LDS Support Groups

[_Jason Bourne]

I think that's a pretty good idea, Wade. I doubt it will fly, since the Church seems to not like spending money that actually goes towards legitimately helping anybody, but I like what you suggest here.

You far overstate this. While I may thing the Church might do more in some areas focusing on humanitarian aid and so forth it is foolish to state they do not like spending money that actually goes to helping anyone. First, the Church does believe temples and Church buildings assist in helping one obtain salvation. Church's after all are in the salvation business.

Second, the Church does much to assist people. They have the humanitarian aid fund, the humanitarian center in SLC (Which you should visit if you have not) Fast Offering Funds that go towards assisting the poor of a ward directly, timely aid in disasters-who is almost always the first on on such scene with spearhead units? The list goes on.

You are simply wrong in our assessment above.

[_Jason Bourne]

Support groups for members who can't pray and get their act together. Do they all huddle up and watch Oprah and Dr. Phil together and massage each others shoulders and pass around a box of tissues?

The only support those people need is the same kind Steve Martin got from Michael Caine when he couldent walk in the Movie Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.

Wow.

What a loving and compassionate fellow you are.

I hope you are all together wonderful, never have any marriage problems, kid trouble, depression, etc. What kindness, mercy and meekness you exhibit with your cynical view.

I hope you are never a bishop either or in any position to give your hard ass attitude to any member who may struggle.

[_Pokatator]

I hope they start a twelve step program for battered masterbaters so Loran can get some help.

(or am I making an assumption here?)?

You just stepped over the line into the Nortinsky, PP, Coffeecat, Vegasrefugee, and GIMR hall of shame, and you may take your place on the podium. Remember, don't use drugs abusively... Oh, I forgot Cricket. I wrote a song about her some weeks ago sung to the tune of Hell On High Heels by Motley Crue.

Ah yes, another one of my masterpieces.

Actually, thanks for the complement, that's a good crowd of free thinkers.

I guess I just get sick and tired of yours and Gaz's simple little answers to everything. You two are so perfect, no problems, just a little prayer takes all your problems away. I'm glad your lives are so perfect, I wish you no ill, but lots of others do have real problems. Lots of those people pay, pray and obey, too. But guess what some of them have real issues, too.

You remind me of some the EV preachers that believe that if you are sick you lack faith. Or if you have problems, bad luck, etc. you aren't faithful enough. So your mantra continues just the same, pray-pray-pray, pay-pay-pay, obey-obey-obey, put your head in the sand and repeat all's well in Zion.

[_Mister Scratch]

For Harmony: calling Mongo, calling Mongo, come in Harmony. I go to a group meeting for addictive/compulsive behaviour here twice a week. Wake up, you're late to your rebirthing class.

As to Scratch, your sheer, sheer, sheer intellecutal dishonesty and mindless personal rancor against the church belies the utterly empty life that must be yours to lead. Nobody, but nobody, let alone GA's of recent date, have ever claimed that church members do not have problems, sins, and even severe ones to deal with.

What are you talking about, Loran? I agree with Wade's proposal! (Albeit skeptically.)

Social indicators for the Latter Day Saints have always been better than other social groups collectively speaking, but nobody has ever said numerous Saints do not have personal issues.

Yes, particularly vis-a-vis women, as implied by TD initial post. (I.e., why would LDS women need three support groups to only one for males---which, coincidentally, is a group aimed at aiding men with "women fantasy" problems? What these support groups reveal is how deep gender problems in the Church really go.

How do you think this stuff up sober (or am I making an assumptin here?)?
Loran

You really need to lay off the sauce, Loran. (A nice try at stealing my barb, though.)

[_moksha]

...and GIMR hall of shame...

Hey, lay off GIMR. She is a sweetie.

[_wenglund]

Best of luck Wade. This seems like an excellent idea. I also like the idea of groups being offered at the local level.

I also like the idea of a group called something like The Walking Wounded who could openly discuss the difficulties they are having with a variety of issues relating to the Church and spirituality. Perhaps this could also be an on-line group.

I am grateful for all the positive responses and encouragement from you all.

I am all for having an online discussion/support group for people that have had difficult socio-emotional experiences in relation to the Church.

I would hesitate, though, in giving it the name you came up with because it may be interpreted as suggesting a necessarily external cause for the wound (when often the hurts may actually have an internal cause) and may also inadvertantly prompt a victimological mindset (which may run counter to various self-empowering intents behind organizing such a group).

However, it is uncertain to me whether people would be interested in involving themselves in such a group. Some time ago I came up with the idea of a "House of Healing" that was specifically intended for the good folks you have just mentioned. I floated multiple trial balloons at FAIR, ZLMB, and here (both before and after the board change), and was met with considerable resistence--though that may have been due to knee-jerk reactions to me personally, and not necessarily the idea itself. Who knows?

Is there anyone here who is interested in real and healthy healing (not to be confused with gripe sessions and pity-parties), and who would like to participate in an online support/discussion group designed specifically with that end in mind?

Thanks, -Wade Englund-

[_Sam Harris]

For some time now I have been toying with the idea of approaching the Church's Family Services department about expanding their presence online in several ways (support/discussion groups, resource material, preventative counseling, and even counseling for mild to moderate cases of depression, anxiety, panic, etc., as well as addressing various marital and parenting issues).

I see this as a way of reducing cost to potential recipients, making the resources more accessible and available to potential recipients, providing some level of confidentiality (people can read and post anonymously), and off-loading more rudimentary interventions from the more skilled professional to the para-professionals.

I am aware that you (truth dancer) have a web site for your practice. It has been a while since I visited it (and lost the web address--perhaps you could post it again), so I am not sure what you have to offer online. But, I am wondering what you and others here think about the idea of expanding Family Services online?

Thanks, -Wade Englund-

For once Wade, you bring forth a damn good idea. Kudos!

[_Sam Harris]

I hope they start a twelve step program for battered masterbaters so Loran can get some help.

(or am I making an assumption here?)?

You just stepped over the line into the Nortinsky, PP, Coffeecat, Vegasrefugee, and GIMR hall of shame, and you may take your place on the podium. Remember, don't use drugs abusively... Oh, I forgot Cricket. I wrote a song about her some weeks ago sung to the tune of Hell On High Heels by Motley Crue.

Ah yes, another one of my masterpieces.

Oh get over yourself. When have I ever called you anything close to what you've called me? So I won't bend over and accept your epithets of "racist", does that mean I have no character?

Now who lives in lala land?

[_Sam Harris]

Contrary to what Coggins seems to think. It's not the liberal thing to do. It's the human....and the Christ-like thing to

Huh??

Nothing you say to those who disagree with you here can be put in in the "Christ-like thing to do" category. You seem to think that God smiles on your vitrol here. Now I'll sit back and watch you squat once more to defecate on my character. Luckily grace makes your sh*t slide off really easily.

[_Sam Harris]

...and GIMR hall of shame...

Hey, lay off GIMR. She is a sweetie.

*big kiss for Moksha*

Four years of love and counting, baby!