Originally posted by SorryIsGoodEnough
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Before you open up the can of whoop ass, consider this: Your religion is not something that can be determined by looking at you. As such, the only time it can be determined is when you tell others what it is. Once you do so, you invite people to comment on it. Yes, you do invite people to comment on it. You have made it something to discuss by virtue of discussing it yourself.
Another bit to consider: People use labels to help identify other people. Your name is one such label. However, your name doesn't help them to understand you. Other labels do that. Quite frequently, in fact, we label ourselves, and use those labels to help others understand us.
For example, I'm a computer geek. Even if you've never read a single post of mine, you now have an image of me in your mind. You have some idea of the likes and dislikes that I am likely to have. Are your preconceptions perfectly in tune with who I am, what I like, etc? Of course not. If you list out everything about me that you now think you know, I can guarantee that I will find several things on that list that are wrong.
I can also guarantee that most of that list will be right. Why? Because "computer geek" is the label I apply to myself, because it is the label that most fits me. If I meet someone for the first time, I will likely say something similar to "Hi, I'm Pedersen. Serious computer geek here, so I apologize if I go off into too much tech speak on you. I do try to rein it in." And yes, I really do say that.
If you introduce yourself with "Hi, I'm SIGE, and I'm a Mormon," then that is the label you apply to yourself. You do this knowing the preconceptions that others will have about your religion, and about you as a result.
For you, it's obvious that being a Mormon is a significant aspect of your personal identity. However, you've stated that you disagree with some of the most basic tenets of the Mormon faith. I would posit that, in fact, you are not actually a "stock" Mormon, and should identify yourself as being something other than one. For instance, stating "I'm a Mormon with some issues with the leadership" or some such.
You might even go so far as to find a new label. It's pretty clear that the label you have for yourself is inadequate, and needs work. And, once you have that new label, the old one just stops mattering.
Kind of rambly thinking, and I apologize for that.
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