The church I was raised in values unquestioning obedience over critical thinking. This caused trauma and cognitive dissonance when I questioned church doctrine and official history. In online forums and support groups, former and questioning Mormons gather and offer comfort. Some of us are prominent, such as Steve Benson, the Pulitzer Prize-winning political cartoonist, or singer Tal Bachman. Most of us are quiet dissidents who wish to lead conscientious lives.
I was born into an multi-generational Mormon pioneer family. The mantle of those ancestors who made the ultimate sacrifice while crossing America’s plains to Utah weighed heavily on me as I grew up romanticizing the church’s worldwide missionary successes.
But I struggled after realizing that Mormonism’s claims about anthropology, history and other subjects contradict reason and science. While many faiths’ irrational claims are obscured by centuries of myth and rubble, the LDS church lacks the moderation and scholarship of its older peers. It also stifles efforts to openly question church pronouncements, labeling such behavior as Satanic.
Critics of Mormonism include geneticists, Egyptologists and even the Smithsonian Institution, which stopped Mormon apologists from claiming the institute viewed the Book of Mormon as a factual document.
While studying at Brigham Young University, I spiritually imploded after learning these things and other facts outside official church curriculum. Disturbed, I met with a high-ranking Mormon leader who told me to quit reading historical and scientific materials because they were “worse than pornography.” BYU’s dean of religious education wouldn’t answer my growing list of questions. Other leaders told me that questioning is acceptable so long as it’s done secretly. I became distraught. For years my faith was an unshakable part of my identity, and if I openly voiced my concerns I risked rejection from the community I loved. Since Mormonism is highly centralized, without the local doctrinal flexibility that exists in Judaism and many Christian churches, I had no place to live a moderated, reformed existence.
Salt Lake City’s male gerontocracy told me to avoid books and marry, but I could not stomach all their teachings. For example, mainstream Mormons banned polygamy in 1890 to obtain Utah’s statehood, but they continue to perform temple ceremonies that “seal” one man to multiple women in the hereafter. My idea of heaven did not involve a husband whose love could be shared with many wives.
Staying in the church meant I would have my family, but I couldn’t pretend to believe. And it was difficult to live a fulfilling life without Mormonism. My parents shut me out of their home for nearly five years because of religion, and some former friends shunned me.
They are starting to come across information that I found out about 2 years ago. I know some of you think this won't do anything but it is a start. Plants the seeds of doubt. The TBM may dismiss this stuff right now but over the years it gets you to question and then really look into the issues. This whole thing is actually really exciting to me. Both my family and I want Romney to win the GOP nomination but we both want it for different reasons.
I too hope Romney wins, for the same reason as you. My LDS family & friends don't want him to win, because of the increased scrutiny that it will put on the church.
Parley P. Pratt wrote:We must lie to support brother Joseph, it is our duty to do so.
Buffalo wrote:I too hope Romney wins, for the same reason as you. My LDS family & friends don't want him to win, because of the increased scrutiny that it will put on the church.
Are you serious? I don't think my family and friends have thought of this. They think the increased attention will be a good thing because they only see the church in a good light. Plus they think that any attention is always good for the church. I'm thinking your family and friends know some of the problems and know they are hard to handle. Sounds like they are more advanced on the issues than my famly and friends.
Buffalo wrote:I too hope Romney wins, for the same reason as you. My LDS family & friends don't want him to win, because of the increased scrutiny that it will put on the church.
Are you serious? I don't think my family and friends have thought of this. They think the increased attention will be a good thing because they only see the church in a good light. Plus they think that any attention is always good for the church. I'm thinking your family and friends know some of the problems and know they are hard to handle. Sounds like they are more advanced on the issues than my famly and friends.
Most of the people in my immediate circle probably have at least some idea of a few of the basic problems. I doubt any of them know about the Book of Abraham stuff, but they're at least familiar with some of the racist teachings of past leadership, are uncomfortable with it, and don't want it discussed in the media.
Parley P. Pratt wrote:We must lie to support brother Joseph, it is our duty to do so.
Rambo wrote:Both my family and I want Romney to win the GOP nomination but we both want it for different reasons.
This.
My TBM friends and family members are ecstatic over the thought of having a TBM president. They have come right out and said that it is a fulfillment of prophesy and a big "In Your Face" moment to all the critics of the church.
It seems to be a huge ego inflator for them.
But I'm hoping it will be a huge awakening for them and they'll learn why there are so many critics of the church and its true history.
Same here regarding Romney winning and why. I would vote for him even if he were not LDS. My TBM mother, in her 80's, has voiced concerns to me about Romney bringing Mormonism front and center in the press and questions if that is a good thing. At least some LDS realize that there will be downsides to his nomination and presidency as far as the Church is concerned. I don't believe the average TBM realizes what lengths the press will go to in search of a story. Every dissatisfied member is an opportunity for a story. I would expect the negative stories to out number the positive ones 10 to 1. That is not a reflection on how bad Mormonism is because I truly believe it is overall a positive movement, but it is the way our media operates.
"Any over-ritualized religion since the dawn of time can make its priests say yes, we know, it is rotten, and hard luck, but just do as we say, keep at the ritual, stick it out, give us your money and you'll end up with the angels in heaven for evermore."
I think Mitt has had it easy so far. If he wins the nomination (looks likely), then Obama's chicago political smear machine kicks into gear, I don't think anything in his past will be off-limits, including his faith. I'm sure his campaign has all the "tired old anti-mormon lies" in a file, with a strategy on how to use it if they have to. It's not like Obama is worried about losing the Mormon vote.
"We have taken up arms in defense of our liberty, our property, our wives, and our children; we are determined to preserve them, or die." - Captain Moroni - 'Address to the Inhabitants of Canada' 1775
DarkHelmet wrote:I think Mitt has had it easy so far. If he wins the nomination (looks likely), then Obama's chicago political smear machine kicks into gear, I don't think anything in his past will be off-limits, including his faith. I'm sure his campaign has all the "tired old anti-mormon lies" in a file, with a strategy on how to use it if they have to. It's not like Obama is worried about losing the Mormon vote.
Romney's campaign shroud hire Pahorong and Slick Willie Schryver just to browse the internet, throwing out "that tired old chestnut" and "canard" to rebut anything of substance.
"Any over-ritualized religion since the dawn of time can make its priests say yes, we know, it is rotten, and hard luck, but just do as we say, keep at the ritual, stick it out, give us your money and you'll end up with the angels in heaven for evermore."
I don't get the Mittens thing. Is this a play on Mitt Romney's candidacy or something?
Oh for shame, how the mortals put the blame on us gods, for they say evils come from us, but it is they, rather, who by their own recklessness win sorrow beyond what is given... Zeus (1178 BC)
zeezrom wrote:I don't get the Mittens thing. Is this a play on Mitt Romney's candidacy or something?
Maybe followers of Mitt are called "Mittens"?
"Any over-ritualized religion since the dawn of time can make its priests say yes, we know, it is rotten, and hard luck, but just do as we say, keep at the ritual, stick it out, give us your money and you'll end up with the angels in heaven for evermore."