Friday, December 20, 2013

Name Removal Process, Update 2

Last night I was sitting at home enjoying myself when my bishop stopped by unannounced to drop off a letter to me.  Why it couldn't be mailed, I don't know.

In my resignation letter, I specifically asked to receive no contact other than mail.  I informed them in very clear language that "...personal visits ... are not necessary and will not be entertained."

Right now I live with a family member, and when I received a knock on my door telling me that the bishop was here to see me, I actually refused to go out.  If they can't respect my request to leave me alone, then I have no guilt about giving them a complete cold shoulder.  Besides, I also stated in my letter that "I no longer recognize any priesthood authority over me."  They have no right to come to my home, against my express wishes, and think that I have to entertain them.  The beauty of resigning is that I no longer have to acquiesce to their demands.

Now, the letter that the bishop came by to deliver.. He wanted to hand it to me personally, but since I wouldn't go see him, it was left for me.  The letter is one brief paragraph explaining that resigning cancels all the effects of baptism, confirmation, priesthood, and temple blessings, and that if I wish to rescind, I need to write a letter to the stake president within 30 days.

So, a 30 day waiting period.  In my resignation letter, I also specifically asked that this matter be handled promptly with "no waiting periods."  It seems that they just can't respect any of my requests!  Ask me if I am surprised...

In this church, members do not request things of the leaders; the leaders request things of the members.  So I'm not surprised at all that they can't honor my requests.  They don't view me or anyone as a human being with feelings.  I am a sheep to them; and sheep do not command the shepherd.

Now, since I stayed in my room for this entire visit, I am going to relay the story of what happened as it was told to me.

My brother in law was enjoying a beer as he answered the door.  He said that he immediately felt uncomfortable as he could feel a huge amount of judgment and disdain from them the moment they entered the house.  This brother in law is a nevermo, so he is not aware of how the church really operates.  Fortunately, they didn't try to ask questions and pry (that's a first).

I let him read the letter and he was shocked saying, "They take away your blessings?"  Yes, they do.  If they can't control you, they take it all away to make sure that you suffer for eternity for your non-compliance.  The more I think about this church, the more I despise it.

Most other Christian religions will honor a baptism even if it was performed in a different denomination.  Not Mormons.  It is now as if I was never baptized, and all of my former sins are now placed back upon me.  Truly, the Mormon god is a despicable deity.  He does not forgive and forget.  He holds your sins over your head and uses them to blackmail people into conformity.

I'm just hoping that they got the message and don't ever come back.  I was hopeful that I could walk away from the church with at least a shred of respect for the local leadership.  But nope, they have proved that they are just as cold and disrespectful as the rest of the church.

I'm thinking about writing a letter to the stake president asking him (again) to forego the 30 day waiting period.. But that would just be a waste of a stamp as they have already demonstrated that they can't honor one simple request from me.

8 comments:

Brad said...

What you describe is pretty much what happened to me. I wanted to keep that whole process confidential so that I could tell my family on my own terms. But, that's not what happened.

Apparently, they follow their own MO independent of whatever is written in the letter. But, by law, the minute they receive your letter you are no longer a member. I wish they would follow their own 11 article of faith without making a production out of it.

11th article of faith: We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.

Mormon411 said...

Exactly, Brad! Part of my letter also explicitly requested that they handle this matter CONFIDENTIALLY!

The family I live with is aware of my views so at least the cat wasn't let out of the bag.

And let's not forget the 12th Article of Faith which states, "We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law."

The LAW states that I am no longer a member but they sure don't seem to think they are subject to that one!

Heather said...

Oooohhhhh man. How annoying. They push and push boundaries and limits don't they?

Mormon411 said...

Yes they do, Heather. I'm just hoping that's the last of it.

senigami said...

Man, it seems like it would have been so much easier to be ex-communicated!

Mormon411 said...

Haha! Yes, I'm beginning to think so too!

Andrew Hall said...

I'm not surprised that they would want to make the process as uncomfortable for you as possible. Of course, I'm sorry to hear that you have to go through this crap.

Mormon411 said...

Hi Andrew, other than the unannounced visit, it really hasn't been that bad. But still, it would be nice if they would just promptly process everything and get it done. It's going on two months now since I sent in my resignation. That's more than enough time. Especially since my letter is just sitting on a stake president's desk somewhere waiting for the 30 days to expire. Oh well, it is what it is. Bitching about it won't change anything. They clearly don't respect people and that's not about to change. Only another reason why I'm glad I'm out.