Joseph Smith Legacy (Consolidation)

[_Buffalo]

Biggest issues for leaving seem to be:

Book of Abraham
Joseph's polygamy/polyandry/kiddie fiddling
Evolving first vision story
Book of Mormon
Prop 8


Mine was different though. I stopped believing in God first, before I ever examined the church critically.

[_Rambo]

I wasn't personally offended by your statement, but I thought it was a little offensive, in general, which is why I responded by turning it around against Catholicism.

This is what I thought you were trying to point out. If I was still Mormon and someone said to me that I think it is sad that you are Mormon then I would be a little offended. I didn't view it as a sad life.

What would you suggest is the most common reason/reasons why people leave the LDS Church? (I am asking at the time they leave and not an evolving process over time after they have left)

Mine was because I found out Joseph Smith with sleeping around behind his wifes back. That's when I realized he used religion to get laid. I also found out the Book of Abraham was not translated correctly. These were 2 things I didn't know before. Plus I wanted to have sex and masturbate without feeling guilty ;) Oh yeah and try drinking too!

What is the biggest reason/reasons (If you happen to agree with me) that X-LDS people are often on a warp speed tract to Atheism?

Cause the evidence points towards Atheism.

[_Themis]

What would you suggest is the most common reason/reasons why people leave the LDS Church? (I am asking at the time they leave and not an evolving process over time after they have left)

Same reason most leave Catholicism or other religions. It's not for them, and they may not really believe it true anyways.

What is the biggest reason/reasons (If you happen to agree with me) that X-LDS people are often on a warp speed tract to Atheism?

Simple other religions are just as false as LDS are. When one is open minded enough to see that their beliefs are not true, they tend to be open minded when looking at other beliefs. Christianity really does not hold up well under these situations. With LDS it is harder to be agnostic or atheist and be active, where other religions are more accepting.

[_stemelbow]

Thanks for the responses.

I am going to ask a few questions (Mostly for my benefit, but perhaps they will allow for an enviornment to provide greater understanding/dialouge/perspective for all involved) That would be my hope/intent.

What would you suggest is the most common reason/reasons why people leave the LDS Church? (I am asking at the time they leave and not an evolving process over time after they have left)

They stop believing its claims.

What is the biggest reason/reasons (If you happen to agree with me) that X-LDS people are often on a warp speed tract to Atheism?

The strong support for scientific findings which support an atheistic outlook. You know the idea that there was no world wide flood and all.

by the way: I would like to make it clear that I include Atheism/Agnostic as valid choices among the many choices/paths that we all have available to us.

Peace,
Ceeboo

You do not. You wish there were no choices and we were all Catholics. Just admit it. (;

[_Themis]

I'm not sure what you mean. Either it is true (Most X-LDS become Atheist) or it is not true. Yes?

It's probably not true. Most do not leave over issues with Book of Abraham, Book of Mormon, etc. They leave before even knowing about them much the same as others in other religions. Of those who do leave for these issues they know about, I would say, yes, most become agnostic/atheist. It takes a very open mind to look at these issues and conclude cherished beliefs are wrong, even though the evidence is so strong.

[_Themis]

The strong support for scientific findings which support an atheistic outlook. You know the idea that there was no world wide flood and all.

I don't know anyone who has left for that one. Most stopped believing those ones while remaining very believing in the church and being active. Many believing members today don't believe in a global flood. It is the issues unique to Mormonism like the Book of Mormon, Book of Abraham, polygamy, etc.

[_Ceeboo]

Thanks, people, for the recent contributions.


Interesting (Would like to digest them a while before considering making any direct responses)


Peace,
Ceeboo

[_Some Schmo]

Hey SS,

I didn't find the comment offensive, just inaccurate.

What did you find inaccurate? (This is a serious question)

For the following reasons:

- Atheism isn't a sad thing. It's one of the best things I've ever come to
- Joe's legacy is certainly filled with sadness, but mostly for still-believing members, not those who have left
- The real sadness for exmo's has to do with the way leaving messes with family relationships, not with what members end up (not) believing

[_Jason Bourne]

Most Mormons who leave or stop participation because of lack of interest and anithapy, life style choices that may conflict and simply losing or not being interested. I think this is true for people of many faiths.


Some who leave that were very active TBMs, and such are represented by many here do so because they explore the founding claims and history of the LDS church perhaps more than they did up to that point and conclude that such claims are lacking or false. Some also leave because of cultural issues like such things as prop 8 and treatment of gays, prior racial teachings and so on. Often those lose faith in any God. But some end up EVs or something else. Often when such leave they look at other religious claims with the same critical eye that led them to conclude the LDS church as false they find much problematic with other regions as well. Thus the agnostic, atheistic or general apathetic approach to religion.

Ceebo, I think were I to leave for another religion I would consider the Catholic Church. I like the rich liturgy and other aspects one of which is you can be a good Catholic and ignore quite a bit of it in the process. :-).

[_stemelbow]

I don't know anyone who has left for that one. Most stopped believing those ones while remaining very believing in the church and being active. Many believing members today don't believe in a global flood. It is the issues unique to Mormonism like the Book of Mormon, Book of Abraham, polygamy, etc.

Go back and re-read, Themis. I did not say that's why people leave the Church.