I hate being judged by people who don't know me. And worst I hate being judged by people who THINK they know me. I AM MORMON. I don't feel discriminated against as a woman in the church, I don't feel like I am encouraged not to know the history of the church. I am not told to dislike, hate or judge gay people. In fact I know and love many. I have a sister who is no longer a member of the church, who I love as much today as I did when she was a member. I am so sick of former members writing about their experience in the church. There is a reason people stop going to church. It is usually not good. The church doesn't make any sort of claim that it's PEOPLE are perfect, not even its leaders. Feelings get hurt all the time, everyday, it happens. Sometimes intentionally and sometimes not. I like to compare it to asking a former dentist to do a root canal on you. Not just a former dentist, but one who lost his license due to malpractice. Would you do that? I hope not. So why would you trust a source that has had some sort of 'malpractice' suit to get information about, well anything. I would go to the source, someone who is active and subjective in any area, not just religion, but anything. I could ask my husband, who is very tech savvy and smart when it comes to gadgets, if I should buy an iPad. But I already know my answer, he HATES anything apple. So if I want an opinion on an iPad, guess who I am not going to ask? (sorry babe). The same goes for religion.
I guess This whole Mitt Romney running for President has made one thing clear to me, that is that it is OK to be prejudiced in this country. Not against, same sex couples, not against black/Mexican/Asians (or anyone who is different from you), not against women, not against democrats (none of which I hold any judgement towards).. the list could go on and on. BUT it is OK to be prejudiced against Mormons and conservatives, but mostly just Mormons. That is OK, we don't have the right to believe what we want, because you believe what we believe is wrong. So judgement can be cast against an entire religion, baselessly.
One of my dearest friends is not a member of this church, but she has taken every opportunity to learn about it, since she loves me. She has been told false information at almost every intersection, by people "protecting" her. But she ALWAYS calls me to see if what she was told was true. She even took the missionary discussions, not to join the church, and not to argue with the missionaries, but to learn about what I believe. This meant the world to me and I couldn't love her more. I wish that all people who cast judgement could be open to the truth, not necessarily conversion, but what the church REALLY believes.
From the time I turned 3 and started going to primary the church has taught me one very important thing and that came first from a primary song that goes like this: "Jesus said love everyone, treat them kindly too. When your heart is filled with love others will love you."
sorry about my rant, but I just get so frustrated, I hope it made sense. I love my beliefs and feel that they make me a better person, not better than others, but better than I would be without it. I thank a loving Heavenly Father for being so patient with me and my short comings... I have a LOT.
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