16 May '19 03:30>
@hakima saidI had heard that shunning was a part of the theology -- I guess that I must stand partially corrected! I am glad that you did not experience any of this, but this is why there are people who say that shunning is a common enough occurrence -- so your statement "No where in Mormon theology nor policy is there any indication that families should shun those who choose to leave[/i] is not an entirely accurate statement, either.
I am the eldest of eight siblings raised in the Mormon church. My parents determined to provide us with as much of a diverse opportunity to know and explore our own minds and consciences as possible. We had regular discussions around the dinner table about religious ideas and were free to speak our minds. To date, exactly half of us have left the church, but not one is shunned ...[text shortened]... apada or the Bhagavadgita. I find tgat I glean from each as much as I bring when I open their pages.
A parade of anti-Christs, anti-Mormons, and apostate groups have appeared on the scene. Many are still among us and have released new floods of lies and false accusations. These faith-killers and testimony-thieves use personal contacts, the printed word, electronic media, and other means of communication to sow doubts and to disturb the peace of true believers…Avoid those who would tear down your faith. Faith-killers are to be shunned. The seeds which they plant in the minds and hearts of men grow like cancer and eat away the Spirit.
Drugs, drink, pornographic materials, and subculture associations are also escape routes. …Shun those who would build themselves by destroying others.
Essential to your success and happiness is the advice "Choose your friends with caution." We tend to become like those whom we admire, and they are usually our friends. We should associate with those who, like us, are planning not for temporary convenience, shallow goals, or narrow ambition—but rather with those who value the things that matter most, even eternal objectives.
In my own exodus from Mormonism the culture of shunning quickly became apparent, from formerly close siblings who quit communicating with me, to a bishop who encouraged my (now ex) wife to divorce me. Within weeks of leaving, very few ward members would even talk to me. Several times, when I was grocery shopping, a ward member would see me, turn around and go the other way. It was heart rending. This is not an uncommon occurrence as reported to me by many of my ex-Mormon friends.
@bigdoggproblem saidConflicts between people holding religious beliefs has been and still is one of the biggest drivers of war, death and entrenched partisan hatred for millennia. Calling the deeply held beliefs of billions of people “fairy tales” and the interactions between them “no biggie” is a bit of a whodeyism.
A conflict between assorted fairy tales. No biggie.
@eladar saidAren't you, by your own definition, "abusing" and "attacking" Mormons, though?
Moonbus wanted to know if I knew anything about Mormon beliefs so I started this thread.
@eladar saidI'm talking about how you appeared to define being "abusive" and "attacking" someone's beliefs in the exchange on moonbus and his sister. Far from supposedly not being able to tell any difference, I seem to be more able to recall and discern the implications of the hypocritical things you blurt out than you are.
@FMF
No. If I were to call it a fairy tale or something like that then yes. But to contrast what I believe with what they believe is not abusive at all.
Sad you cannot tell the difference.
@eladar saidI’m a Christian like you and I believe different things to you about Christianity and you have previously advised me (several times) that I will be going to Hell because of that.
@FMF
No. If I were to call it a fairy tale or something like that then yes. But to contrast what I believe with what they believe is not abusive at all.
Sad you cannot tell the difference.
@divegeester saidHe has also stated that he doesn't care if people go to hell, which seems a tad incongruous with the whole 'love thy neighbour' thing.
I’m a Christian like you and I believe different things to you about Christianity and you have previously advised me (several times) that I will be going to Hell because of that.