Mormons search the web and find doubt

[twopekinguys]

We now return to regular programming.

In recent history the mormon church has said they were going to be more upfront with their history, and it’s conflicts.

Have we seen any of that yet? Do you think it will help people keep their testimonies? Or, is it going to look like obvious manipulation?

 

[Marie5890]

I know Mormons who are very committed to their faith. They extensively study the Bible and LDS scriptures. They believe in and love God. They believe in Christ’s atonement. They are kind and generous, loving people. When Hurricane Katrina hit, they were the first on the scene, offering assistance. By their fruits you shall know them. And they show some pretty good fruits. They follow their own lights, as they have been taught.

Catechism 843:

The Catholic Church recognizes in other religions that search, among shadows and images, for the God who is unknown yet near since he gives life and breath and all things and wants all men to be saved. Thus, the Church considers all goodness and truth found in these religions as “a preparation for the Gospel and given by him who enlightens all men that they may at length have life.”

We should all be as righteous as good Mormons.

Exactly, they are very good people, and devout Mormons are extremely loyal to their faith. That is the culture that is fostered…

Many tend not to want to look deeper or question their testimony. Those of us who did, myself included, ended up being stunned and deeply betrayed at what we found…Seeking out the truth, the historical facts was spiritually shattering.

It’s hard to explain the deep and profound spiritual betrayal many of us former Mormons have experienced. And many have had it do reason serious damage to their families…

The damage is real and hard to overcome.

 

[Marie5890]

I think my further participation in this thread is not productive. I’m unsubscribing.

God’s blessing do with you, njlisa.

 

[SpeSalvi]

Exactly, they are very good people, and devout Mormons are extremely loyal to their faith. That is the culture that is fostered…

Many tend not to want to look deeper or question their testimony. Those of us who did, myself included, ended up being stunned and deeply betrayed at what we found…Seeking out the truth, the historical facts was spiritually shattering.

It’s hard to explain the deep and profound spiritual betrayal many of us former Mormons have experienced. And many have had it do reason serious damage to their families…

The damage is real and hard to overcome.

Amen. I have yet to hear of a single Catholic that was confronted by facts that led to a relatively traumatizing break from the Catholic Church, but I don’t have enough fingers (and toes, even) to count how many former LDS recount that type of experience.

It’s a very painful experience, and only when your thirst for Truth overcomes your desire to be “happy” do you take that step. I can’t blame anyone in the LDS Church for turning a blind eye to the historical facts related to Mormonism, because accepting the truth is just so, so hard.

 

[lynnettejane]

Oh dont stereotype all Mormons based on Utah Mormons…That is very niave.

Wasn’t stereotyping, the post I was referring to mentioned SLC, Utah, where it would seem despite their apparent happiness prozac is liberally prescribed. If it is ‘happy valley’ then why the prozac. I wasn’t referring to the wider mormon community necessarily, but if there is trouble in Mormon paradise which may have its basis in the demands of the religion, why should this well reported use of medication only apply to Utah?

 

[Marie5890]

It’s a very painful experience, and only when your thirst for Truth overcomes your desire to be “happy” do you take that step. I can’t blame anyone in the LDS Church for turning a blind eye to the historical facts related to Mormonism, because accepting the truth is just so, so hard.

Well put.

Truth is not a feeling.
Happiness definitely is. And TBM Mormons tend to be very very happy people.

 

[Boulder257]

Wasn’t stereotyping, the post I was referring to mentioned SLC, Utah, where it would seem despite their apparent happiness prozac is liberally prescribed. If it is ‘happy valley’ then why the prozac. I wasn’t referring to the wider mormon community necessarily, but if there is trouble in Mormon paradise which may have its basis in the demands of the religion, why should this well reported use of medication only apply to Utah?

I think I remember seeing a statistic that 1 in 5 people are on Prozac now. I even remember reading an article that argued that so many people were on it, that their excretions were somehow causing an influx of fluoxetine into public water. Probably all garbage, but I try to remember that when I hear statistics. Remember, it was Benjamin Disraeli who said, “there are three kinds of lies in the world. Lies, damned lies, and statistics.”

 

[Marie5890]

Wasn’t stereotyping, the post I was referring to mentioned SLC, Utah, where it would seem despite their apparent happiness prozac is liberally prescribed. If it is ‘happy valley’ then why the prozac. I wasn’t referring to the wider mormon community necessarily, but if there is trouble in Mormon paradise which may have its basis in the demands of the religion, why should this well reported use of medication only apply to Utah?

I cant speak to where SLC is on the prozac medication, but it’s also important to remember that SLC itself is far more diverse that other parts of the state.

“Happy Valley” specifically refers to Utah County, which is where BYU is located (Provo). SLC is in Salt Lake County.

According to the 2010 census the religious affiliation break down is
56% LDS
33% Non-religious
5.9% Catholic
5.1% Other…

For SLC, the bedrock of Mormonism, 56% is stunningly low, and 33% NON-Religious is very reflective of those who have become agnostic/atheistic after having left Mormonism…

“Happy Valley” (ie UT County) for comparison
88% LDS
10.1% *NON-Religious
1.8% Other

If SLCounty has the distinction of high in Prozac prescripts, that could actually be reflective of the immense pain many exerience in their faith crisis.

 

[twopekinguys]

Wasn’t stereotyping, the post I was referring to mentioned SLC, Utah, where it would seem despite their apparent happiness prozac is liberally prescribed. If it is ‘happy valley’ then why the prozac. I wasn’t referring to the wider mormon community necessarily, but if there is trouble in Mormon paradise which may have its basis in the demands of the religion, why should this well reported use of medication only apply to Utah?

It is because of the Prozac that they are called happy valley.

 

[Judas_Thaddeus]

The internet is Mormonism’s worst enemy I think.

 

[Marie5890]

Remember, it was Benjamin Disraeli who said, “there are three kinds of lies in the world. Lies, damned lies, and statistics.”

LOL…

Unforunately, it has a ring of truth to it.

 

[Marie5890]

The internet is Mormonism’s worst enemy I think.

Yes, I agree.
Around the time I left UT (Provo to be exact) BYU would soon be cracking down on what websites their university computers would be able to access.

Pandora’s box has been opened…

 

[CarolNoel]

Absolutely right. That is one of the sources for the term “happy valley”.

ETA:It actually stems from a 2008 documentary named “Happy Valley”, which speaks to the drug problem in SLC.

My husband was a physician in SLC and he was constantly being asked by the women for something to "calm them down: He did not give them an RX except very, very rarely.

 

[JamesCollins]

Amen. I have yet to hear of a single Catholic that was confronted by facts that led to a relatively traumatizing break from the Catholic Church, but I don’t have enough fingers (and toes, even) to count how many former LDS recount that type of experience.

It’s a very painful experience, and only when your thirst for Truth overcomes your desire to be “happy” do you take that step. I can’t blame anyone in the LDS Church for turning a blind eye to the historical facts related to Mormonism, because accepting the truth is just so, so hard.

That is because Catholics are able to drift into inactivity without any difficulty. Active Mormons are hounded by the church after they leave. There is a big difference in the way the two churches approach their lost sheep.

 

[Marie5890]

That is because Catholics are able to drift into inactivity without any difficulty. Active Mormons are hounded by the church after they leave. There is a big difference in the way the two churches approach their lost sheep.

True observation…

 

[SummitJim]

Remember, it was Benjamin Disraeli who said, “there are three kinds of lies in the world. Lies, damned lies, and statistics.”

As an aside, I once wore to work a T-shirt with that quote on it. Let’s just say that my boss, who happened to be a statistician, had no sense of humor.

 

[Boulder257]

As an aside, I once wore to work a T-shirt with that quote on it. Let’s just say that my boss, who happened to be a statistician, had no sense of humor.

Funny! He may not like it, but it’s true!

 

[gracepoole]

Yep. Since I was going foreign language, the Missionary Training Center (MTC) was two months. If you went English Speaking, it was about 3 weeks

Ah, thank you – I’ve always wondered if one had the choice to head into a foreign language community.

That is because Catholics are able to drift into inactivity without any difficulty. Active Mormons are hounded by the church after they leave. There is a big difference in the way the two churches approach their lost sheep.

My understanding is there’s a difference, too, in how one is shunned after leaving the LDS. If you’re a Mormon apostate on Earth, you also disrupt your family’s salvation in the next world. No matter what the old joke says, Catholics ain’t got nothin’ on that kind of guilt.

 

[Marie5890]

My understanding is there’s a difference, too, in how one is shunned after leaving the LDS.

Mmm, not so black and white. Does it happen, yes, to some, but not to most (at least in my observations).

However the rifts are real.

Shunning is not a teaching nor a policy of the LDS church for those who leave, unlike the JW’s where yes, their members are told to shun those that leave…

The LDS church is very big at wanting to wanting to bring people back into the fold the cutting family members off is counter-productive to that. Sorta of a “Mormons Come Home” attitude.

 

[gracepoole]

Mmm, not so black and white. Does it happen, yes, to some, but not to most (at least in my observations).

However the rifts are real.

Shunning is not a teaching nor a policy of the LDS church for those who leave, unlike the JW’s where yes, their members are told to shun those that leave…

The LDS church is very big at wanting to wanting to bring people back into the fold the cutting family members off is counter-productive to that. Sorta of a “Mormons Come Home” attitude.

Don’t Mormon teachings on the afterlife and the position of one’s family in it make it kind of difficult to navigate a parent, spouse, child, brother, or sister who is labeled as an apostate?