Within Mormonism alone, it is estimated that for each new member that joins, two leave. Then there are the many that continue to attend, but don't believe. I also see many that hang on to a core belief in the restoration, but question the inerrancy of the leadership since the early church. So for each to have some confusion as to what to do is totally natural, in my opinion.
2 leave for every one convert? Can you tell me where you get that from?"
I've read a few different reports about this, but here's a start:
Überzeugungen sind oft die gefährlichsten Feinde der Wahrheit.
[Certainty (that one is correct) is often the most dangerous enemy of the
truth.] - Friedrich Nietzsche
Within Mormonism alone, it is estimated that for each new member that joins, two leave. Then there are the many that continue to attend, but don't believe. I also see many that hang on to a core belief in the restoration, but question the inerrancy of the leadership since the early church. So for each to have some confusion as to what to do is totally natural, in my opinion.
2 leave for every one convert? Can you tell me where you get that from?"
I've read a few different reports about this, but here's a start:
My current thought on this is if you do not believe in the church, don't support it by going. There are many OTHER things in life you could be positively doing instead of diddling your time in an institution that is so time and energy demanding. Stand for something and walk away. You'll feel better about yourself for doing so.
RebelYell wrote:Jason, thanks for the post and link. I was not able to listen to the podcast but read the essay. I have read/listened to other things by John Dehlin and find him quite likeable and appreciate the opportunity to have sources to look to for more insight in how to sort out where I am with church "stuff".
As a convert, I was immediately struck by some of Johns comments and wonder if this is not something more.... say directed from the church, through the mouth of John, to address convert retention?
President Hinkley 1 year ago: "Well, it's either true or false. If it's false, we're engaged in a great fraud. If it's true, it's the most important thing in the world. Now, that's the whole picture. It is either right or wrong, true or false, fraudulent or true."
I just can't wrap my arms around the "buffet" Mormon concept - I guess for me it's all or nothing, and quite frankly it hurts.
I completely understand. I tried to be a cafeteria Mormon, but the longer I looked at it, the more I realized that there wasn't much to eat in the cafeteria that was healthy for me. If all the cafeteria sells is chocolate-covered pork rinds, why stay in the cafeteria? Why not go somewhere else where you can get a real meal?
Yeah, sooner or later you realize it's not rice they have been feeding you . Rice should not move around like that.