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:''See also [[Criticism of Mormonism]]
:''See also [[Criticism of Mormonism]]
Most ex-Mormons disaffiliate for multiple reasons,<ref>Albrecht, S.L. & Bahr, H.M. (1990). Strangers Once More: Patterns of Disaffiliation from Mormonism. ''Journal of Scientific Study of Religion'' (28)2. 180- 200.</ref> and a majority join other [[Christian]] churches.<ref>Albrecht, S.L. & Bahr, H.M. (1983). Patterns of Religious Disaffiliation: A Study of Lifelong Mormons, Mormon Converts & Former Mormons. ''Journal of Scientific Study of Religion'' 22 D. pp. 366-379.</ref> Other reasons for leaving include intellectual appraisal, change in beliefs, conversion to other faiths, life crises and perceived alienation by Mormon leaders or congregations.<ref> Reynolds, Leslie (1996). Mormons in Transition. Salt Lake City, Utah: Gratitude Press.</ref> Maxine Hanks, one of the [[September Six]], cites the perceived [[Blacks and Mormonism|spiritual status of blacks]], [[polygamy]], and the role of women in society as additional factors, especially for those who adopt [[Humanism (life stance)|humanist]] and/or [[feminist]] perspectives.<ref>Maxine Hanks, [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1560850140 Women and Authority] ISBN 1-56085-014-0 </ref>
Most ex-Mormons disaffiliate for multiple reasons<ref>[http://www.misterpoll.com/results.mpl?id=509654593 Exmormon Survey]</ref> <ref>Albrecht, S.L. & Bahr, H.M. (1990). Strangers Once More: Patterns of Disaffiliation from Mormonism. ''Journal of Scientific Study of Religion'' (28)2. 180- 200.</ref><ref> Reynolds, Leslie (1996). Mormons in Transition. Salt Lake City, Utah: Gratitude Press.</ref> including:

*Cult-like temple ceremonies
*Dont believe Joseph Smith was a true prophet
*Dissatisfaction with the way the church treats intellectuals
*Churchs treatment of gays and gay issues
*Emphasis on blind faith / Obedience to church leaders

Maxine Hanks, one of the [[September Six]], cites the perceived [[Blacks and Mormonism|spiritual status of blacks]], [[polygamy]], and the role of women in society as additional factors, especially for those who adopt [[Humanism (life stance)|humanist]] and/or [[feminist]] perspectives.<ref>Maxine Hanks, [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1560850140 Women and Authority] ISBN 1-56085-014-0 </ref>

A majority of ex-mormons join other [[Christian]] churches.<ref>Albrecht, S.L. & Bahr, H.M. (1983). Patterns of Religious Disaffiliation: A Study of Lifelong Mormons, Mormon Converts & Former Mormons. ''Journal of Scientific Study of Religion'' 22 D. pp. 366-379.</ref>


===Post-disaffiliation issues===
===Post-disaffiliation issues===

Revision as of 23:02, 9 December 2007

Ex-Mormon refers to a former member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Ex-Mormon may also refer to various aggregations of ex-Mormons who comprise a social movement. Ex-Mormons may or may not overlap with Jack Mormons ("dry-Mormons"), who often have no philosophical disagreement with the LDS church but do not participate, or Cultural Mormons who consider non-belief irrelevant to their adoption of the Mormon lifestyle and identity. Most ex-Mormons[who?] tend to view themselves as conscientious objectors to the religion's teachings or practices, regardless of cultural or social influences. The latter applies as some[who?] ex-Mormons later find themselves socially separated from their Mormon friends and family after their exit.[1] Many ex-Mormons[who?] leave Mormonism at the expense of family relationships or friendships,[2] often missing family events such as Temple weddings which are limited to active members of the LDS church meeting certain requirements of the religion.

Ex-Mormon is sometimes abbreviated as "exmo."[citation needed] Similarly, the term nevermo is sometimes colloquially used to refer to people who never were members of LDS church.[citation needed] The term is mainly used by exmos to describe a spouse, relative, or friend.[citation needed]

In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and other churches in the Latter Day Saint Movement, someone who willingly abandons the religion may be referred to as an "apostate".[citation needed]

Reasons for leaving

See also Criticism of Mormonism

Most ex-Mormons disaffiliate for multiple reasons[3] [4][5] including:

  • Cult-like temple ceremonies
  • Dont believe Joseph Smith was a true prophet
  • Dissatisfaction with the way the church treats intellectuals
  • Churchs treatment of gays and gay issues
  • Emphasis on blind faith / Obedience to church leaders

Maxine Hanks, one of the September Six, cites the perceived spiritual status of blacks, polygamy, and the role of women in society as additional factors, especially for those who adopt humanist and/or feminist perspectives.[6]

A majority of ex-mormons join other Christian churches.[7]

Post-disaffiliation issues

After their decision to leave Mormonism and the LDS church, ex-Mormons typically go through a significant adjustment period as they re-orient their lives religiously, socially, and psychologically.[citation needed]

Religious

Some[who?] ex-Mormons become adherents of primarily Protestant Christian religions, while others become non-religious, atheistic, or adherents of other faiths.[8] Ex-Mormon attitudes toward Mormons and Mormonism vary widely.[citation needed] Some[who?] ex-Mormons actively proselytize against Mormonism, while others[who?] merely provide support to others leaving the religion. Other[who?] ex-Mormons prefer to avoid the subject entirely, while still others[who?] may try to encourage dialogue between adherents of their new faiths and active Mormons. Attitudes of ex-Mormons also differ regarding their church membership. Some[who?] formally resign, which the LDS church refers to as "name removal," while others simply become inactive.

Social

Ex-Mormons who publicly leave Mormonism can face opposition in their decision. Based upon a belief that those who leave the LDS church are in danger of negative eternal consequences, Mormon peers, church officials, and family members are strongly encouraged by leaders in the faith to attempt to regather those who have left the faith.[9] Sometimes these efforts succeed, and ex-Mormons can rejoin their church after an extensive interview with a church leader.[citation needed]

Psychological

Leaving a religion can have positive and negative psychological implications.[citation needed] Some[who?] ex-Mormons have compared their symptoms to divorce.[10] Ex-Mormons[who?] have also reported feeling self-doubt and depression.[11][need quotation to verify][page needed]

Leaving a religion has also been reported to have positive effects on a person's psychological state. Some psychological research shows that those who are true to their own intrinsic spirituality, "those who internalize their beliefs and live them regardless of the consequences," demonstrate significantly improved wellbeing indicators in areas such as anxiety, tolerance, responsibility, intellectual efficiency, and sociability.[12] Whereas, those who adhere to a religion for extrinsic reasons, those who are part of a religion "as a means of obtaining status, security, self-justification, and sociability," demonstrate significantly lower well being indicators in the same areas.[13]

Latter-day Saint views of ex-Mormons

LDS religious texts teach that Satan seeks to destroy the souls of men[14] [15] and that those who "depart from the truth" will be judged in the final judgment[16] for being deceived by Satan.[17] LDS doctrine maintains that those who openly disagree with church hierarchy are potentially condemned, while those who reject LDS doctrine or authority explicitly are "apostate".[18] Apostasy of members may lead to church discipline, including disfellowship or excommunication. Officially, Latter Day Saints are told to have a loving and hopeful attitude toward apostates and to invite "the lost sheep" back to the fold.[19] However, some[who?] LDS adherents[citation needed] view apostasy in terms of denying the Holy Ghost, which in Mormon theology is the most serious sin that can be made, although this doctrine is officially applied only to those who have had an "unshakable" spiritual witness of the truth of the faith.[20]

Additionally, a Book of Mormon figure, Korihor,[21] is shown preaching disbelief, challenging prophecies and church leaders,[22] and was divinely struck deaf and mute for the acts. Some LDS apologists have compared both ex-Mormon authors[23] and any reasoning that leads to disbelief in Mormonism[24] with Korihor. LDS history points to trivial reasons why some members have left, such as the misspelling of a name in church records[25] or inability to get a seat at a church service.[26]

Ex-Mormon community groups

Local and Internet-based self-described support groups exist for people doubting their Mormon faith, to give them a place to discuss their departure from their faith with people who sympathize with their beliefs.[27] Specifically, Internet-based communities range from historical forums and blogs to sites dedicated to "recovery from Mormonism", Mormon church membership resignation, newsgroups, and satire.

See also

References

  1. ^ William Lobdell, Los Angeles Times, Losing Faith and Lots More, December 1, 2001
  2. ^ Albrecht, S.L. & Bahr, H.M. (1990). Strangers Once More: Patterns of Disaffiliation from Mormonism. Journal of Scientific Study of Religion (28)2. 180- 200.
  3. ^ Exmormon Survey
  4. ^ Albrecht, S.L. & Bahr, H.M. (1990). Strangers Once More: Patterns of Disaffiliation from Mormonism. Journal of Scientific Study of Religion (28)2. 180- 200.
  5. ^ Reynolds, Leslie (1996). Mormons in Transition. Salt Lake City, Utah: Gratitude Press.
  6. ^ Maxine Hanks, Women and Authority ISBN 1-56085-014-0
  7. ^ Albrecht, S.L. & Bahr, H.M. (1983). Patterns of Religious Disaffiliation: A Study of Lifelong Mormons, Mormon Converts & Former Mormons. Journal of Scientific Study of Religion 22 D. pp. 366-379.
  8. ^ Exmormon Survey
  9. ^ LDS General Conference, October 1999, Elder Ben B. Banks, Feed My Sheep
  10. ^ Winell, Marlene Ph.D. Leaving the Fold: A Guide for Former Fundamentalists and Others Leaving their Religion (New Harbinger Publications, 1993)
  11. ^ Life After Mormonism and the Double Bind
  12. ^ Bergin, A. E., Masters, K. S. & Richards, P. S. (1987). Religiousness and mental health reconsidered: A study of an intrinsically religious sample. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 34, 197-204.
  13. ^ Bergin, A. E., Masters, K. S. & Richards, P. S. (1987). Religiousness and mental health reconsidered: A study of an intrinsically religious sample. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 34, 197-204.
  14. ^ Covenant 10:27-33
  15. ^ http://www.lds.org/library/display/0,4945,11-1-13-30,00.html
  16. ^ 3 Nephi 26:4
  17. ^ Covenant 20:15
  18. ^ Brigham Young on personal apostacy
  19. ^ “The Lost Sheep,” The Friend (Liahona), Mar. 2002, 8
  20. ^ About Mormon beliefs
  21. ^ Alma 30
  22. ^ Alma 30:27
  23. ^ "Korihor's back, and this time he's got a printing press"
  24. ^ Countering Korihor
  25. ^ History of the Church, 1, p. 261
  26. ^ George A. Smith, Journal of Discourses, 11:09
  27. ^ Chana Joffe-Walt. "Shunned Ex-Mormons Form Own Communities". NPR.
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