Ex-mos always enemies of the church?

[_Sam Harris]

Why is it that some TBMs always view those who exit the church, and some of those who do it noisily (my exit wasn't pretty by any means) as eternal enemies of the church?

I don't see myself as an enemy of the church. I still have LDS friends, I on occasion attend LDS activites. My friends have accepted my life choice. A few I'm sure are still a bit uncomfortable, but I leave that up to them to work out with God. If they cannot see how at peace I am, then I don't know what to do.

The issue with blacks in the church was not my only issue with the LDS faith, though it was a big one. I had a huge issue with LDS culture as well, it just didn't mesh with who I am as a person. I chose not to take issue with LDS doctrine, because there are a lot of faiths who make outrageous claims, my own being one of them. I just felt that the church wasn't a good fit.

I have black LDS friends. They are happy in the church. I do not question them, they do not question me. One in particular was witness to my struggle, and we talked at length about our problems. She accepted my choice, I accepted hers. She's like family to me. I feel that if she's happy where she is, who am I to try to pull her away from that and send her life into upheaval based on my beliefs? She has a life to live and a son to raise. If he, when he is older decides to transition to another faith, that will be his choice, but his mother is doing the best to give him a good life. He was an abandoned baby, and I'm sorry, LDS or not, he has an awesome mama who did her best to become his mama and who is giving him a good home. I think there are some people on this forum who have a sense of bigotry when it comes to the efficacy of LDS living their lives, and vice versa. It's annoying.

I feel like I've let go of those years that I spent as a Mormon. I still post here, but it's like that time is a faded memory. My spiritual journey is still that, a journey. So why is it, that I'm seen as an enemy of the church? I know I'm not alone. There are people on here who I know are not hostile towards the church in the least, they just don't pet and praise it enough for the sentiments of some of the uber-TBMs here...and because of that they are labeled as enemies of the church.

Why?

[_John Larsen]

The "us and them" attitude is central to the doctrine and goes way back to the beginning. In fact, it has been WAY toned down over the years. When the early leaders had to carve out a niche when the Church was created, they did so by claiming special knowledge and that all other churches were on the payroll of Satan. That sort of stuff does not quickly go away.

I actually don't know of the LDS Church can survive if it adopts a pluralist attitude (other than the make-believe one it has today).

[_Dr. Shades]

Why is it that some TBMs always view those who exit the church, and some of those who do it noisily (my exit wasn't pretty by any means) as eternal enemies of the church? [SNIP!] I feel like I've let go of those years that I spent as a Mormon. I still post here, but it's like that time is a faded memory. My spiritual journey is still that, a journey. So why is it, that I'm seen as an enemy of the church? I know I'm not alone. There are people on here who I know are not hostile towards the church in the least, they just don't pet and praise it enough for the sentiments of some of the uber-TBMs here...and because of that they are labeled as enemies of the church.

Why?

That's an excellent question. The definitive answer to it has been typed up and posted here. It's a must-read for anyone on either side of the believer/disbeliever fence.

[_Moniker]

I feel like I've let go of those years that I spent as a Mormon. I still post here, but it's like that time is a faded memory. My spiritual journey is still that, a journey. So why is it, that I'm seen as an enemy of the church? I know I'm not alone. There are people on here who I know are not hostile towards the church in the least, they just don't pet and praise it enough for the sentiments of some of the uber-TBMs here...and because of that they are labeled as enemies of the church.

Why?

You spoke of the bigotry (and we've talked on this before:) and I can definitely see that some of the stereotypes that are portrayed on this site can make the passions run high. Then on the flip side you have some LDS that say all ex-Mos are minions of Satan. I think the moderate voice is often lost, and I'm glad you're here (and many other posters) to show that there is such a thing. :)

I don't understand why so many that leave the Church are called vile names, their character questioned, etc... that in and of itself is not conducive to communication. I think the Church stresses the truth so much (and Satan fighting against the truth of the Church) that for some LDS it is a thought that sin (or Satan) did pull people away from the Church. That seems odd, to me -- of course I've never had thought processes of the like, so can't quite relate. I think when this belief is part of the very Church ideology that it creates the us vs. them mentality and when people leave they automatically fall into the ranks of the "them".

I'm glad you're a voice on this board (and others like you), that show that the people that leave the Church are individuals. Each deal with leaving in their own way, and time. They're just people -- some are angry, some become depressed, some lose their families, some lose their marriages, some lose everything that had been a part of their world -- it's traumatic -- and that the various posters here show different aspects of these life altering events is just a testament that it's individuals that go -- not some glob of Satan's minions.

[_antishock8]

Jean Paul would have something to say about this. The Mormonz need an Other. They need an eternal Satan they can rail against in order to do what they do which is to lie and deceive their fold into staying. It's easier to point the finger rather than have to fess up to a con. Plus, the perpetual grievance theater is good for business. No. Really. It is. So so soooo good. Works for Christians and Mulims... Why reinvent the wheel?

[_Coggins7]

No, only those exmos named Angela...with that particular agenda.


So pathetic...

[_Coggins7]

Jean Paul would have something to say about this. The Mormonz need an Other. They need an eternal Satan they can rail against in order to do what they do which is to lie and deceive their fold into staying. It's easier to point the finger rather than have to fess up to a con. Plus, the perpetual grievance theater is good for business. No. Really. It is. So so soooo good. Works for Christians and Mulims... Why reinvent the wheel?

Yeah right...

I'm really trying not to drink tonight...

[_mentalgymnast]

Why is it that some TBMs always view those who exit the church, and some of those who do it noisily (my exit wasn't pretty by any means) as eternal enemies of the church?

I don't see myself as an enemy of the church. I still have LDS friends, I on occasion attend LDS activites. My friends have accepted my life choice. A few I'm sure are still a bit uncomfortable, but I leave that up to them to work out with God. If they cannot see how at peace I am, then I don't know what to do....So why is it, that I'm seen as an enemy of the church? I know I'm not alone. There are people on here who I know are not hostile towards the church in the least, they just don't pet and praise it enough for the sentiments of some of the uber-TBMs here...and because of that they are labeled as enemies of the church.

Why?

You may be over estimating yourself.

Regards,
MG

[_Boaz & Lidia]

Jean Paul would have something to say about this. The Mormonz need an Other. They need an eternal Satan they can rail against in order to do what they do which is to lie and deceive their fold into staying. It's easier to point the finger rather than have to fess up to a con. Plus, the perpetual grievance theater is good for business. No. Really. It is. So so soooo good. Works for Christians and Mulims... Why reinvent the wheel?

Yeah right...

I'm really trying not to drink tonight...

What is your spirits of choice tonight?

[_Sam Harris]

No, only those exmos named Angela...with that particular agenda.


So pathetic...

Is it some sort of psychological setback that keeps you from remembering that Angela Davis is not my name, and not only that, you yourself don't even have within one hair the amount of courage that woman had within her whole self?

Shades was on point to post the article he did. A lot of it, if not all applies to you.

Yet another frequently employed tactic is used when a believer does come into contact with an apostate, despite the careful shielding that most traditions erect. This strategy seeks to reduce the believer’s dissonance by assuming that the apostate fell away due to some unacknowledged sin, or some other flaw on the part of the former adherent. It is extremely important, for the believer’s state of mind, that the blame for the apostasy must fall squarely on the shoulders of the apostate himself. It is quite literally unthinkable that the fault could lie with the system itself. This line of reasoning must be avoided at all costs.

Loran, I fully acknowledge that when you say things like the word "pathetic", you probably have a mirror in front of you.