DiscussMormonism.com

You know, it occurs to me that many of the ex-Mo's who regularly post on boards like this are really just TBM's in reverse.

For all the criticism's of how much of a time investment TBM's devote to church callings and weekly activities, how are the Ex-Mo posters any different given the time invested in posting about Mormonism after they've exited?

One example, the recently posted thread about an LDS woman reading the Book of Mormon on youtube. What she's doing makes sense given that she's active LDS. The question I have is why are ex-members investing time searching for people like her?



Jersey Girl

Depends on the exmo, and how TBM they were in the first place.

Speaking for myself, I never believed it (at least, once I gave myself permission to disagree with my father at about the age of 9 or so), and only went along with it because I knew it would make things easier on me while living in my parents' house. I did go through a period of time when I was very angry at the church a few years ago, not so much because of what I felt it did to me, but more because of the way it divided my family.

But these days, I couldn't really care less. I rarely even open up threads on Mormon topics, consider it a foregone conclusion that it's just a silly world view, and hardly think about it day to day. My concern isn't so much with Mormonism specifically as it is with religion in general. In fact, a member of my extended family is going through an experience right now involving a Southern Baptist church, and the way those people are acting toward her make Mormons look as sane as could be. I mean, holy insanity, Batman!

So lately, my participation on these boards has been due primarily to being a political junkie during this very interesting election season.

You are underestimating the amount of time (to say nothing of money) that is required for church attendance, fulfilling callings, and scripture study. It is often like a second job. You are also overestimating the amount of time most exmo's spend on boards such as this. There really is no comparison.

beastie wrote:You are underestimating the amount of time (to say nothing of money) that is required for church attendance, fulfilling callings, and scripture study. It is often like a second job. You are also overestimating the amount of time most exmo's spend on boards such as this. There really is no comparison.

True. Much of what exmo's do is simply draw upon their years of experience as a Mormon. Leaving the Church took a lot of time and energy, but being an former Mormon doesn't take much energy. Hell, by you post volume I would bet that you (Jersey) put more energy into Mormonism than I do.

Jersey Girl wrote:You know, it occurs to me that many of the ex-Mo's who regularly post on boards like this are really just TBM's in reverse.

For all the criticism's of how much of a time investment TBM's devote to church callings and weekly activities, how are the Ex-Mo posters any different given the time invested in posting about Mormonism after they've exited?

One example, the recently posted thread about an LDS woman reading the Book of Mormon on youtube. What she's doing makes sense given that she's active LDS. The question I have is why are ex-members investing time searching for people like her?



Jersey Girl

Certainly!

And I have noted this before. At least some of the more irrational and angry exmo posters here-we and they know who they are-are the mirror image of those they despise and make fun of. No question about it. They have merely shifted from one thing to another.

Meh. Not really. Ex-Mormondom is topic of interest to ex-mo's simply because it's a part of their history, culture, etc... But I'm sure to most it's like me where this is one of about 20 websites I might peruse any given day. Most posters have a casual interest in very few topics posted, and post mostly out of a way to kill some time.

What completely astonishes me are the never-mo's who don't have a direct connection to the Mormon cult (ie.. spouse or kids), but post. THAT is weird, unless they're really just anti-religion in general and they post on Catholic, Islamic, Baptist forums ranting against religiosity in general...

Meh. Not really. Ex-Mormondom is topic of interest to ex-mo's simply because it's a part of their history, culture, etc... But I'm sure to most it's like me where this is one of about 20 websites I might peruse any given day. Most posters have a casual interest in very few topics posted, and post mostly out of a way to kill some time.

For many this is true but for some I think Jersey Girl has a point.

What completely astonishes me are the never-mo's who don't have a direct connection to the Mormon cult (ie.. spouse or kids), but post. THAT is weird, unless they're really just anti-religion in general and they post on Catholic, Islamic, Baptist forums ranting against religiosity in general...

Depends. Some never Mo may have friends, family, etc that are Mormon or have had lots of contact with Mormons or just be interested in Mormonism.

Jason Bourne wrote:
Depends. Some never Mo may have friends, family, etc that are Mormon or have had lots of contact with Mormons or just be interested in Mormonism.

DUDE. Jesus. I just said that. Feck.

Jason Bourne wrote:
Depends. Some never Mo may have friends, family, etc that are Mormon or have had lots of contact with Mormons or just be interested in Mormonism.

DUDE. Jesus. I just said that. Feck

Sorry man.

Guess my comprehension skills are off today. I do have a horrible headache though.

Have you ever been to the postmormon.org site? Chapters (organized groups with leaders), magazines, fundraising... conferences.