So we skipped church today after a big argument and this is my first time writing on this site. I'm introverted, but even introverts need a discussion on a taboo topic in my home, namely everything to do with LDS as I'll probably say something that will piss off my wife.

I'm a Mormon . . . kinda. One day at college I had a few questions, which has led to more, until I am having a lot of issues. Historically, I have reasoned, maybe these ridiculous quotes by Joseph S, BY, and others is just misquoted or lies. The bigger problem with the LDS faith is logic. Perhaps I am not smart enough to puzzle the perplexing pieces together, but would God want me believe in something that doesn't make sense? And if he/she/it would, then how do I tell the good nonsense from the bad?..

And furthermore, why does God seem to pick only a few special people to deliver messages that are so nonsensical?

Nelson's comment about the Big Bang Theory was so ridiculous to me on so many levels (the analogy itself, the argument it was supposed to support, etc.) and it made me feel sick when the congregation laughed. I don't want to sound pretentious, but I honestly feel like I'm surrounded by constant ignorance. My wife thinks the comment was off too, btw. She's intelligent, but she's a die-hard TBM (always on my case about getting a calling, going to the temple, paying tithing, home teaching, even nitpicks on what I do on Sunday) and believes he could have been just speaking as himself and not as an apostle, but the problem remains.

I don't want to do home teaching because what would I teach? How can I testify that I know something is true that doesn't make any sense? I don't want to go to the temple because I know the whole mason thing, and it's weird, and the need to go doesn't make sense..

I think if there is a God, and God is just, then God wouldn't want me to say that I believe when I can't because it doesn't make sense. If God is unjust, then I don't care what God wants. And if there is no God, then it's up to me and I don't want to pretend..

I can't see logic in what everyone is trying to force me to do.

I'm just venting, sorry for filling up the message board, but it's Sunday, and I just wanted to say something honest for a change that I couldn't say in Sunday School or Elder's quorum..

cal -- you are thinking.

You are thinking logically, critically and deeply.

This is very healthy, but Mormons are discouraged from thinking this way, because it exposes the truth of Mormonism.

Yep. I left for the same basic reason, it didn't make any sense. I had other particular beefs (the global flood story and the "atonement" to name a few) but in essence it was that mormonism simply doesn't make any sense while science and history indeed does. Sounds like you are well on your way out of mormonism. It can be a bumpy road, that's why this site exists. Feel free to come here often. I know there can be a sense of urgency in the beginning but there really isn't. Take your time, do your research, there's no hurry.

"What is true is already so.
Owning up to it doesn't make it worse.
Not being open about it doesn't make it go away.
And because it's true, it is what is there to be interacted with.
Anything untrue isn't there to be lived.
People can stand what is true,
for they are already enduring it."
Eugene Gendlin

Welcome to the Board.

Yep, we get it. Lived it, struggled through it, somehow survived it.

I'm stuck struggling asking the same questions of Christianity in general now. It never seems to end.

You're among friends.

Wow, this is a weird sensation. I had kind of hoped/expected some support, but not getting replies this quickly and feeling this good about it..

I'm feeling like, can this really be possible? Did I actually say something completely contrary to Mormon dogma and get a reaction that didn't try to make me feel like I'm a wolf in sheep's clothing? No awkward silence or frowns? That I'm being deceived by Satan and must be secretly committing sins, otherwise I wouldn't think the way that I do? (Seriously, this is what I've been getting from everyone all my life. Why do people hate me for being honest? I thought us 'mormons' believed in being honest.. or do we believe but hate you for it if it's a 'bad' honest? Maybe that's the catch..)

Thanks. All the responses have seemed sincere and have been helpful. I don't believe it's possible for me to reconfigure my brain so I think the same as friends/family, so I'll definitely be coming back to try and figure out my confusing existence..

Hi cal,

A few weeks ago, I believe it was Stray Mutt that posted the following link to a Ted talk about introversion. Although I'm an extrovert, my daughter is an introvert and she thoroughly enjoyed the talk. I hope you like it, too. Here's the link: http://www.ted.com/talks/susan_cain_the_power_of_introverts.html

And yeah, I get it. When my cognitive dissonance began to fade, logic and reason took over. The ride was bumpy but worth it. I read the BoM and the Bible simultaneously and saw too many contradictions to accept "faith" as my crutch to remain a Mormon.

Thanks for joining us and I wish you well as you continue to search.

toto

Because he's an asshole.

This is a guy who'll keep family members apart forever, if THEY screw up. So you can be perfect and still be punished forever.

Only an asshole does that.

Mormonism is all about inner consistency. You just have to understand the true nature of god.

You can either believe the church and all its fiery tales, which will mean you will have to twist your mind, in order to fit them in, or you can accept the science that debunks all the fiery tales. As a bonus, if you choose the later, you get to watch porn guilt free, and have adult relationships with people you are not married to, plus drink adult beverages. Such a hard choice, guilt and superstition, or joy and enlightenment.