Why can't Mormon's talk about things other than Mormon
sam Aug 2012
For the past month, I have focused on TBM's [Mormons] and their talk when I am in their company. My goal was to try and have a talk (short or long) without bringing up Mormon @#$;. So far, I have not been successful. In every case (so far), the TBM has brought in something that is a Mormon thing.
This includes meetings, temple, "miss you" at church, son on a mission, family history, less-active children (connecting to the church), Romney (church comes in), white horse prophecy, FHE, Primary, and on and on. OMG, it is just ridiculous. It is like their minds are under the control of some force (of course, it must be the HG or something that only mormons have)
americangirl406
Re: Why can't TBM's talk about things other than mormon
They have made Mormonism their life. It consumes every aspect, and it is designed to do so. In their defense I suspect they wouldn't have anything to talk about without at least something relating to Mormonism because they are so brainwashed. I still go to Bunco with a bunch of Mormon women and as long as their not talking doctrine or about the holy spirit it doesn't bother me much. Its just who they are. One comment that irked me once, before they knew I resigned, was a from a woman who's neighbor was a Christian and she mentioned that they don't believe in a premortal existence. Another woman said, "how sad!". The only thing I found sad was their close mindedness.
smoteheadofshiz
Re: Why can't TBM's talk about things other than mormon
I've noticed this too, especially in Utah. It's something I never really noticed as a TBM, but now it bugs the hell out of me. I'm trying to leave Mormonism behind, yet every encounter with tbm relatives/friends keeps reminding me of it.
roxy
Re: Why can't TBM's talk about things other than mormon
Yeah I know what you mean I can have conversions with "intelligent" ones, about work or whatever, but the run of the mill - it always comes into it.
The worst are the women though, since most don't even have work to talk about, so all I used to get at church was conversations about kids or church.
No wonder I always felt out of place at church I was an anomaly - a full time working mum, that didn't do part time work in childcare/teaching or nursing. (Senior IT Consultant - to make life even funnier I once applied to be my bishops boss - didn't get it though!)
I just wish they could talk about something else!! The only decnt ones are the Jackmos :) It's funny all my life even when i was a TBM my best friends were always nevermos or Jackmos - probably because they don't have a one track record.
americangirl406
Re: Why can't TBM's talk about things other than mormon
I think Jackmos might annoy me more sometimes, because they don't follow it at all but then they might chime in once in a while with some testiphony that the church is true. Its like where the hell did that come from?
freeman
Re: Why can't TBM's talk about things other than mormon
I notice this with my TBM family, although we do add sport and politics to the conversational agenda. It always comes back round to Mormonism though.
Others have nailed it though. Mormonism totally consumes their life to the extent that they don't really have any other interests. And of course many otherwise available interests are off the menu for Mormons - literally - as they find their doctrines prohibit or make awkward so many normal activities.
sam
Re: Why can't TBM's talk about things other than mormon
SPORTS AND POLITICS
BYU Sports
Mitt Romney
roxy
Re: Why can't TBM's talk about things other than mormon
I don't mind jackmos- some which are totally hypocritical bug the hell out of me - one face for church one for the week, all I am holier than thou face, while I know they went out clubbing and drinking 2 nights before.....
but the ones which don't pretend to be anything they are not, i.e. they go to church because they believe it's true deep down, but have difficulties living it they don't stand up and bare their testimonies or teach stuff etc - they are fine with me and always have been, i'd rather judge a person on their personality than how they lived the gospel, but couldn't stand the 2 faced ones.
Now i realize they might not have believed the whole thing and were just putting on a face for family or socialize reasons etc. I am more understanding now my eyes are opened.
freeman
Re: Why can't TBM's talk about things other than mormon
I'm British, so BYU Sports never comes up, but you're right about Romney.
EDIT: This was at the top of my FB news feed -
http://www.ldschurchnews.com/articles/62603/LDS-athletes-compete-in-Lond...
LDS athletes compete in London
Olympic medals within reach of several members
serendipityhappens
Re: Why can't TBM's talk about things other than mormon
It just makes me sad. I have a relative for whom the church is her entire life. She literally does not have ANY non-church interests or hobbies. I just let her talk about the stuff as long as she doesn't get too spirtchul.
Lethbridge Reprobate
Re: Why can't TBM's talk about things other than mormon
Because they are mindless sheep.
Captive Jack
Re: Why can't TBM's talk about things other than mormon
I was at my in-laws house on Sunday for family dinner. My FIL was actually playing with the grandchildren (this is a rare occurrence). They were playing with legos, making various items. One of the kids was building a house. FIL had to start building a spire on the top of the house, and then placed a lego figure on the top, and started going on about angel moroni. He couldn't even play with the 5 year-old grandchildren without making it about church.
anoninnv
Re: Why can't TBM's talk about things other than mormon
It's probably because for most of them it IS their life. 3 hours of church, family home evening, preparing for activities, Wednesday evening church meetings, fear of their children never getting to heaven, joy over their children procreating for the church, pride over missionary children...
helamonster
It's all they feel safe talking about.
Even around nevermos, TBMs will talk about church stuff, for a couple reasons:
1) It's all they know. Their time is all taken up by church crap. Hobbies are unknown. You wouldn't believe the amount of pop culture I missed out on as a TBM.
2) Paranoia. Even if talking to a nevermo, a TBM worries about other TBMs possibly seeing/hearing/tattling their conversations if anything "inappropriate" comes up.
3) vaguely trying to "keep a missionary spirit". even when their hearts aren't in it, TBMs know they're supposed to continually be trying to "recruit".
darkprincess
Re: Why can't TBM's talk about things other than mormon
Me and TBM Mother have this problem, the only thing she does that is not related to the church is water aerobics. I work in politics so most of my normal conversations are annoying to her, we disagree alot.
We have an understanding that if either comes up than the door to the conversation is open and really the only way to close it is to hang up the phone or have the visit end.
I am amused because I don't mind talking about either thing and she has admitted that it is dangerous for her to talk about these to me because I put doubts in her head on both.
I know a lot about water aerobics now :)
fubecona
Re: Why can't TBM's talk about things other than mormon
It doesn't surprise me and I totally get it. Mormonism isn't just a religion it's a lifestyle, it's a culture. It is all consuming, it influences everything a member says and does. Hell, I'm an exmo and I still talk about it a lot, though what I have to say about it now is quite different than what I had to say about it as a TBM. But I totally understand why TBMs do it. It can be annoying yes, I agree. But I get it.
Mia
Re: Why can't TBM's talk about things other than mormon
The goal of the church is to program every members mind so they think of nothing but church from the minute they wake until they go to sleep at night.
This makes it so mormons aren't even capable of functioning outside of mormonism. It influences every thought, action, and word. It steals their souls.
deco
Re: Why can't TBM's talk about things other than mormon
What is ironic is that although the LDS church is the world to their followers, including all their time, talent and resources, the vast majority of the followers actually know quite little about their church.
One more reason that the church educational system should have a name change to the church indoctrination system.
I have been in those type of conversations with TBMS. I like to play a little game in my mind during the convo.
Everytime they make a mormony sentence, think of the sentence with the word 'mormon' or 'LDS' replaced with terms like Peoples Temple, Scientology, Heavens Gate or Alcoholics Anonymous.
Cults really should be object of ridicule, scorn, and contempt.
Davey
Re: Why can't TBM's talk about things other than mormon
I noticed my TBM family who were visiting recently straining to have a non Mormon conversation.
A couple of them (working professionals) did OK, for a few minutes at least. The stay at home Moms had nothing to talk about except Mormon topics.
"Recovery from Mormonism - www.exmormon.org"