Posted by:
MCR
(
)
Date: October 08, 2013 11:21AM
The mormon lifestyle? What's that? Whatever the mormon lifestyle is, you certainly can live it without mormonism.
Except, if you're a man, you can't get away with sitting fat and smug in a chair believing that just showing up and acting pompous and self-satisfied fulfills your social responsibilities; nor does acting sulky and silent, as though your social responsibilities put you out, but you get credit for showing up; and you can't fall asleep in your chair or play on a device when you're supposed to be paying attention. In other words, without mormonism, a man's not a priesthood holder, endowed with special powers or knowledge, or God's favored child (what kind of father plays favorites with his kids anyway?).
If you're a woman you can't gossip about everyone, indulge your petty jealousies and insecurities, break the bank on clothes, gee gaws for the house or hobby supplies, humble-brag, boss everyone around passive-aggressively, or positively refuse to make a decision except on the most trivial matters (but then pretend that because you hung a silk flower arrangement on the wheel, you're steering the ship).
However, if by lifestyle you mean doing yard work, inviting your family over for dinner, wearing a particular style of clothing, not swearing, not drinking coffee, tea, or alcohol, dropping in on the neighbors to listen to their problems, offer advice if they ask for it, help them with things, or bring them food if they're in need, you can certainly do all of those things without being told to do so by your self-appointed leader, enforced by the judgments of busy-bodies in your neighborhood.