Godspeed!

[katphyre]

Just a follow up on my last post. Here is the letter from the bishop I recieved 4 days after my resignation letter, and the letter dated three days after that from Church Membership. They're easier to see if you click on the larger image size (top right). I'm shocked and pleased with their promptness all at the same time. I really appreciate

Comments

Re: Leaving the church

[katphyre]

Just so we're all on the same page:

From Merriam-Webster online: coerce

Main Entry: co·erce
Pronunciation: \kō-ˈərs\
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Form(s): co·erced; co·erc·ing
Etymology: Middle English cohercen, from Anglo-French *cohercer Latin coercēre, from co- + arcēre to shut up, enclose.
Date: 15th century

1 : to restrain or dominate by force (religion in the past has tried to coerce the irreligious - W. R. Inge) 2 : to compel to an act or choice (was coerced into agreeing) 3 : to achieve by force or threat (coerce compliance)

I don't think my husband was asserting that, "the mere offer to express a view that one hopes could be helpful to others necessarily constitutes "coersion."."

I think he was asserting that the following comment made by you is, in fact, an attempt to use fear as a compelling reason to be compliant with the beliefs of christianity:

"You're right, we'll all know what happens next after we die, but the problem is that what happens next to you may not be to your liking, and it may be too late then to change your direction."

You're asking me to base my spiritual convictions on the idea that I should follow Christianity just in case it turns out you're right and I might not want to burn in hell if I'm wrong! By that logic I should also make sure I'm in good standing with the Buddhists, the Hindus, the Muslims, the Jews, and every other variation of religion. In fact, all of those religions came before Christianity and still outnumber them worldwide. If more people believe it, isn't it more likely to be true? Maybe you ought to join one of those churches, just in case! Oh, but wait, what if it turns out the Mormons really did have the truth? What if it's only the Baptists, or the Anglicans? Maybe you should stop sitting on the non-denominational Christian fence and pick a flavor. Or maybe you have and I just don't know it because I don't know you. In which case all of this advice is uneducated and unsolicited. Kind of like yours.

I realize I have posted my story out in the open, for anyone to read and comment on. And that was why I didn't respond the first time you posted. You have a right to an opinion and if I don't like it, I'll ignore it. But you are wrong when you say that your words were not coercive. Playing on the fear of an unhappy afterlife is a universal method among religions to gain and keep their membership. And it is exactly why I would not even consider the possibility of subscribing to a single brand of religion again.

I can almost appreciate what, I'm sure, you view as an honest concern for my soul, but believe me when I say that it is not a concern that keeps me up at night. I have faith, just as un-shakeable as yours, that at this moment I am square with who or what might place judgement upon me after my death.