I received this comment from a reader just the other day. Since the poster was an active Mormon, I expected another diatribe about my negativity, bitterness, or inability to walk away and pretend I had amnesia, or my “sadness” or just a “you’re full of crap” post. It wasn’t. I was PLEASANTLY surprised. In fact, I almost had an epiphany, so filled with the spirit was I.

It’s 3:28 am and I just finished reading every one of your posts (at least all that I could find - back to August 2003, I believe; and, yes, I am obsessive-compulsive). I am an ‘active’ mormon, or moron, if you prefer. I’m not sure what form of sickness I suffer from that would possess me to spend all this time reading your blogs. I just had to say something, although I’m sure it won’t have much redeeming value. I love your sense of humor and found myself laughing out loud numerous times. You are a very good writer and I find myself gravitating towards expertise in most all forms that I find it. I don’t agree with most of your theology, but I can agree to disagree. I do agree that your observations about the culture and the people are particularly insightful. I’ve lived in many places in the United States as well as out of the country, however, I’ve lived most of my life in Utah. My observations are that people are pretty much the same no matter where they are from, or what religion they belong to. There is always something to criticize, and something to make fun of, and something to like about them… Like I said, probably not much to say that is redeeming, but I enjoyed my brief sojourn into your world. Best of luck to you and your family!

Well. How do I make fun of that? This person GOT it. He got me. He understood that I wasn’t out to hurt people, or destroy a “religion,” but just to tell you why I think it’s all so silly. I’m making fun of NOT just Mormons, but myself, my family, my heritage. Why am I making fun? Because life is too damn short if you can’t laugh. I don’t believe it. Many others do. There has to be middle ground, although I doubt anyone has found it yet.

There are two sides to the Mormon religion. There is a good side, and a bad side.

My emailer saw that and agreed to “disagree” with my theology, much as I have chosen the same path myself.

I don’t like Mormonism. That said, I really like Mormons–most of them. There’s good and bad in Mormons, just like there is good and bad in everyone.

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