October 10, 2012
I am a little angry right now and need to vent:
I have left the church and would love to leave it alone if it weren't for the continued lies and manipulations performed by the church. I resigned while living in a small town after serving in the Bishopric. I felt a responsibility to make my decision my own and not try to illuminate everyone's mind as to why I was leaving. I felt like my position was one of influence and had no desire to hurt the ward or its members. I did not want to hurt the individuals that seem to be comfortable with their faith and their understanding of what the church is. I was angry with the church and felt hurt because I was lied to and manipulated and worst of all my wife and children were lied to and manipulated. My leaving has cost me friendships and some ...
I have left the church and would love to leave it alone if it weren't for the continued lies and manipulations performed by the church. I resigned while living in a small town after serving in the Bishopric. I felt a responsibility to make my decision my own and not try to illuminate everyone's mind as to why I was leaving. I felt like my position was one of influence and had no desire to hurt the ward or its members. I did not want to hurt the individuals that seem to be comfortable with their faith and their understanding of what the church is. I was angry with the church and felt hurt because I was lied to and manipulated and worst of all my wife and children were lied to and manipulated. My leaving has cost me friendships and some ...
once very close family ties are now distant. Those friends and family that have found it so hard to accept the minimal evidence that I shared can not believe the factual history regarding the church and it leaves them confused and worried for me and my ability to guide my family. I accepted all that and was losing my bitterness for the church until this weekend.
The church managed to do me harm even while I am not a member. By the numerous talks that told my literaly believing already struggling less accepting friends and family that 1) there is no real historical concern 2) Historical facts that are concerning about the church are simply lies 3) I need to repent of such investigations 4) avoid all of that research and investigation because it is sin 5) the middle way is wrong.
They successfully reinforced ignorance, fear, and lies to the detriment of my relationship with active friends and family all to maintain their authority and hide their shame. They lied to cover the lies and in doing so drove a deeper wedge into my relationships with active church members. What is the result of this behavior? Bitterness, dissappointment, frustration, and an overwhelming desire to educate the world regarding Mormon history! Now I don't want to exit the church I want the church to be educated. If you are a person that knows this history and decides to stay that's fine you are making an educated decision, the wisdom of which can be debated on another post, but at least you are informed.
The church managed to do me harm even while I am not a member. By the numerous talks that told my literaly believing already struggling less accepting friends and family that 1) there is no real historical concern 2) Historical facts that are concerning about the church are simply lies 3) I need to repent of such investigations 4) avoid all of that research and investigation because it is sin 5) the middle way is wrong.
They successfully reinforced ignorance, fear, and lies to the detriment of my relationship with active friends and family all to maintain their authority and hide their shame. They lied to cover the lies and in doing so drove a deeper wedge into my relationships with active church members. What is the result of this behavior? Bitterness, dissappointment, frustration, and an overwhelming desire to educate the world regarding Mormon history! Now I don't want to exit the church I want the church to be educated. If you are a person that knows this history and decides to stay that's fine you are making an educated decision, the wisdom of which can be debated on another post, but at least you are informed.
