can you do that on at your local Methodist Church? Sure. Can you do it on your own atop Ensign Peak? Certainly. But, at least for me, I have found that the LDS Church is a fine vehicle for spirituality, even for the visitors like me.
Take care and stop in once in a while to let us know how it is going in your search for happiness.
On Own Now wrote:Rob,
Whatever you choose to do, I hope you find peace. I didn’t know that ‘peace’ was what was eluding me until I stumbled into it.
You mentioned not being able to “go back” or to go forward with a “nuanced” approach. FWIW, those aren’t the only options for StayingLDS (or is it StayLDSing?). I can’t go back, either, but I can say with certainty that my faith is completely non-nuanced. As you know, I believe there is no God. End of line. Full stop. That’s about as brief of an Article of Faith that anyone can have. Yet, I do have things I believe in. Not other-worldly things, but this-worldly things. Things like the Golden Rule, ‘spiritual’ strength, “God”-centered living. If, as an Atheist, I can find spiritual strength through my association with the Church, then I’m confident that anyone who believes in God, even if they don’t believe in the Mormon-specific constructs, can find a framework in the LDS Church for spirituality. If you believe in God, then one approach you might try is to believe in him at Church, among other believers in God, but without believing everything that they believe. Can you do that on at your local Methodist Church? Sure. Can you do it on your own atop Ensign Peak? Certainly. But, at least for me, I have found that the LDS Church is a fine vehicle for spirituality, even for the visitors like me.
Take care and stop in once in a while to let us know how it is going in your search for happiness.
Well said, OON. I used to term my faith as nuanced, but have also realized it’s not. It’s only nuanced related to standard LDS theology. But I could also say it’s nuanced compared to standard Catholic theology (the other one I’m most familiar with) and other Protestant churches which I have on occasion attended. I’ve realized that my faith is mine and my faith is in God and Jesus Christ. It is not faith in Mormonism, Catholicism, Methodism, Judaism or Presbyterianism. I could go into any of those churches (or synagogue) and be fine. There is no need for me to have to believe exactly like the person next to me, and even if I were a more traditional and orthodox Mormon it is not necessarily true that I would believe just like everyone else in the room (something I have learned here). That’s not nuanced faith, it’s just plain faith.
Why do I choose to StayLDS? Simply because that’s where I’m most comfortable, that’s where my family is and that’s where my friends are. There’s no denying I was once an indoctrinated true believer, but because of that I know what to expect and I’m comfortable with it. I can take what I like and enjoy and I can ignore what I don’t like and don’t enjoy – and yes, that sometimes takes some effort (the dark side can be very powerful). Does the CoJCoLDS have some theology I don;t agree with? You bet. Does it have much I do agree with? Yes sir. Can I say the same about Catholicism? Yes. I really don’t get the Trinity thing, it makes no sense to me and all I have to do is read the story of the baptism of Jesus to understand from the LDS standpoint. I also really don’t get the God of the Lost Car Keys, and that God does not exist as such in Catholicism.
I have let go of what any church thinks I should believe, and I believe what I believe. The truth has indeed set me free and I am at peace.
Directly to you, Rob, quit looking to blame the church and its leaders and take some responsibility for yourself and your own faith/belief (or unbelief) in God. Quit letting the church (or any church) stand between you and God.
OnOwnNow and Dark Jedi – thank you for those back to back testimonial posts. I have read them twice today. Thank you. I have been traveling this week and have been unable to participate as actively as usual. This post has run its course and provided some excellent commentary – about the book and about our mission and purpose here. Therefore, it is being closed.
- The topic ‘An American Fraud — One Lawyer’s Case Against Mormonism’ is closed to new replies.