I've mentioned Roger Loomis' excellent essay on why exmormons often do not "leave the church alone". It used to be hosted on zarahemlacitylimits, but that site is currently defunct. A helpful poster (too, deb, thanks!) on FLAK found an old post of mine in which I quoted a pertinent and insightful paragraph from that essay. I'm going to share it here in case some of you are interested:
"The church was established by people who left the false churches they found themselves in favor of what they believed to be the truth. Throughout the church's history, the sacrifices that Mormons have made for what they believed to be the truth should be held in reverence by all.And that is what Mormonism is all about.The church itself isn't a culture that was passed on to us that we pass on to others. It is an expression of what we believe is the fundamental nature of truth and reality. We value the truth so much that one of the main missions of the church to proclaim the gospel to anybody who will listen. We make huge sacrifices to convince the world that we have a better way.In a sentence, Mormons believe more than anything else that the truth matters. It matters so much that we have to be willing to leave economic well being, friends, family, and even our religious heritage to embrace it. It matters so much that we must leave the comfort of keeping our beliefs private and proclaim them to those who see things differently.We see then that people who leave the church but don't leave it alone aren't fighting against the culture and ideals in which they were raised. Rather, they are embracing it--they are honoring the integrity of the true believers of the church throughout its history by actively living and preaching the truth that they see."
Roger sometimes posts on boards as Analytics. Roger, if you're reading, thanks for this excellent essay. I have never forgotten it and reference it often. I hope the full essay is restored to the web soon.
We hate to seem like we don’t trust every nut with a story, but there’s evidence we can point to, and dance while shouting taunting phrases.
"We see then that people who leave the church but don't leave it alone aren't fighting against the culture and ideals in which they were raised. Rather, they are embracing it--they are honoring the integrity of the true believers of the church throughout its history by actively living and preaching the truth that they see."
So they are unable to leave? :)
"Surely he knows that DCP, The Nehor, Lamanite, and other key apologists..." -Scratch clarifying my status in apologetics "I admit it; I'm a petty, petty man." -Some Schmo
We see then that people who leave the church but don't leave it alone aren't fighting against the culture and ideals in which they were raised. Rather, they are embracing it--they are honoring the integrity of the true believers of the church throughout its history by actively living and preaching the truth that they see.
Really well said. Thanks Beastie. I agree completely.
beastie wrote:I've mentioned Roger Loomis' excellent essay on why exmormons often do not "leave the church alone". It used to be hosted on zarahemlacitylimits, but that site is currently defunct. A helpful poster (too, deb, thanks!) on FLAK found an old post of mine in which I quoted a pertinent and insightful paragraph from that essay. I'm going to share it here in case some of you are interested:
"The church was established by people who left the false churches they found themselves in favor of what they believed to be the truth. Throughout the church's history, the sacrifices that Mormons have made for what they believed to be the truth should be held in reverence by all.And that is what Mormonism is all about.The church itself isn't a culture that was passed on to us that we pass on to others. It is an expression of what we believe is the fundamental nature of truth and reality. We value the truth so much that one of the main missions of the church to proclaim the gospel to anybody who will listen. We make huge sacrifices to convince the world that we have a better way.In a sentence, Mormons believe more than anything else that the truth matters. It matters so much that we have to be willing to leave economic well being, friends, family, and even our religious heritage to embrace it. It matters so much that we must leave the comfort of keeping our beliefs private and proclaim them to those who see things differently.We see then that people who leave the church but don't leave it alone aren't fighting against the culture and ideals in which they were raised. Rather, they are embracing it--they are honoring the integrity of the true believers of the church throughout its history by actively living and preaching the truth that they see."
Roger sometimes posts on boards as Analytics. Roger, if you're reading, thanks for this excellent essay. I have never forgotten it and reference it often. I hope the full essay is restored to the web soon.
And sometimes, of course, they do it out of anger, bitterness, or simply because they hate the Mormon Church. This is, of course, a gross and inaccurate stereotype, but it cannot be dismissed out of hand as a factor in some or many cases.
God . . . "who mouths morals to other people and has none himself; who frowns upon crimes, yet commits them all; who created man without invitation, . . . and finally, with altogether divine obtuseness, invites this poor, abused slave to worship him ..."
My wife left the Catholic church many years ago, but she hasn't left it alone. She has witnessed against the tenents/doctrine numerous times and will continue to do so.
I've never left Lutherinism alone even though it has been 5 generations since my fathers left it.
Nehor, you've done it by comparison and contrast from the time you began preparing for a Mormon mission.
Mormons are under the delusion that they are given an exemption from the almighty Mormon God to badger all other philosophies because they proclaim their own as true.
Last edited by Guest on Wed Jul 30, 2008 5:42 pm, edited 1 time in total.
And sometimes, of course, they do it out of anger, bitterness, or simply because they hate the Mormon Church. This is, of course, a gross and inaccurate stereotype, but it cannot be dismissed out of hand as a factor in some or many cases.
And, of course, simply out of habit. Or interest in the topic. etc etc
What I find telling is how determined believers are to insinuate or flat out state that exmormons who "can't leave the church alone" have something really wrong with them. It's a form of bullying in an attempt to silence.
We hate to seem like we don’t trust every nut with a story, but there’s evidence we can point to, and dance while shouting taunting phrases.
This seems a bit simplistic. LDS are not the only group that are seeking the truth.
My personal opinion is that the LDS religion is not just something you do, it defines who you are. Other religions are a part of you, but they don't define you like the LDS religion does. At your core, EVERYTHING is funnelled through your LDS perception. You are taught to pray continually, to choose friends wisely, strict obedience to the WoW, dress appropriately, right down to how many earrings to wear.
It reminds me of The Shawshank Redemption where Red finally gets out. He has to ask the manager for permission to go to the bathroom otherwise he can't go.
Plus, I think there is an overinflated sense of how many people can't leave it alone. I think most exmo's just leave quietly.
If there's one thing I've learned from this board, it's that consensual sex with multiple partners is okay unless God commands it. - Abman
I find this place to be hostile toward all brands of stupidity. That's why I like it. - Some Schmo
1- insist that there exists one religious truth
2 - insist that they have the formula to find that truth
3 - actively proselytize people away from their faiths in order to embrace that truth
I'm betting any faith that fits this description will have exmembers who "can't leave it alone".
We hate to seem like we don’t trust every nut with a story, but there’s evidence we can point to, and dance while shouting taunting phrases.