tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2072949053404807587.post104925957932113864..comments2023-03-27T11:27:08.451-04:00Comments on Formerly Barred: A Rainbow Coalition of People from Every CreedMormonRaisedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03756504100827863560noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2072949053404807587.post-59482987722938567182009-06-16T18:01:02.628-04:002009-06-16T18:01:02.628-04:00Thank you all for the input. I don't think I&...Thank you all for the input. I don't think I'm really having a spiritual longing at all. I think that I'm really just scared that if I move out East, I won't have any friends near by. Looking for a Church was just a way to feel like I would have a community there. But I feel optimistic. I seem to find community no matter where I go, and I'm sure this will be no different.MormonRaisedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03756504100827863560noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2072949053404807587.post-16314791610167437832009-06-11T11:45:58.549-04:002009-06-11T11:45:58.549-04:00I think some people have an impulse towards spirit...I think some people have an impulse towards spirituality and some don't. It sounds like you're in the former camp. I think the trick might be separating out the spiritual feelings from the religious ones. That is, develop a relationship with God (spirituality) and then maybe look into finding a community that supports you in that effort (religion).<br /><br />I don't think there's any wrong reason for investigating a church. Being a seeker isn't a bad thing, even if it takes you lots of false starts to find a place where you are welcomed and belongaleahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07433827353031591799noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2072949053404807587.post-79648036777196916012009-06-11T00:19:35.894-04:002009-06-11T00:19:35.894-04:00I think religious people in your life will tell yo...I think religious people in your life will tell you to find God and spirituality again. Secular people will tell you that your religious experiences and upbringining caused you psychological harm. You have to do what you think is right. If you want religion or spirituality in your life, then you go and find what works for you. It doesn't mean you have to subscribe to any one philosophy, or group of people. I know you are striving for community - that you want that again, but I think as you have learned, being a part of an organized religion does not make you a "community" any more than does attending a candle light vigil. When you get away from Utah and start living your life by your rules alone, you'll find your community in your everyday life and the things/roles/events that give you happiness. If it's in a Church setting or a pottery class, I just want you to find happiness. You know as well as I do that there is no answer to your question "what do I do?" Love you.Ms. Kaplanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01832539203662985317noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2072949053404807587.post-35731877770631246812009-06-11T00:10:57.361-04:002009-06-11T00:10:57.361-04:00watching new members become inactive is hard on mi...watching new members become inactive is hard on missionaries so we convinced ourselves that if nothing else, we ruined other religions. that is, having once known the true church, all other churches just couldn't compare, leaving inactive members isolated.<br /><br />well, that was not the only mission myth, of course, but it was pervasive. <br /><br />one of these days the church will find a way to lose it's "one and only true church" identity, replacing it with a more suitable identity. It will be tricky, but it certainly wouldn't be the first theological flip-flop.<br /><br />by the way, I really like your artAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2072949053404807587.post-76174728241258756892009-06-10T22:34:50.548-04:002009-06-10T22:34:50.548-04:00Really interesting post. I feel like I went throug...Really interesting post. I feel like I went through a similar phase, but perhaps in an abbreviated period. I went from active LDS to not practicing to considering myself to be "Christian," to agnostic to somewhere between atheist and indifferent in about 12 months.<br /><br />I think that religion can be a source of good in people's lives, but I am absolutely over the idea that there is a "true church" and really see organized religion as fulfilling a need in people's lives. Christianity really is our brand of mysticism and makes people feel complete for the time being.<br /><br />I think that if you want to join a church for social or other reasons, it's fine, even if you don't believe the so-called doctrine. Being part of a community whose mission you believe in can be fulfilling.D-Trainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17473393837732916277noreply@blogger.com