Read Under the Banner of Heaven by Jon Krakaurer.

I am a Mormon mom and we hold a playgroup at our church building, which as previously mentioned, is different from the temple. It's held there b/c there is a large gym where 20+ kids can safely and warmly run around for a couple hours. OP, you shouldn't feel worried about attending. The purpose of the playgroup is the same as any other playgroup- to give moms and kids a place to get out and play, socialize, sympathize , and make friends, not to proselytize. I rarely hear anyone talk church doctrine at playgroup- we're all too busy discussing nap schedules, complaining about post-baby weight loss, getting recs for a good salon, etc.... Just normal "mom" conversation. We have a number of moms who are not Mormon who have been attending our group for some time. I know they wouldn't continue to come if they didn't feel comfortable.

OP, would you feel the same way if the playgroup were at a Jewish temple? A building connected to a mosque? A Unitarian church?

Committed Mormons are similar to people who are deeply committed to other religions as well. They have found a community which offers spiritualism and a social outlet as well. There is nothing sinister about this woman's invitation, but you need to know that the people at this community center will be Mormons and they in all likelihood will share the positive aspects of their religion with you. Over time they would probably encourage you to join their religion.

The Mormons I have known have been genuinely nice people and once I let them know I was not interested in becoming a member of their church, they never mentioned it again. We remain good friends who happen to practice different religions.

OP, you are new to town, you are (presumably) a little lonely and this woman was nice to you and your child(ren) and you've had fun playdates with her in the past?

Why wouldn't you go? She will not make you uncomfortable if she wants to remain your friend, which it sounds like she does. Its not like she gets "bonus points" for converting you.

Anonymous wrote:DO NOT GO unless you're interested in becoming a Mormon. These people are not befriending you just to have a friend; they WILL try to convert you. First they will tell you alllll about their religion, then they'll give you a DVD to watch and a Book of Mormon to read, then they'll ask you to come to a church service. They are relentless. Believe me, if they weren't trying to convert people, the playgroup wouldn't be at the church.

I grew up as an immigrant child in a Mormon town. Most of my friends were Mormons and between my sister and I, we went to plenty of Mormon camps, parties, and other events. I never felt recruited or pressured to join the church and we are both safely non-Mormons today.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, I would not go. I think you will feel awkward once you realize that most there are Mormon and the others that are not are in similar situation as you, either affiliated with another religion or not religious. If I were you, I would not go.

Don't hang out with a group of people that are different than you because you might feel awkward. Great advice!

Re-reading my post, I can see why you said that, PP! I didn't mean it like you interrupted but again, it sounds like I don't want to hang out with a group that is different than I. Not true at all. What I meant was that if OP is atheist, and a discussion comes about God, Jesus, or Joseph Smith it may be awkward for OP.

My only complaint about the Mormons is that they are very persistent. They came to my door three separate times, they communicated to me in my native language which I thought was so strange and after the first visit, I told them I was not interested in LDS, and they continued to return. The last time they came, I reiterated my beliefs and further told them that I believed in Marriage Equality, and that my beliefs did not coincide with theirs, it was after that time that they finally said, I see we have nothing further to discuss.

i would go. the mormons i know are very nice people. if they want to recruit me, they can try. i'm not going to convert. if you and your child like the people and have fun, it's going to be fine.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DO NOT GO unless you're interested in becoming a Mormon. These people are not befriending you just to have a friend; they WILL try to convert you. First they will tell you alllll about their religion, then they'll give you a DVD to watch and a Book of Mormon to read, then they'll ask you to come to a church service. They are relentless. Believe me, if they weren't trying to convert people, the playgroup wouldn't be at the church.

This is an incorrect statement. We have Mormon friends and neighbors, and not once have they tried to recruit us under the guise of friendship.

Just be upfront with your disinterest in being converted if it comes up in conversation.

+1. For an area that is so liberal and so on about republicans being non inclusive, the hypocrisy is stunning. Mormons are great people are are extremely inclusive, warm and welcoming as a group.

I would totally go. I don't get the nay-sayers. As someone else noted, if they try to convert you, then tell them you aren't interesting. But I would bet that conversation willnot happen.

Anonymous wrote:OP, I would not go. I think you will feel awkward once you realize that most there are Mormon and the others that are not are in similar situation as you, either affiliated with another religion or not religious. If I were you, I would not go.

Don't hang out with a group of people that are different than you because you might feel awkward. Great advice!

OP, I would not go. I think you will feel awkward once you realize that most there are Mormon and the others that are not are in similar situation as you, either affiliated with another religion or not religious. If I were you, I would not go.

OP: I too have mormon friends who have not tried to convert me (friends of about a decade). But I'm very clear about being comfortable with my faith (Christian) so maybe they don't feel the need. ANd they know I"d never 10% the mormon church.

Why not go once? It may be laid back and fun. If it's not, don't go again. No big deal.

The original Lowell School was in a church basement. It wasn't religious. I was a founding (child) member and my family was Jewish. A church basement is a meeting place. I don't get the hysteria.