Quick! someone block me!

[_Gazelam]

Jersey,

All I can say is that If I had put Porter or Mercury on ignore way back when, then I would have missed out on some very interesting insights into why people choose to leave the church and what their personalities and viewpoints really are.

There is a common statement in the church that states that those who leave the church do so because they are possesed of the devil or in the grips of sin or whatever. That may be somewhat true, but the real facts are far more involved and complicated. Porter at one time offered up a whole lifes history of himself, and Mercury has shared little bit sand pieces here and there that allows one to piece together a history of why and how they left the church.

If I had ignored them because of a few acidic comments (A Few?) made I would now be the lesser for it.

Gaz

[_Jersey Girl]

Jersey,

All I can say is that If I had put Porter or Mercury on ignore way back when, then I would have missed out on some very interesting insights into why people choose to leave the church and what their personalities and viewpoints really are.

There is a common statement in the church that states that those who leave the church do so because they are possesed of the devil or in the grips of sin or whatever. That may be somewhat true, but the real facts are far more involved and complicated. Porter at one time offered up a whole lifes history of himself, and Mercury has shared little bit sand pieces here and there that allows one to piece together a history of why and how they left the church.

If I had ignored them because of a few acidic comments (A Few?) made I would now be the lesser for it.

Gaz

Gaz,

I've read a statement such as that from you previously and while you find that a valuable experience, I choose not to read certain posters any more than I feel obligated to:

1. Introduce myself and shake the hand of every person I encounter on the street.

2. Read every magazine that meets my eye.

3. Listen to every CD on the music rack.

4. Watch every TV show that's available.

5. Read every book in the library

at the outside chance that a stranger would have something to offer me.

This is a free speech board. My using the ignore feature in no way impairs the free speech of others. It simply allows me to discern what I will and will not read on this board based on the track record of a few.

[_Sam Harris]

Jersey,

All I can say is that If I had put Porter or Mercury on ignore way back when, then I would have missed out on some very interesting insights into why people choose to leave the church and what their personalities and viewpoints really are.

There is a common statement in the church that states that those who leave the church do so because they are possesed of the devil or in the grips of sin or whatever. That may be somewhat true, but the real facts are far more involved and complicated. Porter at one time offered up a whole lifes history of himself, and Mercury has shared little bit sand pieces here and there that allows one to piece together a history of why and how they left the church.

If I had ignored them because of a few acidic comments (A Few?) made I would now be the lesser for it.

Gaz

I can understand what you're saying Gaz, and I think that it is important to listen to the stories of those who have left the church. But everyone here is an adult, and there comes a time in your life when you have to heal from trauma. I was touched by Merc's last exit post, because he stated that he had found peace from wanting to change the establishment of the church. He got it, he understood that his happiness didn't have to depend on whether or not every Mormon knew or cared about his story. There are people here who haven't reached that point.

Tell your story all you want, and let your feelings out. I did it, and I too had my angry days. But I'm not proud of who I was then. There are folks here who simply cannot let go of the fact that the "church duped them", and they have dedicated their existences to fighting something that really doesn't give a damn about them. It's a prime example of what lack of forgiveness does to you, the millstone is around YOUR neck, making YOU bitter, and those you are angry at are going on about their lives oblivious to your pain, and unfortunately the pain is only continuing because you keep picking at that scab.

One reason why I stopped posting here a lot is because of the influx of young frat boys who have dropped by in the last year who are so angry at the church. They feel betrayed, and there's nothing wrong with that. There are a pair of elders who are tracting my neighborhood, and I do feel for them, because I know that nine times out of ten, they aren't aware that what they are presenting to people in their homes is only half the story. Can I be angry with them over that? No, not me, but certain young boys on here can, and I bet you if given the chance, they would attempt to confront these boys, mere strangers, under the guise that they're "helping spread the truth". Come the hell on. Seriously.

I don't know if it's occurred to them (frat boys and other chronically angry exmos), but it's occurred to me that Mormonism is really a microcosm in the larger scheme of things. We have plenty of stories of bad things that have gone on in the lives of people who have left Mormonism, but what I have sensed is that a few of the people on this forum, and also on other exmo forums refuse to acknowledge that the church is NOT responsible for all the evil in the world. I've known abuse of just about every kind...and it came all before during and after my five years in the church. Every time I see someone talk about their dad and how bad he was because he was this staunch Mormon elder, I think about my dad who all but abandoned me. It angers me to see people think that because of their bad experiences with Mormonism, they have the right to be nasty to everyone but those who have either shared their experiences, or now share their worldview. I used to say, "hey, I'm going through this..." to try to get them to see that there is indeed plenty of pain and suffering outside of the church, but I've been called a drug addict and worse by these folks. So yes, they are on ignore, because I will not benefit from the endless anti-God rants and the bitterness that they won't let go of. And think about it Gaz, I'm typing from a hospital bed. I read what some of these young men post, and wish they'd seriously get some perspective.

My anger over what I experienced in the church stopped the day I got my letter of resignation. If ever an elder knocks on my door, I will gently send them away with blessings. SO WHAT, they're Mormon. Someone whose door they knock on will have their lives blessed by converting to the church. Everyone is different, every path is different. Just because I went through something bad doesn't mean that I have the right to dictate others' experiences. I'm tired of these people who insist that it is now their mission to let everyone know that the church is a lie...it is a lie from their point of view. I learned long ago not to take every aspect of religion literally, and I refuse to spend my time worrying about who disagrees with me.

Some of these young frat boys need to grow up. Yeah you heard Porter's story. So did we all...but that doesn't give him (or his wife) the right to act the way they do. My story is just as bad...and ongoing when it comes to family dynamics and abuse. But I choose to be happy and spread good things.

I like the ignore feature because I'm tired of witnessing the bitterness. If you are on my ignore list and you happen to say something really profound and I miss it, that's your damn fault because you should have learned maturity earlier, and perhaps not driven so many people away.

We all have the possibility of true happiness. There is no true joy in looking back in anger.

[_Sam Harris]

Gaz,

I've read a statement such as that from you previously and while you find that a valuable experience, I choose not to read certain posters any more than I feel obligated to:

1. Introduce myself and shake the hand of every person I encounter on the street.

2. Read every magazine that meets my eye.

3. Listen to every CD on the music rack.

4. Watch every TV show that's available.

5. Read every book in the library

at the outside chance that a stranger would have something to offer me.

This is a free speech board. My using the ignore feature in no way impairs the free speech of others. It simply allows me to discern what I will and will not read on this board based on the track record of a few.

Ditto. It's about track record for me too, and no doubt I'm on people's ignore list. Good for them, I cause you less irritation this way.

I'd love an ignore feature that I could apply to my Mother's family...my goodness life would be so much better!