Has the Foyer ever changed you?

[RC Vikings]

This is probably the most brilliant post in the history of CUF:

http://www.cougaruteforum.com/showpo...5&postcount=47

I guess that's why I don't understand it.

[scottie]

If you don't mind, can you clarify this a bit? We were valuable in helping you change in what way?

Probably not the change that wally is asking about, but I think you all helped me see that there are a lot of smart people fully aware of the church's dark side who remain active members; that helped me keep one toe in the church rather than completely bagging it.

[wally]

If you don't mind, can you clarify this a bit? We were valuable in helping you change in what way?

To change your personal perspective in any way.

I guess that I believe that I have personally benefitted from this forum in that I have had my religious paradigm challenged and feel the better for it. I have also grown more empathetic to the different perspectives of those who have shared their experiences. This is why I worded my question the way I did. Apologies for the ambiguity.

[UtahDan]

Probably not the change that wally is asking about, but I think you all helped me see that there are a lot of smart people fully aware of the church's dark side who remain active members; that helped me keep one toe in the church rather than completely bagging it.

Very cool.

[wally]

Not. One. Iota.



Period.

I am honestly curious Indy, have you ever, at any time in your life had any degree of personal difficulty assimilating any bit of church doctrine, practice, tradition, or teaching?

You don't even have to say what it was if the answer is yes.

I am wondering if there is a softer side of Indy Coug.

[PaloAltoCougar]

While I'm particularly grateful for the stalwart contributions of pelagius, cowboy, KatyLied, LAU and several others, I also appreciate those of the respectful nonbelievers. I was amused by the various comments on CB the past couple of days about the apparently faux intellectual and highly critical approach taken by many here. Even if it did nothing else, I'd be thankful that the approach serves as a kind of No Pest Strip warding off those with a more dogmatic view and bristling defensiveness on matters of faith. Keep 'em out of here. But the critics provide another benefit to me as well....

As I've mentioned before, I think occasionally of C.S. Lewis's (I think it was him) observation that exposing one's faith to the critical views of nonbelievers is like taking one's cherished furniture out from the dim living room into the bright sunlight. There, perhaps for the first time, one sees the faded material, the discolorations and areas of wear and tear that one hadn't considered before. Until that moment, the sofa had just been a source of warmth and comfort. Having seen the flaws or weaknesses, one needs to do something. One might be tempted to toss the sofa altogether, or instead work to fix the flaws, strengthening and beautifying it a bit. The negative comments and views typically cause me to take the latter approach.

On a lighter, more wicked note, I can't say if I've been changed for the better, but because I knew CUF, I've been changed for good.

[Donuthole]

So you haven't learned anything from the Foyer? Maybe I'm reading it wrong, but the tone of your post seems to suggest that you're PROUD that you haven't changed as a result of people sharing their thoughts here. Am I reading you correctly?

I am honestly curious Indy, have you ever, at any time in your life had any degree of personal difficulty assimilating any bit of church doctrine, practice, tradition, or teaching?

You don't even have to say what it was if the answer is yes.

I am wondering if there is a softer side of Indy Coug.

You guys need to adjust your Tic-O-Meters.

[Moliere]

Not. One. Iota.



Period.

So you're still a prick?

[myboynoah]

So you're still a prick?

[Portland Ute]

I don't know that it changed me. However, for once in my life, I felt like I had a place where I could express my own personal struggles and doubts concerning faith and religion without being openly mocked or ridiculed.

Early on in my time here on CUF, I made some pretty revealing posts. In a way, those posts were like a release valve on a pressure cooker. I was able to express and say things that I had felt for a long, long time.

I know there were those that were probably saddened by my comments. Others expressed appreciation. Some said nothing.

However, the importance that I found was the internal peace that came with hearing me say those words (in this case, post them in typed format). It was a huge relief. Almost like confessing an long held secret indiscretion from the bishop as a teenager.

While I don't necessarily express all my thoughts in church or around family or friends, I do feel more "true to myself" because I have for once shared them in a public forum.

Also, when I hear or experience something related to church that frustrates me, makes me uncomfortable or even angers me, I now realize that there are other people, maybe even in my ward, that feel very similarly even though they don't vocalize it. Many of you here are those people in your wards.

While I am by no means settled in my relationship with my faith or my church, I have found a lot of peace here through expressing my views, finally AND realizing that there are others that belong to this religion that have similar struggles.

[SeattleUte]

While I'm particularly grateful for the stalwart contributions of pelagius, cowboy, KatyLied, LAU and several others, I also appreciate those of the respectful nonbelievers.

OUCH!

Cuf/Cg has changed me in that my estimation of Mormons has increased. I am glad to see that there are others resembling Uncle S. who in my formative years seemed one of a kind in his progressive views while remaining in the fold. However, my estimation of the LDS church has remained the same.

[Moliere]

It was a compliment. I'm sure Indy understood it.

[myboynoah]

It was a compliment. I'm sure Indy understood it.

I'm so lost.

This religion forum hasn't helped me with that.

[creekster]

If you don't mind, can you clarify this a bit? We were valuable in helping you change in what way?

Not so fast, bubbalooey. I think he said CG, which is Waters' place.

Anything to which we devote time changes us.

[myboynoah]

I don't know that it changed me. However, for once in my life, I felt like I had a place where I could express my own personal struggles and doubts concerning faith and religion without being openly mocked or ridiculed.

Early on in my time here on CUF, I made some pretty revealing posts. In a way, those posts were like a release valve on a pressure cooker. I was able to express and say things that I had felt for a long, long time.

I know there were those that were probably saddened by my comments. Others expressed appreciation. Some said nothing.

However, the importance that I found was the internal peace that came with hearing me say those words (in this case, post them in typed format). It was a huge relief. Almost like confessing an long held secret indiscretion from the bishop as a teenager.

While I don't necessarily express all my thoughts in church or around family or friends, I do feel more "true to myself" because I have for once shared them in a public forum.

Also, when I hear or experience something related to church that frustrates me, makes me uncomfortable or even angers me, I now realize that there are other people, maybe even in my ward, that feel very similarly even though they don't vocalize it. Many of you here are those people in your wards.

While I am by no means settled in my relationship with my faith or my church, I have found a lot of peace here through expressing my views, finally AND realizing that there are others that belong to this religion that have similar struggles.

To me this is a fine line with which I struggle, whether or not to participate in an endeavor that has the potential of hurting someone else's faith. Perhaps the line isn't so fine after all. I'm happy you and others have found some peace from participation here.