Maklelan - A romantic incentive

[_maklelan]

Ok. Please share.

No thanks.

[_Sanctorian]

Ok. Please share.

No thanks.

Cool testimony.

[_Bazooka]

Why do you say that? Just wondering.

I was deeply embedded in Dallas' drug culture at the time, with no real way out. My first attempt at college ended with me being kicked out. After an OD and narrowly avoiding jail, things were just getting worse.

You've done well to get your life onto different tracks, not easy that.
Whoever (non-deity) helped you has my admiration too.

[_maklelan]

Cool testimony.

Poor rhetoric.

[_Sanctorian]

Cool testimony.

Poor rhetoric.

Here's what I love about you Mak. You set yourself up to be some sort of exception to the rule. You think because you are so smart, good looking and talented that you have somehow found the secret path to return back to God. That your education and skill set somehow make you special. You think that God somehow put you on a special path. That path has placed you in this super cool, super elite religion. But here's the kicker. Your story is no different than anyone else. You have no special powers. You haven't seen God. You have no idea what God really is just like the rest of the 7 billion people on the earth.

I ask you to share your testimony and you refuse to do so. Why? Because you know it's not any different than any other testimony shared on fast Sunday. You have no special reason to believe other than you think God spoke to you and told you to join the Mormon church. "I know the church is true blah blah blah".

The truth is really not that exciting is it Mak? You believe and converted based on feelings. You then have to rectify those feelings in some fashion and so you use your smarts to justify why the church is true. You go on a mission and get inoculated into the Mormon way of things. You marry a Mormon girl and start having Mormon kiddos. You've made a career out of the Mormon church. You've seen the blessings of the priesthood in your life. When you serve others, you feel good. When you give a blessing to your sick kids, you know God is using you as his mouthpiece. When you bare testimony, you feel the spirit. All these experiences lead you to believe the church is true.

I'm glad for you. If the church works for you, great. Don't hide behind some BS arrogance that you somehow think makes you better than the rest of us losers that just couldn't figure it out and that's why we left the super cool, super elite religion. I like you Mak and know we would be good friends in real life. Be authentic. It's better that way.

[_maklelan]

Here's what I love about you Mak. You set yourself up to be some sort of exception to the rule. You think because you are so smart, good looking and talented that you have somehow found the secret path to return back to God.

I've never thought of myself as good looking.

That your education and skill set somehow make you special. You think that God somehow put you on a special path. That path has placed you in this super cool, super elite religion. But here's the kicker. Your story is no different than anyone else. You have no special powers. You haven't seen God. You have no idea what God really is just like the rest of the 7 billion people on the earth.

I've never made an assertion about what God is like that didn't also include a disclaimer that it was my own personal perspective.

I ask you to share your testimony and you refuse to do so. Why?

Because you're being presumptuous and condescending, and I'm not here to entertain you. But it's also because you didn't ask me to share my testimony, you asked me to share what brought me into the Church (after you first asserted that you already knew).

Because you know it's not any different than any other testimony shared on fast Sunday. You have no special reason to believe other than you think God spoke to you and told you to join the Mormon church. "I know the church is true blah blah blah".

If that's what makes you feel better.

The truth is really not that exciting is it Mak?

Ask the people in my ward. I shared my testimony in last month's fast and testimony meeting.

You believe and converted based on feelings. You then have to rectify those feelings in some fashion and so you use your smarts to justify why the church is true. You go on a mission and get inoculated into the Mormon way of things.

Yes, because I do the exact same thing every other Mormon does, don't I?

You marry a Mormon girl and start having Mormon kiddos.

Have you got something against me marrying a Mormon and having Mormon kids?

You've made a career out of the Mormon church.

No, I've got a temporary job that supports me and my family while I finish my education.

You've seen the blessings of the priesthood in your life. When you serve others, you feel good. When you give a blessing to your sick kids, you know God is using you as his mouthpiece. When you bare testimony, you feel the spirit. All these experiences lead you to believe the church is true.

Those aren't really the experiences that boost my testimony.

I'm glad for you.

I can tell.

If the church works for you, great.

But weren't you just telling me why I joined, and that I've outgrown the Church, and that I need to figure out that God doesn't care anymore? Y'know, like you did?

Don't hide behind some BS arrogance that you somehow think makes you better than the rest of us losers that just couldn't figure it out and that's why we left the super cool, super elite religion. I like you Mak and know we would be good friends in real life. Be authentic. It's better that way.

I'm being perfectly authentic. I'm keeping certain things to myself, but I'm being authentic. Our experiences are obviously different. That seems to upset you more than it does me. Why is it important to you that everyone's experience be the same?

[_Sanctorian]

I've never thought of myself as good looking.

Don't be coy.

Because you're being presumptuous and condescending, and I'm not here to entertain you. But it's also because you didn't ask me to share my testimony, you asked me to share what brought me into the Church (after you first asserted that you already knew).

We can only assume what brought you into the church which is what this thread is about. I gave you an opportunity to correct any false information. The invitation is still there.

Yes, because I do the exact same thing every other Mormon does, don't I?

Again, giving you an opportunity to share with us what makes you different than every other Mormon.

Have you got something against me marrying a Mormon and having Mormon kids?

Nope, married to one myself. Have Mormon kids myself.

You've seen the blessings of the priesthood in your life. When you serve others, you feel good. When you give a blessing to your sick kids, you know God is using you as his mouthpiece. When you bare testimony, you feel the spirit. All these experiences lead you to believe the church is true.

Those aren't really the experiences that boost my testimony.

Another open invite to help us understand what sets you apart.

But weren't you just telling me why I joined, and that I've outgrown the Church, and that I need to figure out that God doesn't care anymore? Y'know, like you did?

Please do share. I've now asked a half dozen times for some for some clarification on where my line of thinking is wrong. Still no answer.

I'm being perfectly authentic. I'm keeping certain things to myself, but I'm being authentic. Our experiences are obviously different. That seems to upset you more than it does me. Why is it important to you that everyone's experience be the same?

It doesn't upset me at all. I find it humorous when someone claims their experiences are different and yet can't explain how they are different. I'm sure you can use your linguistics to accurately describe how your Mormon experience is different from Brother Joe down the road. Another open invite to let you set the record straight.

[_maklelan]

Don't be coy.

I'm not. I'm being perfectly honest. I've never been happy with my looks, and I generally hate being photographed. My avatar happens to be one of the only photos of my I don't hate.

We can only assume what brought you into the church which is what this thread is about. I gave you an opportunity to correct any false information. The invitation is still there.

You don't have to assume. You can just not worry about it. I find it odd that so many people think my motivations and experiences have some kind of bearing on their perspective regarding the Church, as if me being different from them is some kind of threat.

Again, giving you an opportunity to share with us what makes you different than every other Mormon.

Don't care to. That's not why I'm here.

Nope, married to one myself. Have Mormon kids myself.

Another open invite to help us understand what sets you apart.

Please do share. I've now asked a half dozen times for some for some clarification on where my line of thinking is wrong. Still no answer.

Sorry. Just not stuff I talk about online.

It doesn't upset me at all. I find it humorous when someone claims their experiences are different and yet can't explain how they are different.

Or won't, particularly given the antagonism.

I'm sure you can use your linguistics to accurately describe how your Mormon experience is different from Brother Joe down the road. Another open invite to let you set the record straight.

Well, people here are going to have to just get over me.

[_Everybody Wang Chung]

I was deeply embedded in Dallas' drug culture at the time, with no real way out. My first attempt at college ended with me being kicked out. After an OD and narrowly avoiding jail, things were just getting worse.

Mak,

You should watch "The Dallas Buyer's Club." I'm sure you would identify with several of the characters.

Sanctorian is right, we would love to hear your conversion story. You should never be ashamed to of the Gospel or to share your testimony. Let's hear!!

[_maklelan]

Mak,

You should watch "The Dallas Buyer's Club." I'm sure you would identify with several of the characters.

I've seen it. It's a phenomenal movie. I don't think I identify significantly with any individual character.

Sanctorian is right, we would love to hear your conversion story. You should never be ashamed to of the Gospel or to share your testimony. Let's hear!!

Sorry to disappoint.