OMG, Time Flies! I've been a secret apostate for years now!

[_just me]

Some other things I learned on this journey. (aside from the fact the term 'journey' gets tired and played out)

*I knew from pretty early on that I was going to have to be one of those people who would get the most growth outside the church. I was kind of upset and felt that wasn't fair for a while...why couldn't I be one of the people who could grow the most by staying in the church? But, I am okay with it now. I know that my path leads me this way.

*There really is a common journey that most everyone takes. So, no, my experience is not going to be unique. Just like I found Joseph Smith was not unique. A wonderful book I would rec is The Hero With A Thousand Faces by Joseph Campbell. There is one story. It is the human story.
I was so amazed to find that the people of ancient days were thinking about the same shiz as we do, in many ways.

I count myself as lucky to be among the many hundreds of thousands, if not millions upon millions, in the human family who have lived their life...followed their path...and found fulfillment. That we all use common language to describe our experiences comes as no surprise to me. There is a comfort in that.

Oh, and anyone who can add would look at my OP and the date I started here and see that I was already an unbeliever when I signed up. I've been on several forums through this. Each has met needs at certain times and in certain ways.

[_why me]

Yes, it's terrible that an unbeliever would go to church to keep the peace at home. What the hell is wrong with you?

That is because he chose inactivity over keeping the peace, and what did it get him? A failed marriage and a judgemental soul.

I never wrote what you quoted by me. Please try to change it.

[_why me]

And stop with your creepy stalking and lecturing Just Me.

And stop playing the persecution card. The reason people don't like you isn't because you're nominally a Mormon. They don't like you because you're a dickhead.

According to liz and runtu I am an equal opportunity lecturer. :0)

[_Darth J]

And stop with your creepy stalking and lecturing Just Me.

And stop playing the persecution card. The reason people don't like you isn't because you're nominally a Mormon. They don't like you because you're a dickhead.

According to liz and runtu I am an equal opportunity lecturer. :0)

You are an equal opportunity dickhead, who is trying to derail this thread from Just Me expressing how she feels because you have appointed yourself as Just Me's creepy cyber step-dad.

[_why me]

Oh, and anyone who can add would look at my OP and the date I started here and see that I was already an unbeliever when I signed up. I've been on several forums through this. Each has met needs at certain times and in certain ways.

I didn't realize that you were an unbeliever when you signed up. I think that most did not know this either. Now you will need to stop attending church, pretending to be something that you aren't. Or you can attend allowing people to know that you no longer believe. Just be truthful with who you are, if you want to experience formal freedom. But actual freedom if it exists will take more courage.

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1 ... x/abstract

You will need acess to the entire article if you have a university connection. But the first page sets the tone.

[_just me]

You are creeping me out and are going back on my ignore list. Good bye.

[_why me]

You are creeping me out and are going back on my ignore list. Good bye.

Why am I creeping you out? I never knew that you were an unbeliever when you signed up. That explains much. However, you should let people know if you want freedom. And that is my point. All know of my status in the church. It is no secret and yet, I am accepted quite well. There is nothing to be ashamed of.

If you stop attending it is good that people know why. With time there is acceptance. At least it has been my experience. Actual freedom if there is such a thing can be wonderful and it is far better than formal freedom. Also, when did this start to happen:


I've been told that what I have done is selfish and that I am damaged. It's not okay, what I did. Not to my family. Not to my church family. Thinking for myself and doing things that are good for me is the highest offense. The hurtful things they have said were said out of love and concern, of course. That doesn't make it hurt less.

Who said this to you and when? If you just came out, well, you are certainly brave. But it would have been nice for you to come out on the board two years ago and remind people that you no longer believe.

[_Blixa]

Use the ignore feature, folks (sorry, liz, I wish you could too). Or at least please don't quote so much creepy judgmental stalker garbage for the sake of those who do.

runtu is right:

I can think of maybe one or two people here who actually give a s*** about talking to wavering members. You're doing it again: lumping us all together, pretending to know our motives and objectives. Seriously, I am sick of you passing judgment on us as if you had any moral standing whatsoever. You couldn't care less about treating us as people; we're just cardboard villains you can lob insults at.

[_mcjathan]

Damn straight. That's exactly why I get on why me's case. He's happy to live life on his terms, but he condemns others for doing the same thing.

Double damn straight!

[_Chap]

Use the ignore feature, folks (sorry, liz, I wish you could too). Or at least please don't quote so much creepy judgmental stalker garbage for the sake of those who do......

Good advice. Not just creepy and judgmental - boring too.