Apostates understand Mormonism better than Mormons

[_Buffalo]

Buffalo, if you were to restructure your OP to include NOM's, I could agree with you. As is, being a NOM...I can't. ;-)

Technically I'm a NOM. Consider yourself included.

[_Spurven Ten Sing]

non-literal believers.

[_stemelbow]

But he has already clarified that he did not include them. There may be some members who leave after many years who did not know as much as the average Mormon, but the discussion is really about the apostate who does know more, so we should limit the discussion to that now that you have had a clarification from Buffalo.

But Buffalo indicated this isn't about knowing more facts, something I got confused about that too. He is saying "apostates" understand Mormonism better than current LDS do because they have had the same experiences and the same thoughts, not literally I guess, and have added to those experiences and thoughts. I don't know if I buy into it, though.

[_Yoda]

So are NOM's outliers as well?

I feel like I've asked about 20 times with no serious responses. What's a NOM?

New order Mormon. Essentially the equivalent of a liberal reform Jew. Cultural Mormons.

Also referred to as Cafeteria Mormons. ;-)

We believe in, and uphold the core of the gospel, but there are still aspects of doctrine and/or culture that we may not agree with.

[_just me]

So are NOM's outliers as well?

I feel like I've asked about 20 times with no serious responses. What's a NOM?

A Mormon who may reject some to all of the doctrine or cultural aspects of the LDS church but maintains connection for family or personal reasons. They range from those believing in the basic doctrines who reject the culture to atheists who maintain activity and/or membership for family reasons.

I am a NOM---I am an active, calling holding, non-believing member of the church.

[_Buffalo]

I just feel that, once again, a group is painted with too large of a brush stroke.

I don't think that you can blanketly state that all active Church members have a blind spot when it comes to issues that are wrong with the Church. That is simply not true. Of course, there is a segment that does.

But part of the reason that this board is successful is that members who are fully vested in the Church can discuss issues which are not necessarily cohesive.

I'm talking about depth of perspective. I don't necessarily mean that TBMs don't understand things, just that those who were totally immersed in the faith and then find themselves mentally outside the faith have a greater overall perspective.

DCP probably knows the problems with the church better than I do. But I have greater perspective because I've been both firmly inside and firmly outside, and I can see from within and from without.

[_bcspace]

Regardless of whether Mormons or ex-Mormons are right or wrong, it's the ex-Mormons who have a deeper, more complete understanding of Mormonism.

I've never known that to be the case; especially yours.

[_Buffalo]

Regardless of whether Mormons or ex-Mormons are right or wrong, it's the ex-Mormons who have a deeper, more complete understanding of Mormonism.

I've never known that to be the case; especially yours.

You wouldn't know, little cyclops. If you ever experience binocular vision, you'll understand then.

[_Buffalo]

I'd like to add that while I have "been" Stem, I've never been BC. Thank all powerful Atheismo for that.

[_Spurven Ten Sing]

Stem, how about this. What if being Mormon, or understanding Mormonism comes from experiencing the maximum areas that are Mormon. In one sphere we have TBM chapel Mormons, in another we have TBM internet Mormons, in another we have NOMs, in another an exmo, in another a reorganite, a Strangite, etc. In theory the person who experiences the most areas understands Mormonism the best.