It's the most sincere and heartfelt thing I've written in a long time and it's really important to me. I'd love to have you go read it. You can find the article here. And I would really love to hear your thoughts on the topic, whether or not you feel you can relate specifically.
And in lighter news, Meg, Nick, and I spent an embarrassing amount of time compiling our top ten lists for the best movies from this decade. You can find our lists here. We also recorded an episode of Hive Mind where we talk through the list. Please check it out.
And I've been excited to share that with you because I very much want to hear what your favorite movie was from this decade. Meg and Nick both listed several movies I haven't seen so now I've got assignments. Add to my list? I have a lot of knitting to do this winter and I need my good friend, tv, to help me.
~It Just Gets Stranger
That was beautifully written. And even if I can't relate, I appreciate you helping us to understand the inner conflict. I didn't grow up in Utah, but I can see how ingrained the religion is in the culture, the memories, the events, and how difficult it can be for MANY people to figure out the difference and try to decide what is important or relevant to who they want to be. Happy Holidays
ReplyDeleteOk so looking through your list of movies I think I slept through this decade movie wise. I did see Coco (loved it so much) and Inside Out (but I think I missed a lot of it because baby). Also, “baby” is probably the reason I don’t know many movies of this decade because i had three of them this decade. And about Space Jesus, I hope you take Skylar. I hope you can sit for a moment, quietly, together, and breathe. Maybe it’s because I like yoga, but there is something truly refreshing about taking a minute to do nothing but breathe. And whatever anyone’s religion or faith or beliefs, I think (tired parents and more tired toddlers notwithstanding) it’s a good room for a slow, quiet breath.
ReplyDeleteEli, that article on space Jesus is one of the most beautiful pieces of writing I have read in a very long time. It took my breath away. Thank you for sharing it. I felt this weird mix of heartbreak and peace for you as I read it. I am so happy you have someone who can walk with you without adding to that same burden.
ReplyDeleteAs for movies, I'm with Meg on Inside Out, except I would put it as the number one best movie of the decade. I don't care what anyone thinks. I'm right about this.
Your article made me cry! I can't imagine how it feels to choose between two very defining things in your life. I so appreciate the way you consistently discuss the Church. I know that there are wounds there, and I can only imagine how deep those wounds run, but you have been so good at remembering the good things, too. Even though I don't know you personally, I have nothing but love and respect for you. Thank you for sharing your vulnerable thoughts and feelings.
ReplyDeleteI really love your writings about church in general. I feel a love and fondness for something that once meant a lot to you, but probably hurt you deeply too. Not many of my friends who have left the church or been hurt by it can remember the sweetness and light it once brought to their life. They let the betrayal/hurt/anger drown that all out. I completely understand why they have made their decisions and don’t find their response unreasonable, I just love that you can still find some sweetness in it.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful. Thanks for sharing. ♥️
ReplyDeleteHaving grown up in the church and still remaining active but fully aware of the LDS dogmas that I like to try and challenge now and then, I've come to become more aware of my close family members and friends and their strained relationship with the church - whether they're active or not. Reading your Space Jesus article had allowed me to feel what my loved ones must have felt in their journeys. The article confirms the multi-dimensionalism and the complexities to many people's relationship to the LDS church. Thank you for the beautiful walk through your experience. My eyes watered as I tasted the bittersweetness of your memories that speaks in volume of what people who have been on both sides have experienced.
ReplyDeleteEli, I truly honor your journey.
Your article was so beautiful and it touched me. I grew up in Utah, but not Mormon. Growing up this way is very hard. My mother is Mormon but my dad is Baptist - so they raised us with no religion. I was not accepted by many of my friends families and was not allowed to have sleep overs or even a play date. My first experience at temple square was when I was 16. I went with a boyfriend. Space Jesus confused me, the nativity confused me, the statues confused me. When I got married my bridal picture is in front of the temple - because I love the architecture of it. People often think I am Mormon, because even if you aren't, living in Utah some things rub off on you. Even as an adult once people find out I am not Mormon (or even an ex-Mormon) they look at me like I am an alien. I am a curious person, so when people start talking about something church related and I don't understand I ask. It does bother me that they explain and then basically start asking me if I want to join. In any case - I hope that Skyler gets to see Space Jesus, and I hope you go with him so we can get that story!
ReplyDeleteBeautifully written. Know that He still loves you.
ReplyDeleteI grew up in Southern California, and I'm quite a bit older than you, but my first memories of the North Visitor's Center are quite similar to yours. We had traveled to Utah for a wedding (I was a teenager, maybe 15?), and we waited in a very long line, slowly moving up the ramp. I like the artist's rendering of space -- I like the colors and the peaceful mood. I'd paint a room in my home like that if my husband would let me. But I digress. I haven't been back to church since November 2015, and I really felt you. I'm glad you will share your journey with us; it really helps me in mine, even though like I said I'm much older than you, and you would think that by my age I'd have figured some things out. I'm always learning. Thanks, Eli.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite movie of the decade was The Hundred Foot Journey. Helen Mirren. Need I say more?
ReplyDeleteBut I will. I loved the story, the beautiful scenery, and wonderful soundtrack. I may have loved this movie because it was such a surprise find. I had not heard anything about it so I had no expectations and it was a lovely surprise.
I appreciate the description you gave about conflicting emotions at news of it being torn down. I grew up in a Lutheran church and I was never that religious to begin with but I kind of passively accepted it as something you do. I stopped going to worship in high school, instead spending that time working on the church nursery watching little kids. Then I went to grad school and stopped attending church altogether. I’ve considered myself agnostic for the past decade, but the other day I found myself trying to explain my beliefs and realized at some point I drifted away from the idea of a god altogether. And yet, my family is having our first Christmas in Seattle since my parents moved away (which was one year after I moved away), and I keep wondering if we might go to the Christmas Eve service at my childhood church as we did for 20 years straight. I don’t miss church by any means but I do miss the people and the lights and the music.
ReplyDeleteThe underlying theme of this story for me is that God loves ALL of his children unconditionally. Christ’s outstretched arms is an invitation for those to come into Him. That’s my thought anyway. Dad
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