ALL OR NOTHING.. And that third choice - peace

[_harmony]

I was on the road with a work colleague the other day, and we were discussing religion (not always a good subject to discuss when confined to a small space). She told me I was not like any other Mormon she'd ever known. I told her there were those who would take that as an insult, but that I'd take it as a compliment.

We have many different types of Mormons where I live. We have 6 stakes within 50 miles, so we're a fairly large segment of the population. Her encounters with people she knew to be Mormons had left her assuming all Mormons were stuck up, arrogant, and full of themselves. I find this so unfortunate. How can we expect people to let the missionaries into their homes, if we project that kind of attitude? How can we expect people to want to be like us, when what we show the world is arrogance, selfishness, and snootiness? Claims of "the true church", "authority from God", and "families can be together forever" ring hollow, when the reality is we aren't real good at living our religion. The proof of the truthfulness of the LDS church lies in the members, not the doctrine. Either we are what we say we are (Saints), or we aren't. And since it's obvious that we aren't, we have done great damage to the kingdom of God with our pride, our greed, and our attitude.

Peace? There is no peace for us, nor should there be, until we live what we've been given. When a fringe Mormon like myself is held up as unique and valuable as an example of what Mormons can be, the church is really on the wrong path.

God help us.

[_truth dancer]

Hi Inconceivable...

My heart goes out to you! Losing belief is not an easy process through which to go...

As I learned to listen to my own heart, my own intuition, my own personal "revelation," and, "inspiration," and as I began to embrace that which I found holy, good, honorable, the more I found peace.

When we let go of a belief that has provided all the answers (right or wrong), as does the LDS church, one is left in a state of unknown or chaos. It is an unsettling time and from my observation, the only way to find that peace is to find what is, in your heart and mind, a better way to live and believe.... a way that seems more correct, true, holy, or good.

What I would offer is that this difficult time through which you are going is not permanent but it is a time to explore and listen to your heart and discover what it is YOU believe, rather than what others are telling you, you must believe.

It is not easy but I feel certain you will find peace as you move through the process and discover what in your heart is goodness and truth.

Wishing you peace,

~dancer~

[_marg]

Inconceivable, You ask what brings peace to an atheist and explain that you came from a worldview which assumed absolute truths. Another worldview to have is to treat beliefs as temporary operational truths. In other words use them but keep an attitude of being open to new information and a willingness to change those beliefs if new information or a new way of looking at information warrants it. Changing beliefs is not such a traumatic experience then unless one is emotionally tied to the belief. Edward Debono wrote a small book on this called the Happiness Purpose which is out of print but could be obtained from a used market. Also some information on this is on the net. He calls these temporary operational beliefs - proto truths. Essentially it is the same as the scientific method. Scientific theories are never claimed by the scientific community as absolute though some are used as if absolute, evolutionary theory is one. But the attitude fostered, is that should information come about which puts a new light on accepted theories then those theories should change accordingly.

Some links:

http://www.edwarddebono.com/PassageDeta ... ge_id=650&

http://www.wanderings.net/notebook/Main ... wardDeBono

[_Inconceivable]

Hi Inconceivable...

My heart goes out to you! Losing belief is not an easy process through which to go...

As I learned to listen to my own heart, my own intuition, my own personal "revelation," and, "inspiration," and as I began to embrace that which I found holy, good, honorable, the more I found peace.

When we let go of a belief that has provided all the answers (right or wrong), as does the LDS church, one is left in a state of unknown or chaos. It is an unsettling time and from my observation, the only way to find that peace is to find what is, in your heart and mind, a better way to live and believe.... a way that seems more correct, true, holy, or good.

What I would offer is that this difficult time through which you are going is not permanent but it is a time to explore and listen to your heart and discover what it is YOU believe, rather than what others are telling you, you must believe.

It is not easy but I feel certain you will find peace as you move through the process and discover what in your heart is goodness and truth.

Wishing you peace,

~dancer~

Truth dancer, I would be most encouraged to see where your footprints lead. Thank you for your kind words.


It occurs to me that perhaps what will remain after this difficult process will be a childlike faith in the attributes of charity.

An underlying fear is to give my soul up to synicism and anger.


I have much I'd like to comment from the rest of you that have posted, thanks.

[_truth dancer]

Hi Inconceivable...

I'm in a very good place right now and feel more at peace than I have ever in my life.

You can read my current thoughts on my blog.... Goodness Graciousness

http://goodnessgraciousness.blogspot.com

~dancer~

[_msnobody]

For me peace is Jesus. From the outside looking in, I often see Mormonism's way of thinking in those who have left and for the most part recovered. I think persons often tend to not see God's working in their lives as He [the Truth] draws them from the lie. I hear people describe what they think God should be and often what their desires are are indeed found in Christ. I know of a friend right now that calls him/herself atheist, but what I see him/her longing for is exactly what Christ is. It is hard to trust again when you've been burned. I think one has to start from scratch sometimes.

As the hymn, It is Well With My Soul goes:
When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.


It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.


Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blessed assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.


It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.


My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!


It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.


And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The Trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.


It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

[_moksha]

edited- duplicate post Guess it was the triune nature of my post. LOL>

With a triune nature we can register it as a bona fide Christian Post.