Anti-Mormons

[Palerider]

Originally Posted by Shaliach

Palerider,
In case you didn't notice both of your questions were answered. Perhaps it was the use of more than one syllable that made it difficult for you to notice that. Or perhaps you were just too busy being snide to notice? Nahhh...couldn't be, right? It must be a problem with me. It must be since you were so nice and posed your query in such a non-aggressive manner. Right?

When you can discuss things like a decent person I will respond in kind. Until then I'll just give you the same treatment you give others.

For the record, I am neither anti-Mormon nor an ex member. I am a current member of the church. Just in case your vitriole was based on another stupid assumption, though I suspect you don't need reason to be as you are. Frankly I refuse to address you anymore after this post. Hope you grow up. I'll pray for you.

i am not a decent person....only you apparently.....and your name calling and assumptions are awesome...

[OtterPop]

Originally Posted by pam

Otterpop might I post a question to you. I am honestly wanting your input on this. For those that leave the Church...for whatever the reasons might be...why do so many continue to frequent an LDS website?

I'm happy to answer any questions asked honestly, and I think I would wonder this, too, if I were you.

I like talking about Mormonism. Mormonism is part of my heritage (not in the pioneer sense, because my parents were converts). Mormonism also still affects my life day-to-day, because I live in Salt Lake. I work with Mormons, I have friends who are Mormons, I have family members who are Mormons.

When it comes to grass-roots, ward-level Mormonism (and Mormons), I have a great affection. I have no regrets about being raised Mormon. (I do not have this same affection for the corporation of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.)

I have enjoyed participating on some boards in the past. If you've been online for any length of time, you know that boards change in tone and activity. My previous boards have either disappeared or become dull. I liked the tenor of this one, so I signed up. I'll stay as long as it suits me.

I am truly at peace about having left Mormonism, but growing up in Mormonism and practicing it is an intense experience. I see Mormonism as not just a religion but also as having many of the same characteristics as an ethic group. Imagine me as being like someone who comes from an Orthodox Jewish family, but who has chosen not to be an observer of the commandments. It doesn't mean I'm not Jewish, even though I have no intention of attending synagogue or taking part in any of the Jewish practices. (As I think about it, this is a good exploration of why some people can't "leave it alone.")

Bottom line for me is that I do leave the LDS Church alone, but I don't need or want to abandon my "ethnic" Mormonism.

I also don't want to alienate my Mormon family or friends or make them uncomfortable with conversations about my experience of being an ex-Mormon, so I'd rather talk about it online.

[pam]

I appreciate your answer. I live in the Salt Lake area as well.

[OtterPop]

Originally Posted by bytor2112

Are people who become in-active and live outside of church teachings for many years any different from people who become ex-mormons? Other than never officially have there names removed. Unless they actively fight against the church.

Being an ex-Mormon is a choice, just like being an active Mormon is. It takes action to be removed from the membership records. In my experience, very few people who are just "inactive" take the steps to have their name removed. People generally take action only if they have a reason to take action.

Some people who reject the LDS church purposely don't have their names removed, because to them it's just paperwork and it just doesn't matter to them.

Although it's kind of an old-fashioned term, I think the idea of a jack-Mormon is a useful one -- someone who has drifted away, doesn't live "Mormon standards," but still thinks the Church is true or at least may be true.

I was inactive for a few years when I was at BYU (before they had the requirement to attend church), but I believed the Church was true then and I always intended to go back at some point. I really did not enjoy attending church at BYU. Student wards just didn't suit me. But I didn't quit living LDS standards because I was inactive.

There's all kinds.

[OtterPop]

Originally Posted by pam

I appreciate your answer. I live in the Salt Lake area as well.

I looked at your profile when I got your welcome message (thanks!), and saw that you live in Sandy. I do, too. I just say "Salt Lake" because it's more recognizable to those not in Utah.

[pam]

Wow small world. That's awesome. Maybe we are neighbors. lol

[Palerider]

Originally Posted by pam

Wow small world. That's awesome. Maybe we are neighbors. lol

was going to say something....but I better pass.....i know I am a meanie

[Snow]

Originally Posted by Palerider

did you think you were the only one who knew about this??? kinda curious why you decided to share this with us....

For what it's worth, on another thread recently there was a poster that was claiming, adamantly and incorrectly, that it wasn't true - that GAs have a modest income.

[Palerider]

hey snow....I hope I don't sound rude....but I do remember that...

[SeattleTruthSeeker]

From someone who has been there... majority of the Anti Mormon tactics, antics and articles are misconstrued strawman arguments put together to hopefully deceive people. I have read Bill Mckeevers Mormonism 101. Alot of fallacious arguments in that work. I have read and seen the God Makers, Ed Decker is a joke. I have read alot of works by these so called Christian Ministers who seemed to think they know more about the LDS Religion.

When I was on the other side of the fence and an anti mormon (my fiance still says I am an anti mormon and we don't talk religion in the house, but we are getting more and more comfortable on the subject - we have home teachers that come see us and we go to church infrequently. She says we are going, I say okay and then she cops out and I ask why are we not going?). Anyway.

My thought is that majority of the anti mormon literature are based upon their misconstrued interpretations and rehashments of old arguments dressed up in new presupposed logical reasonings.

Majority of these people can't even back up the originality of their statements. Most of them don't even understand the Bible, Christian History and Religious ideals and how religious doctrines have evolved over time. To them, it is one or the other. The fact remains, Christians can't even agree on one single point of doctrine from a biblical standpoint.

And, finally, what authority and right do these people have to bash someone elses religion? They don't. People will believe what they want to believe. We must understand and share what we know is to be true and let God do the convicting and the drawing forth.