I am sure many of you have heard the news, that the LDS church will no longer be allowing the children on same-sex couple to be blessed or baptized.
When I heard this news, my heart sunk into my stomach. I literally felt sick. I was raised LDS, as was my husband. Our families and friends are all Mormon, so we have a very personal connection to this church.
We both still have our names listed as members of this church, we are listed as inactive. Callan is an atheist, and works with a group in the military to help get the same recognition for atheists and agnostics and most mainstream religions have. It is something he fully believes, and is committed to.
I am, however, a little more open with what I believe. Mostly because I have no idea, and have no way of knowing if there is, or isn't a god. I consider myself a Diest. Which if you don't know, is:
A religious belief holding that God created the universe and established rationally comprehensible moral and natural laws but does not intervene in human affairs through miracles or supernatural revelation.
I also don't necessarily believe there is just one God, or that God is a he, or even a she....
Anyway, being raised LDS Callan nor I ever really felt we belonged. We never really believed. We just went through the motions because thats what we were raised to do. It just how things were. When I met Callan he was already set in his beliefs, I however, was still questioning everything. Callan, has taught me to look at things from every angle, and question EVERYTHING. I am so grateful to him. He helped me discover who I was, and what exactly I believed in. Even though our thoughts on God, or lack of God differ, we are always able to have intelligent conversations with each other about our beliefs.
Raising a child in this environment has been proven through research to be more effective in their upbringing. Can it be more difficult? I'm sure it has its hardships. But, so does raising a child in any religion. Our son will always be encouraged to research, and question everything. If he wants to join the LDS church, or any church for that matter, we will fully support I'm in that decision. We will encourage him to live by the standards and expectations of those religions. It will always be up to him.
Now, after the news broke last night about the LDS church not allowing same-sex couples children to be baptized, Callan and I had the discussion about why are we still technically considered members of this church? We don't live by their standards, we don't believe in their teachings, we aren't members in our heart, just in name.
We came to the realization that we have kept our names on the record for the simple fact as to not hurt our families.
Mormons have a belief that you are sealed to your families for all of eternity. If one family member is an apostate (gays are considered apostates) as are murders, people who disavow the church are as well. Anyway, if a member of the family is an apostate, they are no longer sealed to their families. So, basically, our families believe, that they are losing us for all eternity. What a thought, and how horrible it would be for them to find out we are no longer sealed to them? Why bother removing our names if only to hurt our families?
However, as of today, we are no longer members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. We feel we can no longer be apart of a church that will not allow innocent children to be baptized. I could go into all the reasons this new ruling is hypocritical of everything they raised me to believe, but, I won't I want to keep this post light and minus the negativity.
I can say, I am utterly heart broken for the people in my life, and the people who I don't know, that this ruling affects. I am so sad for them. Good, faithful members, who have been loyal to their church, are now being told their children, are to pay for their "sins." I can't, in good conscious be apart of this maddening logic any longer.
My heart is heavy in sorrow, however, apart of me is happy that these children, don't have to be subjected to the hate in this church. Please, don't think the LDS church is all hate. They have so much love, and good things to offer. The members of this church, are faithful, kind, and loving people. And they should not be judged for the things their church teaches.
Anyway, if you have any questions please feel free to email me.
alnharding@icloud.com
Aubrie and Callan
If you would like to have your name removed as well, I will put the link below:
http://www.exmormon.org/remove.htm
