[Happy never after]

Thanks Ann, Ill check it out 🙂

[Happy never after]

Quote:

Katzpur wrote:

tblue wrote:

It was through the spiritual process of AA that I found, for me, that the ‘peace’ that came from alcohol was pseudo-peace.

My twice a year glass of wine doesn’t bring me either peace or pseudo-peace, nor does it make me feel like part of the “in crowd.” Rather, I really, really enjoy the taste of a good glass of wine. I don’t have a problem with teetotalers (particularly when there are issues of addiction involved), but I sure do wish people could just get over the idea that so many members of the Church seem to see a glass of wine as right up there with murder and adultery in terms of seriousness. Nah, I know I’m exaggerating, but I see so many other sins as being so much more damaging to one’s self and others. The emphasis on something that wasn’t even given as a commandment in the first place just bothers me to no end.

Being young and inexperienced in the world of alcohol I can appreciate your view and fears of being controlled by a substance through a false feeling of “peacefulness”. Personally I have not yet experienced addictions in my life so I appreciate your opinion and warning of not being fooled by a false or short term pleasure.

Ive been thinking about the effect that I enjoyed as I had one glass of wine with friends and have been thinking about why I really enjoyed the evening.

My desire is not driven by wanting to be excepted but to increase the connection within our relationships. We are far away from our family and I do miss that deep connection where we may share more intimate details of our thoughts and feelings in life. I enjoy having a deep conversation with friends but I have found more so since I have had children our friends also with children and usually much older than me have found it difficult to relax and open up regarding there true feelings to wards subjects.

I think it is interesting that when they have a glass of wine they are able to relax and communicate there feelings more openly. Fortunately my friends are more inclined to have a glass with dinner but I have never witnessed any of them taking it further than that so I’m assuming it may be more of a mindset. Somehow the ritual of a wine or a beer allows them to inter into a space where they relax and put down there guards from the day. It seams like almost a form of mediation? I wonder if there heart rate decreased during this time. :

I was down by the ocean a few days ago without the children. I went and sat by the ocean sipped a coffee and tried to completely take in my surroundings. Listen to the sounds take in the environment and the views. It gave me a very similar feeling to the night I enjoyed with my friends. I think what I may be in need of is some good meditation. The feeling of the “spirit or my inner conscious” and connecting with it.

I know that alcohol may not be the safest or most beneficial way to connect with friends but when kids (I have 4 kids 5 and under) and families are involved there is not much opportunity to go hiking with a girlfriend or enjoy peaceful conversations, down by the ocean. I believe those experiences would create a deeply rich connecting experience but life is so busy and demanding and those experiences are rare and hard to come by so for now I don’t see A glass or wine with friends on maybe a monthly occasion to be completely negative. But I have the utmost respect for those who choose to abstain from those substances, I understand that is also not an easy choice.

I am only young and my experience is not vast but I am trying to navigate my own beliefs and thoughts post faith crisis. My faith is constantly changing and evolving. 🙂 🙂

[Happy never after]

Thanks to everyone for your thoughtful and supportive responses.

I tried posting much earlier on my phone but unfortunately it was not working so I have finally pulled out the old laptop.

I have been continuing to study to find a new path for my beliefs I guess. I’m enjoying watching the mormon stories podcasts. Thanks John Dehlin. Its interesting and sometimes exciting when I find something that sits really well with me. Currently being agnostic sits ok and allows me to feel ok about my inner beliefs and continuing to attend church but having my own views on things. At the moment I’m focusing on basic principles such as the pure teachings of Jesus Christ and not taking them to much further than that whether Jesus Christ was a inspired man or truly the son of God. I’m trying to connect to God through nature and other ways I have not attempted before. I will keep trying to connect with you on here when I have time, it helps allot to share and read your posts.

Thanks to the creators and participators of this site. Awesome experience so far!

[Happy never after]

Hello

[Happy never after]

Firstly I don’t think the church is bad I don’t think I wrote that but I’m sorry if you got that impression. I have never put the church down but rather praised it. I don’t believe many other churches could effectively teach a person to be better than the Mormon church. I love the idea that the whole complete package of the church is true but unfortunately o can no longer pretend that’s how I feel. Also I believe the gospel of Jesus’s Christ to be separate to the church, I’m also sorry if you got the wrong impression but that is how I feel.

This is something I have been struggling with for the past 2 years with many nights of sincere praying temple attendance complete activity and no result I would feel justified in feeling okay with no longer attending. But I still attend and read, pray, im just trying to figure out where to go from here.

I have no plan to leave the church anytime soon. I’m looking for ways I can remain in a system that teaches good where Ivan continue to try to improve myself without letting the other stuff get to me.

It’s not the most excepting church of people who live or think differently.

[Happy never after]

Wayfarer, I have enjoyed reading this topic and your views regarding it. I had a glass of wine with friends at a fundraising trivia night. I did not feel that I lost any spiritual connection and I quite enjoyed to relaxing effect and wonderful conversation with friends. Unfortunately I find that it is quite difficult for some friends to open up and communicate in a friendship building manner until they have had an adult beverage. J have found building close relationships in the church very difficult as many people are to busy and see coming for dinner as work rather than relaxing. I believe it would profit many and build many great close relationships if a drink was allowed. Human closeness and interaction is invigorating for the soul. Moderation is the key. I do know many people including my husband who do want to abstain completely from these things as they fear they do not have sufficient self control to enjoy them. I am happy to support my husband in this way and abstain for him. Although I would enjoy a relaxing beverage from time to time it strangely brings peace to my soul.

Thank you again for sharing your thoughts. I am enjoying the learning process.

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