Apostasy

[_why me]

My brother (who is gay and RITC, he never resigned) for what it's worth, I don't think there was anything magic about the letter, or resigning.

What does "RITC" stand for? "Rolling in the cash?"

Reared in the church. I could make a joke out of that but I won't.

[_why me]

I suppose I resigned because it felt right. I don't think I could really justify it in a logical way, it just felt like the thing to do. Now, does that mean I care what they think of me? Yes, I think it does. I could have just gone inactive and stopped calling myself a Mormon. I wanted them to know I rejected them.

I got news for you. Very few members would care if you resigned. In my neck of the woods, no one would bat an eyelash. Some might say: Oh really. But these days so many people have so much on their own plates with life, that very few people have the time to worry or think about it. In other words, very few people care that you rejected them for being a Mormon.

[_Mercury]

I got news for you. Very few members would care if you resigned. In my neck of the woods, no one would bat an eyelash. Some might say: Oh really. But these days so many people have so much on their own plates with life, that very few people have the time to worry or think about it. In other words, very few people care that you rejected them for being a Mormon.

Bullshyte. They shun, they talk behind your back, they tell their kids not to play with your kids. They care in the same way a car salesman who has been dissed cares.

[_Gadianton Plumber]

I suppose I resigned because it felt right. I don't think I could really justify it in a logical way, it just felt like the thing to do. Now, does that mean I care what they think of me? Yes, I think it does. I could have just gone inactive and stopped calling myself a Mormon. I wanted them to know I rejected them.

I got news for you. Very few members would care if you resigned. In my neck of the woods, no one would bat an eyelash. Some might say: Oh really. But these days so many people have so much on their own plates with life, that very few people have the time to worry or think about it. In other words, very few people care that you rejected them for being a Mormon.

Well, first and foremost, I did it for myself. Whether anyone actually cared is not the ultimate point, it was meant to be a cathartic experience, maybe a symbol of finality. I also understand that the vast majority of Mormons who don't know me, don't care about my leaving. I am just a number, a statistic to them, and to the Bretheren. But, it's the idea that you and every other believing Mormon hates. The concept of a person walking away from the faith, from the culture and legacy of our ancestors. That a person could see the whole range of evidence and range of faith promoting spiritual experiences and still walk away. Worse, we walk away happy, fulfilled in our decision and content to move on. We will always be Mormon, in a sense, and so maybe we debate or study stuff that we were afraid to before. You and others like you see that as us trying to convince ourselves it isn't true, but you are very wrong. You cannot accept that good people don't need or want or buy what the LDS church is selling. So you call us names. Strange names, but the same names we called others who went before us. Antis, apostates, bigots, wayward sheep, and many many others. It is beyond inconceivable to you to call us normal names, like our given names, or brothers in God.

I sort of feel bad for you, Walmart. I know, in fact I can almost sense that you can see what we are seeing, but maybe the sheer momentum of your life keeps you in the Church.I could be wrong, I am almost certainly projecting, for I remember with vivid clarity seeing what it looks like from your side of the hill. The world doesn't end, but it does open up a great deal when you come over here. I actually feel good about you, I think eventually when you tire of twisting, your true self will win out and I think (and hope) to see you over here. I like you, I really do. I mean that very sincerely. I have great hope for you, my brother.

All the best.

[_Sethbag]

This might smack of too much pendantry, but here goes:

I don't think one has to have actually left the church to be an apostate. I think one is an apostate as soon as one rejects the beliefs.

Recall that one can be excommunicated for apostasy. This means that the apostasy has already happened, someone alerts the bishop or the stake president, and the church heresy trial (court of love) is held to decide whether to expell one or not for this apostasy.

So I am already an apostate, but still on the records of the church. I've actually told a councilor in my bishopric that it's inevitable that I will eventually resign. I've mentioned this to my parents and some other relatives as well. I'm not quite sure when this will happen. Recently I had some moments where I felt inclined to do it sooner rather than later, but right now I'm content to just go on fading out on my own pace. Since this church is nothing more than a manmade organization from A to Z, it matters not in any sort of cosmic way whether I resign or not. A few family members might feel a pinch from it, but I doubt anyone else in the entire universe will care one way or the other.

[_silentkid]

Since this church is nothing more than a manmade organization from A to Z, it matters not in any sort of cosmic way whether I resign or not. A few family members might feel a pinch from it, but I doubt anyone else in the entire universe will care one way or the other.

I'm in a similar situation. I stopped believing about 5 years ago but still haven't resigned. I've only been to a few sacrament meetings since my "apostasy", for family reasons. A formal resignation would be nice, but I think it would be difficult for my parents, even though they know where I stand. Also, I haven't been bothered by anyone since I dropped off the radar, so I haven't really felt the need to write the letter.

[_why me]

Bullshyte. They shun, they talk behind your back, they tell their kids not to play with your kids. They care in the same way a car salesman who has been dissed cares.

Maybe a select few do this but it is not encouraged that is for sure. In fact, just the opposite should happen. But on the other hand, I have read posts from former members on the postmormon morgue that they hate it when members still befriend them after they left the church. Mormons can't win on this one.

But shunning is not encouraged and is done by very imperfect people.

[_Ray A]

But on the other hand, I have read posts from former members on the postmormon morgue that they hate it when members still befriend them after they left the church. Mormons can't win on this one.

I don't think this is entirely correct. What they hate is when members befriend them with the intention of changing them or getting them back to Church. Or being "too preachy", or, as some phrased it "only wanting to talk about the Church".

Not many of my Mormon friends would appreciate an invitation to a party where there's alcohol, or where people swear, either. So there's also a cultural/religious divide in social aspects. Ironically, if Joseph was around, I'm sure he'd accept an invitation to have a beer with me (not at Moessers).

[_Gadianton Plumber]

(not at Moessers).

Best beer outside of Belgium.



Good enough for the prophet of the lord, I reckon.

[_Ray A]

Best beer outside of Belgium.

Ah, so many to sample, so little time.