Boredom + "Gentile" reactions.

[Anonymous]

But a more answer to your question about how to relate to mixed groups: I try to remember that other people think about me is none of my business. I have found it easier to socialize with others when I’m not constantly thinking what mama told me “Always remember who you are and what you represent ” On the other hand, most folks on this forum have really interesting personal stories most of which are more like society in general. Remember James Fowler was studying society in general not Just Mormons. We have more in common with non-Mormons than we imagine.

[Anonymous]

dash1730 wrote:

Perhaps I have an odd response to this subject. I ask, what’s wrong with being bored?

Well (speaking for myself) I find boredom neither productive nor entertaining or encouraging of spiritual growth etc

dash1730 wrote:

Do we have to always be in go-mode always talking, listening to muzak, head-phone, TV, radio, always being afraid to listen to our own thoughts. Until perhaps 50 years ago, people got plenty of time to explore their own thoughts as they walked alone to work, school, a friend’s house, or just spend a quiet evening at home with a book, or to write a letter. Most people act as if they are afraid to having to alone and not entertained 24 x 7. As a result people have lost toe ability to think new or unique thoughts, explore values, and decide whether their decisions were supporting their values. As Albert Einstein said, reflecting on the nuclear bomb, we have become technological giants, but remain moral pigmees.

Again, speaking for myself, I don’t have this particular problem. I’m pretty introverted and contemplative, have meditated etc, like my own company (some of the time) etc. I also enjoy reading, walk a lot, and don’t watch much TV. In some respects I need to do less navel gazing, and more socializing…

However, I think you’re right with some people, they do suffer from this particular problem.

Quote:

But a more answer to your question about how to relate to mixed groups: I try to remember that other people think about me is none of my business. I have found it easier to socialize with others when I’m not constantly thinking what mama told me “Always remember who you are and what you represent ” On the other hand, most folks on this forum have really interesting personal stories most of which are more like society in general. Remember James Fowler was studying society in general not Just Mormons. We have more in common with non-Mormons than we imagine.

I think you’re right. I don’t like to be thought of as a label in any regard. There are certain things about my background and family which I don’t tend to shout about, simply because I feel some people would pigeon hole you as a result.

Going from one end to another. I’m going to have to “out” myself to some Christian friends in the near future. By Christian, I’m referring to members of other churches, rather than just LDS. Whether or not they’ll consider Mormons Christian or not is another question. It’s going to be a challenging experience for quite different reasons. If anyone tries to persuade me that I’ve been brainwashed in some regard or worship Lucifer, I’ll end up banging my head off a brick wall.

[Anonymous]

OK I’ve entered the stage where I feel like being at church is a waste of time (except Primary for the kids). I don’t really think it is all a waste of time for everyone I just don’t feel like I’m getting as much out of it as I was so energetic in thinking. I think it’s just a stage in my disaffection. But I understand what you were meaning about the boredom a bit better now.

[Anonymous]

“Seek ye learning out of the best books.”

Like Pres. McKay’s statement about eating rum cake (since the WofW addresses only drinking alcohol), there’s nothing that says following this “commandment” excludes church meetings. If you are bored, choose to obey the commandments – by bringing a “best book” to church with you. (and, if anyone asks why you are reading a book about physics, Buddhism, music, a famous individual, interpersonal relationships or Louis L’Amour, just site the verse above and tell them you are striving to “obey all of God’s commandments and, to do that, sometimes I have to obey more than one at once”. )

[Anonymous]

I tend to think of a lot of church being a bit like a school classroom. Alright, we all know that people learn/get things at different speeds, and that while one thing comes quickly, another is slow… much the same with church. Like some of the other people here, I would consider myself educated (overeducated?) – I know more about the Bible than the average person here does, I pick things up from books fairly quickly, and although I can never remember verse numbers that well, the trouble with doing the same stuff over and over is that I remember the last time too well. I don’t consider myself an expert on doctrine, theology etc, but I can pick stuff up quickly enough for it to look “samey” after a while.

On the other hand, there are people in the church who come from backgrounds where they didn’t get much exposure to Christianity when they were growing up, who don’t have years of experience of the Bible, and the Book of Mormon as I do, but are still in the same class. For example, I had to explain to someone (?an investigator?!) that Jesus had spent three years teaching before his crucifixion, and that he didn’t just disappear between the ages of 12 & 33 (although there are great mysteries about Jesus’ early life)

There are tonnes of really interesting issues, which the church doesn’t explore more. If there were classes on, say, “Jesus the Christ” and other books like that, I might find it interesting to do something new.

I guess what I’m trying to say here is that for some people, this is all fresh and new, but for others, such as myself it’s not. Just now I’m trying to stay LDS (Or at least get back into it), instead of finding a stale LDS!

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