"My name is Alex and I'm an Ex Mormon."
Vložit
- čas přidán 5. 09. 2024
- www.i-am-an-exm...
www.exmormonfou...
www.postmormon....
www.exmormon.re...
www.LifeAfterMo...
I've actually been solidly an atheist since last Winter semester, but the process began in earnest years before that, and the first indications are among my oldest memories. In CTR 6 or 7, Mom was once the substitute teacher, and she gave a lesson on giving your testimony. She wrote "I know the church is true" on the board and called on me to say it. I refused, because I was not aware of any such knowledge, and I didn't want to lie. I got in a bit of trouble for this. I never thought I knew the church was true--not for sure. And later when various things led to an active search for truth, I could not find a single person who could tell me how they actually knew the church was true--how do you know the feeling was the spirit? Nothing was logically convincing. I questioned various avenues, getting so anxious that I simply wanted to have the answer, so I allowed myself to consider the possibility that the church was not true. Once that was on the table, things started lining up.
The issue of faith was the problem, and the basic form of faith and the foundation of all the religion I knew was a faith in God. Now I could understand the idea of trusting God--but to trust that he existed seemed unreasonable. I familiarized myself with the arguments for and against God's existence, and I found that there was absolutely no convincing argument that God was there. In fact, I found no reason to believe at all. Learning more about psychology and later anthropology made me realize just how simple it would be for masses of people to fool themselves into all sorts of states of mind, including a witness of the spirit. I'd even experienced such a feeling when dealing with a matter which made apparent that I had created the feeling myself--and this obvious impostor was as strong as any supposedly real spiritual experience I'd known. Then of course there was the fact that many people from many contradictory religions had similar convictions--with no outside reference, how could I trust the nature of my own experience?
(CONTINUED)
If you wish to read more of Alex's exit story, please click on the following link: www.iamanexmorm...
Leaving the church made him smarter.
These are depressing. And I'm not even LDS.
Mormonism is a disease. Surviving it leaves one with both a depressing past and a grateful outlook for the future.
Just sent in my resignation letter! Wooo!
I felt the same when trying to make my parents happy and striving to what was expected at church. It wasn't until my dad passed away I really saw how much of an influence he had on the family, not in a bad way he loved us and wanted me and my sisters to be in an environment far removed from his own at our age.
I later discovered some unsavoury stuff regarding black people and began to delve further into the church's hidden history. This revelation pretty much ended my association with LDS
Congrats on finding yourself, Alex. You have our support.
Right on Bro! I gritted my teeth and wished and fretted and tried to feel the spirit for years. Nothing. I was in a Teacher's meeting, all my friends were bearing their testimonies one by one, and when it became my turn, I couldn't do it for the reason you just stated: I could not lie and say "I know this church is true." Peace and enlightenment be with you!
Kudos for being brave and forthcoming about your beliefs, not lying to yourself and not going with the flow against your better judgement!
"it's wrong" for children to repeat a testimony when they don't have one, and I agree.
I will go a step further and say that it is wrong for a bishop to let it happen, since they are in charge (see below). I would also say it is wrong for adults to say they "know the church is true" in order to gain a testimony when they are unsure.
I think these videos are related:
Children learning testimonies
watch?v=-ZsrjpHh1b4
A bishop steps in, couldn't he do this with kids too?
watch?v=sIPc1f1GtS8
Hi! Thank you SO much for sharing your story. It takes a lot of courage to admit that to yourself and even more courage to share it with others. :)
@jaded210 Hi Jaded210!
I have witnessed a similar pattern that occurs when someone transitions out of the LDS church: confusion about their identity. Fear of judgement from friends and family when they need their support the most.
This is where our videos are helpful. We hold up examples of positive stories that give hope to those who need it.
Sharing our stories helps in our emotional healing & moving on. I hope you can see what we do in this light. Take care and I wish you the best.
Love this forum. So honest, so brave. Thank you!
Awesome. You saw through the lies. Yourself Bravo !!
if the church is so true how ocme millions and millions fof people leaving
ur dumb because they have 15 million members worldwide so theres actually alot of people staying
The Rising Tide (Official Band) Those numbers aren't accurate. A lot of people leave Mormonism or stop attending but never bother to get their name officially removed from the LDS church's records. There are polls out there where people are asked to self-identify what religion they are and in the US the number of Mormons is 2/3 the number claimed by the LDS church.
"how come millions and millions of people leaving"
The answer is really quite simple -- this is antiMormon garbage.
Let's look at the facts from the Pew Research group on religious affiliations:
"Finally, the Landscape Survey makes it possible to look at which groups are most successful in retaining their childhood members. Hinduism exhibits the highest overall retention rate, with more than eight-in-ten (84%) adults who were raised as Hindu still identifying themselves as Hindu. The Mormon, Orthodox and Jewish traditions all have retention rates of at least 70%, while the retention rate for Catholics is 68%. "
You can find this and other statistics here
religions.pewforum.org/pdf/report-religious-landscape-study-chapter-2.pdf
churlyn gavin
Read my post
That was not my question, but a response to another post with that question.
I am LDS myself.
cdowis ow I'm sorry brother ,.... actually my message is not for you !!! sorry!
The way I see it, every religion forces to believe in ideas that do not match with reality. Dogmas. But mormonism exceeds every sound sense of measure. The mormons I came across are nice people, though.
they are. when my parents died from cancer and i have no money . they gave me things food things that i need in life. they told me to pray to god so that i could feel close to my parents again i have to say that i'm starting to believe in the mormon church they even have a university for me to attend to (BYU)
and it makes me sad when i see people say bad things about them but that's not true the mormons are nice kind and happy people so i agreed to part that you said the mormons are nice people
You felt conforted. In deed I'm very glad of you did.. Hoever that doesn't prove that the mormon doctrine is True.
proudargie
By their fruits shall ye know them
Reality don't make total sense either...We are on a FREAKIN BALL in the middle of no where !!!!
As a Catholic who was baptized as a baby, and grew up in the Faith, then left and didn't practice for several years as an adult, and then returned ... I can honestly say that no, the Catholic Church doesn't "force" anyone to believe anything. That's because Christ didn't force anyone to believe in Him. He told the Truth and, when people rejected Him and walked away (John 6), He let them go.
"Every religion forces people to believe" is a generalization and, at least with regard to Catholicism, not at all true.
Thanks for making this video and sharing your truth. More people need to speak out.
suvariboy Amen to that! The Mormon Church stresses conformity above all things. There is a mind-control aspect to the conformity, as well as the soul-deadening feeling that "I am never good enough, never doing enough" that dogged me for 17 years.
Donna Ryan I'm glad you made it out!
Good for you Alex. Being honest with yourself is the first step to being a an adult (and to developing your soul if you have a soul). Ignore criticism from those too fearful or too ignorant to be honest with themselves, who see your self-development as threatening.
I am agnostic Christian and religion isn't bullshit it is certain leaders of these religions that give it a bad name.
+Jalen Robertson very true man messes up but we need to keep our eyes on The Lord and not man I think that is where often the problem lies. People leave the faith because of being hurt by people.
+Patrick Flynn You got it. the devil is the hand in the glove of the person we see and think its the person who is attacking. All the while it's the devil using whomever, whatever it takes to block the relationship with jesus
so when god commits mass genocide that's just man giving him a bad name? God straight up murdered innocent children in exodus. How is that not a bad look for God?
As someone who was raised a fundamentalist Christian and still struggles with issues because of my religious upbringing, I take comfort in talking to other ex-fundies who understand where I'm coming from. I think that's what this is for, to encourage people who are questioning their religion or possibly leaving, who have been believers for a long time and aren't sure where they stand anymore.
It's truly sad that he left one absurdity for another one, the choice is not either Mormonism is true or there is no God.
The scars of the Mormon church seems to be really deep.
I don't think you know if he is an atheist because he couldn't see the false dichotomy, he probably is an atheist after he researched and discovered that there isn't good evidence that god exists.
Totally agree!!!!
This resonates with my own childhood experience in the Southern Baptist Church. At the age of 10 I felt condemned to Hell because I harbored secret doubts - and we were told from the pulpit that those doubts were unforgivable. I wish I had had this young man's courage at a young age. I would have saved myself the TERRIFYING guilt of a baptism that was a lie.
you didn't even got an answer that it wasn't true. Look, not all are chosen from God. Myabe you weren't supposed to accept it in this life. and it is good that you didn't lie.
But this Church is true and I know that. Church is growing faster everyday and I am proud of it that Spirits are coming near to God.
Roilda A. Medina your religion is racism..to believe that God cursed my people is sick and that if I am good and a mormin one day I'll be 100 percent white one day instead of half is just racist anyway you slice it. Not even the KKK believe that shit .
Sorry but I used to be mormon, till I discovered that their so-called prophet was nothing but a con artist. You have been brainwashed. But if it makes you happy to follow the religion by all means enjoy.
@@JosannaMonik Enjoy Outer Darkness
Took me 12 years to find out for myself and not what my parents said. When I finally got my answer, there was NO light from heaven or angels. Just a powerful, quiet confidence that there was a God and he loved. If u are happy with your discovered truth, then we are happy for you. If you are fortunate to find what I found, no matter what any parent or bishop told you, only then will you truly be happy. Happiness leads to helping people church-wise or not. Despite the pain, this world is awesome!
Yes, I agree, many mormon parents micro manage their kids' beliefs; which is inappropriate. My parents don't do that with me or my siblings.
I'm sorry Alex. I did the Moroni Challenge .... and I would be condemned by God if I did not acknowledge and publish that he did answer my prayers and gave me a witness that the LDS church is true.
As an LDS member, I want to say that it's good that you've remained honest with yourself and with the Church. Not everyone is called to be a good example ... which is not to say that you're a bad person. You're probably awesome at a BBQ, but it is to say that without an example of what can happen if you're not faithful, it would be hard to keep a good perspective on what the Gospel is really about. Stay honest and stay true, and the Lord will find a way to bless you anyway. He still loves you.
You just summarized perfectly all the things that trouble me about the LDS; they get people into the church through selective information (non-full-disclosure, one ex-member calls it), and from then on they're supposed to follow the rules and toe the line. All their time is structured and Big Brother (and their neighbor) is always watching to be sure they comply.
Have you officially left? Are they still trying to pull you back in? It sounds like a really hurtful experience all the way around.
I was raised Mormon and always took issue with the way women and minorities were treated. I took the 'challenge' and the voice I heard was a decidedly female voice saying "step away, this is wrong". I don't know what it was, but it has saved me a lot of hardship, I think.
I appreciate your honesty. It takes work finding out if what you believe is right or not. I have questioned it too. I had this same situation, prayed about it but still hadn't had a firm comfirmation. However, going to other religions I found that I never got as warm feelings as I did then when I was at the LDS church. It has taken lots of work and help from others but I know I am where I need to be. As long as you are being honest and doing good in the world God will find a way to bless you!
The freedom is yours to decide what is best for you, if the LDS church is not that, then I wish you all the best in finding happiness in what you chose to believe. Personally, I never did "Moroni's challenge," I didn't know what it was when I was a kid, but an overwhelming feeling came over me when I was in junior high when I began reading the Book of Mormon on my own, without anyone pressuring me. I imagine its not that way for everyone, and I salute you on being true to yourself.
The word "cult" means different things to different people. It's like a bunch of people talking to each other in different languages wondering why they can't understand each other.
Usually, the word cult describes an organization that is using psychology to control the thoughts of it's members and systematically deconstruct a persons identity to enslave them without their knowledge.
My Dad did that once for FHE, went around to all us kids and made us recite our "testimony", only I couldn't say a word, I just froze, It was not in me to lie. my dad said I could "borrow" his testimony for awhile...
This is what happens when people choose to use reason and logic.
What a bright guy :) Go Alex!
It is what it is. If you are happy then good for you. I could not survive with my Father. He makes me happy.
Alex, I am LDS and I thank you for your sincere statements. I understand being an agnostic, I cannot understand being an atheist, but that is based on my experience. Your experience is obviously different than mine. I hope that you do not give up the option that there may be a God, even if you do not go back to religion. I think one has to keep the possibility open that there is something greater than ourselves that is in control. Basically, keep an open mind. I can accpt the potential of no God
When I was finding my way to atheism, I had the same horrible conflicts. It's not just Mormonism, it's many Christian sects, Islam, Judaism. When one comes to grips with the non-belief in a god, he/she is non-religious. It was hard for me, but I came out of it intact. You can, too....
I'm mentally disabled & authentic. Because Mormon men & authorities were afraid of my boldness because they had no girth, they projected their fear of my happiness onto women. No partial excommunication & disfellowship for me. Either in or out.
There's no groveling here. This young man left a system with incredible peer pressure to conform and he is speaking, probably so that others struggling with doubt will know that they are not alone.
Thank you, Alex, for sharing part of your story with us. This sounds very much like what I am going through. You seem like an intelligent and wonderful individual. The bitterest truth is better than the sweetest lie.
I am Omar Salinas and I am a member of the church of JesusChrist of l.d.s... I love God, my family, and my religion. I enjoyed the Book of Mormon, the Bible, and other scriptures. I respect the guy of the video, because at the end We all are free to choose and share the things that Bring us happiness, and i feell thankfull for that freedom.
I left the church. I had served a mission and did Moroni's challenge while on my mission. After I prayed, I was filled with such incredible love, I just LOVED everybody! I have had many many many spiritual experiences that showed me that God and Jesus and Heaven exist, that Hell exists and is extremely horrible, but those experiences caused me to question the validity of the church, and I began to seriously doubt that the church could lead me to Heaven. For me now, it is just Jesus, because HE is the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE, while men and religions are fallible and corruptible. I have felt the presence and immense LOVE of Jesus so many times, I KNOW He is REAL.
Thanks for leaving on your own before we had to throw you out.
So you found the love of God though the Book of Mormon and now deny it... Think on that.
People that are gay are not excluded anymore than people that are addicts. People exclude themselves when they do not abstain form that which afflicts them.
I know a few gay people that are active. They have found happiness and have married and are raising families. Being gay isn't the issue any more than being an addict.
Hello Alex. My name is Dave and I am a devout Mormon. You are welcome to come back to church brother.
I was raised as a Mormon. My dad was Stake President when I was growing up; and I personally knew people like Faust, Monson and Hinckley. The curious thing is that unlike so many other ex-Mormons I had no qualms or guilt-complexes when I left the Church. For me it was quite straight forward: I prayed for several years to know whether the Church is true, but received no answer; I studied Mormon beliefs and saw how incompatible they were with the Bible, etc. It was false; no problem.
people like alex go from sitting in church every sunday morning since the day they were born being fed by their parents that this is the only way. im glad he found his own beliefs and is happy with who he is now. congratulations man
Daniel Seppings says “the bible is amended by the Catholic Church and many valuable points of the Gospel has been changed and this is why we need the Book of Mormon”
From a totally deluded and far-fetched belief to a more intellectually coherent deluded position.
A major improvement.
Keep going.
In 1st Nephi Chapter 16, Nephi writes (which was later translated by Joseph Smith) of a place where his father in law, Ishmael, was buried. Nephi calls this place the place of Nahom which appears in Arabic and Hebrew texts as Nahum, Naham, Nihm, Nehem, and Nahm. This burial ground that's mentioned in 1st Nephi was not discovered until 1994 (about a century and a half after Joseph Smith's death). This burial ground was also discovered in the exact area Nephi descirbed his journeyings to be in.
It takes a lot of courage to speak out on things such as this. I want to say "Thanks" for standing up and speaking from the heart. The "Truth" is not one thing for one person, and another for someone else - it never changes. Continue to seek the truth, and you will find it. Just because Mormonism is not the truth does not mean that the Bible itself is not true. Don't throw the baby out with the bath water! Anyway, hold on to what is true, and reject what is false! God bless you, Alex!
As a mathematician, you know the statistical probability is dependent upon the assumptions made & the values chosen for those assumptions. Using the Rare Earth model, the number of Earth-like planets in the Milky Way having complex life forms could be as low as 0 or 1. The Milky Way itself is an atypical spiral galaxy. Then one must assume complex life evolves into intelligent, sentient life, which may also be highly improbable. You've simply choosen values which support your own viewpoint.
chill. he is entitled to speak but I also doubt if he's been a mormon.
Regarding the Mormon church or any other church, the question of whether that church is true is totally separate from the question of whether or not God exists.
i am a filipino mormon, my tradition is different than yours, the way my parents taught me is also different from yours. but if that is the way you were grown in your home, i could probably see the kind of environment you have. I am the only active in my family, but I am inspired to know that jesus is my redeemer and savior. He is the central figure in my life. that is sufficient enough for me to believe in the teachings of the church.
@MrFitzwilly As a former missionary, I'll just say that we're taught, inadvertently, how to manipulate people. I was a very active member of the LDS church for 20 years, but halfway through my mission I realized how much psychological manipulation went on. I've been baptized, endowed in the temple and devoted myself to church work for one year. I never committed any big sin, I just took a step back and realized 'the so called church' is not true.
Thanks for your video. I’m an exCatholic I’m now a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ while making other disciples on my journey with the Lord Jesus All blessings in Jesus name from Ireland
I'm a mormon and I'm disgusted that people are saying you're gonna go to hell. Finding faith isn't easy. I believe the LDS church to be true. I was never forced to say that. I say it with a belief and conviction that I discovered myself. You are not going to go to hell and no member of the LDS church that knows its doctrines would believe or say that. God and Jesus Christ love everyone and everyone is imperfect. Everyone needs to find their own way.
Alex, I think I had a class with you at the U of U a couple of years ago! Probability Theory if I recall correctly. I admire your ability to express your thoughts and feelings so well. Atheists unite! :)
Not sure why you left but will welcome you back when you decide to come back . Hope you can overcome whatever it is . Have people come back all the time and regread the time away .
I was LDS for 40 years, having converted at 14. I can testify of one thing for certainty: Mormonism is so absolutely mind and life controlling that, once you leave, it takes time for you to move on and discover the reality of life outside of it. Fortunately, I had my relationship with God and Christ BEFORE I became LDS, therefore, when I left, I took it with me. Perhaps Alex is feeling that since those he trusted had lied and deceived him, that God too is a myth. Alex, God is real. Find Him.
I listened to the missionaries for one hour. The Holy Ghost filled my entire being and I knew that Joseph Smith is the Prophet of the Restoration, that the Book of Mormon is true, never having read it, and that the church is the church of Christ, never having stepped inside of it. And this guy is not an ex-mormon because that would indicate that he once had a testimony.
The money that is reported is money spent, not money given. Their churches were used as headquarters, travel and so forth. No monetary support was given. It is their right to support a cause.
No one was denied any right. Gays have the same right as I do to marry.
I think a common problem is defining oneself as a "good example", which implies all sorts of negative connotations about the other persons qualities (eg. "a bad person").
What you should say is some thing like: "Mr. Jones sure is a epitome of Mormon values", which does not have a latent negative connotation. :)
~Atheist, Ex-SDA, Married to Ex-LDS.
John 1:1 says that Jesus is God "the Word was God", Galatians 1:1 says that the Father is God, Acts 5: 3-4 shows that the Holy Ghost is God. Deuteronomy 32:39 says that there is only one God. This is the Holy Trinity. You cannot refute this.
To sin is to break a commandment of God, to deny god would break this commandment. So you cannot deny god and live a life without sin, the denying or rejecting of God is the sin. And to be clear I do not say this in a tone of arrogance or judgement, your life is yours to live, it is none of my business how you live. I am simply
clarifying a logical point in Gods law.
Oops. I accidentally pressed the thumbs up button on this one.
I'm sure Alex is very tired of people telling him to believe. Just let him be.
@TheMissWhoa I don't remove any comments. The LDS church on their youtube channel actively censors comments though. I allow users to flag spam, and I have come across several comments that were marked spam but were not. I always mark these comments "not spam" when I get a chance (the church has enough money to hire someone to monitor their comments - but I don't). But you are right- censorship IS something to laugh at! Because they often have something to hide ;)
It does not matter what is traditional if it is keeping someone from being in a relationship. That is called being fair. You have a stronger argument? bring it.
I would say the following: Give your testimony if it really comes from the heart. After all, there isn't just one way to follow the teachings in The Book of Mormon. I could say, "Folks, I believe it because I felt something different in my life once I studied it. (Individual results will vary, ladies and gentlemen.) I love the thought of Moroni traveling from Zarahemla to the Hill Cumorah.
Can you point me to any websites or support groups on how to rid myself of the self-deprecating guilt I feel for not ever being able to believe in the Church? I know it's all baloney, but why do I feel guilt for not believing something that is demonstrably false? I feel like a 5 year old telling all the kids in my kindergarten class there's no Santa.
No one denies a holy ghost. People deny the existence of such an entity because there is no evidence. The fact that some experiences can be moving does not mean there is a holy ghost. It does not mean that everything else that is said along with it is automatically true. It is similar to saying 'I was moved by this amazing song. In a way the song spoke to me. Now, I will believe whatever the lead singer says without the person having to verify their claims'. Hopefully that made sense.
Let’s start over. It is obvious that we are missing each other’s points and not understanding one another. There is no need to point fingers and get upset over a misunderstanding. There is a lot of context that is lost in the written word.
I already posted the LDS prayer times. We are commanded to pray continually. “Try reading what you’re replying to.”
2 Nephi 9:52
pray unto him continually by day
My name is Alex and I'm an Ex Mormon, and I am still living in Utah, so I am still pretty much a mormon. Notice the MORMON temple in the background? Notice that he is standing on the GENERAL CONFERENCE center of Mormons? Alex, bien fait.
Ah, Moroni's Challenge must be that one passage my classmate highlighted for me in the copy of the Book of Mormon she gave me. He's right about it.
My last two years of high school were spent in rural Utah and I had a hard time distinguishing truth from lies. Sometimes I feel like I should've moved away sooner.
actually, people have discovered geographical locations that coincide with ones talked about in the book of Mormon. Specific places that are specifically named in the book of Mormon and that had not yet been discovered in the 1800s. I wonder how Joseph Smith made that one up.
I'm in the process of becoming an ex mormon. I've seen a lot of these, and I did want to say something.
I may not believe in the church anymore, but I do think I believe in a God. Right now I guess I'd call myself an agnostic, actually. Just because you are leaving the church doesn't mean you need to become an atheist. Not that there's anything wrong with atheism, just don't think that there are only two options.
I don't really want replies to this, so please respect that.
I know deep down that I have a tiny leprechaun that follows me around and whispers in my ear. Whenever I try to see it though it disappears. You see how the "know deep down" argument is just as ridiculous as saying you know because of faith or because the bible says so?
The Mormon church didn't follow section 501 of US code Title 26 which states clearly that non-taxable organizations can be involved in "no substantial part of the activities of which is carrying on propaganda, or otherwise attempting, to influence legislation"
The Mormon church sent out letters to ALL LDS churchs in California. They aren't allowed to do that without being taxed. They aren't allowed to influence legislation whatsoever under the law.
Another way they broke the tax law. Sick.
I'm Brazilian and I'm not Mormon, therefore sorry if I'm in any way inconvenient but there's something that calls my attention in almost every Mormon-related speech: why do every Mormon must have a testimony about their church? I mean: if the church is true nobody actually needs to have a testimony about it, isn't that? This so-called "testimony" should be inherent to someone's life and actions because they just believe, or am I wrong? To me the simple fact that someone needs to talk about that to introduce him(her)self shows me that the person must always validate his(her) belief, constantly repeating to him(her)self: I must be a Mormon because nobody does believe that this church is true
My sister is gay. I've never heard her call herself lesbian only gay.
There isn't any drug addicts in the hierarchy either. We accept gay people we do not accept the act.
I am a Mormon and I know and believe this church is truth
I have really strong testimony.
Why do I have to define myself into a specific religious construct in order to be validated as a worshiper of the true God?
I asked God my self with true intention, because I wanted to know for my self, and I heard His voice, and He declared that He is my Father and The Church of Jesus Christ is His true Church. So Alex do not justified homosexuality is against of the true Gospel. God loves His children unconditionally, but He doesn't tolerate sin.
Everyone says 'I tried my hardest' but that's not good enough. Not for you, or anyone. Do it again, actually pray, read the scriptures, and you'll be set. There isn't a 'dammed' and a 'saved', you just have to 'save' yourself.
There must be an opposition in all things, we can only choose between good or evil, life or death, happiness or misery, life or death... so what you think you stand for right now?
it can take less than a day to ratify a resolution or it can take months. but that is just the signing of a form. a lot more goes into it than that.
I was talking about religious demographics. America is a heavily Christian nation (78.4%), just as India is heavily Hindu (80.5%). The likeliness of a child being raised by their parent's religion and adopting it for the rest of their lives is very high. This is nothing new. It's basic psychology and sociology. So, unless you're living under a rock, an individual's religious revelation likely being that of his/her parent's or cultures is far from "bogus" or unusual. It's extremely common.
I offer two ideas to consider:
first, consider that it would be appropriate to claim that the statistical likelihood of an existence after death is smaller than the likelihood that there is not such an existence. This would require proper statistical backing.
Second, consider the idea that science isn't the only source of truth. I personally believe there is a spiritual method of finding information that can be coupled with the scientific method in harmony. Both answer different questions.
Why would anybody want to challenge and harrass a lovely person like him for sincerely seeking after truth?
Way to go Alex; sounds like even at 7 yrs old you had a lot of integrity and intelligence; good luck and be well!!!
The point is to proclaim to everybody that being an ex-mormon does not bring untold misery like the church wants you to believe. No one is defining themselves here. People are becoming more reasonabl these days and it is time they left behind nonsense beliefs about the natural world and still live happy, peaceful and 'moral' lives.
I have wondered about the "burning of the bosom" My father is a Mormon as are a few of my friends. The scripture never tells us that evidence of the Holy Spirit is a warm sensation in the gut, but what we receive as a result of salvation. We see the evidence manifest itself through a life lived for Christ and the gifts that follow. I think the Mormon Church does itself more harm that good to teach the "The burning in the bosom"
In my early teens, I joined the Mormon church out of trying to keep the peace for my mother. I was baptized and tried to be active in the youth group and Sunday School, but I never really fitted in. I do believe in Jesus Christ and in God, but the LDS church was not for me and I left in my early 20's. I respect Mormons though, and people of all faiths. However, I'm a pagan and very happy being so.
C'mon man. The fact that mormonism cannot defend its beliefs does not mean other religions can.
Did you know there is an average of about 1.3 million earthquakes a year? Most people dont seem to realize this.
Nothing wrong with producing a 3 minute video to warn others.
I'd not say that was "groveling" in any way. Just doing a little something they feel obligated to do.
When asked, I feel obligated to tell what I know of organized evangelical baptist churches It's been my misfortune to attend.
I do this for the same reason he likely did. Not out of "groveling" but out of an honest desire to educate others so they may recognize and avoid evil.
Geographical location of birth can determine the likelihood of religious affiliation, and the statistical significance of this fact is largely ignored by the religious. There are outliers in the data as you point out, but it is an interesting thing to think about: if you were born in India, what foundational belief systems are you most likely to adhere to? Christianity? Muslim? Hinduism?
Also, you are using the "No True Scotsman" Fallacy when you call someone a "false Christian" for disbelief.
It's fascinating that the Mormon formula is "I know the church is true". From a Christian perspective - the church has both a human and divine character - and like people is not always true or right or strong. My faith is NOT in the church, as beautiful as it can be and as valuable as it is and as much as I love it. No- I'd have to say Jesus is always true. I am free to learn, explore and grow - but the notion of a perfect and soley true church is idolatry.
During those times, circumstances often became a matter of life and death, women in farm communities were often married very young. My great grandmother was married at 13. This doesn't mean that they had sex with them at that age, Men had honor and respect for women back then. How can you say blacks were never less worthy? Do you know what it takes to be worthy to hold the priesthood of God? You can wine about racism all you want. It is what it is.
It's when a member of the church leave because of a lack of testimoney. when so many others have one, the thing is not to make something looks bad to others people you have a problem. the problem is not the church, the problem is you.
I have a testimoney of the restored gospel.
How do you suggest bringing up this video to a friend of yours whom is questioning the church?
Hi ALex. I am an Ex-Mormons as well. Dont give up using logic and reasoning. Use it for everything. Test all things and hold fast to that which is good, which is true. Even test Science, Religons, Evolution, Creation. I am a Christian not by feeling alone. I try and use loigic and wisdom. There also need to be Love and Compaassion for others. The God I serve has no problem with people thinking things through. He is not unjust. Everyone needs to test what they believe. It is ok to do so.