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

[_Drifting]

So, let me get this straight. You think pretending is the natural state for most people, yet you excoriate just_me for pretending. Something isn't right here.

Most people pretend many times per day. It is not just a Mormon thing. It is a life thing. My problem with just me and Mormon pretending is that Mormon pretending is not unique. It goes across the board. Just me also pretended to be a good member of the church up until a week ago or so.

Why Me is quite correct of course.
Up until very recently the Apostles pretended to be witnesses of Jesus Christ. Now they have come clean as witnesses only of the name of Jesus Christ.

[_Buffalo]

Why Me, just STFU already. Jesus Christ.

[_Yoda]

So, let me get this straight. You think pretending is the natural state for most people, yet you excoriate just_me for pretending. Something isn't right here.

Most people pretend many times per day. It is not just a Mormon thing. It is a life thing. My problem with just me and Mormon pretending is that Mormon pretending is not unique. It goes across the board. Just me also pretended to be a good member of the church up until a week ago or so.

I don't see what she was doing as pretending. She was going through a legitimate crisis of faith. She has respect for the Church, and she grew up in the Mormon church. I am sure that she has had mixed feelings back and forth all along her journey. It took a lot of soul searching for her to decide that it would be best for her to leave the Church. How is that being dishonest?

[_Runtu]

I don't see what she was doing as pretending. She was going through a legitimate crisis of faith. She has respect for the Church, and she grew up in the Mormon church. I am sure that she has had mixed feelings back and forth all along her journey. It took a lot of soul searching for her to decide that it would be best for her to leave the Church. How is that being dishonest?

It's not dishonest at all. It's just how she managed to get through a difficult situation without hurting people's feeling any more than necessary. It's the same reason I don't go out of my way to share my beliefs with my wife's visiting teachers, who came by last night.

According to why me:

1. Everyone pretends, so it's not a big deal.
2. just_me pretended to be a believing Mormon for a time.
3. Therefore, just_me is a bad person.

Makes no sense, except why me is looking for a reason to bash just_me.

[_Quasimodo]

Makes no sense, except why me is looking for a reason to bash just_me.

I guess why me finds JM an easy target. Typical for bullies. Just me's honest posts make her vulnerable (in his eyes) and fun to attack. I have no respect for the guy.

[_Runtu]

I guess why me finds JM and easy target. Typical for bullies. Just me's honest posts make her vulnerable (in his eyes) and fun to attack. I have no respect for the guy.

That's exactly right. Complete honesty requires putting yourself in a vulnerable position, and that's when the bullies attack.

[_Drifting]

It would appear that why me was picked on as a child.

I think he actually is envious of Just Me's fortitude in having the balls to stand up, stick out her chin and speak her mind. Something he clearly hadn't done, favouring instead just to run away from it.

I admire Just Ne for being brave enough to do something I have yet to pluck up the courage to emulate.

Bravo Just Me.

Why me - boooooooooooooooooooo

[_just me]

I really do appreciate all the support you guys give me. Even though we do not know each other in real life, I feel a connection to many (most) of you here.

I think this has been one of the most difficult and amazing weeks of my life. I feel as though I have burst a dam or unlocked myself from a tiny room and found myself entering a huge open field.

I have had the opportunity to email all of my siblings and have already gotten responses from two/half of them. I have talked to my mom and my husband. This was not new information for any of them, by the way. But, it's just different now. I am done being scared of people finding out the real me and my real struggles and my real beliefs. It's okay. I am okay.

I have a long road ahead, but I can find my way to living authentically. I know it.

Life is beautiful.

[_Runtu]

JM, you're a wonderful person. Illegitimum non carborundum.

[_Quasimodo]

JM, (((hugs)))! Your line, I think, but I thought I would borrow it.