Posted by:
freeman
(
)
Date: January 29, 2012 12:09PM
I see a classical JackMo at one end of the spectrum, and a TBM at the other. There must be some space in between which shares characteristics of both.
Jack Mormon, according to Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Mormon"Sometime in the early- to mid-twentieth century, however, the term began to refer to an individual deemed by adherents of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) to be an inactive or lapsed member of the LDS Church who, despite his personal religious viewpoint, maintained good relations with and positive feelings toward the LDS Church."
"The term is now used to describe a baptized member of the LDS Church who rarely or never practices the religion, but is still friendly toward the church. Alternatively, it can be used for someone that is of Mormon descent but unbaptized or non-religious. Some Jack Mormons still support the goals and beliefs of the LDS Church, but for various reasons choose not to attend services or participate in church activities."
There is a difference between somebody who would merely "defend" TSCC, and "maintain good relations" with TSCC, versus somebody who believes *the church is true* with the same fervour of a TBM.
My wife, for example, I call a TBJackMo. She keeps the WoW, is morally clean and chaste, got married in the temple, and believes in the teachings of TSCC, its doctrines, and the whitewashed history every bit as much as a TBM. But she doesn't pay tithing, and attends church infrequently. The reasons for her non-attendance are not because she doesn't believe, and not because she wants to "sin". She *DOES* believe, and the only Mormon "sin" she commits is not attending her meetings, and not paying tithing. (I don't know why she doesn't pay tithing, but she has never expressed any issues with the law of tithing). The reasons she doesn't like to attend church are related to her being shy and not feeling fellowshipped, and the hastle of dealing with our two young children.
I used to refer to her on this site as a TBM, because she is believing, but as she is considered semi-active, hasn't held a calling in years, and doesnt pay tithing or attend the temple, then "TBM" doesn't seem appropriate. TBJackMo makes the distinction between somebody who "truly believes" but doesn't live the life of a TBM, and somebody who would merely "defend" and "maintain good relations" with TSCC, whilst (possibly) holding differing religious views - a classic Jack Mo.
Of course, one could make the argument that people like my wife belong to a subset of Jackmoism. But they would seriously take issue with being lumped together with people who hold different religious views to them.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/29/2012 12:14PM by freeman.