The Best Reason for Sinning....

[_Ray A]

Why do believers in other religions leave and stop believing their particular faith tradition/religion?

Speaking from my own POV (perhaps a digression), I was a born, bred and brainwashed Catholic, but my approach to Catholicism, from very early on, was probably much like Sterling Mc Murrin's approach to Mormonism. He could never literally believe Mormonism any more than I could believe Catholicism.

It took me a whole week to walk away from Catholicism, with no guilt nor feeling that "sin" even mattered.

[_Roger Morrison]

Faith is not the same as belief as I understand the two. My belief-in Mormonism waned as my understanding of the sciences grew. I became really conscious, beyond awareness, of the certainty of the seasons, of the tides, the cycle of day and night. I could have absolute faith in 'facts' proven through time.

As belief in Mormonism's assertions--JS's visions, proclimations, personal God-hood, temple rituals and covenants, fake-it-'till-you-make-it-faith--became obvious figments of imagination, and mind-games, there was no option but to close the door on that time of my life. That opened another door leading to a growing understanding of what really fuels life. And LDSism...

While Mormonism is cloaked as Apple-pie and Love-at-home, IMSCO, of all spins of Christendom, Mormonism is the most pernicious while quite successfully appearing as the most virtuous. Playing on the sentiment of "family life" cloaks the reality of a life-time commitment to buy one's way into Paradise. As well it is repressive of males and females, both of whom must conform to Mormon doctrine if they are to have any hope at nibbling the Celestial Carrot dangled in front of them.

Nero had the audacity to declare himself God. Mormonism didn't go quite that far. Next best: Declare THEIR exclusive right to represent God on Earth. To seal blessings & curses with God's full authority upon individuals both living and dead. Aaaaaannnyway...

They have some good programs, many wonderful members and deluded Local Leaders. Leaders who in most cases are unaware of the duress and anxiety many of their congregation are under living a lie, (read Scott Peck, "People Of The Lie") while trying to convince themselves, "it's the only true church in the whole-wide-world!"

There is no such church, in my seriously considered opinion... Warm regards, Roger

[_beastie]

Nero had the audacity to declare himself God. Mormonism didn't go quite that far. Next best: Declare THEIR exclusive right to represent God on Earth. To seal blessings & curses with God's full authority upon individuals both living and dead. Aaaaaannnyway...

Mormonism gets pretty close by declaring that its faithful adherents will becomes GODS in the next life.

[_truth dancer]

Very nice post Roger... thanks.

I have come to look at religious indoctrination (conditioning/brainwashing etc.) on a continuum.

For example, I see religions like the FLDS on one end, and Universalism on the other end. On a scale of 1-10 I think mainstream Mormonism is about an 8.

Obviously, the higher the rating the more difficult it is to leave.

I don't see sin as being the reason for disbelief, except for the "sin" of questioning, doubting, searching with an open mind; as Beastie says, asking the big question.

But when the consequences of disbelief equate to loss of eternal life, eternal damnation, loss of family; loss of community, friends, and even career, the ability to even question ones belief seems remote.

The fear is extraordinary and very real, acknowledged or not in some belief systems.

td

[_Scottie]

It is as if some believe that sinning actually makes people stop believing in Joseph Smith, the Book of Mormon, and the LDS church.

It's not as if I believe that. I do believe that. I've seen it many, many times. It's not that somehow they have a big epiphany where they realize it's not true. They stop wanting it to be true and then make the choice not to believe it.

Except that I had a big epiphany that it wasn't true. I wasn't sinning (well, nothing major that would make me lose a testimony).

I don't agree with you, Nehor. I've seen people do what you are saying. They want to sin, but most of the time they just go inactive. They still remain believers. Which is much different than finding out the church isn't true.

[_The Nehor]

Congratulations on killing your conscience.

You are a fun guy
to converse, chat, I hand that to you.
But How am I supposed to explain to you my godless moral standards.
If you didn't get it by now, you'll never get it.
Stick with your Ten Commandments.

I'm just laughing because I don't believe you're free of guilt entirely. Even if it's lessened. Anyone incapable of feeling guilt would scare me. You don't scare me.

Nehor,
You're deluded beyond repair, I feel fine, whenever sinning comes into question, in fact I revel in sinning.
No matter how hard I try, I don't think I'll ever catch up with that Elohim guy.
But he knows, I signed up to face that Bastard.
If he ever shows up!
So far he's acting like a Coward.

For someone who thinks God is imaginary you're sure having quite the pissing contest with him. Best of luck.

[_Roger Morrison]

Hi Dancer, good question that I think relates more to intelligence than to believing, faith or sinning. You said:

But when the consequences of disbelief equate to loss of eternal life, eternal damnation, loss of family; loss of community, friends, and even career, the ability to even question ones belief seems remote.

Sad but too true for those who are victims of a collection of psyche abuses at the hands of a wide variety of dysfunctional folks that have left them in a vulnerable state. One readily exploitable by individuals and institutions tending towards messianic megalomania. And/or adherants to such totalitarian institutions are simply mentally challenged.

The most unfortunate thing in all of this prostelatizing, is that it is in large part performed by child-labour that are
in the most part unsophisticated pawns in the hands of respectable theological pimps. A very successful recruitment program. Made so by the sugar-coated bitter-piles enticing Investigators. The bitterness of which cause the perceptive, in time to throw-up, and walk away smarter. Pity those who are too deeply hooked by the sugar to extricate themselves.

Second thought, as if ya need one, LOL! Maybe the day will come when bold, brash unsubstanciated claims re the LDS Product will come under scruitany, and Side Affect Warnings will be required on all tracts... Enough already... Roger

[_truth dancer]

Any other opinions from LDS believers on why members of other religions let go of belief or leave their respective faith traditions?

Is sin the reason for disbelief in all religions or just mainstream Mormonism?

~dancer~

[_truth dancer]

Just wishing some apologists would respond!

;-)

td

[_msharmony]

Any other opinions from LDS believers on why members of other religions let go of belief or leave their respective faith traditions?

Is sin the reason for disbelief in all religions or just mainstream Mormonism?

~dancer~

I think Mormons don't care why other people let go of their beliefs as long as the end result is they join the LDS church. Everything in the church revolves around the church, not the individual and certainly not any other belief system. It's not a sin to leave a faith tradition in order to join the LDS church, but it certainly is a sin to leave the LDS church to join another faith tradition, and it's worse if the person leaves the LDS church and doesn't join another faith tradition.