Never Mo's--You are fortunate!

[_sock puppet]

Only the Sith deal in absolutes Sock Puppet. If I had thrown out God and every good belief along with the bad that came with Mormonism, I'd feel the same way you do. But I don't believe my sacrifices were a waste, even if I might not do the same again.

My sacrifices were not only a waste, I am now doing penitence for having encouraged others to follow Mormonism, both before and during my mission. My bad. This all reminds me, I need to borrow Silas' cilice and self-flagellate tonight.

[_Simon Belmont]

I grew up, steeped in the Superstitions of my Fathers (Mormonism). I did not enjoy as a teenager many of those things that my contemporaries not constrained by fear of god, specifically fear of the Mormon god, explored and enjoyed. Subsequently, my social and emotional maturation was stunted (or at least postponed).

I disagree wholeheartedly (not surprising). I can tell you are still angry, though, at what you perceive were definite obstacles for you. I recognize that emotion, and I hope that some day you can be at peace.

I spent two years of my sexual prime being stuck with another male, not even of my own choosing and who was instructed to rat me out if I did so much as place a phone call to a friend or read a magazine. This was so that I could frowned upon, ostracized or worse if I behaved in an age appropriate way. In fact, I was not even allowed to read but a few 'approved' books about Mormonism, published by the Mormon Church or its publishing arms.

That is the life of a volunteer missionary. I am a prime example of what happens when you don't go on a mission. Nothing. Absolutely nothing bad has happened to me because I didn't go.

I went to a college where fraternities and the camaraderie that develops with it were not allowed. Gays were hunted by the campus police (yes, I was at BYU in the late 1970s) at that college.

You should feel lucky that you missed out on the drunken stupidity of college frat boys, and got to take part in a much better comraderie -- one of spiritual nature with fellow spiritualists.

Then, I had the audacity to look at the history of this august institution that supposedly does so much good for mankind. It became evident--painfully so given how much I'd invested, how much of life that I had missed--that Mormonism has been all along a big fraud.

I am sorry that you came to a false conclusion and are angry about it. Really, I do hope you find peace (that's quite sincere, not sarcastic at all). You seem like a good guy and, really, no one should have to live through such guilt, created or real.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is true though -- nothing fradulent about it. Take peace in that, my brother.

Then came the realization that the 'gentile' world is full of good people, not the boogeymen that Sunday School, Primary, etc. had subtly instilled into my thinking. Good people, like many of you never Mo's that read and post here.

Well of course there are! Religion has very little to do with whether someone is a good person or not! My faith has never taught otherwise to me or anyone I know or have ever heard of.

Have I been pissed? Yes. Have I been angry and vengeful? Yes. Are there residues of these emotions even 25+ years later? You bet.

I recognize these feelings, SP, and I do feel badly that your experience with Mormonism wasn't more like mine was. Again, I hope you can find eventual peace.

Sock, you are right that Mormonism has not deprived me of living my life as I see fit, however, everyone has obstacles in their lives such as health concerns, socio-economic woes that prevent one from living their lives as they'd like to.

I reject that Mormonism is equal to an "obstacle."

[_Jersey Girl]

Belmont

I reject that Mormonism is equal to an "obstacle."

I reject your rejection.

:-P

[_sock puppet]

I grew up, steeped in the Superstitions of my Fathers (Mormonism). I did not enjoy as a teenager many of those things that my contemporaries not constrained by fear of god, specifically fear of the Mormon god, explored and enjoyed. Subsequently, my social and emotional maturation was stunted (or at least postponed).

I disagree wholeheartedly (not surprising). I can tell you are still angry, though, at what you perceive were definite obstacles for you. I recognize that emotion, and I hope that some day you can be at peace.

I spent two years of my sexual prime being stuck with another male, not even of my own choosing and who was instructed to rat me out if I did so much as place a phone call to a friend or read a magazine. This was so that I could frowned upon, ostracized or worse if I behaved in an age appropriate way. In fact, I was not even allowed to read but a few 'approved' books about Mormonism, published by the Mormon Church or its publishing arms.

That is the life of a volunteer missionary. I am a prime example of what happens when you don't go on a mission. Nothing. Absolutely nothing bad has happened to me because I didn't go.

I went to a college where fraternities and the camaraderie that develops with it were not allowed. Gays were hunted by the campus police (yes, I was at BYU in the late 1970s) at that college.

You should feel lucky that you missed out on the drunken stupidity of college frat boys, and got to take part in a much better comraderie -- one of spiritual nature with fellow spiritualists.

Then, I had the audacity to look at the history of this august institution that supposedly does so much good for mankind. It became evident--painfully so given how much I'd invested, how much of life that I had missed--that Mormonism has been all along a big fraud.

I am sorry that you came to a false conclusion and are angry about it. Really, I do hope you find peace (that's quite sincere, not sarcastic at all). You seem like a good guy and, really, no one should have to live through such guilt, created or real.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is true though -- nothing fradulent about it. Take peace in that, my brother.

Then came the realization that the 'gentile' world is full of good people, not the boogeymen that Sunday School, Primary, etc. had subtly instilled into my thinking. Good people, like many of you never Mo's that read and post here.

Well of course there are! Religion has very little to do with whether someone is a good person or not! My faith has never taught otherwise to me or anyone I know or have ever heard of.

Have I been pissed? Yes. Have I been angry and vengeful? Yes. Are there residues of these emotions even 25+ years later? You bet.

I recognize these feelings, SP, and I do feel badly that your experience with Mormonism wasn't more like mine was. Again, I hope you can find eventual peace.

Sock, you are right that Mormonism has not deprived me of living my life as I see fit, however, everyone has obstacles in their lives such as health concerns, socio-economic woes that prevent one from living their lives as they'd like to.

I reject that Mormonism is equal to an "obstacle."

I appreciate your peace-be-with-you wishes. I do receive them as sincerely given by you. Thank you.

Let me ask you a question, Simon. I am not looking for a yes/no answer. In an indulgence of my ego, I suppose that your answer might be a mixed bag. So how about a short essay answer to: would you prefer I go away again or continue in my recent return to viewing/posting at MDB? I am asking for your true feelings, so I ask the mods to give you an exemption to the rule against inviting someone to leave the board. Give it to me with both barrels!

[_Buffalo]

One of ways the faith impacted me negatively was the arena of decision making. I was always and forever seeking some sign from god, something I could call a revelation that would tell me which way to go. It wasn't until I lost faith that I really started making good, informed, rational decisions instead of waiting for signs.

[_Buffalo]

Well of course there are! Religion has very little to do with whether someone is a good person or not! My faith has never taught otherwise to me or anyone I know or have ever heard of.

Are you sure you were ever Mormon?

[_Morley]

One of ways the faith impacted me negatively was the arena of decision making. I was always and forever seeking some sign from god, something I could call a revelation that would tell me which way to go. It wasn't until I lost faith that I really started making good, informed, rational decisions instead of waiting for signs.

+1

[_Hoops]

With your avatar? Sure!

LOL. I'll bet!!

[_Simon Belmont]

I appreciate your peace-be-with-you wishes. I do receive them as sincerely given by you. Thank you.

That's good to hear, and you're welcome.

Let me ask you a question, Simon. I am not looking for a yes/no answer. In an indulgence of my ego, I suppose that your answer might be a mixed bag. So how about a short essay answer to: would you prefer I go away again or continue in my recent return to viewing/posting at MDB? I am asking for your true feelings, so I ask the mods to give you an exemption to the rule against inviting someone to leave the board. Give it to me with both barrels!

First let me state this: I am in no way important enough on MDB to say whether someone should "go away" or stay. I don't have that kind of political power here. I sincerely thought the poster "Joseph" needed to leave, and when he finally did (by his own accord) I was (and still am) elated.

But Sock Puppet -- it does bother me a bit when you get on your little tirades; first it was DCP during the BDM trial; now it's Liz and your perceived controversy over her board. I understand that you feel passionately about certain subjects, but let me state this clearly: I do not agree with what you've been saying or how you've been treating Liz recently. I think you should let it go -- it's no big deal and it doesn't matter.

It goes without saying that I am also bothered when you mock my faith or my revered religious leaders.

With those things being said, I want to make it clear that I consider you an online friend, and I believe that you add a unique voice to the board. I don't say "unique voice" because it's cliché, rather it is a sincere compliment that your uniqueness -- your humor, wit, sarcarm, and intelligence is a definite asset here, and the board would be a lesser place without you. So do I want you to leave? Hell no! The most I would like to see is you being more respectful toward my faith. I understand that your experience with Mormonism was not mine, and that, perhaps, I would feel the same way about it that you do had I had your experience. But your experience is unique to you and no one can share is precisely, however I think I lot of posters here share a similar experience. As such, I hope that you find peace among this set of peers, and through the journey I hope that you can learn to accept (read: tolerate) Mormonism and the people thereof, eventually.