Telling Friends

I don't really have that many close friends. I will be honest. I am not much of a good friend. I never call, I never write. But mostly I am the same person that I was before I had this 'transition of faith.'

Visible changes:

• I don't attend church. I might stay at home with my kids. Or go visit the zoo.
• The occasional lattè or mocha is delicious. No coffee habits, thank you very much (I can't afford them).
• Tea is a very relaxing afternoon drink. Mmmmm. Earl Grey is the best.
• I don't wear the Garments of the Holy Priesthood anymore. It's debatable how visible this change is, and really it's none of your business what kind of underwear I am wearing.
• I don't pay tithing (but I do give money to local charities.)

 The same:

• I am a bit of a snarky person. (some things never change.)
• I love my family. (how could I not?)
• I don't kill people.
• I don't steal.
• I don't take the Lord's name in vain (any lord, you pick. It is only offensive to those who believe and offers nothing—not even cathartic relief—for me)
• I don't swear (except when there is a good reason.)
• I don't smoke (well, other than meat and cheese, but that's different.)
• I have not found sufficient interest in beer, wine or liquor to try any yet.
• I don't have any body piercings or tattoos (and am not planning on it either.)

One of these days, one of my college friends (who I work with, but don't see very often) will see me with a cuppa and start asking questions. Or I am going to say something on Facebook and friends will start asking questions. But I really don't have much to say. I don't have plans to ruin anyone else's faith.

So far, as people have asked about our (me and my family) absence from church, they don't seem to hold it against us. We have not been shunned by our faithful Mormon friends. Hooray!