It's a fair point. However, when we start discussing our differing views on tscc, the conversation quickly devolves, and the outcome isn't pleasant. Frankly, it isn't worth the effort, so I take the lazy route and just keep my mouth shut.
Forum: Recovery Board

My very tbm parents are in town for a visit. Like many tbms, they struggle to have a casual conversation that doesn't involve the church. Consequently, I've been listening a lot about the wonderful church, every day miracles, and answers to prayers. I don't find it offensive, but it makes me sad to see how deceived they are, and apparently incapable of looking at the church objectively. Addit
Forum: Recovery Board

Somehow these little factoids weren't covered in my seminary class, although I'm sure it was an honest oversight. With regards to the sale of the bom copyright, he had received a revelation that they should sell the copyright. When it didn't work out, js made his infamous quote about how darn tootin hard it is too distinguish between revelations from god and the devil. The implication was th
Forum: Recovery Board

Yeah, it's pretty galling that church leaders counsel members to pay tithing before feeding their kids and then turn around and waste that tithing money on frivolous expenditures.
Forum: Recovery Board

One more day - Les Mis Defying gravity - Wicked Not sure if I should admit this one, but: Let it go - Frozen The last one encapsulated my experience with the church, and I was really surprised by the feelings that washed over me as I listened to the song and the spirit bore a powerful witness that the church had truly screwed up my life.
Forum: Recovery Board

Doubting Thomas makes some good points. In particular, leadership in scouts is hit or miss in tscc. Since they are callings (and good Mormons never turn down an inspired calling), you get some scout leaders who hate being in scouting. In the volunteer system used in non tscc units, I would expect adult leadership to be better since the leaders actually want to be involved with scouting.
Forum: Recovery Board

I have the distinguished honor of being a cub master. The bishop came up with that calling after I informed him I wouldn't serve in a calling that required me to teach things I don't believe about the church. While I don't personally bring religion into the monthly pack meetings, the den leaders do emphasize it a bit in the weekly meetings. Additionally, scouting does refer to god fairly f
Forum: Recovery Board

Sounds like tscc is looking for an angle that will allow it to take credit for charitable work conducted by others. I can already see the announcement in Deseret News: "Led by the tssc through the amazing website justserve.com, thousands are working together to feed the poor, clothe the naked, and provide homes for abandoned puppies." Off course, there won't be any Mormons gettin
Forum: Recovery Board

Personally, I regret the time wasted in church and callings more than the money lost. Not that I'm happy about wasting the money, but I usually had a time demanding calling that kept me away from my family. My kids would frequently ask me to play with them, and I often had to decline due to meetings associated with my church callings. For my part, the church can keep its filthy lucre - it's
Forum: Recovery Board

First of all, congratulations on having enough sense to get third party information before jumping into the lds pool. You are obviously an intelligent person, and the lds church would benefit from your membership. I would recommend that you spend some time on mormonthink.com - they do a pretty good job presenting information in a balanced manner. You might also spend some time in the biograph
Forum: Recovery Board

Congratulations on a productive year. I'm glad you joined us here on rfm and appreciate the insights you have shared.
Forum: Recovery Board

I recently learned that an acquaintance of the family was arrested for being involved in a highly illegal activity that severely injured children. It's a travesty for the victims and for his family, so I don't want to make light of it. However, I couldn't resist asking my wife how this guy could have a temple recommend. If the bishopric or stake presidency really had the gift of discernment, th
Forum: Recovery Board

Mine is a twist on the infamous procrustean bed. Procrustes was a legendary figure who had a special bed for visitors. Procrustes would ensure that the bed fit perfectly by either stretching the visitor or cutting off part of their legs. Not particularly pleasant for the visitor if they didn't already perfectly fulfill the dimensions of the bed. Pretty much described my experience with tscc.
Forum: Recovery Board

My moniker is a play on procrustrean bed. The legendary Procrustes would have visitors lay on his bed and then make sure the bed fit perfectly by either stretching the visitor or cutting off part of his legs. That pretty much sums up my experience with the church. I had to cut out significant parts of myself to make tscc fit, including parts of my personality, critical thinking skills, dreams
Forum: Recovery Board

For me, prayer helped me focus my thoughts, calm my nerves, and recognize the positive aspects of my life. I recently went through a list of gods from many cultures, identified one that I could relate to, and now I pray to her. I know full well that she doesn't exist. However, I get the same benefits I used to get from prayer. Additionally, my prayer success rate hasn't changed one iota - I s
Forum: Recovery Board

It sounds like a very frustrating situation for you, and as others have pointed out, for your son as well. My son has been in speech therapy for years, and continues to get better. However, I remember when he was 4 and he was excited to tell me something. As I asked him to repeat himself a few times, the excitement faded, his shoulders slumped, and in a heart broken voice he lamented "
Forum: Recovery Board

I've always been an independent, leaving the church didn't change that. Financially, I lean conservative, socially I lean democrat.
Forum: Recovery Board

Thanks for sharing the stats. Looks like a great start after just 8 days.
Forum: Recovery Board

I recall you were trying to hit the right tone so that tbms would feel comfortable on the website. Based on the feedback from my bishop, you nailed it. Nicely done. I wish I knew which board you were referring to, and I hope you'll keep us posted on the stats here at rfm too.
Forum: Recovery Board

Last week I met with my bishop and shared my doubts about the church. He was just recently called as bishop, and he seemed surprised by many of the things I shared with him. For example, he hadn't realized that someone could genuinely try to gain a testimony but not get an answer to their prayers. He also seemed surprised that I feel more peace now than I did as a tbm. I made clear that my
Forum: Recovery Board

I know what you mean. The perspective changes a lot when you put on a different pair of glasses. This is pretty embarrassing to admit, but I used to think Packer was a kind, humble man. Somehow, I didn't notice the vile things he would say. Needless to say, I now look at him in a different light.
Forum: Recovery Board

Even on a temple trip, most members seemed incapable of obeying the speed limit. It always surprised me that people would expect to feel the spirit in the temple when they broke the law the whole way getting there. Of course, I obeyed the speed limit and still didn't feel the spirit, so maybe they were on to something.
Forum: Recovery Board

Fair enough. I was going to keep it at fairly high level. For example, on the topic of polygamy I will share that js married quite a few ladies, many of whom were already married and some who were as young as 14. However, I'm going to just stick with the information in the essays and leave out (for now) facts such as js's public denial of having participated in polygamy or his conjugal relations.
Forum: Recovery Board

My turn for the FHE lesson is coming up. Normally, I choose a benign but boring topic that has as little to do with religion as possible. However, I don't think that my lessons on good manners or hygiene have been particularly memorable. Last night, as I lay in bed with insomnia, the usual topics flitted through my head: work, tscc, the Simpsons, etc. Finally, my brain latched on to a thought
Forum: Recovery Board

Sounds scrim-diddily-umptious. Also, glad to see you reconsidered changing your moniker and stuck with your classic one.
Forum: Recovery Board

Why all the animosity towards Everton. For crying out loud, after all the tithing Everton has probably paid, printing off copies of the CES letter doesn't seem so bad. If Everton hasn't paid tithing, then I'd be pleased to know that some of my tithing had gone towards his worthy cause.
Forum: Recovery Board

That's the theme from sacrament meeting today. The talk focused on apostates and how to avoid becoming one. The person speaking talked about how grateful she was for the knowledge God withheld from us because we just couldn't handle it. And it's a good observation. The first step out of the church is often the acquisition of new knowledge. If she wants to remain faithful, ignorance is definit
Forum: Recovery Board

If someone left the cat wandering around, then I'd suggest they weren't a responsible owner and don't deserve to have a cat in the first place.
Forum: Recovery Board

Yes, but in their own, twisted way. For example, many stake leaders genuinely feel that it is compassionate to excommunicate someone. Of course, the person being excommunicated doesn't feel as though it is compassionate.
Forum: Recovery Board

I think it does increase the odds that the funds go to slc, even if only slightly. Excess funds are sent to slc periodically, and if a stake gets a sudden windfall, it is more likely that the stake will have excess funds at that point in time.
Forum: Recovery Board