- This topic is empty.
-
Posts
-
nibbler wrote:DarkJedi wrote:
I can’t figure out which llama I am. I’m not the unhappy one though. And I’m not the pink one with the horn.
That’s easy:
[img]http://podhell.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/tauntaun.jpg [/img]
No no no. That is DJ’s son!
One more llama type, because why not? 
[img]http://i.imgur.com/JNzS679.gif [/img] Holy Cow wrote:So, I guess my question is: what do you do to find a desire to stay active when you really don’t want to be there?
1. In supporting my family. The church is important to my wife and daughter, and I think the youth experience would be good for my son if he ever wants it. I think if I quit it might mean the end of my marriage. But I don’t want to quit anyway.
2. Acknowledgement of my own ignorance. I have tentatively decided the full-on church experience is not for me right now. But what if I’m wrong? What if I have my own Road to Damascus experience someday?
3. It’s part of who I am. 20 odd years of activity doesn’t erase easily.
4. I have put the church “in its place”. I decide what the church gets out of me, not the other way around, and I find it comfortable. My day is full of engaging service opportunities in the community. I serve at church in a way I find tolerable and interesting. Therefore, I sort of want to be there because it’s on my own terms.
Regarding your weariness with explaining yourself — consider creating a snap chat or something temporary of where you stand with the church, or write it out in a way that is not too limiting or rebellious sounding — as it might end up in a file somewhere forever. Just give it to the person who is asking.
Regarding the doctrinal issues and the ga-ga-over-Q15 problem — I just accept that I don’t agree with them. When you are OK with the “agree to disagree” maxim, it becomes easy. In my view, there is room for both perspectives — mine and their’s — at least, in my world. Maybe not theirs, but again, we can agree to disagree. But it’s liberating to know that you are Ok with other people believing things you think might even be ridiculous. Because then you don’t have to defend yourself or convince anybody. Just be you. (Cautiously, in the face to face Mormon world).
Some cases in points — on one Sunday a month, I skip church and perform live music at a community event to help the non-profit. I started the organization and then left it after a year. It helps them, gives me a break from church. It’s fun, I love it. So, once a month, I get a break from church and its fulfilling. I don’t teach doctrinal stuff, but I teach about teaching, something that is universal in my view. Even the gospel parts are not objectionable (how to invite the spirit, for example). I don’t move people, stack chairs, or other onerous tasks. Instead, I’m out painting stuff in the community or holding meetings etcetera… my days are usually full of interesting stuff.
When I felt marginalized because I left the HPGL calling without being released, the leaders who did the marginalization actually paved the way for me acceptance of myself. If they don’t accept me for who I am, unconditionally anyway, I might as well be comfortable in my own skin. And so I am…so its not wearying at all.
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.