Recently, I received a (my term) "come to Jesus" e-mail from an older relative of mine. I'm pretty certain that my relatives who read this blog know which relative I'm talking about, as I know they have also received e-mails and letters from this person in the past.**
Anyway, in this e-mail (which was only to me, not a group e-mail), this very faithful LDS person mentioned that I probably had no use for "the moron church" (their words, not mine).
I have to admit, I was a bit taken aback. I had to think, okay, have I ever used the term "moron church" on this blog or anywhere on the net?
(I even did a search through the blog to make sure).
When it wasn't a genuine spelling error (yes, they happen, even to me!)?
I don't think I have. Because as I've written before, while I disagree about MANY things about mormonism and the mormon faith - I don't consider it the moron church.
I do not consider its members "morons".
I even try to use LDS, even though I disagree with changing the terms from mormon to LDS.
I hope I've been pretty clear in the past that I know a lot of people whom I respect (some whom I love) who happen to be mormon.
I give them the same freedom and respect to find their own belief system as I would hope they would give me.
Honestly, there are only a handful of people that I would even use the term "moron" about. On my good days, I could even attempt some compassion about using "moron" towards those few people. As I have compassion for this older relative of mine, who has been through many rough patches throughout their years that I know about.
I just couldn't help giving this explanation/defense here. In case this person is (by some stretch of the imagination) reading this blog. Because that e-mail pushed all my buttons (which most "come to Jesus" e-mails are meant to do).
**As an aside, this particular person is not very good about keeping boundaries (or being respectful) from my experience, so I will probably not be engaging or responding.
As an example, at one point, this person even blamed my disaffection on my Mother. That I left the mormon faith because my Mom was not a "good example" to her daughters. The best thing I can say about that comment is that at least I know where this person stands.
5 comments:
Wow. Good for you for not engaging. I have received some "come to Jesus" communications in my time from various people, and in my experience, they are almost inevitably disrespectful and boundary-crossing. I'm sure there are exceptions, but such has been my experience.
Thanks Kathryn. What bothered me the most was the assumption that I felt a certain way, without asking first how I actually felt. It's unfortunate.
Oddly, Aerin, just today, the day you blogged about the "Moron Church" I started a website about the "Moron Church of Latter-day Saints." Some folks say it is unduly harsh, but it's just my little attempt at humor to help myself heal from the wounds of Mormonism still lingering.
If you're interested, visit http://moronchurch.com/main There are biographies of all the leaders of the Moron Church, stories about Magic Underwear, the Three Nephites, the Life of Joseph Smith in pictures, etc.
And, I do applaud you for your ability to not accept the "bait" from your family member.
I've experienced that it is not uncommon for True Believing Mormons to have a difficult time with boundaries. It is always OK for them to make any comment they wish, but are so very quick to take offense themselves.
My website is my way of speaking out against that kind of lunacy with a little lightmindedness of my own.
Best wishes.
Oh, they never really let you out do they? I don't think they are morons either, but I do have to smile at some of their efforts to bring everyone into the fold.
I guess I have been lucky. Some family members think I'm too stubborn to engage in this type of conversation and others think I'll figure it out & come back. I guess I have lost my way for a little while and they are quite patient. Good luck to them.
Andrew - thanks for the heads up. I had seen your post about it..this must have been serendipity. I think what annoys me is the assumption that since I left, II am naturally angry, disrespectful and full of bile. I'm all for humor, I just don't understand reasoning sometimes (why everyone is either with us or against us).
FFG - the majority of my family members are very respectful. Which is why this email left me wondering WTF?
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