Does anyone else feel like the church has ruined them for other churches? Like I have tried attending other mainstream Christian churches, but every time after a couple of meetings I just feel like (or am afraid it is) it's the same $h*t with a different smell. Like I can't put my heart into ANY church after having been so thoroughly betrayed by the mormon church. Any thoughts on that anyone? Is there church life after mormonism?

I can certainly identify from where you are coming.

Before my "conversion" to Mormonism I was already fairly religious and attended an Anglican church regularly.

The effect of the missionary teaching process was to effectively destroy my beliefs in my established organised religion, and replace it with "Mormon Christianity".

When I was eventually excommunicated in 1976 for apostasy after hearing about and investigating Elijah Abel and the Mormon beliefs about black people, and my faith in Mormonism was destroyed, all that was left was an empty hole.

Now I still have a very strong belief in God, and try to follow the teachings of Jesus, but have never been back to any church, and am not sure about anything else with regard to organised religion.

outin76

Don't throw the Baby Jesus out with the bath water

Just my take...

Truth is, the experience on the whole made me cynical of organized religion, which is optional for Christianity

Again, just my take
Your mileage may vary

Well from past experience... I would try shopping around a bit more. I have found sometimes that you not only have to check out different denominations but different congregations within them. Find somewhere you are comfortable and which cares for people and act in accordance with the sernon on the mount rather than just talking about it.

I've tried agnosticism and atheism, felt utterly miserable in those systems. I think despite their lack of belief, many of those persuasions are pushing objectionable agendas and looking up to bigots like Penn & Teller, Dawkins and Ricky Gervais.

As a socialist I am immediately turned off by any churches which have money as their prime focus. Especially most televangelists. I'm still actually active in the LDS (don't ask) but the LDS has some of these features. Ezra Taft Benson was a John Bircher...

Tell us how Atheism is a "system" and how Penn & Teller, Dawkins and Ricky Gervais are bigots.

It appears that YOU are the true bigot.

I got to Echo Dave the Atheist. I see nothing empty in this way of understanding our world. If there is no God, it doesn't mean it is tragic. I enjoy so many more things now than ever. Nothing sad going on here. Truth is what it is. You acknowledge and move on.

Oh yes.

I found myself 'church shopping' for a very long time after putting Mormonism down the garbage disposal.

I never found an actual Christian church I wanted to join. There were some we stayed with longer than others. One I might've joined but for our family moving away, and there was no church of that denomination where we moved to.

My staying or leaving depended on the teachings, and secondly, the spirit of the congregation ie, church body. Some churches had an absolutely DEAD spirit there was no denying. When other churchgoers would remark of the same problem as I'd noticed, I knew then it wasn't only me who felt it.

After having been Mormon, like you, I'm a really hard sell. And I still believe in Jesus.

Ironically I currently practice as a Jew. That's been my spiritual home now for more than seven years. It's the longest single congregation I've stayed with post-Mormonism.

Haven't let myself get too attached. I've become too skeptical of organized religion in general to do that. It's still good to have a church home where I can go to worship and fellowship - that it's a synagogue is fine by me. Jesus was Jewish too.

I met a kitchen worker at synagogue one day who is a Christian. He told me he has learned more about Christianity just working there, than he ever learned in Sunday School. I totally got what he meant. I feel the same way attending there myself.

I once went to a church for a while many years ago that I loved. I did feel the spirit there, we ran a soup kitchen and helped people. But we were few in number, met in a shack nore or less.

What happened was the pastor, who was unpaid by the way, had to move out of town for a new job. The denomination brought in a new pastor... he was totally unsuitable, swore in front of children and people fell out with him. He said some unkind words when I turned up slightly late to a prayer meeting and it left me with a bitter taste. That one guy managed to undo all the good work. The result was the place folded, the soup kitchen stopped and I have had virtually no contact with any since. A great shame. It was good while it lasted.

I have found one or two good churches elsewhere. One of them was in a place I was on vacation. I'll visit again. That was a good place although I have had issues with other places of the same denomination.

I'm still active in the LDS. I have tried looking elsewhere, and found slim pickings. A shame. Christianity needs to go back to its roots. I don't think I could do Judaism. I have visited the local synagogue - nice enough people but it felt like a lot of the traditional churches. I've also considered COC/RLDS but they don't exist round here - I want to try before I buy and I am aware of all the dirt in Mormon history anyway.

I tried RLDS with my children. They were baptized there together.

It is a more loving group than the LDS is. It has distanced itself from the LDS religion by design. It doesn't wish to be associated with it. Hence it changing its name to COC when it did.

It has its own peculiarities but felt less like a cult than Mormonism does. It tries to identify more with evangelical Christians than it does Mormons.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/26/2018 04:04PM by Amyjo.

It is just my opinion, but I fail to see how someone can critically and objectively analyze Joseph Smith and Mormonism but give a free pass to other religious movements. For me it becomes pretty obvious that all religion is a load of BS when you apply the same critical thinking and analysis that you used to examine Mormonism. So at least for me, yes, my examination of Mormonism, which led to my examination of other religions, has totally destroyed my ability to look at other churches and religions.

The trouble is that religion *does* fulfil certain needs for many people despite what some say. If we get rid of organized religion then we need something to replace it which has its good points but not its bad ones. I notice a lot of people retreat into sports, politics, militant atheism with a bigoted streak, quasi-religious New Age stuff (while denying it's religious), a utopian view of science as a non-abstract concept (which is the ideal not the reality), veganism etc

The modern world is sick precisely because it is disposing of religion without providing something in return. For me, shouting on ny favorite team, ranting about the other political party, or even going down Richard Dawkins road are not healthy. None of these quite fulfil the needs or are one sided.

I certainly cannot argue the point that religion does fill a need for certain people. I even agree that there are some good points to some religions. Personally I have not had many of the negative experiences with Mormonism that many others on here have experienced. My experiences with Mormonism are mostly good, which made recognizing its fallacies even harder. I can only speak for myself with regards to how I came to my conclusions. So far I have not found a sufficient replacement for organized religion. But I am having fun exploring other things.

I also think one needs to find some moderation in whatever a person decides to fill it with. Atheism is good, but militant atheism is not. Exercise is good, but becoming obsessed with it is not. And so on.

I feel pretty much the same as alsd. IMO, organized religions are the opinions of the person or persons who organized their thoughts or feelings as to the meaning of life, and to make a little money on the side. I don't remember who said this, but it goes something like: "If you want to make a lot of money, organize a religion". After being in the LD$ business/cult for 50 years, I don't have a desire to get into any other religion for now. I would like to feel that tribal companionship, but it didn't work well for us (me and my family) in TSCC. I've thought about trying Judaism and visiting a Synagog. I still believe in Yeshua, but it doesn't feel right yet to try out different churches.

L Ron Hubbard, founder of Scientology said that. But that is an American idea. Not all societies and religions are as capitalist as the American ones. I've been to churches thst were run on a "shoestring", with the pastor making no money but who achieved a lot with that little money.

Yes.
And with good reason.

What got me out of mormonism was ceasing to "believe" stories people told about gods and jesuses and holy ghosts and angels and such. And to treat them as I would any other fact claim -- regard them as without merit until/if there was evidence to show them correct.

When I did that, the mormon truth claims fell apart. Because there isn't any evidence to show them correct.

Like many others, once I got out of the cult, I "looked around" for another church to become part of. But with my new rational methods of claim-checking.

As it turns out, no other churches have any evidence for *their* god-spirit-angel-whatever claims, either. None. Not a shred. So I didn't just "believe" their stuff, either.

Then I found there are plenty of groups of people who get together to do kind, good things in the world. Without making a bunch of god-spirit claims. And they're terrific people, who mostly don't give a crap what you do or don't believe about claimed god-things, they just care about whether or not you're a kind, honest human being. I spend time with some of those groups now, as "community." It's both far more fulfilling than mormonism (or any other religion) ever was, and it doesn't require me to shut off my brain or make-believe that outrageous claims are "true."

No, there aren't plenty of groups doing good. There are very few.

Look at secular charities. They are run by highly paid execs in many cases. The English charity Oxfam is having a scandal just now about aid workers in Haiti offering charity help in return for sex.

If we get rid of religion we need something to replace it and the west hasn't done that. The Soviet Union tried and failed with Marxism because it was a dictatorship. Capitalism/consumerism is filled with false dreams too.

Some Name Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> No, there aren't plenty of groups doing good.
> There are very few.

Sorry, you're flat-out wrong.

> Look at secular charities. They are run by highly
> paid execs in many cases. The English charity
> Oxfam is having a scandal just now about aid
> workers in Haiti offering charity help in return
> for sex.

People are people, there will be scandals.
However, the three local ones I work with aren't run by "highly paid execs," they've never had any scandals, and over 94% of the money they take in goes back out to charity.

> If we get rid of religion we need something to
> replace it and the west hasn't done that.

I don't agree with that at all. In fact, I think it's a fallacy on its face (an unsupported bare assertion). Which makes attempts to "replace it" (like you mentioned) rather silly and worthless, doomed to failure right from the start because they began with the same false premise you did -- that we have to "replace religion."

I have spent a lot of time outside the church. Most people are not evil but very few of them go out of their way to help others. Many won't give the needy the time of day. And that is getting worse over time. Western society has destroyed a lot of community, even within families, care for the elderky is farmed out to businesses. There is a fine line between individualism and selfishness. A lot of people are now interested in themselves - you see that more and more on social media.

A lot of those wbo do care go off and work for charities. But those charities vary but many of them are just businesses. It's not just a few of them but most of them.

Replacing religion is NOT a fallacy. There is a modern stereotype that religion exists solely to control people, but as this board proves, people can leave. People are in religion because it fulfils various social and emotional needs. Sometimes it can be corrupt like those charities I just mentioned, but it also comforts those in distress, and can even help mental health too. (I have had depression and anti-depressants only deal with part of the problem.).

I was ar a seculae funeral recently and it was actually pretty miserable. It offered no hope, even false hope, or.comfort and it was a kind of juke box funeral. She might have well just ssid "he'll be ashes soon." Songs on a radio - no audience participation. Even an LDS funeral does better than that. Oddly enough the mother hinted that she had some kind of contact from him in how to organize the funeral so even irreligious people hold onto some beliefs.

My keyboard is awful - excuse the typos.

I understand that you have personal experiences in your little corner of the world that inform your opinions.

I'm simply pointing out that generalizing those to everyone and the whole world probably isn't a good idea, and certainly isn't valid.

One reason is that my experiences in my little corner of the world almost completely contradict yours. People are more than willing to help each other out. Most folks where I live aren't obsessively selfish, or any of the other things you seem to think are endemic to the world. Now, of course, my little corner of the world doesn't reflect the entire world any more than yours does...but my little corner does show your generalizations invalid. :)

And, yes -- still a bare assertion (that we must replace religion with something). Yes, in some people religion serves various social/emotional purposes (though I think you go way to far calling them "needs." "Wants" would be more accurate). But not in all people. And even in those who want those things, to simply assume that they MUST be replaced with something similar if they lose religion is indeed a bare assertion. As above, my personal experience disproves the generalization -- I didn't replace religion with anything, and my social/emotional status is just fine. I know hundreds of other people in the same situation.

Perhaps you might consider that educating people about social pressures to conform, and ways they can be emotionally satisfied WITHOUT a religion are options that are at least as viable as "replacing religion," and possibly even "better." Which, of course, means we do not after all have to "replace religion." We can move past a desire for it instead.

My little corner of the world... now you're beginning to get personal. The problem with charities is worldwide. I have seen the exact same issues on *more than one* continent. Charities are meant to take care of people/things but end up influenced by the businesses and governments that cause much of the trouble in the first place.

If we get rid of religion we do need something which will emulate its good points. Because the sterility of secular capitalism is evident in its artistic/cultural bankruptcy and also the fact it can only survive by heavily doping up its people. Modern secular society is a lonelier and lonelier place, and largely uninspiring. Suicide rates and single occupancy of homes has gone up at the same time as the collapse of religion. It is no coincidence. Some needs are just not being fulfilled by modern society.

In some cities, the churches do most of the work with the homeless. The secular charities do some but not on tbe same scale. Government projects tend to rely on political whims. The Salvation Army does consistently more in many cities than local government.

Many of the best artistic creations out there - and I know this is subjective (true artistic appreciation always is!) - were inspired partly by religion. In the secular world, they tend to be inspired mainly by money. The less religious the world has become, the cruder much of its architecture has become. There are exceptions - the Guggenheim galleries, but our biggest buildings have become unadorned boxes.

Oddly enough, as the rest of the world secularizes many religious buildings have also become blander - look at LDS chapels as a case in point. I think the cultural blandness of the LDS is one of the biggest points against it, although I like some of the music, temple buildings and a few of the temples. But it too has become victim of a Henry Fordist production line idea of religion based on rationalization rather than need.

* A few of the paintings even.

Yes, there are charities that are wasteful, have problems, and don't do what they say they'll do.
There are also charities that aren't any of the above.
You're including the latter in the former category -- generalizations like that (as I gave you examples of) are proven false by one counterexample.

I also completely disagree with your claims of "sterility" and such. That's fine, we can agree to disagree. But, as before, one counterexample proves false your generality...and in this case, I'm the counterexample.

Oh, and "your little corner of the world" wasn't personal. Just factual. Notice I applied the same characterization to myself...because it's also factual.

Have a nice day.

The comedian Steven Wright tells the joke, "I have the largest shell collection in the world. I keep them stored on beaches all around the world. Perhaps you've seen it."

I take the same approach to religion. I am a Christian and fellow members meet in churches all around the world. Some are called Catholics, Baptists, or a number of different names. What unites us is far more important than what divides us. Apart from that, it is just a question of local organization for friendship and collective action.

My husband & I thought we were too true Christian to be Mormon.
So we went to a community church....even took the "Believers" class.
But the judgmental attitude turned my away......quickly.

Couples living together were condemned....sinful.
And "alternate" life styles were a sin.

Gays were definitely not accepted.

Walked away and never went back.

I did like the music....

That was years ago.

I don't need a religion....love is all I need.

KJ/Tutu

Mormonism is closer to New Age religion in many respects than it is to traditional Christianity.

That may be another reason why it's so difficult for ex-Mormons to bridge that gap between Mormonism and traditional Christian faith.

In some respects Amy Jo, but sacrament meeting is close to what many Protestant churches do.

Some Name Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> In some respects Amy Jo, but sacrament meeting is
> close to what many Protestant churches do.

A key difference is Protestant follows the bible. Mormonism has its own bible in the Mormon works. The literal bible takes back seat to the Mormon bible.

Protestantism follows the literal bible. The bible tells us to beware of false prophets (Joseph Smith, Brigham Young, et al.) That they come as wolves in sheep's clothing to devour the followers of God. It also says to not add to the scriptures, or take away from them. That anyone who does that is a deceiver, and not of the Lord. The bible is the bar the BoM can't hold a candle to.

I was a Christian before I briefly became Mormon (at the insistence of my husband, now ex-husband), and I am a Christian still. I find the message of Christ to be so much more fulfilling and loving than the legalism involved in Mormonism.

I'm non-denominational and don't attend a church. But I do believe the basic Christian message and find hope in it.

So is there there non-christian life after mormonism ?

Yes, I'm aware of several members that went down that route locally.

I think it works for many exmos because the expectations are few and the doctrine is practically non-existent, just nice music, general uplifting sermons about kindness and respect, and plenty of fun activities.

They have official principles like respecting the earth and caring for humanity, but none of them caused problems for me.

I liked that no one expected me to worship Jesus or any other person and no one thought it was a sin to miss meetings or not volunteer my time.

I've hooked up with one of the Great and Abominables (The Episcopal Church USA).

I've found a focus on service and non judgmental acceptance of all (at least in my parish). Its been quite refreshing, actually.

Three of the 4 exmos I know all joined Christian religions.

I believe they are did it for the 'community aspect'. One was a good singer so it was hard for him to give up 'singing gospel music' in church.

I was the only one that 'looked' but didn't leap mainly due to my 'spiritual experiences'.

I still believe in God, after life, etc. but, I find I can get 'closer' to 'spirit/divine' through meditation, music, nature, 'awareness practice', etc.

I have had far more 'spiritual' experiences outside of Mormonism than when a Mormon in a significantly less time.

I am surrounded by Christian friends that are great and even have donated some funds to 'worthy causes' in some churches.

In 30 plus years I have never found a religion that was not the beliefs, ideas and opinions of people mingled with philosophy, mythology and a social agenda.

I have no trouble allowing for a god. I just can't believe he takes attendance and cares if I drink tea.

I have definitely given up on the whole church thing at least for now. But lately i have been open to a higher power without the church part. Things always get muddied and meddled when church is in the middle.

I share what appears to be the majority experience here. My family and I tried several Christian churches after leaving Mormonism but did not find them satisfying. For me the question of authority mattered, not in the sense that I believed anyone possessed it but insofar as the other churches seemed more like social clubs with no real focus.

Ironically, one of the local churches was flexible on virtually everything--except, it turned out, homosexuality. I don't know why this generally liberal congregation chose that single issue on which to take a stand. But there you are. It didn't really matter in my case because I have other sources of spiritual nourishment: music, art, nature, community, family. There are lots of places one can go for many of the advantages of religion and religious community.

I'd like, however, to raise a different question, one that may be relevant. In the case of those like us, who have left all-encompassing religions, it seems that the disaffection there gets in the way of our adopting new religions. But is that necessarily the case? In most of the developed world, people are leaving religion in droves; some of them were not actively religious beforehand, others were active believers, but all of them ultimately opt for secular life.

Would a lot of us not be like them? Would we not be having trouble finding religions that are comfortable, or even have given up years or decades ago? It could be that our departures from Mormonism make us think that that experience ruined us for religion, but it may well be that we would have ended up in the same place even if we did not come from an LDS background. Ex-Mormons are not alone in feeling comfortable in organized faiths.

When I do something good,I feel good
When I do something bad,I feel bad
That is my religion- Abraham Lincoln

This is the only thing I try to do because it is logical.Religions are not logical to me with all the dogma ,immoral beliefs in scripture like condoning slavery. I might go to a church just for informational purposes but will never be a member of any church ever again.

It's scary, to me, to make a commitment after the fiasco of Mormonism. I have found a church that I like to attend, but I keep backing out of joining up.

Although it will never be at the Scientific-Method level of proof that many ex-Mo's appear to be looking for, in my researches I have found some evidences which back up the Bible. Enough to satisfy me, as compared to the BoM and book of Abraham, which offer nothing at all. I know that there are things which don't make much sense scientifically, such as Adam and Eve being the first people and the world-wide flood. But there is some archaeological evidence, manuscript evidence, even DNA evidence. For many this is paltry, but for me it is enough to stick around, have faith, and keep attending a church.

The former commitment to Mormonism so burned me that commitment to another church is frightening and impossible, for now. I still can't believe how many years I gave tithes to a fake, looney church. Why was I so stupid? In the pre-internet years, they told us there was archaelogical evidence for the BoM and that the Smithsonian Institute was interested in it at least partly. I don't remember who told me these things; I guess they floated around as Mormon urban legends. I was angry and shocked when I found out that they were not true.

try Jesus OPie ~


https://youtu.be/HMzZYkEGywI

Found astronomy, botany, anthropology, philosophy, geology, psychology, sociology, biology, etc. etc. etc.

Lost Mormonism.. Studied other beliefs, historicity of Jesus, etc. etc. etc.

Came to the conclusion that has brought me freedom, discovery, critical thinking, questioning, etc. etc. which is that religion has been and still is created by man to quiet fear and answer the hard questions of life.....

Why are we here? Where did we come from? What happens when we die?

Found joy, happiness and fulfillment free from organized religion.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/27/2018 03:19AM by presleynfactsrock.