The Bitter Fruits of Apostacy

[_EAllusion]

Much of that material is pitch perfect for an FLDS's views of those who apostatize from their peculiar religion. Likewise, you probably could scan ex-FLDS quotes and get pretty much what you are looking for here. Just change the names to protect the innocent.

[_Chap]

Mortality is too short for most people to become bored or dissatisfied with temporal happiness.

You know, that might just turn out to be a half-way decent argument for the existence of a benevolent creator deity.

Or on the other hand it might not ...

[_cinepro]

Would you like me to do it? Teaching hat-looking and seer stones in GD just re-emphasized to me that there's no such thing as a differentiation between internet and chapel Mormons.

Of course, the fact that it took an Internet Mormon to do it...

[_truth dancer]

Hi Gaz,

It is really great that you would ask those who have left Mormonism for their thoughts on this topic. Thank-you.

I would say the reason I stopped believing in Mormonism is because it didn't fit with my personal awareness of existence, my personal sense of conscience, or my personal experience of the Divine.

In addition to the doctrine and dogma of the LDS church, so many teachings were at odds with what I consider holy or sacred; the elitism, the pridefulness, the focus on external and superficial, the selfish desires for Godhood, the degradation of women, the need for obedience, the focus on power, the "us vs. them" mentality, etc. etc.

I got to a point where I needed to follow what I believe is truth and holiness. I needed to live in accordance with what I consider the highest light of which I am capable, rather than remain in a situation where I was constantly feeling at odds with goodness and the ultimate unfolding of the universe.

The LDS church to me is no different than any other of the hundreds of belief systems that claim to have some sort of specialness; they may differ in specifics but ultimately they are all the same.

Having said this, I in no way consider my personal truth some sort of ultimate truth. It could be that Scientology is true, or Hinduism, or Mormonism, or Zoroastrianism, or Paganism, or anything else. I make no claim to knowing the mysteries of existence.

What I do have is a sense, an intuition, a personal experience of life and existence, and I believe the best way I can honor that is to live the best way I know how. This required me following the path that felt true and holy.

Church history, Joseph Smith's behavior, Book of Abraham, polygamy, racism, sexism, and all the messiness of the LDS church, Masonic temple rituals, etc., while obviously disturbing are way down the list on what influenced me to let go of Mormonism. In fact they really had nothing to do with it other than confirm what I knew to be true in my heart. (Again, not that my personal truth is ultimate truth).

Last but not least... no I was not ever offended by a member. No, the desire to sin had nothing to do with my belief, and no I didn't fall away but remained very active as I sorted out my spiritual journey!

Thanks again Gaz,

~td~

[_Gazelam]

Much thanks to those that have replied thus far.

I was slightly enlightened to the reasons people struggle with faith in the church listening to Mormon Stories podcasts I got from itunes.

Personally I find the evidence for the truth of the church to far outweigh any doubt. I have at times struggled to understand some things, but the answer is always there eventually.

When discussing apostacy I will certainly portray it as something that can happen to anyone. I don't think anyone intentionally goes looking for somethign to increase their doubt on the outset; Amongst this group anyhow.

gaz

[_cinepro]

Would it be worth asking the class if there might be any "sweet" fruits of apostacy? I'm willing to bet that no one will allow for even the mildest allowance of a positive benefit from apostasy, with any "perceived" benefits being written off as illusory or woefully short-sighted.

[_The Dude]

I do not think I am bitter, but I am certainly wracked by nightmares that the Mormons are going to send me on another mission.

[_truth dancer]

Gaz, something I found really fascinating after I released belief in Mormonism is that everyone who leaves any religion or cult or strict belief system similar to Mormonism, seems to have a similar experience.

The reasons for leaving are pretty much the same; it doesn't make sense, it doesn't feel right, it doesn't work, it makes them unhappy, it doesn't seem true, it go against their sense of logic and rational understanding, etc. etc. etc.

I've read MBs for X-scientologist, change a couple of words and you would be reading RFM.

A few books that also enlightened me, The Dance of the Dissent Daughter, whose author, Sue Monk Kidd left evangelical Christianity, and The Spiral Staircase, by Karen Armstrong who left Catholicism.

The point is, members and leaders of the LDS church seem to think those who leave Mormonism are somehow different than those who leave other religions. Not so. The process, the journey, the realizations are the same.

Just a little thought that I feel is extremely important in understanding the reasons why people leave a religion/cult or belief system.

~td~

[_Pokatator]

Personally I find the evidence for the truth of the church to far outweigh any doubt. I have at times struggled to understand some things, but the answer is always there eventually.

gaz

Cinepro provided this quote by BKPacker in the "The value of temple protests" thread, I think this is exactly how you have been accomplishing this, Gaz.

Oh, if I could teach you this one principle. A testimony is to be found in the bearing of it! Somewhere in your quest for spiritual knowledge, there is that “leap of faith,” as the philosophers call it. It is the moment when you have gone to the edge of the light and stepped into the darkness to discover that the way is lighted ahead for just a footstep or two.

[_TAK]

I do not think I am bitter, but I am certainly wracked by nightmares that the Mormons are going to send me on another mission.

Oh s***.. you too? Is that common of others ?

Would 100s of thousands of my dollars that I did not pay to the Mormon Corp. be one of those fruits? If so can I have more please??