Did juliann Contribute to an Apostasy?

[_Mister Scratch]

Those who have been following the exploits of "Suffers from McCog-Dis" on the fittingly named MADboard know that she has lately been directing her special brand of malign zeal towards a fellow poster named "Maggie Mormon" (or at least she was named Maggie Mormon.) It turns out that, in a reversal of the well-known "Moroni's Challenge" technique of conversion, Maggie was deconverted by God:

This morning (Thursday 5/3/07) God lead me out of the Church. I no longer consider myself LDS but have no clue what to do, where God wants me, or what I'm supposed to be doing with myself now.

How interesting! Further, it seems intriguing that Maggie, who has been more or less relentlessly hounded and picked on by juliann, may have been partially "pushed out" of the Church by the Wrong-headed Wench! It was hardly more than a couple of weeks ago that juliann was taking potshots at Maggie about some comment Maggie had made about her ward, comments which were apparently made quite a long time ago. Moreoever, most of us are well aware of the treatment that questioning members routinely receive from the MAD heavy hitters. Is this yet another bit of evidence that LDS apologetics and apologists actually cause more apostasy than they prevent? Regardless, it seems that "Maggie the Former Mormon" has become a very painful thorn in juliann's side:

For example, I heard someone today speak of leaving the church as "grieving" and that there were several stages of grief. I could totally relate to that! Everyone has different stages and lengths that they endure these stages, but they go through these stages (atleast I hope they do) with God by their side. The ex-Mormon only allows the LDS church to have as much power in their lives (and offense) as they give it.

So why do you identify yourself as "the former Mormon"? That is giving the church a lot of power...in fact, the ultimate power. It will be your identity until you choose your own. No wonder you say you are "fumbling in the dark". And just a hint...to change to that screenname followed up by a tagline proclaiming God led you out of Mormonism while you are in a Mormon forum is in very poor taste to say the least ....regardless of the truth of it.

It seems that juliann's homespun theories about Church exiters continue to erode. Perhaps TBMs will add another possibility to their list of reasons why people leave the LDS Church? E.g., sin, being offended, told to do so by God? Now that would be something.... Also, I am curious as to why juliann finds Maggie's SN and tagline to be "in poor taste"?

[_Runtu]

I don't know that I'd say Juliann contributed to an apostasy, but I missed that exchange. Last I had seen, Maggie Mormon was getting it from all sides. It sounded like they thought she was a sockpuppet/troll to me, but I could be wrong. I hope MM gets through what will no doubt be a difficult period. I wouldn't want to go through that again.

[_Trinity]

I hate to agree with Juliann, but I think Maggie pretty much had her mind made up that she was leaving prior to ever showing up on that board.

I have to add that I am absolutely entertained when someone claims that God told them not to be Mormon. It doesn't happen that someone is so bold to state such a thing. Talk about the most ultimate blow to the Mormon concept of revelation.

[_Runtu]

I hate to agree with Juliann, but I think Maggie pretty much had her mind made up that she was leaving prior to ever showing up on that board.

I have to add that I am absolutely entertained when someone claims that God told them not to be Mormon. It doesn't happen that someone is so bold to state such a thing. Talk about the most ultimate blow to the Mormon concept of revelation.

I think that's why they suspected a troll/sockpuppet. But yeah, I think you're right (egads, I'm agreeing with Juliann. ack!).

[_The Dude]

I have to add that I am absolutely entertained when someone claims that God told them not to be Mormon. It doesn't happen that someone is so bold to state such a thing. Talk about the most ultimate blow to the Mormon concept of revelation.

It would be a blow if it came from someone who seemed legitimate. Coming from this person and the impression she made on the board, it isn't quite credible. I'm not saying she's a troll. She may be a totally sincere flake.

[_Runtu]

It would be a blow if it came from someone who seemed legitimate. Coming from this person and the impression she made on the board, it isn't quite credible. I'm not saying she's a troll. She may be a totally sincere flake.

I didn't pay much attention to her other than to note that she pissed a few people off at various times.

[_Mary]

I've been generally following Maggie Mormon's threads. (not all of them)
I don't think she had made up her mind about leaving the church at all.

I think that she is very young (I checked out her blog), searching and in need of support.
I don't think that (for whatever reason, justified or not) she got it from the Mad Board.

It's not the place to go for young wavering LDS in my opinion. You need a tough skin to remain there
whatever side of the fence you are sitting on.

I may not always agree with Juliann, but I do respect her and I respect that she says it how she sees it.
At the end of the day, Maggie will sort through all this I'm sure and find peace.

I wish her well on her journey wherever it leads.

Mary

[_Sam Harris]

Those who have been following the exploits of "Suffers from McCog-Dis" on the fittingly named MADboard know that she has lately been directing her special brand of malign zeal towards a fellow poster named "Maggie Mormon" (or at least she was named Maggie Mormon.) It turns out that, in a reversal of the well-known "Moroni's Challenge" technique of conversion, Maggie was deconverted by God:

This morning (Thursday 5/3/07) God lead me out of the Church. I no longer consider myself LDS but have no clue what to do, where God wants me, or what I'm supposed to be doing with myself now.

How interesting! Further, it seems intriguing that Maggie, who has been more or less relentlessly hounded and picked on by juliann, may have been partially "pushed out" of the Church by the Wrong-headed Wench! It was hardly more than a couple of weeks ago that juliann was taking potshots at Maggie about some comment Maggie had made about her ward, comments which were apparently made quite a long time ago. Moreoever, most of us are well aware of the treatment that questioning members routinely receive from the MAD heavy hitters. Is this yet another bit of evidence that LDS apologetics and apologists actually cause more apostasy than they prevent? Regardless, it seems that "Maggie the Former Mormon" has become a very painful thorn in juliann's side:

For example, I heard someone today speak of leaving the church as "grieving" and that there were several stages of grief. I could totally relate to that! Everyone has different stages and lengths that they endure these stages, but they go through these stages (atleast I hope they do) with God by their side. The ex-Mormon only allows the LDS church to have as much power in their lives (and offense) as they give it.

So why do you identify yourself as "the former Mormon"? That is giving the church a lot of power...in fact, the ultimate power. It will be your identity until you choose your own. No wonder you say you are "fumbling in the dark". And just a hint...to change to that screenname followed up by a tagline proclaiming God led you out of Mormonism while you are in a Mormon forum is in very poor taste to say the least ....regardless of the truth of it.

It seems that juliann's homespun theories about Church exiters continue to erode. Perhaps TBMs will add another possibility to their list of reasons why people leave the LDS Church? E.g., sin, being offended, told to do so by God? Now that would be something.... Also, I am curious as to why juliann finds Maggie's SN and tagline to be "in poor taste"?

I'm sure Juliann will say that I was long gone before she started her tirade on me, but her behavior on FAIR was one of the reasons why I left for good. I realized that underneath some of these smiling faces I saw each sunday were folks like her, and that both hurt and scared the hell out of me.

Juliann does FAR more damage than she does good.

[_Sam Harris]

I hate to agree with Juliann, but I think Maggie pretty much had her mind made up that she was leaving prior to ever showing up on that board.

I have to add that I am absolutely entertained when someone claims that God told them not to be Mormon. It doesn't happen that someone is so bold to state such a thing. Talk about the most ultimate blow to the Mormon concept of revelation.

I think I in essence said the same thing, though perhaps I worded it differently. My thoughts at the time were very long and drawn out. I prayed and pretty much got the message that I needed to leave if I was gonna be happy, that the church was not where it's at for me.

But these days I hold no resentment. Some good came out of my being LDS, there are people in my life who are invaluable to me now, I was one of the lucky ones who had a good temple experience (who later left). As far as I'm concerned, it's gravy, baby.

[_Alter Idem]

I'm with Mary on this one.
I also have read Maggie's posts since she first started at MADB. At the time, I was very concerned that she already had one foot out the door and wouldn't need more than a gentle nudge to get her all the way out. I don't think Juliann in any way contributed to her journey out of the church. Also, I think most of the posters at MADB have been very patient with her--they've genuinely tried to help her with her questioning.

Maggie's young and she's been struggling--she had difficulties when she moved to a new ward and then started attending an EV church and studying the Bible with EV's. I hate to say it, but I told my husband when I first read her posts on Food Allergies that I didn't think she'd stay in the church.
Then when she started bringing questions to the board which had obviously been inspired by her EV friends, it was clear they were having a strong influence on her and how she viewed Mormonism--it was definitely negative. I noticed that some of her comments showed her ignorance of LDS theology and the scriptures in general, and if you ask me, her "friends" exploited her ignorance.

No, Maggie was on her way out long before Juliann had much contact with her.