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...
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