Approach on coming out? 2+2 = 5? Feedback Please.

[trophywife26.2]

Well I spent years of my life being a self righteous zealot and the time has come for me to explain to my Jack Mormon family why I'm suddenly a hypocrite who doesn't participate in the church anymore.

To be honest, my family is very open and accepting. They will be confused, but won't shun me or anything. That said, I know they don't know and don't care about church doctrine so it will be a weird conversation because doctrine is why I don't believe in the church. In the past I've heard my distant relative (Baptist minister) try to talk doctrine with my parents to try to explain why the church is wrong and they get flustered and don't want to talk about it and say they "don't know the doctrine" etc.

Here is my approach to explaining:

2 + x = 5
scriptures, doctrine + church history, events, modern leaders = what the church claims it is: one and only true church


So I just want to write this out on a piece of paper and say when I study the scriptures and doctrine (we'll call that 2) and compare it to church history, events, modern leaders (we'll call that x) the church doesn't add up to me to what it claims it is: the one and only true church/way to God (we'll call that 5).

I respect and love people who disagree with me, but I see it as x=2 and 2+2=5. I'm not out to convince anyone they are wrong if they see it as x=3, 2+3=5 because I don't want to offend or talk down to people about what they believe, but the church just doesn't add up to me any more.

Then I will let them ask me questions and answer/set boundaries as I see appropriate.


Critique this method for me please. Keep in mind my family believes the church is true, but doesn't even go to church. If I try to bring up CES letter or anything they will be highly offended and think it's me being a self righteous know-it-all but in a new way now.

Thank you

[20/20hind]

I like it. If they ask you follow up questions you could say; ok let me plug 2+x=5 into section 132. When i plug in that equation into 132 I get X=(holy $?it are you serious?)

The formula for solving X is e=0

E is emma =0 chance of ever having a normal life.


Ok, maybe you shouldn't to use my math

I do think its a good way to explain how people come to very different conclusions looking at it from different perspectives.

[trophywife26.2]

Just wanted to update. This went well. We didn't discuss specific issues. They just expressed unconditional love. Sometimes these things go okay. Just wanted to share because there's often all the bad/sad stories here.

[MalcolmVillager]

Congrats TW26.2.

This is great news!