Most common reasons people consider leaving/leave the Church

[_Ray A]

Precisely why the question doesn't need to be asked.

From the PH leader's POV it needs to be asked for accountability. People have to account for their actions, in the Church, and be given the opportunity to either tell the truth or lie. If they choose to lie, then this is no reflection on the bishop. It's between them and God, but they must have that opportunity to account.

[_Quasimodo]

I don't know what makes you so sure that a bishop believes you, simply because you deny masturbating.

My guess is that the Bishop had done his own share of masturbating. Especially as a youngster.

I think I remember reading that you were once a Bishop (maybe you still are). How do you reconcile the normal human urge and the church's position against it? This is an honest question.

[_Ray A]

My guess is that the Bishop had done his own share of masturbating. Especially as a youngster.

Very possible, but we have some counter-examples here, like Runtu, and on RFM Steve Benson, who at least didn't masturbate while on their missions.

I think I remember reading that you were once a Bishop (maybe you still are).

I'm not even a member of the Church, but I do understand how Mormon bishops "operate" since, yes, I was once a bishop in the Church.

How do you reconcile the normal human urge and the churches position against it? This is an honest question.

As noted above, some, apparently, find it easier to resist than others. I don't, and never thought, it was a "grave" sin, and have always believed that many young men lie in interviews more out of embarrassment than anything else, which is why I didn't like probing. I was given lectures about the "evils of masturbation" when I was a young Catholic, from Confirmation at age 8, right through until I was 14, so this is by no means unique to Mormonism.

[_Quasimodo]

As noted above, some, apparently, find it easier to resist than others. I don't, and never thought, it was a "grave" sin, and have always believed that many young men lie in interviews more out of embarrassment than anything else, which is why I didn't like probing. I was given lectures about the "evils of masturbation" when I was a young Catholic, from Confirmation at age 8, right through until I was 14, so this is by no means unique to Mormonism.

Thanks, Ray, for your very honest answer! I'm impressed with your integrity.

I know it's not unique to Mormonism. I didn't know you had been a Catholic at one time (interesting... I'd like to hear more about that sometime).

I believe that young men either admit to masturbation or lie about it. I don't think that there are more than a handful (no pun intended) in the world that have not. I'm not that sure about young ladies, but I would not be surprised to find out that it was the same (maybe ladies out there will correct me).

I am curious though, why religious leaders (of any denomination) would put such a heavy burden on the young when they, themselves, are guilty of the same sin.

Wouldn't that be hypocrisy?

[_Ray A]

I am curious though, why religious leaders (of any denomination) would put such a heavy burden on the young when they, themselves, are guilty of the same sin.

Wouldn't that be hypocrisy?

I believe that masturbation comes naturally to almost every human being, with rare exceptions, and yes I do include females. Not masturbating has become an "institutional" "commandment" for many (probably most) Christian Churches, based on Jesus' teachings about purity. I could never bring myself to come down hard on young men or women for this, and would have preferred to remain out of their private lives in this regard, but I guess it was a matter of upholding the laws of morality concerning the Church (which I was obligated to do as a bishop). My radical opinion was that it is better for them to masturbate than allow the "sexual energy" to build up and evolve into more serious sexual transgressions (as far as the Church was concerned), and in my experience, that is what happened in many cases. It was a weird sort of paradox.

[_moksha]

Most common reasons people leave the Church

16. The three hour block has ended and the stampede to the parking lot begins.
17. The game begins in 30 minutes.
18. Sunday dinner at the Golden Corral.

[_Infymus]

1. Offended by someone saying or doing something. (Most common, these usually stay on records and stop attending)
2. Don't want to participate, usually consider it a hassle.
3. Convinced it isn't true, usually through demonic influence. :)
4. Didn't get a calling or position of importance they thought they deserved.
5. Decided they preferred something the gospel labels as 'sin' to the gospel.
6. Start demonizing other Church members and/or leaders because of annoyance, anger, jealousy, or hatred. Eventually leave in disgust after they see everything as evil (Nightlion is an extreme example of this type).
7. Never really believed and left when external supports gave out (they grow up, leave the Mormon Corridor, or move and find no new LDS social circle).
8. They make a deal with the devil for wealth and fame in exchange for their soul (Rare, I've only met one).
9. Missed the parable of 'counting the cost' before they join and realize it's too much effort to continue, very common with new converts.

Oh comon Nehor, you've been around here long enough to know that none of this is true. Except the deal with the devil stuff. You've now met your second.

Where is the sarcasm tag?

[_Tator]

I got this burning in my bosom that Paul O is looking over my shoulder.

[_Tator]

I hope it's true I miss him.

[_LDS truthseeker]

GOOGLE

not sure if it's in the top 2 reasons yet but more and more people are leaving the church (or simply not joining it in the first place), becuase they are finding out about very disturbing things about the church either on the Internet or from others telling them.

These include things like the Book of Abraham translation of the facsimiles being different than what Egyptologists say, Joseph putting a stone in a hat to translate the Book of Mormon with, Joseph marrying 11 women that already had husbands, etc.

The real facts about the church's history and the subsequent hiding of that information is becoming more and more one of the top reasons people leave the church. You can thank the Internet and the dedication of thousands of ex-members and questioning members that have made this information available on the web.