Ex-Mormons: Would you like to give some feedback?

Question

I know I'm probably "throwing the fat into the fire", but I'd like to know what you think of my responses, and the responses of other LDS, to your concerns about Mormonism.

If you don't feel like writing a short essay, here is some multiple choice:

a) boring, same old thing I've heard a million times
b) quirky, humanistic, but still slavishly LDS
c) your words sometimes make me thoughtful
d) why aren't you already translated?

Just kidding. How does your mind tick over when active LDS give you responses? Do you ever find their responses inspire you with any reason/feeling to accept The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as a sincere, valid religious choice?

Hey, Cheese and Rice... I was afraid that might be how you felt.

So, does this mean, my efforts to answer your Qs don't benefit you at all? I do find your questions interesting to think about.... So at least someone benefits from my responses... ME.

God bless you friend and brother. I respect you.

The purpose of my Q is to find out if I should bother responding to challenges to LDS doctrine. I'm specifically interested in knowing how ex-Mormons, who ask lots of challenging Qs, view the responses that they get.

Some ex-Mormons are very religious in their challenging of LDS culture/doctrines... which makes me think that they are honestly desiring answers that could satisfy them.

Do you think it's worthwhile for me (and other LDS) to try and answer your concerns?

Thanks lindsey p, for your honest response.

I'm a bit sceptical about blessfrogs and TeePee. Are you guys really ex-Mormons, or just regular Christians?

Answer 1

Oy vey! Who knew it was such a can of worms on here about active LDS, Ex-Mormons, Christians and blah blah blah. I just don't understand the acrimony, to those of you who consider yourselves ex-mormons, lighten up. What did active LDS members ever do to you? It's goofy to go after the people that derive satisfaction from their lifestyle and are happy. Why do you care/mind? I am not active right now but, to imply that I am a moron and have never seriously studied the doctrines or found out for myself is just incredibly insulting.

To those of you that consider yourselves ex-mormons and are really angry about it, tell me something you are doing that's positive with your life right now instead of just tearing others down.

I guess politics and religion cut too close to the bone. Dang, can't we all just get along? (how bout we all join hands around the campfire for a few verses of koom-by-yah my lord?)

p.s. yeah, the last part was a joke.

Oh yeah I forgot to answer the original question lol. To put it frankly, yes, I think you are wasting your time. People that have honest questions don't flame on a message board about inequity. Your efforts are better spent elsewhere.

Answer 2

You use bigger words than I normally associate with typical glazed-over mormons, so I suspect you've actually given this much more thought, and the glaze is more of a fire in the eye look. Obviously you are a-typical, and the brethren may have some issues with you later.

You'd have made a great relief society leader back in the 70's when the organization wasn't run roughshod by the priesthood like today.

Let me ask you how far does your faith go: Do you actually believe that you will be part of a 'harem' of wives whose sole responsibility is creating 'spirits'? Do you truly buy into Smith's description of the universe in the Book of Abraham? Given all the independent research by Egyptologists, do you still think the BoA is what Smith claimed it was? Do you choose what doctrine you prefer and discard the rest as unnecessary to your salvation? I think you're too smart to believe in everything taught by the church, but I also thought I could push the car home once.

There is religion and spirituality. You don't necessarily need the former to achieve the latter.

Answer 3

In most mormon answers I see the same thing I saw and heard while in the church for 27 years. I never felt that their answers really even answered the questions. They always got around them somehow. That's not what I wanted, and that's why I eventually started investigating the church on my own, to find out the truth. On my journey out, I got questions for a lot of the answers I had been asking. I found out the truth and there was no way I could continue living in the lie I was raised in.

So, yes, you pretty much answer the questions the same way any other faithful robot mormon would,and without even thinking spout out the "correct" answer. Congratulations, you get some jello and kool-aid as a reward. Now, go read the book of mormon before you can start questioning your faith.

Answer 4

Really I feel bad that the answers provided are pretty much canned answers that everybody uses without any real thought.

I know, I used to do the same thing.

Edit.. I think that in general, people that ask stuff in R&S are not looking for answers. They already know the answer, or they know what kind of answers they will get, and from whom. I expect that Mormons will have an answer ready for anything without putting much thought or research into it. While an exmormon will understand where I'm coming from and may or may not answer the way I would expect.

The thing I find odd is that I ask "Questions". And people accuse me of making stuff up. The questions I ask - I want to know if OTHER mormons ever think the same things? Or wonder, or ponder, or doubt.. These are legitimate. And usually the Mormons just throw it back and accuse me of being anti-mormon -- again, a canned answer that I would expect.

Answer 5

LDS responses that suggest a visit to a pro-Mormon site or that the truth about the LDS church and BoM can be found in prayer are the worst.

Answer 6

I don't find any of them to belike the ones I give when I was a mormon, I think I was brought up to be what I call a fanatical LDS in SLC, UT, so I don't think any of the mormons who answer my questions will not be any worse then me answering a mormons question, as a matter of fact, I have gotten my answers deleted, but I have never deleted a mormons answers.

Answer 7

I must admit, I don't really think there are too many serious or genuine and sincere people on here - especially ex-Normons!

The reason for the latter is simply because the Lord Himself has already told us the answer to this Q.
He said it would be better that they had never believed than that they had known the truth, and had rejected it with so much knowledge and testimony.
He talked about the Nephites failures in similar manner.
That's why He eventually had them totally destroyed.
"Where much is given, much is required."

Some of your worst enemies can be Ex- norms!

Few are the sincere q and even answers on here, by comparison.

I actually get more genuine answers under "politics", etc. than under R & S!
The place is actually mainly hung out by agno's and atheists!
They are still waiting for us to prove God to them!
But it will never happen.

Answer 8

dr c - why are you complaining about atheists and agnostics being in this section when I see you have gone and spread religious hatred in the GLBT section? You are a jerk and I don't care if you report me....and BTW it's Mormon not Norm idiot.
*

Answer 9

Very good question.

(choice d. ROFL!! good one!)

The responses, so far, are pretty much the same non-answers we get from any question we ask. But then, I suppose that, in itself, is an answer.

Answer 10

of course not. I reject all religion as being entirely unplausible. It has nothing to do with whether you consider yourself, mormon, JW, Christian, Catholic, or whatever. If you believe in God, I disagree with you. Your particular sect is an unimportant detail to me. (And yes I am an ex-mormon)