As my name says, I am a nevermo, and stumbled across this website while trying to figure out one of their doctrines. In the past I had studied about Mormonism, and know a lot of the basics.

I'm a former evangelical Christian who got stuck for many years in a cultish group. I got out of the group when we moved about 9 years ago, and out of churches for good about 8 years ago. It's been pretty traumatizing to me. I can't say I really have faith in anything now. However, it has been terribly hard because my husband and I moved hundreds of miles away from my normal family and normal friends as well as the cultish group. I've generally had to do this on my own, except for a few attempts with other forums. My husband is still a churchgoer.

I've been lurking for a couple of days, and I really feel a connection here. I've gone through so many of the same situations. This seems like it would be a good place for me right now. Can I stay for a bit?

Welcome. Been here for years, learned a lot.

you can only stay here if you are a mormon or a non-mormon.

And if you post, or don't post.

You should also definitely agree with other opinions, or not agree.

We have other never Mos here. One is even a site administrator.

So sure, feel free to jump in. Then there are lurkers who just like to peek in. I do a little of both. :)

Welcome to RfM!

I took a vote and Miss Kitty and I both say sure! You obviously have a bit of 'wacky' in you or there wouldn't be any pull at all to staying. It's on that basis that my cat and I affirmed you. So, don't hide the 'wack'!!

Welcome aboard and I hope you have a good time!

awwww
Like Steven Hassan said in Releasing the bonds, it's good to get to know the experiences of other exmembers of other cults besides the one you had to deal with

Also if we start posting using acronyms, names, abbreviations or rites which you may want more information on or clarity, let us know.

There really are no silly questions, especially for non-Mos or even young converts. We tend to use terms or names and assume all know what we're talking about, so if you have questions let us know.

Thank you all. I just registered now, wouldn't let me use any caps, but here I am. I really appreciate the welcome (and I am sure my cats do too, elderolddog).

kinevermo Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Thank you all. I just registered now, wouldn't let
> me use any caps, but here I am.

I think you can go back and edit your screen name for caps, spaces, etc. Try it.

Yes! Thank you so much!

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/06/2015 07:59AM by KiNeverMo.

And... Learning how to use this board, lol...



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/06/2015 08:00AM by KiNeverMo.

Lots to learn here, stimulating conversation, references and links, humor and occasional grief. And lots of cool people.

One thing you will notice: even though there might be a few barbs thrown here and there and lots of differences of opinions, when someone shows up hurting, they are embraced with love and support like nobody's business.

It's a wonderful community.

Will Twinker be at ex-Mo conference?

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/06/2015 07:42PM by Twinker.

Hi, there - come on in!! I am also a nevermo and have been here for three years. It's a good group.

-Sunny

GREAT to meet you mate!!!

Nice to meet you :-)

I'm a nevermo too and I've been coming here for 8 years because, I agree, it has a fine selection of people with a great capacity for empathy and sympathy, as well as a highly-developed sense of humour.

Looking forward to reading your posts

Tom in Partis

I'm also a nevermo. Been here for about thirteen years. ;) Welcome!

He's recovering from growing up in the Church of God and feels the connection here, too.

Stay as long as you like. We're glad to have you.

Thank you all very much! I'm looking forward to getting involved. :) Hopefully this posted in the right place, please bear with me, lol.

Hey, kinevermo!welcome to the board!! There are some great people here!

Welcome. You posted in the right place!

Absolutely, as long as you are respectful.

By the sounds of it, you have gone through the same thing as we have. A cult by another name is still a cult, right?

A cult is a cult is a cult. Glad your here.

Welcome...!!!!!

We've had other non mormons through out the years.

it makes for a good mix. Enjoy.

Thanks everyone. I was in a cultish group for about 15 years, so it has been tough, been through a lot. A lot of loss, a lot of guilt, a lot of pain.

I'll probably start some threads soon. This site has already helped me a bit, seeing how things can be so similar even if doctrine is different. I guess it helps me see how some things are probably more psychological than spiritual, if that makes sense.

Tell us about the loss, guilt and pain? Share the experience.

My transition has been very long. I grew up a true blue baptized and confirmed believer, served a faithful mission in the Deep South, married, had five children etc., etc. My story isn't unique, so I'll spare you the details. The house of cards began to crumble when I'd ask questions, the answers didn't satisfy. Blessings seemed rather haphazard rather than the "...receipt of any blessing being predicated by obedience to specific laws..."

For example, obeying the Word of Wisdom exactly and still being struck with amazing health challenges did not sit well with me.

Hm, to be brief, we backed off from friends and family that weren't "believers", because we believed the church was our
"real" family. So guilt and bad feelings for ever being such an jerk, for one. Thankfully, most fences have been mended, except for a sister (also in said cultish group) who went bonkers, cut off all ties with friends and family and is now in what seems to be a cult of 2 people. :/ Definitely a huge loss there, I had thought we were very close, but obviously I was mistaken, she must have been hiding a lot of her feelings for some time.

Let's see, also the surprise and dismay when said "church family" wasn't there for me, except to judge me for not going to every church function my husband did, and for expecting some help from my husband with our newborn when I should have been doing every single thing for her to free him up for ministry.

In addition, the only really approved reading material was the Bible, there were mom's groups to become a better wife (how come there were never any groups for men to become better husbands?), and people who were hurting (not just myself, but some members in bad situations with their husbands) were picked apart spiritually.

So, those are some basics, too much to detail right now, but I did want to give some basics. Thanks for your interest. :)

To you I say welcome. You may not quite follow a lot of the stuff discussed here but the more general religious adjustment type topics and those types of awful religious experiences that apply to most beliefs you will find comfort in.

That said, there may be other general atheistic/deistic type forums that are more current and more fitting to your experiences available to you. But if it is the community that you enjoy here, I can personally attest to the awesome community of Exmormon.org

So Welcome.

Welcome, welcome!

RFM has posters of all denominations, no denominations, married, single, divorced, gay, straight, people in transition between religions, genders, marital status. We have cynics, cut-ups, parents, children of dysfunctional families, abuse survivors, apologists, PhD's, and pet lovers of all ages, races, and locations.

Already, you fit at least 3 of these categories, right?

I have learned far more than just Mormonism, here! I have received love and support, here. We understand each other, and if we don't we might argue a bit, but it's no big deal. You can be yourself, here.

No Mo here, lurker for bout 2 years. This site is in my top 5 favorite sites. I love this forum and check in almost daily. As a Never Mo, I don't really feel like I have as much to give/add as others do here. But, I do know that I have received lots in return. Learning, compassion, humor, etc.

Pull up a chair and stay awhile. We have a bunch of wonderful posters here. They will make you laugh and make you cry. Life is a journey and I'm glad yours has found you here. No matter how long you stay here, one thing is for sure, you will be forever changed.