Posted by:
forestpal
(
)
Date: February 17, 2020 12:10PM
Contrary to Cold-dodger's way of dealing with Mormons, I walked on eggshells around them. I left very quietly. I didn't tell any Mormons about my doubts or my resignation. They found out on their own, through the gossip mill. The ward was mad a me for quitting my calling as organist, but I was ill at the time, and also took a leave of absence from work, in order to go through the hospital treatments necessary for my recovery. My work colleagues were kind and understanding, unlike the Mormons, who gave me a hard time and started to harrass me about not working for them for free, anymore. I also didn't pay tithing during the time I wasn't working or earning any money. I returned to work in a few months, and have been well, ever since. My career is enjoyable and satisfying, and necessary. Church is NOT, I discovered.
Anyway, my point is that even if you are as nice and polite as you can possibly be, even if you are generous in allowing others to believe in anything they want (freedom of religion), even if you try as hard as you can to keep Mormon relationships viable--most often, you cannot. I realized that most of the ward "friendships" were only fake or assigned, in the first place. The shunning from my Mormon family members were the most hurtful. 10 years out, and I have 0--zero--Mormon friends in the old ward. All of my mother's half of the famiy are shunning me, and the half of my father's side are shunning me, and the other half of my father's family have left the cult, and we are close. My work colleagues are non-Mormons, and my good, loyal friends are non-Mormons. Some go as far back as high school. I have my children and grandchildren. Like Done & Done, I avoid my cult family, too, and am happier as a result. Who needs them?
I didn't discuss religion with anyone.
No Mormon has ever has ASKED ME why I left, Many Mormons have TOLD me why I left. You're right. They wouldn't listen anyway,
My point is, that there was nothing you could have done to keep those relationships that were doomed to fail, anyway. So, you might as well have had the satisfaction of telling them the Truth, warning them about the cult, and getting rid of some of your frustrations about the church. Perhaps your way is healthier. Now, I wish I had told some of them off. I wish I had called the police on them, a few times.
Don't take responsibility for "insulting" Mormons, when you were merely telling them how you feel. Even if you got angry at them--this is not the reason they are shunning you. They would have shunned you, anyway. It's just Mormon SOP.