Getting rid of Mormon books and other various books

[PaulDupre1]

Isn’t that sad they are only happy if everyone stays Mormon. I heard that Utah has the highest rate of depression too. It is hard to live up to an image.

I well remember some of the women in the wards I was in. They had these plastered-on smiles that looked so desperate. Their husbands were often abusive or just plain crazy, but the women and children couldn’t let on. In order to be considered faithful they had to pretend that everything was hunky-dory, hence the desperate plastered on smiles.

I knew of several families in which the father was terribly abusive and even sexually assaulted the daughters and beat the wife. But the hierarchy covered it up and pretended that all is well in Zion.

I was 2nd counselor in the bishopric when I tried to get the bishop to take action against a father whose family I home-taught. It was obvious that the father was beating his wife and sexually abusing his 3 daughters (one of the daughters confided this to me in another setting). But this “brother” was a very successful business owner and one of the big tithe-payers in the ward. So nothing was done. My bishop told me that if I pursued this inquiry he would see me disciplined.

No wonder LDS woman are so depressed. Depression is anger turned inward. Where else can an LDS woman turn her anger but inward on herself?

God help them.

Paul (formerly LDS, now happily Catholic)

 

[Brandon_Cal]

You have lots of options at your disposal:

1. Recycle them
2. Burn them
3. Give them away / Donate
4. Sell them
5. Keep them in storage for future study, or for posterity’s sake.

When I finally make the jump I don’t plan on getting rid of any of my LDS books (those actually published by the Church) for the same reason that iepuras has mentioned. I will probably sell or recycle apologetic materials from third parties.

Given that you’re Catholic I’d be very careful what you do with LDS Bibles. I’ve been told that sacred items should be disposed of by either burning or burying according to Catholic norms. While this obviously wouldn’t include a Book of Mormon, what about LDS Bibles? Are Catholics expected to bury/burn KJVs? What about Joseph Smith Translations?

 

[Tarquin]

It is hard to explain. I did have a quad and got rid of it, but mostly because it held a lot of the resentful feelings.

Your words struck deep into my heart. Resentment is my enemy. We have oft met on the battlefield of forgiveness versus revenge. He has won a battle now and then, but I will not rest until total victory is mine. I need long-lasting patience, being attached to neither praise nor condemnation, to neither success nor defeat, but only to the ultimate blessed goal. I know what you mean by resentment. The evil haunt crops up in my head from time to time. We have to let in more light so we can see how much room we really do have for forgiveness, maybe even blessed forgetfulness, and personal inner peace.

Just now doing a search I found a prayer from Alcoholics Anonymous: “God, Please help me to be free of anger . . . Help me to master my resentments by understanding that the people who wrong me were perhaps spiritually sick. Please help me show those I resent the same Tolerance, Pity and Patience that I would cheerfully grant a sick friend.”

Recognizing that the people who helped me create resentment within myself were themselves as mistaken or tricked as I was (and I am not talking necessarily about Mormonism, as this happens wherever people are gathered), helps me bring down the level of frustration and bitterness I feel for having been misled.

 

[iepuras]

Isn’t that sad they are only happy if everyone stays Mormon. I heard that Utah has the highest rate of depression too. It is hard to live up to an image.

I personally would love to private message you sometime about a friend of mine

Happy to communicate via PM anytime.

 

[RebeccaJ]

I inherited my father’s not-small library of anti-mormon materials, some of it from the 1800’s. Some of it is fascinating stuff, other stuff not so much. I also collected waaaay too many LDS books from my mother’s side of the family.

I tried to reduce my library by one bookcase’s worth a while back. My process was to look up each book on amazon.com and check the lowest-price used private sale. If it was more than ten bucks, I’d sell. Anything less than that got thrown away.

An aunt inherited an older collection of LDS books. She gave her son the History of the LDS Church series, by B.H. Roberts. I told him they were valuable on the used book market. He sold one volume, and then his mom took the rest of the books back from him! Cracked me up.

 

[twopekinguys]

I am actually torn on this issue.

Keeping them could be a good deterrent from ever slipping and going back. Who was it that said, “Those who don’t know history are doomed to repeat it.”?

They could also prove to be a valuable asset in your apologetics here, and other places.

Or

If they are causing you some sort of hurt or anguish by just having them, get rid of them. You are in charge of your state of mind and well being. You can’t let some set of books from your past control your mindset. Getting rid of them would be letting go of the last measure of control the mormon church has over you.

(It is kind of like when I finally forgave the person that abused me as a youngster, almost 40 years ago. Once I actually forgave them, instead of just ignoring the grudge/hurt, they no longer had control over me.

Tough call either way.

 

[themic]

I don’t know if this helps but the Catholic Church did burn heretical bibles in the past to keep them from spreading a false gospel. I’m not sure I would feel comfortable passing along a non-Catholic Bible under any circumstance.

the catholics burned Bibles that were written in current english! LOL so i dont know if thats a good reference

 

[House_Harkonnen]

I am wondering if it would be a good thing not to store books and other books and Bibles that are not Catholic. I am not wanting to change religions. I am very happy being Catholic, however I find may be it would be good for them to find a new home.

I am not a hoarder, but it is hard for me to let go of stuff. Sometimes I wonder if my house would be more blessed if I rid of things like that. Not saying demon possession, but something like that

After I left the RC. I donated most of my RC books and study materials to a friend of mine who is Catholic. I told her that I hope that she is blessed by those materials.

 

[themic]

will she read any of them?

 

[House_Harkonnen]

will she read any of them?

Don’t know. There were about 40 books in there. I hope she benefits from them.

 

[dianaiad]

If getting rid of the books will help you in your healing, then by all means get rid of them. If it would help you to burn some of the items, then do it. I know of many other former Mormons who got a lot of healing by burning LDS books.

Having grown up in an LDS family, I can tell you that Mormon families are no more happy than other families, despite what the LDS church tells you. Actually, my Mormon family are none too happy about my leaving the LDS church. Becoming Catholic was even worse. Mormon families are only happy when everyone is a faithful Mormon.

Don’t be too hard on yourself about the quad the missionaries bought for you. They may very well have had parents who were sending them extra money.

About the missionaries: some do have parents who send them extra money. Or rather, they used to. It is discouraged. Missionaries live on the budget they are given to live on.

…and it is small.

So do not simply shrug this off because perhaps the missionary who handed it over maybe had parents who *might *have sent extra money, because s/he probably didn’t. Even those missionaries with wealthy parents most likely didn’t get extra money.

That said, however, the missionary is much more likely not to have had to buy the book s/he handed out.

If y’all don’t want to keep your Books of Mormon or the quads or whatever else you have, please donate them to the nearest thrift store. You get rid of them, you might even get a tax deduction out of it, and someone who actually would like to read it might get it.

I am far more concerned about this really frightening acceptance of the idea of burning them. Burning books.

Burning books.

Farenheit 451.

The bonfires in Berlin.

Burning books…any books…sends shudders down my spine.

Oh, not because I’m a Mormon and we are talking specifically about the Book of Mormon and ‘quads,’ here, and, frankly, if they belong to you and you want to burn 'em along with all of your other unwanted possessions, no problem. Burn 'em. It’s an honorable way to go, all things considered.

The problem is when it’s not about burning the paper, but expressing anger towards the ideas. Yes, your freedom of speech allows that, too.

But consider how you would feel if you logged onto a, say, Muslim website and saw someone say they knew a lot of former Christians who ‘got a lot of healing’ by burning Douay bibles.

I think…get your healing in a different way; by embracing what you have now, not expressing THAT level of anger towards what you left behind.

Burning books…because paper makes a good fire starter and it’s about the fire? Fine.
Burning books because you are soooo angry at the ideas expressed in them that by burning the books you are actually burning the doctrine (and not so incidentally, the folks who still believe in that doctrine) in effigy?

Not so fine. That’s not healing.
That’s not closure.

That’s just hate.

…and yes, I feel that way about any book. I wouldn’t burn ‘Mein Kampf’ or “protocols of the Elders of Zion,” either. I’d throw 'em out. I’d give 'em away…but I wouldn’t burn 'em.

And yes, I do have copies of both. The Koran, too, as well as “Dianetics” (I actually tried to read that once…meh…) and the Douay. Don’t keep 'em on the same shelf, though, if that helps any.

Perhaps all this is a reflection of my being an English teacher and a bibliophile. Probably is. Ah, well.

 

[iepuras]

About the missionaries: some do have parents who send them extra money. Or rather, they used to. It is discouraged. Missionaries live on the budget they are given to live on.

…and it is small.

So do not simply shrug this off because perhaps the missionary who handed it over maybe had parents who *might *have sent extra money, because s/he probably didn’t. Even those missionaries with wealthy parents most likely didn’t get extra money.

That said, however, the missionary is much more likely not to have had to buy the book s/he handed out.

If y’all don’t want to keep your Books of Mormon or the quads or whatever else you have, please donate them to the nearest thrift store. You get rid of them, you might even get a tax deduction out of it, and someone who actually would like to read it might get it.

I am far more concerned about this really frightening acceptance of the idea of burning them. Burning books.

Burning books.

Farenheit 451.

The bonfires in Berlin.

Burning books…any books…sends shudders down my spine.

Oh, not because I’m a Mormon and we are talking specifically about the Book of Mormon and ‘quads,’ here, and, frankly, if they belong to you and you want to burn 'em along with all of your other unwanted possessions, no problem. Burn 'em. It’s an honorable way to go, all things considered.

The problem is when it’s not about burning the paper, but expressing anger towards the ideas. Yes, your freedom of speech allows that, too.

But consider how you would feel if you logged onto a, say, Muslim website and saw someone say they knew a lot of former Christians who ‘got a lot of healing’ by burning Douay bibles.

I think…get your healing in a different way; by embracing what you have now, not expressing THAT level of anger towards what you left behind.

Burning books…because paper makes a good fire starter and it’s about the fire? Fine.
Burning books because you are soooo angry at the ideas expressed in them that by burning the books you are actually burning the doctrine (and not so incidentally, the folks who still believe in that doctrine) in effigy?

Not so fine. That’s not healing.
That’s not closure.

That’s just hate.

…and yes, I feel that way about any book. I wouldn’t burn ‘Mein Kampf’ or “protocols of the Elders of Zion,” either. I’d throw 'em out. I’d give 'em away…but I wouldn’t burn 'em.

And yes, I do have copies of both. The Koran, too, as well as “Dianetics” (I actually tried to read that once…meh…) and the Douay. Don’t keep 'em on the same shelf, though, if that helps any.

Perhaps all this is a reflection of my being an English teacher and a bibliophile. Probably is. Ah, well.

Oh please.

I am a book lover and would never burn or even get rid of a book, no matter how loathsome I think it is. (I still have “Mormon Doctrine” and “Miracle of Forgiveness” on my shelf and I find both to be loathsome). I also have a tendancy of reading books that have been banned.

Why don’t you try reading posts on ex-Mormon forums? Many people have been very, very hurt by the LDS church and their LDS families. Physical, emotional and sexual abuse. Shunning. Divorce. Broken families. I came out of the LDS church relatively unscathed. I was downright shocked and angered when I learned of the stories of others and how damaged some ex-Mormons are.

Many ex-Mormons actually have found emotional healing by burning their LDS books and garments. It actually does help to get over the pain and to move on. Some people need to do something physical bring about closure and burning some paper and fabric is a healthy way to do it. It is a way of leaving the past behind and moving forward. It is much more healthy than, say, punching a Mormon bishop in the face. I would much rather have someone burn some paper than hurt another person (or themselves) to help deal with the pain.

I love books and I have serious issues with banning or otherwise destroying them. Sorry, but if someone needs closure on leaving any faith (Christianity included), I don’t have a big problem with burning a book or two even if it included the Bible. I certainly wouldn’t like it, but I do understand the feelings.

For me, living well post-Mormonism is the best revenge. My marriage is better. My children are happier. I am happier despite the poor treatment from my Mormon family. I didn’t need to burn a Book of Mormon to get there, but some people do. It’s not hate. It’s coping and getting over the anger and hate.

 

[dianaiad]

Isn’t that sad they are only happy if everyone stays Mormon. I heard that Utah has the highest rate of depression too. It is hard to live up to an image.

I personally would love to private message you sometime about a friend of mine

Actually, according to the CDC, West Virginia has the highest rate of depression, followed (in alphabetical, not numerical) by the states of Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California,Indiana,
Kansas, Maine, Michigan,Mississippi. Missouri, Nevada,New Mexico,Ohio, Oklahoma,Oregon,South Carolina,Tennessee, Texas,…oh, and Puerto Rico. All of the above states have a higher incidence of depression than does Utah.

…and yes, Utah does have a higher number of people taking anti-depressants than any of the above states. There is only one state that MIGHT, by now, subscribe anti-depressants more often than Utah does: Maine–and Maine has a higher incidence of SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder).

The general consensus on this matter, however, isn’t that Mormons aren’t more depressed than others (obviously they aren’t…) but that, unlike everybody else, Mormons do not view depression and mental illness as something to be ashamed of and hidden. It’s a medical condition that can, and should, be treated. So we do. That’s a good thing.

But, OK, let’s just take a look at the demographics here. According to the CDC, all the western states (California, Oregon,Washington,Idaho,Utah,Arizona, New Mexico,Nevada, Colorado, Wyoming and Texas) have problems with depression. The two states with the worst problems are Nevada and Arizona, followed closely by California and Wyoming. Utah fits in there as being ‘less depressed’ than all of 'em.

But…OK…let’s just go with the implication voiced here that the incidence of antidepressant prescriptions equals 'Mormons are bad." 33% of the citizens of New Mexico are Catholic…and New Mexico has a higher percentage of depression than does Utah. 32% of Californians are Catholic, and California has a higher percentage of depression than does either New Mexico or Utah. Does the high percentage of Catholicism in these states responsible for the level of depression in them?

???

If I went by your reasoning, the answer is obvious; of course. However, we can both breathe a sigh of relief here, because your reasoning is flawed. Catholicism does not mean depression; some of the LEAST depressed states in the nation have the highest Catholic population. Correlation does not equal causation. Anywhere.

Consider: Utah is 60% Mormon. Idaho is 24% Mormon…and Idaho is one of the ‘good guys’ in terms of depression: 2.9 to Utah’s 3.4 (and West Virginia’s 5.3) New Mexico and California, at 3.5 and 3.7, respectively, have a far higher Catholic population than Idaho has Mormons…hmnn. Will you consider that when you so blithely assume that depression in any state is due to the religion?

On the other hand…(I’ve gotten statistic happy here…) when I look at the states that have the FEWEST Mormons and Catholics, like, oh, Alabama, Tennessee, Mississippi…all the states in that area that have rates of depression close to double that of Utah, I have to wonder; is it the presence of Mormons and Catholics in those areas that enjoy us responsible for the depression…or is our presence keeping those states from going right the way under?

Perhaps we should stop sniping at each other about Utah, New Mexico and California, and go pass out the Paxil in Alabama. That state NEEDS it.

 

[dianaiad]

Oh please.

I am a book lover and would never burn or even get rid of a book, no matter how loathsome I think it is. (I still have “Mormon Doctrine” and “Miracle of Forgiveness” on my shelf and I find both to be loathsome). I also have a tendancy of reading books that have been banned.

Why don’t you try reading posts on ex-Mormon forums? Many people have been very, very hurt by the LDS church and their LDS families. Physical, emotional and sexual abuse. Shunning. Divorce. Broken families. I came out of the LDS church relatively unscathed. I was downright shocked and angered when I learned of the stories of others and how damaged some ex-Mormons are.

Many ex-Mormons actually have found emotional healing by burning their LDS books and garments. It actually does help to get over the pain and to move on. Some people need to do something physical bring about closure and burning some paper and fabric is a healthy way to do it. It is a way of leaving the past behind and moving forward. It is much more healthy than, say, punching a Mormon bishop in the face. I would much rather have someone burn some paper than hurt another person (or themselves) to help deal with the pain.

I love books and I have serious issues with banning or otherwise destroying them. Sorry, but if someone needs closure on leaving any faith (Christianity included), I don’t have a big problem with burning a book or two even if it included the Bible. I certainly wouldn’t like it, but I do understand the feelings.

For me, living well post-Mormonism is the best revenge. My marriage is better. My children are happier. I am happier despite the poor treatment from my Mormon family. I didn’t need to burn a Book of Mormon to get there, but some people do. It’s not hate. It’s coping and getting over the anger and hate.

I’m glad that you are happier in your new life.

But…how does burning books and clothing belonging to the doctrine of the faith you left behind give you closure when the problem you need closure with is the actions of the people you left behind?

To me, that’s definitely misplaced aggression.

Not that I’m advocating ‘punching a Bishop in the face,’ mind you…but a good lawsuit might work. A good long letter to the offending party.

Tell me: how much good would burning the Douay bible do a child who was molested by a pedophile priest? I don’t’ think that Catholicism or Catholic doctrine was responsible for any of the actions of those men; THEY were. They weren’t priests who turned pedophiles; their religion didn’t make them do anything. They were pedophiles who gravitated to the best hunting grounds; an organization that gave them access to their prey. The church wasn’t using them; they were using, and abusing, the church.

So how would burning the emblems, symbols and works of the church whose precepts and doctrines these men flagrantly abused and broke help heal anybody? It’s aiming at the wrong target.

Same thing here. I’m not saying that people who have been mistreated shouldn’t do something, even if it is symbolic only, to get closure. I just think that they should aim at the correct target.

 

[zaffiroborant]

I’m glad that you are happier in your new life.

But…how does burning books and clothing belonging to the doctrine of the faith you left behind give you closure when the problem you need closure with is the actions of the people you left behind?

To me, that’s definitely misplaced aggression.

Not that I’m advocating ‘punching a Bishop in the face,’ mind you…but a good lawsuit might work. A good long letter to the offending party.

Tell me: how much good would burning the Douay bible do a child who was molested by a pedophile priest? I don’t’ think that Catholicism or Catholic doctrine was responsible for any of the actions of those men; THEY were. They weren’t priests who turned pedophiles; their religion didn’t make them do anything. They were pedophiles who gravitated to the best hunting grounds; an organization that gave them access to their prey. The church wasn’t using them; they were using, and abusing, the church.

So how would burning the emblems, symbols and works of the church whose precepts and doctrines these men flagrantly abused and broke help heal anybody? It’s aiming at the wrong target.

Same thing here. I’m not saying that people who have been mistreated shouldn’t do something, even if it is symbolic only, to get closure. I just think that they should aim at the correct target.

It’s rather telling that you bring up the specter of Catholic sexual abuse in a thread about people leaving the LDS church, especially since I don’t see anyone saying they left over abuse of any sort.

Ignoring why you bring it up, why should burning THINGS be such a problem, if you are angry at your former religion wouldn’t it be better to take out your anger on a thing rather than a person? I’ve seen some pretty intense letters people have posted writing to former religious leaders and fellow members, describing just how they felt about the beliefs of the LDS church and the actions of leaders and members. If I was on the receiving end of some of those letters I doubt I would ever be able to get them out of my mind, I’d probably be angry over the disrespect of my beliefs or have a hard time forgiving myself for their misery. Personally, I would be more inclined to to burn the stuff I associated with the religion, along with a lot of smartass commentary, rather than say things that may be hurtful to a fellow human being. But that’s just me I’d rather hurt things than people:shrug:

 

[kimg901]

It’s rather telling that you bring up the specter of Catholic sexual abuse in a thread about people leaving the LDS church, especially since I don’t see anyone saying they left over abuse of any sort.

Ignoring why you bring it up, why should burning THINGS be such a problem, if you are angry at your former religion wouldn’t it be better to take out your anger on a thing rather than a person? I’ve seen some pretty intense letters people have posted writing to former religious leaders and fellow members, describing just how they felt about the beliefs of the LDS church and the actions of leaders and members. If I was on the receiving end of some of those letters I doubt I would ever be able to get them out of my mind, I’d probably be angry over the disrespect of my beliefs or have a hard time forgiving myself for their misery. Personally, I would be more inclined to to burn the stuff I associated with the religion, along with a lot of smartass commentary, rather than say things that may be hurtful to a fellow human being. But that’s just me I’d rather hurt things than people:shrug:

It’s funny you should say this about not hurting people but things instead. It was only a few years ago when a man in California killed his Mormon bishop for “sending his soul to hell”. It was a big thing here in Utah of course and I felt bad for the lds mans family. But I too would rather burn some books or possessions than kill someone.

 

[iepuras]

It’s rather telling that you bring up the specter of Catholic sexual abuse in a thread about people leaving the LDS church, especially since I don’t see anyone saying they left over abuse of any sort.

I agree it is quite telling. Thank you for your post.

Diana, I said the following in the post you responded to.
"iepuras:

I didn’t need to burn a Book of Mormon to get there

So why did you ask the following?

But…how does burning books and clothing belonging to the doctrine of the faith you left behind give you closure when the problem you need closure with is the actions of the people you left behind?

Can you please stop making assumptions about me and my motivations that fly in the face of what I actually wrote?

Like I said before, if you want to know the motivation for an ex-Mormon to burn Mormon books, check out an ex-Mormon forum. There are many and I am sure the posters would be more than happy to tell you. Some of these boards also have personal stories, and you might find them rather enlightening. Learning of the poor treatment of many ex-Mormons may help you understand.

dianaiad:

To me, that’s definitely misplaced aggression.

Actually, the LDS church itself and its teachings have harmed me. Most LDS people have not hurt me all that much. Any hurt is the result of our fallen nature and doesn’t have much to do with Mormonism itself. My issues with my parents actually started long before I ever left the LDS church. My leaving simply brought everything to a head much quicker than it otherwise would have. It has much more to do with my mother’s poor family life growing up and her efforts to cope which made her controlling. Mormonism was just her excuse.

Let me give you a glimpse into how the LDS church and its teachings have harmed me. I am a smart, determined, independent woman who always wanted to see the world and accomplish many things. I’ve been that way since as long as I can remember. It is how God created me. I never had an overwhelming desire for marriage or children. I also had an innate knowledge of the inherent dignity of women and their equality to men before God. This is the grace God gave me that eventually led me out of the LDS church.

Now take this determined, high achieving little girl and put her through the Young Women’s program. Every week, I was taught that I HAD to get married to a returned missionary and have lots of children and stay home to raise them to be happy. I was taught that nothing else could possibly make my happy and anything else is sinful. I was taught that I had to cover up my body so that men would not have lustful thoughts and sin and that I was responsible if they did sin because I dressed immodestly. I was taught that if I broke the law of chastity or was sexually abused or assaulted, I was a “licked cupcake” or “chewed gum” and no self-respecting returned missionary would want to take me to the temple for marriage (and ultimately the celestial kingdom).

Do you have any idea what these teachings do to a girl who doesn’t have those desires and could never be happy being put into that small box? It did a number on my self-esteem. I never felt like I was good enough to God, that somehow the way He made me was wrong. I still went forward with my life because I couldn’t deny who I was. I got my education. I pursued a career and travelled. But by doing so, no self-respecting returned missionary ever found me to be marriage material. This simply exacerbated the self-esteem and self-image issues. These men supposedly had the priesthood and knew my worth as a daughter of Heavenly Father but never treated me like I was good enough to fulfull his requirement to be a wife and mother in Zion. There were plenty of men outside the LDS church who saw my beauty and desireability. I was baffled as to why these supposed “men of God” never saw that. I cannot express in words how much I suffered during my twenties because I was a single woman trying to find a husband in the LDS church and do what the LDS church wanted me to do.

I struggle to this day with these feelings. I’m not sure I will ever get over it completely. Sometimes I wonder why in the world my husband thinks I am the best and that he is lucky to have me. Some days I just don’t get it, but I am so glad God brought him into my life.

The LDS church and its teachings abused my soul. My soul is tough and made it out ok. I’m damaged but doing ok. Others have not been as lucky as I.

So, yes, the LDS church hurt me (and countless others), and I see nothing wrong with directing some anger towards an object produced by the LDS church to cope. Like I said in my previous post, I have not done so myself, but I completely understand if someone feels the need to do so.

 

[dianaiad]

I agree it is quite telling. Thank you for your post.

Diana, I said the following in the post you responded to.

So why did you ask the following?

Can you please stop making assumptions about me and my motivations that fly in the face of what I actually wrote?

I was assuming nothing. I simply asked a question.

…so your problem with the LDS church was that it taught you to dress modestly and behave with chastity?

OK.

Now I, too, was a product of the Young Women’s program, and I too was told that dressing modestly and behaving with dignity was a good thing. I was never taught that being sexually assaulted would affect MY eternal soul…but I was given instructions upon how to avoid getting into situations where I was most in danger of being assaulted.

After all, leaving one’s door wide open, the alarm off and the key in your car does not make the burglary that takes place your fault; that’s all on the burglar. However, I would prefer not to get burgled in the first place than to be able to righteously assign blame afterwords.

So yeah: I was taught not to send invitations that might be misinterpreted by men.

Guess what, though? Good Catholic girls are taught the same things! So is every other young girl whose parents and leaders care more about her than political advantages.

As for getting married…hmmph. I didn’t marry a returned missionary. I was the returned missionary my husband married. I really can’t relate to what you experienced, since my experiences, evidently, were so different from yours.

I do hope that you are happy in your new life and beliefs, and that they give you what you need.

 

[JonNC]

No-one changes beliefs because he thinks his own has been sufficiently insulted. D. Newman.
.

I’m not planning on commenting on the thread, other than to say good to see you back again, and I love the quote.

Jon

 

[WingsOfEagles]

I don’t think knowledge of other things hurts as long as one can distinguish truth from lies. I understand that once you are done reading them, you may not really want them anymore. You could burn them if you are afraid of spreading false gospel.