Posted by:
only me
(
)
Date: April 25, 2013 11:22AM
Background: I am the lone exmo in my family; parents and siblings are all as TBM as could be. My family has been great....minimal preaching at me even when I first left and absolutely zero preaching at me now that they've had time to adjust to the idea that I have left church and will not be coming back. They have turned out to support my kids at some of the activities they are engaged in (sports, performances, etc.) I have tried to reciprocate and support their kids. I want to keep our relationship on a two-way street of respect as it is now.
My sister called and left a voicemail that they would like me to come to her 8-year-old son's baptism. The time overlaps a sporting event my son will be playing in. He plays multiple games per week so it's not like if I miss one there won't be others to watch, but I do want to be there to support my son at his game (some of these are high-pressure situations and I think it helps him to have a good cheering section....and besides it's fun to watch him play). But I realize my nephew will only be getting baptized once and it is something that is important to his parents regardless of how my personal opinion of baptizing kids into the mormon church differs from theirs. I have no interest at all in "making a statement" or enlightening this 8-year-old child on my views of the church his parents are raising him in. My sister and her husband have not tried to butt in and raise my kids mormon for me so I feel more than good about staying out of their parenting space.
Is it unforgivably rude to decline the baptism invitation in order to attend my son's game when I will have many chances to see my son play in other games, or is it understandable that I would put my son's schedule ahead of my nephew's even though my nephew is doing a once-in-a-lifetime milestone?