From HoverCloud
Opinions
What would the world be without people's differing opinions? Naturally I have a few of my own, if you care to hear them, keeping on reading...
Let's Get Along
I wish people could be more tolerant of each other. What does it matter what other people believe or do, as long as their thoughts and actions don't infringe upon the rights of others? I'm glad that our society is becoming more diverse. Some people may be concerned that society is becoming more "decadent", but I don't think that is the case at all. People are learning to be themselves and explore their freedom as never before. It's unhealthy for everyone to try to follow the same mold. Viva la difference!
Non-Profits
Non-profit organizations can do a lot of good, here are some of my favorites:
- Second Harvest Food Bank (http://www.secondharvestsjca.org/)
- University of California Marching Band (http://www.calband.berkeley.edu/)
- Silicon Valley Gay Mens Chorus (http://www.svgmc.org/)
- Billy DeFrank Gay and Lesbian Center (http://www.defrank.org/)
- Human Rights Campaign (http://www.hrc.org/)
Mormonism
I used to be a Mormon (a member of a church also known as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints). I'm happy I made the choice to leave, it was the right thing for me. Naturally, whatever you do concerning organized religion is up to you. If you are interested in the Mormon church try this list of sites (http://dir.yahoo.com/Society_and_Culture/Religion_and_Spirituality/Faiths_and_Practices/Christianity/Denominations_and_Sects/Church_of_Jesus_Christ_of_Latter_day_Saints/).
My family joined when I was 8 years old. We lived in New Zealand at the time and were feeling somewhat homesick, being Americans/Canadians in a foreign country. The Mormon church offers a friendly, community environment that is helpful to families.
My brother was the one really interested in religion at the time and it was his interest that drove the issue. The missionaries came to our house to teach him, and they had everyone else listen in to the discussions as well. My brother continues to be interested in religion and philosopy, has since left the church, but continues to study and learn about all sorts of different religions and philisophies.
I went on a mission to Finland for two years when I was 19. What a great country! I liked it there and I found the language fascinating. A mission is expected of all young men in the Mormon church at the age of 19, and I went, even though my dad had just been diagnosed with cancer and given 6 months to live.
I am amazed when I look back on that decision. So strong was my conviction that I left on that mission even though my dad might not be around when I returned. While I was gone my family went on the Macrobiotic diet, his health improved immensely, and over 15 years later my Dad is still with us. Some people would say that is divine intervention, but due to my subsequent experiences, I'm not willing to make the call one way or the other.
Everything was fine for me for years after my mission. I went back to college, immersed myself in studying computers and stayed busy. I eventually realized, however, that I was having a problem with my life master plan, which called for me to get married and have children. I wasn't really interested in dating women. I had a number of female friends, but I didn't feel any motivation to get married, except in the context of the pressure put upon returned Mormon missionaries to do so.
One day I finally realized that I naturally fall in love with men rather than women. This discovery made many thoughts and feelings from my younger years make a great deal more sense to me. And it allowed me to start down a road which would lead to greater self-awareness, self-acceptance, and happiness.
Being gay isn't compatible with church teachings, however, so I was torn for a while. But I felt its rightness in myself more strongly than I had ever felt about the divinity of the church. I was sure that God wouldn't make me gay and then forbid me to be myself. It's not like this was a choice for me, I tried hard to be straight!
Imagine if you weren't allowed to be with the man or woman you love! Such a rule would seem arbitrary, and it didn't make sense to me, so I decided that the church must not be accurately describing God's feelings or will on this matter. Leaving the church was the clear choice for me.
Well, thanks for reading my opinions. It has been said that ex-mormons can never leave it alone. It's had such a profound effect on my life that I guess I am no exception. I wouldn't neccessarily give up the experience, however, as it is part of who I am. And guess what I found recently, a web page for Finland Mission Alumni (http://www.ldsn.org/fma/), how cool is that?
