Lately, I've been reading books by Beverly Lewis. Her books have been about the Amish people and their faith. I was introduced to these books by my aunt Annie years ago. They're actually really good reads, I think.
But what I've noticed about some of them is that if a member of the Amish community doesn't "toe the line" according to the church leaders of that district, they are put under the Ban, a shunning, meaning that the person in that sect is "Shunned". The person is not to be spoken to; in essence he or she is ostracized, even by their own family. This continues until either the person leaves the community completely, or they repent.
I've been reading a friend's blog. This friend actually left the LDS church a while back. He was a convert, like me, but he was experiencing some of this ostracism for reasons that I won't go into on this blog. But I've noticed, whether it be through personal experience or hearing about it second hand, that if a person doesn't "toe the line" in the LDS church, they can face the ostracism as well. Thankfully, I haven't had to face it personally, but hearing about these experiences has made me think.
Are some Mormons taking a cue from the Amish? Are they judging others in their own narrow minded ideas of what an ideal Mormon should be?
If this is the case, then I could be in a bit of trouble. Because I'm about to show that I'm not the image of an ideal Utah Mormon woman, especially when it comes to voting. I need to be myself in all ways, come what may.
Slan go foill...
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Sunday, September 11, 2011
September 11...
I will never forget where I was on September 11th, 2001.
I was at home in Muscatine. I had gotten up and was trying to check my email when I noticed that I was having problems with our Internet connection. I came downstairs to use the phone and that's when I got a glimpse on the TV of what was going on in New York. I saw the World Trade Center with a huge smoking gaping hole in it. At first, I thought that the fire was going to be put out so I didn't think anything of it. I made my call to the cable company and got back online; checked my email and went back to bed since I didn't have classes that day.
Mom woke me up a little later and told me what had happened in New York, thinking that our Internet went down because of it. She also had another shocker for me: the plan crashes at the Pentagon, and in Shanksville, PA. I was immediately wide awake and in a state of shock. I couldn't believe it. Who'd want to attack us? And why? I was soon glued to the TV getting details and updates on the news. It was the first time I ever heard of al Qaeda and Osama bin Laden. They hated our country because of our different lifestyles. I became one of millions of witnesses to what is now called The War on Terrorism.
Once it became clear it was radical Muslims from the Middle East that were responsible, the backlash was horrible. I was sickened when I learned that my former Macro-Economics teacher, John Dabeet--originally from Palestine--was the recipient of death threats because of the incidents. The fear led to hate very quickly and I did my best not to take part in it.
And now ten years later, things are getting better. We're still vigilant, but there is hope that there's a light at the end of this long tunnel. With bin Laden dead, I pray we're close to this war on terror being over sometime soon. But we will never forget what happened that day and the fact that our innocence was lost.
September 11, 2001; I will never forget!
Slan go foill...
I was at home in Muscatine. I had gotten up and was trying to check my email when I noticed that I was having problems with our Internet connection. I came downstairs to use the phone and that's when I got a glimpse on the TV of what was going on in New York. I saw the World Trade Center with a huge smoking gaping hole in it. At first, I thought that the fire was going to be put out so I didn't think anything of it. I made my call to the cable company and got back online; checked my email and went back to bed since I didn't have classes that day.
Mom woke me up a little later and told me what had happened in New York, thinking that our Internet went down because of it. She also had another shocker for me: the plan crashes at the Pentagon, and in Shanksville, PA. I was immediately wide awake and in a state of shock. I couldn't believe it. Who'd want to attack us? And why? I was soon glued to the TV getting details and updates on the news. It was the first time I ever heard of al Qaeda and Osama bin Laden. They hated our country because of our different lifestyles. I became one of millions of witnesses to what is now called The War on Terrorism.
Once it became clear it was radical Muslims from the Middle East that were responsible, the backlash was horrible. I was sickened when I learned that my former Macro-Economics teacher, John Dabeet--originally from Palestine--was the recipient of death threats because of the incidents. The fear led to hate very quickly and I did my best not to take part in it.
And now ten years later, things are getting better. We're still vigilant, but there is hope that there's a light at the end of this long tunnel. With bin Laden dead, I pray we're close to this war on terror being over sometime soon. But we will never forget what happened that day and the fact that our innocence was lost.
September 11, 2001; I will never forget!
Slan go foill...
Friday, September 9, 2011
A Case of the loneliness blues
I don't know if I'm just frustrated with work and the lack of dating opportunities and everything in between, but I'm feeling sad and lonely.
I think it started last night when I got a posting on Facebook from my brother telling me that I'm a great-aunt because my step-niece had her baby. This is really sad because while I would love nothing else than to have someone in my life to have a baby with, my step-niece was able to do it, at the tender age of eighteen. And she doesn't follow the LDS standards that I do. I wonder if maybe I'm off somewhere.
Maybe following the LDS standards isn't all it's cracked up to be. According to various family members and friends outside of the Church, my standards are too high, and that following those rules and regulations is getting me nowhere. One of my family members had an issue (and she still might) about the possibilities of me getting married in the temple. If I do find my eternal companion and have that opportunity, my non-member family won't be able to be in the temple with me when I get sealed to him.
I suppose I have some thinking and praying to do...
Slan go foill...
I think it started last night when I got a posting on Facebook from my brother telling me that I'm a great-aunt because my step-niece had her baby. This is really sad because while I would love nothing else than to have someone in my life to have a baby with, my step-niece was able to do it, at the tender age of eighteen. And she doesn't follow the LDS standards that I do. I wonder if maybe I'm off somewhere.
Maybe following the LDS standards isn't all it's cracked up to be. According to various family members and friends outside of the Church, my standards are too high, and that following those rules and regulations is getting me nowhere. One of my family members had an issue (and she still might) about the possibilities of me getting married in the temple. If I do find my eternal companion and have that opportunity, my non-member family won't be able to be in the temple with me when I get sealed to him.
I suppose I have some thinking and praying to do...
Slan go foill...
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