Praise Jebus, I'm not an active, believing Mormon!!!

[_Jason Bourne]

Trevor,

I understand how you feel, I really do. There is more to be thankful for, though. Just think, there is very little to no chance that you will ever be called by the SCMC to perform duties as an "agent" on your own time. You will never have to feel the anger of an l-skinny thug. You will never be deceived by apologists who forge letters from critics to secretaries of the FP. You will never be solicited to "review" the sincere writings of a fellow Latter-Day Saint. Of course, you will never make a "wad of bills" from apologetic enterprising, but there are always other options.

Wow

YOu really have an obsession issue over this. Seems like you are not free from some things LDS. What are the chances of any LDS being called as an "agent" for the SCMC? Let's say probably as close to none as one can get. I Skinny thugs do not exist accepts in the wild imaginations of Gad and Scratch's minds. No apologist makes a wad. You are becoming as loony as your hero an mentor Scratch.

[_Trevor]

If you constantly go around criticizing the Church, it's still part of your life, you haven't let it go, and I daresay you're not happy at all but you must keeping telling yourself that in order to maintain your sanity.

There is something to what you say here. I think you are right about it still being a part of my life. The beautiful thing is that I have control over how much of a part it will be. I do not feel obligated to give myself over to it completely. Man, is that ever liberating for me.

I respect that you see things very differently. We might turn around the question you pose and ask why your blissful contentment as a Mormon includes criticizing people like me. Seems to me that the best evidence of your happiness might be to shrug and move on to another discussion board. Not that I would ever disinvite you.

[_Trevor]

Trev,

It sounds like you just won World War Two all on your own. :)

Thanks so much, Ray A. Your participation here has been a big boost for me.

[_Trevor]

Trevor,

I understand how you feel, I really do. There is more to be thankful for, though. Just think, there is very little to no chance that you will ever be called by the SCMC to perform duties as an "agent" on your own time. You will never have to feel the anger of an l-skinny thug. You will never be deceived by apologists who forge letters from critics to secretaries of the FP. You will never be solicited to "review" the sincere writings of a fellow Latter-Day Saint. Of course, you will never make a "wad of bills" from apologetic enterprising, but there are always other options.

It is true that I never need be dogged by the paranoia this wealthy, powerful, and secretive organization inspires. I may not buy into all of your or Scratch's theories, but I absolutely agree that the LDS Church plays a role in creating that kind of response. And I don't need to worry about it. Even if they excommunicate me, they will simply be helping me out. Literally.

[_Trevor]

Now? Life definitely is better. There's more love, genuine concern for others I choose to be close with, I'm open to variety whereas before I viewed anything outside of Mormonism with disdain or suspicion. Good post, Trev.

I'm very happy for you, antishock8. Feels good, don't it? I love how I can truly look for truth anywhere I choose and I don't have to wonder whether it conforms with Mormonism. Part of my process of leaving has been the discovery that other avenues of truth work much better for me and result in greater happiness.

[_rcrocket]

So, why do you all continue to post and write about Mormonism? Kinda like the heroin addict trying to get others into heroin to self-validate his doubts about anti-social behavior, ain't it? Just seeking validation from fellow losers, perhaps?

The Church is open to all, saints and sinners, victors and losers.

[_antishock8]

So, why do you all continue to post and write about Mormonism? Kinda like the heroin addict trying to get others into heroin to self-validate his doubts about anti-social behavior, ain't it? Just seeking validation from fellow losers, perhaps?

The Church is open to all, saints and sinners, victors and losers.

I think those are fair questions.

Why do I continue to post and write about Mormonism? Because my kids' mother and her entire side of family are devout Mormons, so it's an issue that continues to impact them and I. I'm faced with Mormon judgementalism, much in the same way I judge them. Plus, the Mormon church butts its way into the lives of people where it isn't wanted. Prime example: Proposition 8. Homosexuals getting married doesn't hurt the Mormon church, but its efforts to outlaw it directly affected others. So, I write about the Mormon church because it still touches my life, and I view it as a threat to liberty and individual happiness that all Americans want.

I basically don't want me, my kids, and people that I regard affected by the assholes who own and operate the Mormon corporation. That's it in a nutshell. But since I can't do much about it, I bitch about it on forums like this. It helps me deal with that reality.

Am I seeking validation from fellow losers? No, not so much because I view most of these fellow losers much in the same way I see you, and Mormons in general. I see them as ideologues and irrational, even if they can present themselves to be grounded in reasonable discourse. Just because a fellow loser leaves one cult, and joins another doesn't means he's better off... It just means he's essentially the same person who is trying something else on for size.

All that being said, if you're what a person becomes after a lifetime of devotion to the Mormon cult, then I definitely made the right choice by exiting. No doubt.

[_silentkid]

Kinda like the heroin addict trying to get others into heroin to self-validate his doubts about anti-social behavior, ain't it? Just seeking validation from fellow losers, perhaps?

C'mon crocket. Are you serious? This is the worst analogy I've come across in a long time. It's more like the alcoholic or addict that attends AA or NA meetings to treat their former addiction, because it will always be a part of them. Mormonism will always be a part of me. I was raised in it and for 25 years of my life, it influenced all of my decisions. I continue to talk about it to help others that are struggling with it, but also because talking about it continues to help me. I'd venture to say that many other posters here feel the same way.

[_Trevor]

The Church is open to all, saints and sinners, victors and losers.

Don't forget the jerks, Bob. You're a living testament to their tolerance of them.

[_Trevor]

If there is anyone out there struggling with the decision to stop participating in the LDS Church, let me say that choosing not to go can turn out very well. You may be happier than you have been in years.