If you are stopped for speeding there will be a little conversation with the officer. It will seem like off-the-cuff banter to you, but it is part of a deliberate script that the officer is on. The point of the script is to get you to incriminate yourself with statements that can be used against you if you try to fight the ticket in court.
Officer: "I clocked you at 46 in a 35 zone. Are you in a hurry to get somewhere?"
If you say, "I was trying to get to the store before it closes," then you've admitted you are in a hurry. This can be used against you.
Officer: "I clocked you doing 81 [the speed limit is 70], can you explain that?"
If you say, "I don't have cruise control," then you've tacitly admitted you were not controlling your speed. That can be used against you.
If you answer, "No, I'm not in any hurry--just driving home." Or "I didn't think I was going that fast; I was just keeping up with the traffic in my lane." Then you haven't given them ammunition. That increases the likelihood that you will get a warning rather than a citation.
How does this relate to Mormonism? When you question anything, or become inactive, or express disbelief any good Mormon leader will suddenly become a Highway Patrolman and start grilling you probing for weakness. The last thing you want to do is give them any ammunition to use against you.
My advice in these situations is to deflect any personal questions. The difference here is that the cop actually DOES have real authority and can issue the ticket if you piss him off. You are required to engage the cop.
With a Bishop there is no real authority. You are under no obligation to answer any questions.
Bishop: "Have you been keeping the commandments?"
You: "I don't appreciate your insinuation that my doubts and questions are because of some personal weakness. It's about the validity of the Church, not about me."
or
GA: "Doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith."
You: "I'll make you a deal, I won't tell you how to think or feel, and you don't tell me how to think or feel. Does that sound fair?"
Morgbot: "You just want to sin."
You: "I've found it interesting that when I mention a problem with the Church to a Mormon they counter with an attack on my character. If the Church were really valid, such behavior would not be necessary."
In each case they are repeating things they've heard before, and we are blindsided. We need to be ready to reply to (not answer) their questions and accusations.
Forewarned is forearmed. What are the lines that have been used against you? What is the thing you SHOULD HAVE SAID but only thought of it later?
I've never had anyone tell me to doubt my doubts. I was long gone before they came up with that stupid little saying.
However, if a bishop did say that to me, my first thought is: When I doubt my doubts I immediately start to research what i'm questioning. That's a system that's always worked for me.
Now that we have the internet research is so much easier. I can find out people's thoughts and ideas clear back as far as there are records. So, if i'm doubting something, i'm going to be looking it up. Can the Mormon religion stand up to the scrutiny of the historians and researchers that have taken on the topic?
I'm using the mind God gave me. I'll be using the minds God gave to the people who came before me. I'll be looking at records, journals, books, and anything else that may give me information. If I don't do that, i'm setting myself up to be taken advantage of. Simple as that.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/16/2014 01:31AM by madalice.