Reasons people stopped attending church

[Kishkumen]

You've made it clear that myths are good. So you still believe the myths, then, right?

I believe in the value of mythical narratives and other narratives for reflecting on life, its meaning, and our place in it all, yes.

Please tell me how I should've posed the question, and I'll happily re-word.

How would speak to me in person?

[The Stig]

Yeah, I stepped away because the church's attacks on LGBTQ people were cruel and unacceptable. I was relieved to be free of the boring meetings.

Ahh, I see. So I guess this means you still believe in the core doctrines of Mormonism and the truthfulness of Joseph Smith's mission and calling?

Do you realize that both things can be true at the same time? Kish could have reasonably concluded the Church's truth claims are untrue and finally stepped away due to the reasons he stated. These are not mutually exclusive issues. Why you attempted to play some stupid gotcha game about this is unfathomable.

[MG 2.0]

A Pew Research report found that 58% of ex-Mormons are religiously unaffiliated, with many identifying as agnostic or atheist. Only 21% of those born Mormon who left the religion retained some form of religious affiliation, such as evangelical Protestantism or Catholicism.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ex-Mormon

You've paraphrased your source rather than quoted. I wonder why...let's see what your source actually says.

An online poll of ex-Mormons found that a majority of ex-Mormons do not self-identify as a member of another faith tradition, choosing to describe themselves as agnostic, atheist or simply ex-Mormon. Some can also become apatheist. A Pew Research report corroborated this, finding in 2015 that 36% of those born Mormon left the religion, with 21% of born Mormons (58% of ex-Mormons) now unaffiliated, 6% evangelical Protestant, and 9% converting to other Protestant, Catholic, or a non-Christian faith.

So that's a decade old. And it does not show that "most (51% or more) most people that leave the church become either agnostic or atheist".

An online poll of ex-Mormons indicated that most do not join another faith tradition but instead describe themselves as agnostic, atheist, or simply "ex-Mormon." Some also adopt apatheism, rejecting organized religion altogether.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ex-Mormon

Here's the quote you are referencing:

An online poll of ex-Mormons found that a majority of ex-Mormons do not self-identify as a member of another faith tradition, choosing to describe themselves as agnostic, atheist or simply ex-Mormon. Some can also become apatheist

That quote does not show that "most (51% or more) most people that leave the church become either agnostic or atheist".

A 2024 survey revealed that 70% of former LDS members selected "none" when asked about their current religion. An additional 19% chose "other," with responses often compatible with "none," suggesting that the majority do not join another religion after leaving Mormonism.

https://religionnews.com/2024/03/07/who ... -findings/

Regards,
MG

Not joining another religion does not equal turning atheist or agnostic. Once again, here's the actual quote:

Seventy percent of the former members selected “none” when asked to describe their religion now. However, Coates observed that the actual percentage could be even higher, because an additional 19% chose “other” and then hand-wrote responses that were sometimes compatible with “none.”
“They’re not joining another religion,” Coates said. “It’s possible that means they’re Christians without a congregation, but the question only asks ‘Hey, are you affiliated? Do you identify with a religion?’ And no, they don’t. I think that was our intuition about former Latter-day Saints, so that finding didn’t surprise us.”

I think MG2.0 is once again demonstrating that he struggles to understand something when he reads it. That might be a lack of intellect, but it could equally be down to age related cognitive challenges. It's probably not that he's trying to be deceptive and trying to avoid recognising that he misspoke and admitting his mistake. because he can totally admit when he's wrong. I feel confident that MG2.0 will now either provide survey data that actually does support that "most (51% or more) most people that leave the church become either agnostic or atheist", or he will recognise that he has misremembered and admit that the critics on the board have it right...

It's also worth noting that, despite MG2.0's attempt to lump them all together, atheists, and agnostics, are not the same. Let's look together at some real data rather than MG 2.0's fantasies.

Most didn't leave because they got offended, became atheists, or wanted to join another religion. Also, the vast majority of former Mormons say they're happy after leaving.

Most did not leave and become atheists. Right off the bat MG 2.0's assertion is shown to be wrong (I'm sure he'll gracefully accept that and admit he was mistaken).

Within orthodox Mormon circles there’s a general impression that people who leave the Church abandon faith in God altogether, but this isn’t quite accurate, especially outside of Utah.

The NMS shows that very few former Mormons do not believe in God at all. Only 6% fall into this category, with another 8% choosing the agnostic option of “I don’t know whether there is a personal God and I don’t believe there is any way to find out.”

This means that 86% of former Mormons say they believe in God, though they may have doubts at times or feel God is more like a “higher power” than a personal deity.

MG 2.0 is not just wrong in asserting that most ex Mormons become atheists, he is spectacularly wrong.

It’s not accurate to characterize former Mormons as having rejected all religious belief. For most, the reality is far more nuanced and complicated.

Many actually hold on to not just a belief in God but to basic Christian teachings about Jesus and the afterlife. They do not, however, tend to still believe in specifically Mormon teachings about Joseph Smith, the Book of Mormon, or contemporary prophets and apostles.

MG 2.0 if you are struggling to comprehend the data, and we know that you have struggled with comprehension in the past, maybe sit with a grown up who can patiently talk you through it.

I suspect that MG 2.0 will now try and reframe what he asserted to protect a self belief that he wasn't wrong when he claimed that studies show that most ex Mormons become atheist.

Hi IHAQ,

I will let the chips fall where they may on this.

I did a quick inquiry using Chatgpt and received this:

Studies indicate that a large percentage (often cited around 50% or more) of ex-Mormons become atheists or agnostics.

It may be that the jury is out on this as a practical matter.

If a poll was taken here how would it end up? Or on exmormonreddit? Are these two samples representative of the members that leave?

I don't know.

Regards,
MG

[I Have Questions]

I suspect that MG 2.0 will now try and reframe what he asserted to protect a self belief that he wasn't wrong when he claimed that studies show that most ex Mormons become atheist.

Hi IHAQ,
I will let the chips fall where they may on this.

I did a quick inquiry using Chatgpt and received this:

Studies indicate that a large percentage (often cited around 50% or more) of ex-Mormons become atheists or agnostics.

It may be that the jury is out on this as a practical matter.

If a poll was taken here how would it end up? Or on exmormonreddit? Are these two samples representative of the members that leave?

I don't know.

Regards,
MG

Did I call it, or did I call it!

[MG 2.0]

Hi IHAQ,
I will let the chips fall where they may on this.

I did a quick inquiry using Chatgpt and received this:



It may be that the jury is out on this as a practical matter.

If a poll was taken here how would it end up? Or on exmormonreddit? Are these two samples representative of the members that leave?

I don't know.

Regards,
MG

Did I call it, or did I call it!

Did you?

Regards,
MG

[Kishkumen]

Do you realize that both things can be true at the same time? Kish could have reasonably concluded the Church's truth claims are untrue and finally stepped away due to the reasons he stated. These are not mutually exclusive issues. Why you attempted to play some stupid gotcha game about this is unfathomable.

Thanks, Stig! I appreciate your ability to think and chew gum at the same time (and much more). You are a real mensch, and I am glad we are still virtually hanging out together after all these years.

[The Stig]

Do you realize that both things can be true at the same time? Kish could have reasonably concluded the Church's truth claims are untrue and finally stepped away due to the reasons he stated. These are not mutually exclusive issues. Why you attempted to play some stupid gotcha game about this is unfathomable.

Thanks, Stig! I appreciate your ability to think and chew gum at the same time (and much more). You are a real mensch, and I am glad we are still virtually hanging out together after all these years.

One would think Shades, given the many years he's known you, would have also have known better. But, here we are.

[Kishkumen]

One would think Shades, given the many years he's known you, would have also have known better. But, here we are.

He may be thinking of my friendship with Don and wondering when I, too, will return to the LDS fold. Although few people bring that up, it hovers in the background of a lot of these conversations. Thanks again for the word of support, Stig!

[MG 2.0]

One would think Shades, given the many years he's known you, would have also have known better. But, here we are.

He may be thinking of my friendship with Don and wondering when I, too, will return to the LDS fold. Although few people bring that up, it hovers in the background of a lot of these conversations.

That would be awesome!

Regards,
MG

[Kishkumen]

That would be awesome!

Regards,
MG

Thank you, MG. I appreciate it. I do not foresee it, but I am genuinely touched that you would welcome that development.