Posted by:
balaamsass
(
)
Date: August 06, 2012 02:42PM
Guys - visited the new ward. A truly joyless place it was. Met the bishop and was immediately asked if I was endowed and was interested in a calling. I said I would make an appointment to discuss this. This was a service focusing on a returned missionary and his family. Put me the hell to sleep, but not before I remembered a similar SM where a good friend of mine's wife ran sobbing out of the chapel because her mission age sons were gay; in jail; and inactive respectively. I asked myself what am I doing here and why am I thinking of that.
Two days later I have my appointment with Bish. Keeps me waiting half an hour and I get about 10 minutes with him before he says, well we gotta finish up because I usually go home right now.
On the way home (In the dark and in a storm because this fool kept me waiting...) I said to myself "This church is making me feel badly, it made my friends feel badly, and the prospect of having another scouting or teaching call is pissing me off. I'm done."
The next Sunday I went to a wonderful United Church of Christ in my town. The preacher was a little old lady who reminded me of Mother Angelica. Best Church service I had been too in ages. I picked the UCC because they seemed to be the most welcoming harmless place I could find. A very nice young man of priest age read out of the gospel and folks held hands during the consecration (it was their SM). I will be going back this Sunday. I felt comfortable but justified because I finally did what was right.
I swear I am NEVER going to be part of a group that calls itself the Church of Jesus Christ that hurts people and makes them feel badly about themselves, their family, or anyone. NO matter what it does for me - which is precious little now - or how unintentional it may sometimes be, it is wrong to be in and sustain something like that.
So now someone can give me my mouse ears as an official exmo.
Best Regards
BalaamsAss