All members of the LDS church know the position and attitude towards those who are deceived and fall away. Their attitude is that the church is true, the devil knows the church is true and tries to deceive as many people away from it as possible. Don't let the devil deceive you!!!!!!
All of those who "fall away" were once members and they know the churches attitude toward them. Think about this, LDS members, before you write condescending letters and comments to those who leave...
You might believe with all your being that the LDS church is true. But people willingly walk away from it every day. Why would they do that if they knew that they were going to be spending the rest of eternity with Satan? Why would they leave the church KNOWING how LDS members view those who walk away?
When a person discovers the truth for themselves and knows that they can no longer be Mormon, the thoughts that every one of them faces are these:
"I will be labeled."
"I will be lovebombed."
"I will be accused of sinning."
"I will be told I am deceived by Satan."
"I might be shunned by family and friends."
"I will be asked who offended me."
When a person leaves the church, knowing in advance what the social reprocussions will be, how easy, just is it, to walk away? How easy is it to abandon the only lifestyle you have ever known? You condescending LDS people write your damning letters and make false accusations. But did you ever stop to think about what that person is going through? Did you ever stop to think that they still love their LDS family and friends? Did you ever stop to think that they are terrified that those they love the most will speak ill of them and reject them?
Why would a person walk away knowing that they very well might lose their family? Their home? Their lifelong friends? Their job? Their reputation?
People who leave the church don't lose everything they have because god is punishing them. I've got news for you. They lose everything they have because the members of the only true church of Jesus Christ take it all away from them, and then make an example of them saying, "See? That's what happens when you turn your back on god."
When their own belief in Jesus dictates that they should show an increase of love, the LDS people dish out hell on those who leave at the most precarious time in their lives.
And it happens far too often. I get emails all the time from people who are leaving or questioning and they are heartbroken because their family now rejects them and refuses to support them.
Why would a person leave the church, knowing in advance what is most likely going to happen? For each person it is different. But to most, the threat of losing family, friends, home, job, and reputation is a worthy price to pay for intellecual freedom, self integrity, and "the truth".
So before you write that condescending "come back" letter, know that by sending it you are only reaffirming the reasons why that person left.
If some people are willing to sacrifice everything they have to get OUT of the LDS church, don't you think it's worth asking yourself, "Why?"
3 comments:
Good post. I wish I would have read something like this when I was so judgmental of those who left in my husbands family. It would be nice if a GA could touch on some of those points you mentioned, but.....
Great post!! I think this will come in handy in the near future...
I've never been a Mormon but based on what I've seen/heard I imagine leaving is very difficult. It takes a lot of courage to walk away, to stand on your own convictions and live accordingly. But we can do no less. My convictions lead me to Christ. But they mine and I must not impose them on others. That is what religious liberty is all about.
Christ said 'ye shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.' Truth always breaks the chains of bondage. When we find ouselves bound by lies walking away is the only way of escaping the bondage of those lies.
And often the cost of our freedom does not come cheap. Loss is almost always part and parcel.
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