Mktavish wrote:I guess I had the miss understanding you grew up in the Mormon religion ... But anyways it sounds like you always felt there was a need for religion in your life. Were you around a lot of non religious types growing up. And what age did you get serious about study of religion?
"Need" for religion? Hardly, quite the opposite. I've always had a need for the truth and right of things, a thirst for knowledge and understanding, hardly the same thing. I was perfectly happy without religion, but not as moral, not as disciplined, and certainly not a better way and life to raise children which I wanted to have one day. I went where the facts and truth led.
I've been in a lot of situations and types of people as friends, etc. My seriousness in study of religion was in spurts, but it first started at about age 7. But I've always studied all kinds of subjects that were useful in gaining wisdom and understanding.
See I was different ... was born and raised ... lived under the umbrella of the Mormon reality ... and didn't start to even see how the world might be different untill 14-15. After some stuff that happend in my family then and over the next couple years. I came to the decision I didn't want anything to do with relgion.
Which is when most tend to leave religion, the rebelliousness and arrogance of youth. I also left the Church when I was 18, came back when I was 21.
I allready had a very dim view of the rest of christianity bred from Mormonism. It was of the devil , so I didn't want to mess with that.
"of the devil"? Hardly. Just not the fullness and His authority, but more of men, thus with more of an influence of the devil.
But sex drugs and rock n roll were new and exciteing. Over the next 10-15 years I spent learning about the world I had been shielded from , had a lot of reality bubbles bursted. I've dabbled with other religious philosophy , but your right , they seem more stupid than Mormonism. And in the last 5 years , I've decided all my angst towards the church was for nothin , time to give it up and move on. Because I was still revolving around Mormonism through my hate. A very bad place to be.
Me I didn't need to take so long in my various experiences to know and understand right from wrong and what was healthy and not healthy, which is why I only remained an anti-mormon/anti-religion for about 3 years. I was well acquainted with both good and evil, light and darkness in life, and I didn't want anything to do with the darkness. Even in my dark days I only got drunk once as a late youth, smoked a bit another time but didn't inhale, etc. I had no interest in things that only brought suffering, slavery etc.
That's good you realized that.....
I would also say 70% of anti-mormons come from a situation like mine , where they grew up within a family line that had been long time Mormons. Law of averages maybe??? Or is the core Mormon value of family and the way these long time Mormon families interpret it that are responsible?
I would say most anti-mormons are Christians and most who leave the Church don't become anti-mormons, simply aren't interested and/or have their own interests, many also do still believe in their hearts, or think the Church is good but just not into it. I would say only about 10% of anti-mormons are former Mormons, and that they are simply the most vocal and loved by the masses of other anti-mormons, as well they tend to have much hate in them, thus which is why they might seem like more I would say.
Well Obviously youve had a unique experience to mine ... And will probably make a more well rounded Mormon than those born into it. But couldn't you also say that it was all a nessacary part of your journey to make you what you are today.
Even the devils inducement?
I know that belief by some, but I don't believe it. Reason being is because there are plenty people who arrive where I have "without" having to leave the Church. They are patient, work things out by study and by faith. I missed out on a LOT of what my life could have been had I not left the Church. I likely lost the person who would have been my eternal companion instead of marrying a woman who really wasn't up to par, and divorcing me for no good cause. I was about to learn to fly, getting a pilot's license, and many other things. While I have gained wisdom, without everything else that provides a good, happy and successful foundation in life, I've missed a lot, and everything's different. I would have still gained the same wisdom without the apostasy because I've always been a learner.
Thus, while I believe God gives us experiences, we ourselves make much of our suffering, unnecessary suffering. People now often tell me how my divorce will teach me things. I just laugh, because I already new it all already. I grew up in several family's, and have known many kinds of people. I knew the experiences already. All my divorce has taught me is the worst pain I've ever known, that has utterly destroyed me, and I already knew pain.
Anyway, I think everyone is in different situations. I do however believe that my early life experiences WAS a good thing for me, that taught me things, etc. So, in that sense I would agree that my experiences helped shape who I am. These days, I just want my family back, but can't do a thing, having to watch my children suffer and not be who they should/could be because their father is not allowed to be there. It's just all so sad..... But anyway, such is my lot....
Thanks for sharing....
