I have officially resigned from the Mormon Church

[FreeState]

Two weeks ago I sent in my official letter to the Church resigning my membership and demanding that my name be removed from the Church records. The letter was written almost 8 months ago and sat on both my virtual desktop and my actual physical desktop for some time. I have not been to an LDS Church meeting or the Temple outside of family events in over 15 years.

Incase your wonder why I would need to send in a letter to resign the reason is the Church, unlike most other faiths, the LDS Church lists you as a member once you are baptized unless you request it be removed or you are excommunicated from the Church. If you do not attend Church they knock on your door once a year to invite you back - even if you ask them to not contact you again. Once you send in your letter of resignation it can take anywhere from 3 weeks to 3 months to get a letter back stating your name has been removed and you are no longer a member. Legally you are no longer a member the second they receive your letter.

So why am I posting this to General Discussion instead of the Religion forum or the GLBT forum? While my post covers many topics such as spirituality and GLBT issues, the main reason I left the Church was neither because of my sexual orientation or my spirituality. I resigned for political reasons.

Growing up gay and Mormon for me was an exercise of hope and denial. I probably knew I was gay on some level from the age of five. When puberty hit I denied everything I was feeling on every level. In Mormonism the second worse sin is sexual impurity. You grow up LDS hearing this taught:

'Know ye not, my son,' he said, 'that these things are an abomination in the sight of the Lord; yea, most abominable above all the sins save it be the shedding of innocent blood or denying the Holy Ghost?' (Alma 39:5). Very few of us will ever be guilty of murder or of the sin against the Holy Ghost. But the law of chastity is frequently broken and yet it stands next to these other sins in seriousness in the eyes of the Lord. -Prophet Ezra Taft Benson, "The Law of Chastity," Ensign, Oct. 1988, page 36

So as a gay person I denied my feelings for many many years. I was very active in the Church, as were my parents and my whole family. I was ordained with the priesthood at 12. I blessed and passed the sacrament (communion). I went to Seminary - scripture study - every day before high school. I listened to a lot of LDS "pop" music. I dreamed and hoped that I could help the sick and the poor with the power of the Priesthood. I truly believed I could. I was the model Mormon kid every parent wanted. I never got in trouble. I did not drink or party or hang out with people that did. When I turned 19 I went through the Temple and went on a mission for two years.

Going through the Temple is a weird experience for almost all Mormons. Its very different than the spirituality you grow up with. There are no symbols at all outside of the Sacrament and baptism in the LDS meeting houses. The opposite is true of the temple - its all symbolic (from the clothing you wear to the hand gestures and more). I can remember both when I was baptized at 8 years old and when I went through the Temple at 19 feeling like I was making a mistake, but I followed the lead of my parents and the people I respected and worshiped with. Gradually I learned to respect the ceremonies and the things I did not understand as a special experience God gave to His devout followers.

On my mission I knew I had same sex attraction but I also believed that what I was doing was right. I was not forced to go on a mission by my family or anyone else - it was a decision I made all on my own. I believed 100% that I would go on a mission, come home and go to an LDS collage find a woman and have a family. The feelings I was having were just temporary and through enough obedience to the gospel they would go away. However, when I came home I dated several women and never once felt any sexual feelings towards any of them.

One day I met several people that were open about being gay. We worked together and so I got to talk to them regularly and learn about them on a non judgmental level. After several months I felt comfortable enough to tell them I was gay. Gradually I came out to more an more people and then to my family. Liberation for me had began and has never ended since.

I had intended at one point to keep my name on the Church records out of respect for my parents and our common past. My whole family is active in the Mormon Church to this day. I left the Church spiritually many years ago over issues dealing with Christianity in general, as well as the LDS theological views on women, racial minorities and extremism. I have not considered myself a believing member for many years. However to this day, and I suspect for possibly the rest of my life, I will always identify on some level as Mormon - although culturally based. My family goes all the way back to the very beginnings of the Church - its part of my history - there is no way I could snap my fingers and make it all go away, even if I wanted to.

When I came out to my family it was difficult for all of us. My parents had to work through issues the Church had taught them about gay people. My father thought I was acting out against him because I was mad at him. My Mother to this day has never mentioned my orientation to me outside of including my partner in our conversations. My younger siblings have no problem with my orientation. My older siblings are a mixed bad of "love the sinner, hate the sin" along with some cognitive diffidence among my brothers and among my older sisters support on some levels. My nephews and nieces have never talked openly about my orientation - although several of them are in high school and Im sure must know - they all have spent considerable time with both my partner and I over the years.

Personally coming out was very difficult for me, mainly because I feared how my family would react. I had left behind the religion I was raised in already so their was not spiritual hold up for me. Still I remember at one point thinking it would be more palatable to my family if I somehow were to die around the same time they found out. Luckily for me I sought professional help for insomnia at the time and had a good councilor to help me through the process.

Politically the members of the Church are usually conservative. In my very large family of over 100 I know of only two other Democrats. Many in my family are registered republicans but do vote for Democrats occasionally (most of my family members supported Obama). The Church taught us growing up that there were at the time only 3 issues the church had taken stances on and that all three were moral issues. The Church had lobbied against the Equal Rights Amendment, State Lotteries and Abortion. In the 1990's they added Marriage Equality to their "moral" list of political activity. This is the along with the other issues conflict with the LDS Churches statement made 100 years ago that they have never rescinded:

“The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints holds to the doctrine of the separation of church and state; the non-interference of church authority in political matters; and the absolute freedom and independence of the individual in the performance of his political duties. . . . we favor: The absolute separation of church and state; No domination of the state by the church; No church interference with the functions of the state; No state interference with the functions of the church, or with the free exercise of religion; The absolute freedom of the individual from the domination of ecclesiastical authority in political affairs; The equality of all churches before the law” (May 1907). http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=da135f74db46c010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=c795f48fa2d20110VgnVCM100000176f620a____&hideNav=1&contentLocale=0

Probably the biggest problem with the Church's political activity, for me anyway, is this scripture:

“We do not believe it just to mingle religious influence with civil government, whereby one religious society is fostered and another proscribed in its spiritual privileges, and the individual rights of its members, as citizens, denied.” Doctrine and Covenants 134:9 http://scriptures.lds.org/en/dc/134

The above revelation which Church members hold in the same regard as the Bible was revealed to Joseph Smith in August 1835 in Ohio. At this time the Church had been chased out of New York to Ohio and was experiencing problems once again with prejudice against them in Ohio. Incase your wondering Joseph Smith at this time had 2 wives - he would marry a total of at least 34 women in his lifetime (http://www.wivesofjosephsmith.org/).

I could go on and on about doctrinal problems (as I see them). But what it comes down to me is do I want my name associated at any level with an organization that is working against not only my Civil Rights but against Civil Rights of anyone? When I look back at my life when Im in my 70's or 80's would I be proud to be a member of such an organization even if it was just my name on the records? Clearly for me the answer is no. Surpassingly the answer is no because of many of the morals and hopes in this life that I hold dearest were taught to me by the same organization that I now see as one I can no longer be associated with. On some level I will always be a Mormon. I cant throw out my history.

The vast majority of members of the Church are good people that I would feel proud to call my friends. Not all members believe everything the Church teaches but try to follow what they believe is right with hopes that the Church will eventually see the light and/or they gain some knowladge as to why the Church leadership is teaching what it does. The Church members, and I assume most faiths are this way, are diverse in thought and political beliefs. You can't be a member of the Church for long before you realize that most members don't believe 100% of what the brethren in Salt Lake teaches. The Church hierarchy tries very hard to limit any dissent but ultimately people will speak up one way or the other on subtle levels. Prop 8 has probably hurt the Church in many ways - mostly in California. Its image is tarnished more now and local members are fractured over what has happened. Californian Mormons are a lot more liberal than Utah Mormons. They are exposed to a wider range of people and issues. As most members would tell you there are two types of Church members, a Utah Mormon and a Non Utah Mormon.

So what do I hope to accomplish by having my name removed? Besides my own reasons of integrity I hope that by leaving I make a stand for those that may travel a similar road I have. I know Im not the only one to officially leave over this issue, the church will realize this as well. I hope the Church, who is more image aware than they would ever admit, stands back and looks at their core beliefs and refocuses its efforts toward bring society together rather than tearing it apart in the name of dogma. I hope that believing gay kids and adults in the church will some day be able to see its okay to disagree with the church about such a fundamental human trait. I hope kids inside the Church and outside the Church can someday grow up in a society where their individual worth is not decided by whom they fall in love with.

This was an even longer post than it is - I cut a lot out of it - but Im willing to answer any questions - so please do ask anything you feel like knowing and Ill do my best to answer :)

[Ian David]

1. Dude! You rock! n/t

[roguevalley]

62. I appreciate your goodness and heart. This is no easy thing. The

Mormons are a lifestyle too. You have my great respect over this step.

[ret5hd]

2. Well, now that you're a FreeAgent, iI hear the Catholics are recruiting!

[donco6]

14. He can have my seat. It's long cold by now.

Though technically I'm still on their roll, since - like the Mormons - you have to be excommunicated to leave.

[FreeState]

17. No thanks:)

My partner is Catholic though... I personally identify as Buddhist though. I left that part out of the post - did not think to put it in some how. I think maybe subconsciously Im worried a family member may read it and I'd have to explain some things...

[goddess40]

92. My mother dumped the Catholic church and is now a happy UUer

I was never a willing member of the Catholic church, I figured out early on that they didn't like women or children, so my involvement stopped as soon as I was able to be a bigger pain in the ass about going then my mother had will power to make me go. At the UU I attend we have atheists, agnostics, recovering Catholics (their term not mine), Buddhists, Muslims... Most of us lean left when it comes to politics but all are welcome.

There are seven principles which Unitarian Universalist congregations affirm and promote:

* The inherent worth and dignity of every person;
* Justice, equity and compassion in human relations;
* Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations;
* A free and responsible search for truth and meaning;
* The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large;
* The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all;
* Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.
http://www.uua.org/visitors/6798.shtml

[nichomachus]

23. You can't resign as a Catholic

You can be excommunicated -- which excludes you from communion and the other sacraments -- but any sacraments you have received -- baptism, confirmation, ordination -- remain in effect. Excommunication just places you outside Catholic practice, but doesn't revoke anything.

According to Catholic belief, those sacraments place an "indelible mark" on your soul or cause an ontological change -- so you are bound to obey church laws (in their view) even though you may have been excommunicated.

I'd resign from the Catholic Church, but there's no way really to do that.

[Fedja]

65. Sure you can

You have to request it in writing, and it has to be approved by the pope himself. I hear it's rare, but possible.

[goddess40]

93. It's about what you believe

If the church wants to believe that their hocus pocus is forever but no one needs to do anything formal to denounce a religion. It's not like they can revoke your soul, especially if you don't believe in such things.

I was baptized as an infant and as soon as I was old enough to have a rational thought I believed it was nothing more than a silly rite to indoctrinate parents into the church. It only has meaning if you allow it to.

[DesertFlower]

113. i never heard that.

i'm a 67 year old woman who was baptized and raised catholic. i gave up the church in my early 20s. i always wondered about excommunication. no one ever sent me a letter telling me that i was excommunicated. :crazy:

[Zhade]

147. Yeah, but since it's all made-up mythology anyway, it's not like what they think means anything.

Just say you resign, and you have!

[Jester Messiah]

82. Heh, obviously you're joking...

But my first reaction was "why replace one crock of bull with another?"

[BeeBee]

3. Congratulations FreeState...

I'm waiting for the final paperwork to go through on mine.

[FreeState]

9. When did you send in your letter?

Mine was sent in on Nov 13th and I have yet to hear anything - I was expecting a letter of some sort by now...

here is what I sent in:


Member Records Division, LDS Church
50 E North Temple Rm 1372
SLC UT 84150-5310

This letter is my formal resignation from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and it is effective immediately. I hereby withdraw my consent to being treated as a member and I withdraw my consent to being subject to church rules, policies, beliefs and 'discipline'. As I am no longer a member, I want my name permanently and completely removed from the membership rolls of the church.

I have given my membership considerable thought. I understand what the Church consider the 'seriousness' and the 'consequences' of my actions. I am aware that the church handbook says that my resignation "cancels the effects of baptism and confirmation, withdraws the priesthood held by a male member and revokes temple blessings" I also understand that I will be "readmitted to the church by baptism only after a thorough interview".

My resignation should be processed immediately, without any 'waiting periods'. I am not going to be dissuaded and I am not going to change my mind. I expect this matter to be handled promptly, with respect and with full confidentiality.

I had planned to leave my name on the membership roles out of respect to my family and my history. I no longer feel having my name attached to an organization that is actively working to take the religious and civil rights away from fellow citizens via popular vote is spiritually healthy. Unfortunately the Church has decided not to follow its own scriptures:


“We do not believe it just to mingle religious influence with civil government, whereby one religious society is fostered and another proscribed in its spiritual privileges, and the individual rights of its members, as citizens, denied.” Doctrine and Covenants 134:9


After today, the only contact I want from the church is a single letter of confirmation to let me know that I am no longer listed as a member of the church.




Sincerely,


 XXX

[BeeBee]

13. I sent my letter in about a month ago.

Then, in about 2 weeks I received a letter saying that they had referred me to the local stake and ward. Just last week, I got a call from the local bishop who assured me he would process the paperwork right away.

[PeaceNikki]

22. Holy shit "cancels the effects of baptism and confirmation"?!?

That's harsh, as I am sure it's meant to be.

I have to tell you that when I run into posts as long as yours I typically drift off and lose interest. I didn't with yours. You're a strong person and I admire you for your courage.

Peace and love to you.

[FreeState]

25. Thank you

Yeah they do all they can to keep you as a member, they dont even automatically excommunicate gays anymore - so I guess thats something:)

I was worried it was too long too - I do the same with long posts, Im glad you made it all the way through :)

[lady raven]

77. They didn't try too hard with me- Sounds like I had better luck?

I left the church in 1993- Only 3 years after baptism- because I learned things I hadn't known before joining. I wasn't contacted by anyone- not one time. Some members must be more valuable than others. LOL!

[Posteritatis]

66. What are "temple blessings" in the LDS context? (nt)

[FreeState]

67. Temple blessing are several things

In the temple one takes out "endowments" which means you get to wear garments (underwear) that are supposed to protect you spiritually and sometimes physically and remind you of the covenants made there. You are no longer allowed to wear those anymore once you leave.

Also if you were "sealed" - the LDS word for married - the marriage is then only for this life and not "for all time and eternity."

Your given a new name that is used to call you to the resurrection - that is no longer valid.

In addition all of the sealing to your children and your parents is revoked. Basically "spiritual divorce" from you family.

I may be missing some here but those are the biggest ones.

[Posteritatis]

73. Ahhh, interesting; thanks

I'd heard about most of that. The different sealings I had only heard some of - if they were cutting one off from family for losing the blsesings I would have expected they'd claim something similar to marriage as well.

I didn't know about the name part either. Would that be specifically for the resurrection, or was it used within the church in general?

[FreeState]

124. The name is only for the resurrection

its never used except for once in the Temple. If you are a male you are given the name and you repeat it once to a person behind a curtain (symbolizing God). If your a woman you repeat the name only once to your Husband through a curtain. Its believed if your a woman your husband calls you to the resurrection, where as if your male God calls you to it.

[Posteritatis]

129. Do unwed women not get one? (nt)

[FreeState]

134. Yes - they get one...

Traditionally males got it when they went on their missions (thats when a male usually goes to the temple for the first time). Women more often than not do not go on a mission and get their name when they go through the temple in order to get married. However if a woman wants to go through the temple to go on a mission or for some other reason they do get a new name - they tell a man behind the curtain the name and then when (if) they get married they repeat the same name again to their husband as part of the wedding ceremony.

[Posteritatis]

140. Ahhh, okay. Thanks for the info! (nt)

[stlsaxman]

83. are your records removed from their vaults or is that another subject entirely?

i heard that LDS has the complete records of everyone on the planet in their underground vaults...

what's up with that shit?

[FreeState]

125. They dont have complete records for everyone but have quite a bit

if you are over 100 years dead they likely have it - if your living and are related to a member some how they probably have it as well but not if you are not related to a member. Im sure they keep mine listed as a non member now but related to my family.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

107. Does that mean I can write the church

and tell them to "unseal" all my deceased relatives who they have discovered through genealogy websites and have "sealed" in their church? They got so zealous they were baptizing and sealing LIVING members of my family, who were quite livid. I wrote the church and they denied any knowledge of this. No one in my family has ever been a member of the LDS Church.

[FreeState]

126. Well they are not supposed to do living people who are not LDS

thats quite suprising... could it be a similar name? However you cant get the name off their list once you have been dead for 100 years (your not even supposed to be on their recorders until you've been dead 100 years unless your related to a member).

[cali]

4. thank you so much for this incredible- and beautifully written post

no questions from me; just my respect and admiration.

[NMMNG]

5. Bravo!

I applaud your decision and your stance.

[Parche]

6. how old are you now?

:shrug: :hi:

[FreeState]

11. Im in my late 30's :) n/t

[Parche]

21. I have to admit

Some of those missionarys that came to the door, were kind of hot!!

:woohoo: :hi:

[MarkInCA]

7. Welcome to the real world.

There are a lot of religious organizations, some are churches, who would welcome you with open arms.

K&R

[Fumesucker]

8. Deconversion is a difficult path for many who leave religions..

A lot of people who deconvert lose their entire support structure, family, friends, church, the whole nine yards.

Kudos to you for taking a brave step.

[Jane Austin]

10. Thank you for sharing this.

It is a beautifully-written letter, and was very interesting to me.

[msongs]

12. freedom from superstition - good for you. live in the real world! nt

[Ikonoklast]

15. You resigned from a business, masquerading as a cult.

But it seems they left you years ago.

Peace.

[JuniperLea]

16. "I hope that by leaving I make a stand for those that may travel a similar road"

This couldn't have been easy, on many levels. You are a rare and very decent human being. Thank you for renewing my faith in humans.

[NanceGreggs]

18. Absolutely beautiful post ...

Thanks for sharing this with your DU family - it says something lovely about many of the people here that you would feel safe and comfortable in doing so.

May God be with you and yours, every day of your life.

[WVRICK13]

19. You Deserve Credit

It is not easy making the decision you just made, especially since you went so far in the church. Your self respect outweighed the social pressure and you chose you. Congratulations.

When I was 13 I was an alter boy. I asked the priest about being gay since I realized I was gay and wanted counseling from an adult I trusted. When I told the priest my thoughts he looked me square in the eye and told me I was doomed to hell and nothing would ever change it. Being the son of parents who insisted I stand up for myself and follow my heart I had only one recourse. I looked the priest in the eye and told him to fuck himself and his God, I refuse to believe in anyone who doesn't believe in me. He was speechless to say the least. I have been an atheist ever since and I am very much at peace. I have many friends who are monks, priests and ministers and they all think I am a very religious because of my spiritual side of caring for those less fortunate then me and for loving all living things.

[Faygo Kid]

20. It can't have been easy to do in the faith you were raised in. I don't take this lightly.

We cheer you here, but I add a note of empathy.

A profile in courage: "So as a gay person I denied my feelings for many many years. I was very active in the Church, as were my parents and my whole family. I was ordained with the priesthood at 12. I blessed and passed the sacrament (communion). I went to Seminary - scripture study - every day before high school. I listened to a lot of LDS "pop" music. I dreamed and hoped that I could help the sick and the poor with the power of the Priesthood. I truly believed I could. I was the model Mormon kid every parent wanted. I never got in trouble. I did not drink or party or hang out with people that did. When I turned 19 I went through the Temple and went on a mission for two years."

You are braver than many who will dismiss this as nothing more than an overdue act. Thank you.

[FreeState]

29. Im still a little numb believe it or not

I know there will come a time when I will need to "mourn" the official loss of that part of my life - but it just has not hit me yet. I image it will someday when Im not expecting it - but thats how it goes with any loss I suspect. I've been so focused on the loss of Marriage here that it has given me little time for much else. In a way I still feel like Im walking in a dream - having your rights stripped from you is something I hope no one has to experience again.

[barbtries]

24. it was an enthralling

and comprehensive post and i thank you for sharing it. you should be feeling justly proud of yourself for having the courage of your convictions. from what little i know about the mormon religion your actions must have been very difficult. you sound like a well grounded, thoughtful man. take care.

[JohnnyLib2]

26. Thank you for sharing the decision and the history.

It strikes me as a sad, but necessary, step by a thoroughly decent man.
:thumbsup:

[crispini]

27. Wow.

Thanks for sharing.

[mrreowwr_kittty]

28. Thank you so much for that heartfelt (and informative) post.

I'm a former Catholic and I relate to a lot of what you say about feeling culturally connected to your family's religion despite leaving its doctrines behind. Despite the fact that I describe myself as an atheist, on some level I will always be a Catholic.

[and-justice-for-all]

30. Cheers! nt

[Gormy Cuss]

31. How do the Mormons that you know resolve their differences with the official dogma?

I know many Roman Catholics who also stay in the church in spite of serious disagreements over some doctrine. For me, when I realized that my beliefs had strayed far from that of my faith I knew that I had to leave the church. I struggle to understand why adherents stay rather than move on to a faith with a different and more compatible dogma.

[FreeState]

33. A lot of it has to do with family for the LDS faith

Family can be a huge motivator. For instance all my family members are pro-choice but would tell you they are pro-life. Yet when you talk to them they all would say it should be legal for health of the mother, rape and/or incest. Why would they say that? Well in the LDS faith the doctrine teaches families can be together forever if you follow Gods plan. If you sin or leave the church you are forever separating yourself from your family. Its a huge motivator to over look what you rationalize as small disagreements.

[madmadmad]

32. congratulations, and thank you for taking a stand in writing-

i hope your letter opens a eye or two in the church about the hurt it is doing unto others.

[Donnachaidh]

34. Bravo!

I had a wonderful friend in college who was (his term) a fallen Mormon. He had gone out on his mission and found that he loved the world that was outside of his faith. He was going through what you have been through, trying to make his family understand, and living his life the way he felt he needed to. I'd never met anyone who was so sweet, and so OPEN to new experiences - and so HAPPY. It was like watching a kid in a candy store with pockets full of change. Last I'd heard he had settled down and married his Jewish girlfriend.

And you are right, you'll always identify on some levels as a Mormon. My friend felt the same way. But that's not necessarily a bad thing. Your experiences shape who you are.

[InvisibleTouch]

35. It takes courage to be true to yourself...

...especially in the face of disapproval, but it's the only way to go. Good for you!

BTW, have you ever seen the movie "Latter Days"? It specifically addresses what it means to be gay and Mormon - it's a great film, and I think you would enjoy it:

Latter Days

[bobbolink]

36. What a thoughtful and sensitive post!

What a huge and painful step you've taken... it's so sad that people are put in this position.

My best to you! :toast:

[NNN0LHI]

37. I left the Catholic church decades ago because of their craziness

Welcome aboard.

Don

[Maineman]

89. I left the Southern Baptist church(es) decades ago because of their craziness

[Zhade]

148. I left religion and belief in unproven gods a decade ago for the same reason.

NT!

[RedLetterRev]

38. I have an understanding of where you've been

and where you are, and the journey you're setting out on.

I did it. It turns out alright.

Trust your heart. You'll always have your faith, even when religion refuses to do its job.

:hug:

[tularetom]

39. Get a brain Mormans!

That cult is not worthy of you.

[janx]

40. Are you familiar with the Udall family?

Please google Udall and Mormon. This family of Mormon roots has an historic record of leadership in conservation and environmentalism in the West.

:hug:

[FreeState]

69. Wow I had no idea... I know about the Dem in Colorado but did not know the LDS link to it all

Thank you - now I have even more reading to do LOL...

[cushla_machree]

41. KUDOS

It is strange how religion never really leaves us. I was baptized Catholic, but my family left the church due to the total B.S. that seemed to be rampant..I didn't buy the whole confession, If you wear tight clothes you deserve to be raped (actually said by a priest), and the whole guilt undercurrent. My family joined the episcopal church, and I really loved being a part of it. But somewhere in there, I lost faith. I never enjoyed going to church, I never really cared to learn or read the bible, I found I didn't believe in original sin or the trinity. As I became a teenager, I stopped believing in the idea that Jesus was the son a god, just to me, one of those rare people who have a gift for really 'getting' it, becoming self aware. As much as i admire his message, I just don't believe in following the words written by his followers, and who is to say who got it right, those gospels were chosen out of many.

As a woman, i further became dissolutioned with what I saw as the purging of woman out of the church in the early centuries, and really came to dislike this male dominated vision of religion, this mighty and all powerful god, who spent the first part of the bible smiting everyone.

I stopped going to church regularly in college, and this year is my first year actually telling people i know longer consider myself a christian. It was a big deal for me because religion is something you are given at birth, and it becomes a cultural part of you. But i was no longer satisfied with being a lapsed christian, if anyone asks, I tell them I am pagan now. Most don't beleive me or think i am going through a phase. The only time i go to church now is to hear music or if someone is getting married.

Let me tell you, not going Christmas was a BIG deal. First I had to get over the issue of telling family why i wasn't going. THEN I have to get over the issue of being alone Christmas eve when everyone else is in church. It is lonely the first few times.

[stevedeshazer]

42. Incredible post. I salute you.

I feel enlightened now.

Thanks for sharing all that information about the LDS culture. I know many Mormons, invariably nice people (to me, but I'm a straight, white man) but few open up and speak openly.

[bonito]

43. Dude

Welcome to the free world, don't let that door hit you too hard on the way out.

Peace and love...

[Maat]

44. So, your family will continue to stay in touch with you ...

despite the resignation?

I hope so, for you are definitely a gift to your family and the world.

Your story can help so many.

You are very courageous.

Good things to you!

In Solidarity and Friendship,

[upi402]

45. good for you

i like mormon people, just not the church doings. mormon folks are truly nice folks for the most part.

until you dig a little deeper!:silly:

[auntsue]

46. resigning from your church

I takes courage to stand up and think for yourself.
I am a survivor of Catholic schools - the stuff taught to you
as a child seeps in to you everywhere - most of what is was
taught caused me to feew small and worthless.  The proests and
nuns were so judgemental and now we learn about all the sins
they were committing - pitiful,  In my heart I know write and
wrong and I just try to "love my neighbor as my
self" and I pick put Christ's words and let the rest of
the stuff go.
If there is a God I can't belive He/She approves of the stuff
"Churches" are preaching these days - he was about
love not hate and I'll bet the essence of Joseph Smith's
teachings has been corruped too

[billionbucks]

47. NO MORE H8!

[Starry Messenger]

48. Thank you FreeState.

That was beautiful. k&r

[Mari333]

49. kicked and totally recommended. huge hugs, n/t

[lovuian]

50. too cool

Its freeing

[ksimons]

51. Fantastic Post - & Thanks for the doctrine quotes - WHO KNEW?!!!

I didn't - shows they are lying about their own belief system when they go against it 'when convenient' and the fact that they went after the Equal Rights Amendment for women is.... S T A R T L I N G ! !

[trickyguy]

52. And exactly what is your name now that you are free from the church?

[elshiva]

53. K&R We are all so proud of you.

:hug: :toast: Happy Thanksgiving to you and your partner and your family.

[rhett o rick]

54. Thanks for the post. You are a strong person and I admire you. nm

[minnesota_liberal]

55. If I congratulated you, someone would skew it as proof ...

that I hate fat people and organized religion, cheat on my taxes, never return my shopping cart to the "cart corral" and, if asked the "If you were a tree..." question, would certainly respond with something stupid like "Ginkgo".

Aw fuck 'em. Congratulations!

[demwing]

56. It's a friendly joke between me and my friends in Salt Lake

that Utah has more closeted gays than any other two states. There are so many guys in Utah Valley that, had they been raised in any other state, would probably be openly homosexual.

Good people, raised to love God and their family, and ending up fearing both.

[Indepatriot]

57. Rock on Free!

[defendandprotect]

58. Congratulations, "Recovering-Mormon" .... and loved ...

your citing of reasons ....

I left the Church spiritually many years ago over issues dealing with Christianity in general, as well as the LDS theological views on women, racial minorities and extremism.

As a woman, I "Thank you" --=

Mormon Church & Vatican funded campaign against ERA with tax-exempt dollars.

As a recovering Catholic -- tho I was able to leave at 12 years of age --

I can relate that the brainwashing lingers -- they all get started on kids early.

The historical ORAL teachings were always, IMO, kind of stories intended to instruct --

Once written down the stories were corrupted to suit rulers controlling the people --

The exploitation of women, native peoples, people of color - Jews, of course --

and homosexuals -- has been highly profitable for capitalists.

Capitalism was invented by the Vatican to run their Papal States when Feudalism

no longer was sufficient.


We've all been psychologically harmed by religious teachings -- control over human

sexuality a big item for them! But, not to the extent them tried to destroy

homosexuals.

Best wishes --

[FreeState]

68. No need to thank me :)

I have always considered my self a feminist above and beyond most other things I would describe myself as. I personally feel that women's rights are tied to both gay rights and Civil Rights for all minorities - they all threaten the white male power structure in western society. When women are truly seen as equals gay rights will not even be an issue :) Hopefully that day is sooner than later!

[defendandprotect]

101. Agree -- and the impact on nature - "Manifest Destiny," of course most fatal ---

:)

[leftofthedial]

59. Congratulations!

:thumbsup:

[ruggerson]

60. ...

:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[elocs]

61. Well the Mormon Church is one up on DU.

You can be excommunicated from the Mormon church, but you may also write a letter resigning from the Church. At DU you can be tombstoned, but otherwise you are never allowed to leave and will remain a member even after you die. Like the Hotel California, you can check out anytime you like, but you can never leave. It's also like my city of 52,000 listing its population as 300,000 because it would include every person who has ever lived here whether they are dead or alive or otherwise. So be happy that the Mormon Church actually allows you to resign--they are very progressive in that regard.

[Kitty Herder]

71. Actually, the Mormon church has lots of dead people on their rolls, too.

They don't remove people from the rolls until they reach the age of 110, at which point, they assume they're dead.

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1058/is_/ai_n20525201

[elocs]

97. The point is that church members at least have the option of removing themselves

from the rolls. DU doesn't have that.

[muriel_volestrangler]

123. It's very easy to make it clear you're no longer on DU

and to prevent yourself being able to use it again, if you can't trust yourself.

For the first, alter your signature and/or profile comment to include something like "I am no longer a member of DU, and have nothing to do with it". For the second, change the email address for your account to one that doesn't exist; and then change your password to something random you can't remember. Then log off, and you'll never be able to log back on, no matter how much you try.

Some people seem to think they should be able to have all their posts on DU wiped, despite the nonsense that would make of all the threads they've taken part in, and to pretend they've never been here; they'd like to wipe people's memory of them. That seems pointless; and it would make things worse for the members who want to be able to continue to read old threads, and make sense of them.

[elocs]

145. Wouldn't it be much more simple if DU just allowed you to request that your account be cancelled?

Why do you need to go through such rigamarole to cancel your account? Sure, with your scenario you could not log on, but you would still be listed as an active member. Other than to inflate membership numbers for advertising purposes, what is the point of not allowing someone to cancel their account at DU?

[muriel_volestrangler]

149. No, it's much simpler this way - there's no 'rigmarole'

All your actions are you own - you're not waiting for someone else to do something.

At the most basic, it's a question of clicking on 'Logout', and then never logging back in again. One click is all it takes.

But it seems some people want a public notice that they're finished with DU. So - change your signature. It's the most public and permanent way of telling any DUers you're not around, or anything else about you. The stuff about changing your email address and password is only for the genuine addicts, who need a way to stop them from logging back on again - people who find DU takes up more time than they can really afford. But you can still do that in the time it takes to send an email saying "please cancel my account".

What do you think 'cancelling an account' would be? As I said, your posts are parts of the record of discussion, and having them either deleted, or reassigned to an anonymous "resigned member" name, would spoil that discussion. So your account name needs to remain in existence. Apart from you not using it, what would 'cancelling' then mean?

I highly doubt that the total number of joined members is ever used 'for advertising purposes' - everyone knows that many people sign up here and stop (or never even start) posting. And, given that DU allows contributing members to turn off adverts, it's an irrelevant number for advertisers - they'll want to know how many people see the ads, logged in or not, and how many click on them. That will be statistics the administrators keep separately. Stop using DU, and you'll have our own little effect on them.

[elocs]

150. Let's just end this with saying that I disagree.

I have belonged to many message boards that allowed you to cancel your account. DU has a method to tombstone posters and the exactly same method could be used by people who ask for their account to be cancelled. Somebody does a search on your username and it shows you are no longer active. One email, done. Simple. No having to change your sig or password--in my book that is rigamarole.

[muriel_volestrangler]

151. You know someone is tombstoned by looking at their profile

So if you just changed the comment in your profile to "I am no longer a member", you can do it yourself. My suggestion of altering your signature just gives it more visibility - many (most, I suspect) members have signatures turned on, and so they'd see that immediately - whereas it takes an extra click to see if a member is tombstoned or not.

No, you're wrong - it's incredibly simple to change your signature. No opening up a new window needed, which email would need. Click on 'options', then 'change your profile', then type your new signature (you can do your profile comment on the same screen), then save the changes. How easy is that? It happens at once, without having to bother someone else to do what you can simply do yourself.

[elocs]

153. How simple is, "Please cancel my account"??

How could it possibly be more simpe and straightforward than that?

[muriel_volestrangler]

154. All you have to do it change your profile comment to

"I cancelled my own damn account". And that's easier than sending an email, and having to type in an email address.

[klebean]

63. reading a post like this outside of the exmormon culture is

just fabulous!
I resigned years ago, at age 19. I didn't believe Kimball had a revelation about blacks being eligible to have
the priesthood. Nope. It was pretty damn obvious it was pressure coming through the media. The real motivators
to leave however, were red wine and sex '-)

Prop 8 opened Pandora's box; I know several people coming out to their parents (including me - finally), resigning from the Mormon church, and experiencing true liberation.
I'm having a blast, while my family is a little bit cranky.

[shimmergal]

121. There've been two "revelations"

in Mormonism which were likely spurred by public pressure -- the late 19th century one halting polygamy, and the more recent one about black people's status. This leads me to believe that the church IS susceptible to heavy cultural and media pressure. So maybe that's a case for keeping up the protests.

[FreeState]

127. I would say three now...

"The Family: A Proclamation to the World" is now in most peoples how frames on the wall and in their scriptures... Im sure one day it will be in the back of the D&C.

http://www.lds.org/library/display/0,4945,161-1-11-1,00.html

[Mollis]

64. Good job...

definitely sounds hard

[Calitarian]

70. Awesome

Congrats, I'm sure the LDS is fuming over all this. If all of us keep the pressure up they'll shortly have to ask themselves, "what are we doing?"

[Kitty Herder]

72. Congrats, Freestate!! I may join you in resigning.

Although I don't consider myself to be a Mormon any longer, I've been putting off sending in a resignation letter for years.

But the thing with Prop 8 has made me angry with the church all over again, so I'm thinking of doing it now.

[Gen. Jack D. Ripper]

103. you should visit this site

http://www.mormonnomore.com/

it really helped me when I had my records removed.

[BeeBee]

106. I agree.

I used mormonnomore.com when I sent in my paperwork. They lay it out step by step how to do it and everything we can expect.

[Kitty Herder]

117. Thanks.

That's a great resource. :)

[FreeState]

128. I referenced that site as well n/t

[Hekate]

74. I am so glad you can live in consonance with your own heart and conscience. Thank you...

... for sharing your long and thoughtful spiritual journey. You have been both loving and respectful to your extended family, and it sounds as though they are (within their limitations) to you and your partner as well. May your life be long and happy. :hug:

Thanks also for the relevant quotes from Mormon scripture, which I hope you included in your letter to the Church. Mormons were once actively persecuted themselves, and if they have forgotten this they should be reminded of it.

Be well,

Hekate

[JDwho]

75. dupe,

[JDwho]

76. My respect for you abounds. Wow. What an ordeal. As I know, it really does remain some part of you.

I was raised Southern Baptist (ouch); then, as I aged, my belief system morphed into something that had nothing at all to do with the church itself. I still defend the good, open-minded people there, but cannot agree with what I call "the way they do business". That's how I see it, primarily, as a business. So, let's just say, that many preachers would tell me that I may just burn in flames eternally. Nice, huh? I'm straight, married, believe in equal rights for all (and I mean ALL), and I believe in the right to choose. They call me "pro-abortion".
It is a culture that forms you to some degree if you are raised in it, from the time of birth. But, call me picky, but I've chosen what I adore in scripture; such as love, compassion, giving to the least of these, etc...and taken the legalism of Christianity and thrown it out the window.
I continue to call myself a Christian, despite all of this. Because, in my arrogance (lol), I think I'm right and they are wrong. Love is absolutely unconditional. I see no other evidence than that in the New Testament. (Here on DU, I think I've perturbed, angered and enraged a few by using that label.)
But, I'm in a weird state of not belonging Anywhere, or with anyone (except my husband). This election showed me how extremist the Christian right can be, and I want nothing to do with that, or that label. My few, very devout, Christian friends debated me during the time of election, and stopped speaking to me when I told them the rep. platform of abortion was "the great republican lie". Go figure. You should have seen their expressions when I told them I'd been meditating (which is mentioned as prayer in the Bible.) I thought they were going to lay hands on me for my wayward ways. lol.
Sometimes, it's hard to figure out exactly where you fit in. I'm still in the process and consider myself a very spiritual person.
I know you don't want or desire props or admiration for being true to yourself, and turning away from such a deeply embedded part of your culture; but, I applaud you.

Not to be opportunistic, but the way you explain your journey to your true self, should be written, and not just on DU. My suggestion...just a suggestion, is begin writing a book about your experience to help others know that they are not abandoned and alone, just because they disagree; and that it's okay to disagree with the church. You are well written, and I was riveted (unusual, for me) from the first paragraph.
My best wishes and love to you and yours, and thank you so much.
JD

[TuxedoKat]

96. FYI

As a former Catholic and BAC, this is the branch of Christianity I feel most comfortable with:

http://www.swedenborg.org/

"All people who live good lives, no matter what their religion, have a place in heaven."
Emanuel Swedenborg

Unfortunately there are no churches locally for me, all are 2+ hours or more away.

[JDwho]

152. Thanks for the link, TuxedoKat.

I read the intro page and it's very interesting, and appealing.

There are no churches anywhere near me, though. I live in the South, so go figure. They're not very open-minded around here.

But I intend to look into this further, thank you.

[FreeState]

130. Thank you for your kind words and thoughts...

I have thought about writing a book - maybe someday I will. It takes me a while to get it out sometimes though LOL.

I consider myself a Buddhist now - a very westernized version of it anyway (I see re-birth as just my energy entering the soil etc). But your right it takes a long time to find where you belong, if anywhere. Spirituality to me is not a destination but a journey.

Thanks again - its so nice to hear others stories here, its helpful to know there are so many here with similar stories and backgrounds (even if it was not in the same faith).

[lady raven]

78. Great job.

Good for you- I know it's difficult, but you did the right thing to follow your conscience.

[DUlover2909]

79. You seem 100% authentic and sincere. I support you position all the way.

I studied Vedanta and there was nothing in it that I could refute. I have a physics degree and I am in the business of refuting things. Take a look at Alan Watt's book The Taboo Against Knowing What You Are. That book outlines a very solid world view.

[TexasObserver]

80. Good for you! I do not understand how people of conscience can belong to such hate groups.

So many people think that if they slap the label "religion" on their prejudices, they're suddenly transformed from hateful bigots to devout parishoners.

[tekisui]

81. My resignation became official this year as well.

I was raised in the church. I quite going the day I moved out of the house. I haven't been back in over ten years, and finally went through the formal process to have my name removed this summer. It was like a weight was lifted!

Congratulations! :pals:

[Marrah_G]

84. Thank you so much for sharing such a personal story

You brought tears to my eyes.

[Bluenorthwest]

85. True and clear

Thanks.

[burbank_spiffers]

86. Just had to add my $0.02...

Thanks very much for posting, thanks very much for your courage, thanks very much for being able to step back from something that was so much a part of you to give it a fair and honest assessment.
I'm going to share this with all my non-DU-reading friends who'll love this, too.

Cheers!

[LiberalEsto]

87. Our Unitarian Universalist minister is an ex-Mormon

He was raised as a Reformed Mormon, which apparently is somewhat different from mainstream LDS. I'm not sure why he left, since he's not gay, but he's a wonderful minister.

If you ever feel lonely for being in a church community, give the UUs a look-see some time. We actively accept and welcome people of all ethnic and religious backgrounds as well as sexual orientation.

That said, congratulations on your courage, and best wishes for the future.

[yardwork]

88. You are a wonderful human being.

:pals:

[SidDithers]

90. This is one of the best posts that I've ever read on DU...

thank you so much for sharing. :hi:

Sid

[deaniac21]

91. I bet they are just sick about this.

[crim son]

94. Living by principle: how rare.

Your story is both sad and inspiring, but the one thing that stands out is that you know yourself and you are living the life you were meant to. K&R. Excellent post, and :hug: :hug: :hug:

[ArrowMan]

95. FreeState, Do you believe Joseph Smith was a con man?

[FreeState]

132. Thats a hard one to answer

Do I believe he was a con man? I think he believed what he taught - I respect that, but I do not believe most of what he taught. I should say though that Joseph Smith taught a very different direction with the Church than it is headed currently. He ordained black men to the priesthood, believed the sins of Sodom and Gomorra was inhospitality etc. His vision for the Church in my opinion was no way near what the Church has become.

Con man? If he was he conned himself more than anyone else IMO.

[montanto]

98. I admire your strength and resolve.

Great post. Very informative. Highly recommended.

[TuxedoKat]

99. What a brave and thoughtful

post -- thanks for sharing it. I identify as a Buddhist and a Christian, of the Swedenborgian branch of Christianity. www.swedenborg.org. For me, it is a more thoughtful, spiritual and all inclusive Christianity. Hugs to you.

[GentillyGirl]

100. I Applaud You

That took time for you to do what you believed was right, and you still did the right thing.

I came out as Trans/Intersex several years ago. I expected the worst from my family and wound up being shocked- they accepted me, not just tolerating me, they accepted me for who I am.

You have planted a seed for major change. Good on ya's!

[Gen. Jack D. Ripper]

102. Welcome to the club, man!

I am also a proud member of the ex-Mormon legion. I had my records removed a couple years ago. I know a lot of people who have done it recently as well. It seems to me, the Church is losing members at a greater rate now than they are willing to disclose.

My Mom's family is Mormon and my Dad's family isn't, so at least I only had to worry about pissing off one side of the family. Having been raised in the church, I can only imagine how tough it would have been had I been faced with opposition from both parents. It amazes me still to this day how much guilt is instilled in parents of children in the church, to the point where they believe it is reflected poorly on them, spiritually and otherwise, when their children "fall away." I know my Mom felt it. It's bull shit.

So, did you grow up in Utah or elsewhere?

[FreeState]

133. Yeah there is a lot of guilt used there

I did not even realize a lot of the guilt and fear no longer effects me until I started to reply to a couple questions and realized what the church views as name removal is so incredibly manipulative (your eternal family, most of us were baptized by our fathers - hopefully a good memory, you lose community etc).

Luckily I was born and raised in the Northwest and had lots and lots of non-LDS influences and friends.

Im not sure what my parents think of my leaving - I have not told them yet, however I have been open about my sexuality with them for over 12 years and they welcome my partner to everything, even put us in a room with one bed, so I dont think it would be a surprise. Im sure that there will always be guilt for them unfortunately. Thats the one thing i wish I could take away from them and makes me angry still.

[Deep13]

104. good for you

:7

[Jamastiene]

105. Well done.

:hug:

[Kajsa]

108. This is beautifully written and heartfelt, FreeState.

Your courage and strength shows through with your words,

"I hope kids inside the Church and outside the Church can someday grow up in
a society where their individual worth is not decided by whom they fall in love with. "

Amen!

Thank you.

:)

[Stockholm]

109. You Sir

have what we in Sweden call civilkurage!

Damit, we should have such an award at DU not just the DUZY.

Stockholm

[Kajsa]

131. Ja du,

det har han!

:)-Hejsan.

translation- Hell yes he does!

:D

[FreeState]

135. Takk :)

Jeg var missionaer i Norge - 1990-1992.

[Downtown Hound]

110. Good job man!

It's going to take people on the inside doing exactly what you did in order to affect real change within the church. My hat's off to you.

[mrs_p]

111. i wish i could be so brave

thanks for your post.

[Piewhacket]

112. A Church consists of people.... who sometimes make terrible mistakes.

This isn't a a religion troll. It is an attempt to offer solice
to a fellow DUer who has made a difficult choice and taken a
courageous personal stand.
Troll fighters, therefore, back in your box!

=====Comment====
A Church consists of people.... who sometimes make terrible mistakes.
To avoid great error, a person might hold tightly to fundamentals.

I do not think a Christian can believe that the Morman Church
holds the keys to heaven. If your objective is heaven the Bible says
that Christ said that HE is the way. If you believe it, you are Christian.
If you FOLLOW, you are a "good" Christian en route to the Father.
That is how I understand the message, in its basic form.

Yet it is the following part that is sometimes difficult,
and perhaps painful. No person, religious or not, should fail
to appreciate the individual struggle to do what is right.
And sometimes it is necessary to part views with others,
because, for Christians, one thing is made plain in scripture;
It is you that must walk the path, not some surrogate.

John 14:6 (King James Version)
"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life:
no man cometh unto the Father, but by me "

[Arugula Latte]

114. Congratulations!

This world would be a much, much better place if people stopped buying into and supporting religious mythology, dogma, and social control.

:toast:

[Raster]

115. Your story, my friend, reads much like my own. I have also requested my name removed from

the membership rolls. Bless your heart.

[FreeState]

136. Right back at you :) n/t

[SayitAintSo]

116. I sent my letter in over 20 years ago - they still won't leave me alone.

It borders on harassment to me. Good luck.

[PatSeg]

118. Fascinating post

Thanks for sharing your journey. I found it interesting how many other ex-Mormons there are here at DU.

This has been a very informative and enlightening thread.

[hangman86]

119. My Catholic Church made it easy

I remember a couple years ago my parents had dragged to another Mass with our windbag priest whose sermons usually ended with him telling us we don't give him enough green. Anyway, as I was walking in I noticed in the corner by the Priest's office that they were giving away free bumper stickers. They all said the same thing: "You Can't be Pro-Abortion and be Catholic." "Cool!" I said. "That was easy." :)

[KamaAina]

120. What's the worst? Pepsi?

In Mormonism the second worse sin is sexual impurity.

What's Number One?

P.S. The Mormon-run Polynesian Cultural Center on O'ahu (please come here, but don't go there) serves only caffeine-free Coke! My party discovered this to our chagrin when one of our number had a caffeine jones late in the day...

edit: Or is it putting the underwear on inside out? :P

[FreeState]

137. Its actually a tie!

The worst sin is murder and/or denying the Holy Ghost (Holly Spirit). - to deny the Holy Ghost you have to be a male and hold the priesthood and have absolute knowledge that jesus is the Christ (so basically its reserved for Mormons who have met Jesus n the flesh - cause you know that happens all the time LOL).

I have been to Hawaii and skipped the Polynesian Cultural Center luckily :)

[shimmergal]

122. I do admire your courage.

Also, I have a question I wonder if you can answer. What was/is their rationale for opposing the Equal Rights Amendment?

[FreeState]

139. Here is the Church's statement on the ERA

(The main reason is its a threat to the male hierarchy and heterosexual control - but they would not put it that way...)

http://www.humanistsofutah.org/2005/MormonChurchAndERA_Aug-05.html


Opposition against ERA, Bradley pointed out, seemed at times alarmist and hysterical. Dwarfing the constitutional principal of equality, ERA opponents instead targeted "traditional family values" like sexual permissiveness, abortion, childcare, homosexuality, and unisexuality. They claimed the ERA would deny woman's right to be supported by her husband, privacy rights would be overturned, women would be sent into combat, and legal abortions and homosexual marriages would be upheld.

The anti-ERA movement reflected fears about the changing roles of women and men and the changing structure of the family. There was perceived danger in equality for the ideological and cultural concept of the father as head and provider, mother as nurturer and manager, and children as replicas into the next generation. Equality would make women more vulnerable and exposed, and men would feel freer to abandon family responsibilities.

In addition, many believed equality was already guaranteed by the Fourteenth Amendment, a belief reinforced in 1963 by the President's Commission on the Status of Women, which concluded that an equal rights amendment was redundant because of provisions of the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments.

National polls, however, indicated that feminists believed in the necessity of an ERA.

In Utah, the attack against ERA began when the amendment was first considered by the Utah legislature in 1973. The same fears of anti-ERA opponents prompted Mormon Church leaders to join their financial resources, promotional skills and broad network of members to the anti-ERA movement. In 1976, church leaders described ERA as "a moral issue with many disturbing ramifications for women and for the family as individual members as a whole." President Spencer Kimball declared it "would strike at the family, humankind's basic institution."

In typical grassroots fashion, ward bishops solicited donations to support the anti-ERA effort, speeches against the amendment were deemed appropriate at all church meetings, and church buildings were used as anti-ERA literature distribution centers. Church-sponsored anti-ERA organizations operated in Florida, Nevada, North and South Carolina, Missouri, Illinois and Arizona.

----


Sounds familiar doesnt it?

[David Zephyr]

138. With great admiration.

You are a transcender. Walk with your head high and your heart filled with dignity.

[dsc]

141. You are a brave man

I hope your family truely appreciates you and that someday your former church will.

[lib2DaBone]

142. Who are the idiots that come to my door at all hours of the day and night?

.. and try to "Save" me. The Jehova Witness.. Latter day Saints... are these the same geeks as the Mormons?

What a bunch of Whackos.

[racaulk]

143. I admire you so much for your integrity and your bravery.

Thank you for opening up yourself and your past in this post. :pals:

[QueenOfCalifornia]

144. Hi...

I left the church when I was still a teenager - I grew up in the church. I realized that they were coo-coo long ago.

I never sent a letter. I have zero belief in any religion and so it makes no difference to me if they have me down in their records as a member - I don't care.

I am going to be 52 on January 25th - No one has ever hunted me down and sent missionaries over - However, I have led a crazy kind of life and they would have a tough time locating me.

I say GOOD FOR YOU!

Happy Thanksgiving and hugs to you. :pals:

[Zhade]

146. I'm very proud of you - it takes real strength to break out of any cult.

I know it was hard when I left religions and unproven gods behind. Now? Couldn't be happier and more whole.

[guardian]

155. Did they reassign your planet to Mitt Romney? n/t