"I'm an Ex-Mormon" site answer to LDS campaign

[K8-EEE]

In answer to the (obviously politically motivated IMO) "I'm A Mormon" campaign being run in swing states, a group of ex-Mormons have made similar videos about how their lives have improved after leaving LDS.

http://www.iamanexmormon.com/2011/03/we-are-the-leavitt-family/

All major religions have very powerful PR machines, but as an ex-Catholic it's great to see another message get out: you can leave the religion you were born into and be much happier without it. This is true for more and more people. Thankful for the internet, youtube, and all the ways we can get information now, hopefully it will allow people to lead more free and happy lives.

PS: I know that many people are happy in the religions they were born into but I'm addressing the many, like me, who always had doubts and had to go through the scary process of telling their families and church communities that the were leaving.

[Wilber_Stool]

1. For a good read on Mormans

check out Under the Banner of Heaven: A Story of Violent Faith by Jon Krakauer.

[K8-EEE]

4. I did really like that book but

Honestly I don't think it depicts most LDS, this was a story of people gone extremist/polygamous etc. But I really do think that most churches are filled with doubters and for LDS it can feel impossible to leave because the indoctrination is so ingrained and unlike most religions it's not a once a week thing, the Church is involved in all phases of your life whether it's Boy Scouts or friendships or whatever, it's all planned out for you to involve some aspect of the Church.

[L. Coyote]

2. "I'm an Ex-Believer" needed. Science and skepticism rules!!

First, I found out there is no Santa Claus, then I realized the Easter Bunny's eggs were just painted chicken eggs, then I found out George Washington was a human, not the son of God .... :rofl:

[K8-EEE]

5. I particularly liked the one with the family because

although the LDS image is "family family family" they also tear apart families, for instance, encouraging divorce from "apostate" or ex-LDS spouses, and not acknowledging that homosexuality exists within families, etc. I liked that the family said they were more united than ever now and also, that the lady said she is approached almost weekly by somebody who hasn't believed in a long time but can't get up the courage to leave.

[old mark]

3. K&R.

[Arugula Latte]

6. Love it. If millions more would tell their churches to go Cheney themselves,

this world would be a far better place.

[K8-EEE]

7. "Secretive" religions are so vulnerable in the internet age

What "secret" beliefs and rituals can you really have nowadays, when ex-members can self-publish their experiences on the internet? All the "secret doctrines" of churches like Scientology and LDS can be found in seconds. Or seen on "South Park!"

[Arugula Latte]

8. Right. And same goes for the mighty Catholic church as well.

[K8-EEE]

10. As an Ex-Catholic I hope you're right

and I do see evidence that you are right because any church you go to, it's like 70% old people, or at least that has been my experience in recent years.

[get the red out]

9. Stuff like this can lead to a better world

Extreme religion and compassion are incompatible on a grand scale.

[mrmpa]

11. I want to be their friend. Really well done

[Duwamish]

12. Lawrence O'Donnell talked about Joseph Smith last week.

He said the reason Mormonism originally allowed polygamy was because Smith's wife caught him having an affair and that was how he was able to dodge her anger over it. Blame it on God, I guess.

[eugeneliberal]

13. Another site

for ex-religious people:

http://new.exchristian.net/