Ex-Mormon

Ex-Mormon or post-Mormon refers to a disaffiliate of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) or any of its schismatic breakoffs, collectively called "Mormonism". Ex-Mormons—sometimes referred to as exmo or postmo[1]—may neither believe in nor affiliate with the LDS Church. In contrast, Jack Mormons may believe but do not affiliate; and cultural Mormons may or may not affiliate but do not believe in certain doctrines or practices of the LDS Church. The distinction is important to a large segment of ex-Mormons, many of whom consider their decision to leave as morally compelling and socially risky. According to 2014 Pew data, around 1/3 of adults raised LDS no longer adhere to the faith (up from around 10% in the 1970s and 1980s) and in 2008 only 25% of LDS young adults were actively involved.[2][3] Many ex-Mormons experience troubles with family members who still follow Mormon teachings.[4] Aggregations of ex-Mormons may comprise a social movement.

See also: List of former Latter Day Saints

Reasons for leaving
See also: Criticism of the Latter Day Saint movement

Most ex-Mormons leave Mormonism and the LDS or RLDS Church because of intellectual reasons for finding the religion false or practices of Mormon organizations. The foremost reasons are disbelief both in Joseph Smith as a prophet[5][6] and in the Book of Mormon as a religious and historical document.[4][7] Reasons for this disbelief include issues with anthropological, linguistic, archaeological, and genetic evidence against the Book of Mormon in the New World. In addition to rejecting the Book of Mormon for such reasons, the Book of Abraham and other Mormon religious texts are rejected on similar grounds.[8][9] A study of 3000 people who were formerly affiliated with the LDS Church recorded that 74 percent of respondents cited a disbelief in church doctrine or theology as major reason for leaving the church, but only 4 percent of respondents cited conflict with other church members as a large factor in their decision to leave. Also, just 4 percent claimed that a significant reason for apostasy was dissatisfaction with the rules of conduct professed by the LDS Church.[10] This corroborates the assertion that many Mormons are satisfied with the communal aspect and attributes of LDS Church life.[11]

Individuals leave Mormonism for a variety of reasons, although "single reason disaffiliates are rare among former Mormons."[12] Research shows that 43 percent of ex-Mormon left due to unmet spiritual needs.[13] Other reasons for leaving may include a belief that they are in a cult, logical or intellectual appraisal, belief changes or differences, spiritual conversion to another faith, life crises, and poor or hurtful responsiveness by Mormon leaders or congregations.[14] Of former Mormons surveyed, 58 percent switched to other faiths or practices.[13]

Those who adopt humanist or feminist perspectives may view certain Mormon doctrines (including past teachings on the spiritual status of black people, polygamy, and the role of women in society) as racist or sexist.[15]

A minority of ex-Mormons cite their personal incompatibility with Mormon beliefs or culture. A 2003 Princeton Review publication quoted a student at church-owned Brigham Young University as stating, "the nonconformist will find a dull social life with difficulty finding someone that will be their friend, regardless of who they are or what they believe."[16] Liberal views and political attitudes that challenge this conformity, and occasionally sexual orientation, are cited as reasons for leaving Mormonism.[17]

In recent years, the LDS Church has become more politically active, particularly with regard to legislation barring civil marriage for same-sex couples. Official church involvement in the California Proposition 8 campaign was highly controversial, causing some Mormons to stop attending church.[18]

Post-disaffiliation issues

After their decision to leave Mormonism and the LDS Church, ex-Mormons typically go through an adjustment period as they re-orient their lives religiously, socially, and psychologically.

Religious

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.[19] Others either retained belief in God but not in organized religion or became adherents of other faiths.[7] Among ex-Mormons with no current religious preference, 36 percent continued the practice of prayer often or daily.[13] Ex-Mormon attitudes toward Mormons and Mormonism vary widely. Some ex-Mormons actively proselytize against Mormonism, while some provide only support to others leaving the religion. Other ex-Mormons prefer to avoid the subject entirely, while still others may try to encourage healthy dialogue between adherents of their new faiths and active Mormons. Attitudes of ex-Mormons also differ regarding their church membership. Some formally resign, which the LDS Church refers to as "name removal", while others simply stop attending church services.

Social

Ex-Mormons who publicly leave Mormonism often face social stigmatization. Although many leave to be true to themselves or to a new belief structure, they leave at a cost;[12] many leave feeling ostracized and pressured and miss out on major family events such as temple weddings. Family members of some may express only disappointment and sorrow and try to reach out in understanding to their new belief system or lack thereof. Some stay under threat of divorce from spouses who still believe. Still, many ex-Mormons have given up spouses, children, and the ability to enter Mormon temples to witness important life events of family members. Ex-Mormons in geographic locations away from major enclaves of Mormon culture such as Utah may experience less stigmatization, however.[4]

Psychological

Many ex-Mormons go through a psychological process as they leave Mormonism. Former Mormon Bob McCue described his disaffiliation as recovery from cognitive dissonance.[20] Reynolds reports that leaving involves a period of intense self-doubt and depression as disaffiliates confront feelings of betrayal and loneliness, followed by self-discovery, belief exploration, spiritual guidance and connection as they leave Mormonism.[14] He argues that leaving may provide a renewed sense of self, confidence and peace.[14] One ex-Mormon compared his disaffiliation experience to leaving a cult,[21] while others called it close to overcoming mind control[22] or adjusting to life outside of religious fundamentalism.[23] Still others compare their symptoms to divorce from marriage.[24] Ex-Mormons may also have to cope with the pain of ostracism by Mormon employers, friends, spouses, and family members.[25]

Ex-Mormon organizations

Many formerly LDS individuals seek community and discussion about their former beliefs in online and in-person groups. Some of these international groups include the ex-Mormon page on Reddit (with over 275,000 subscribers) as well as various group listings on the Mormon Spectrum website. Localized groups include the SLC Postmos meetup and Facebook group (with over 2,000 members) and Utah Valley Postmos meetup and Facebook group (over 900 members).[26] The ex-Mormon subreddit gained publicity with its involvement leaking LDS documents.[27][28]

Latter-day Saint views of ex-Mormons

Depending on the circumstances of an ex-Mormon's departure, Latter-day Saint views may range from considering them apostates to viewing them as individuals who have simply strayed from the path. The LDS Church teaches that people leave for a variety of reasons.[29] Reasons range from trivial to serious (including doctrinal disagreements). Latter-day Saints view "denying the Holy Spirit" as having potentially devastating spiritual consequences, and they generally hope ex-Mormons will return to activity in the church.[30]

The reasons given for a person leaving the church vary according to who is offering the opinion. LDS Church Sunday School manuals say members leave because of unwarranted pride, committing sins which drive them to alienation from God, or because they have taken offense to something trivial. A 2003 manual claims some members of the early Church left because they had been deceived by Satan,[29] who, according to Mormon scripture, is actively seeking to destroy the souls of men.[31] The manual further teaches that satanic deceptions include: acceptance of a false prophet, pride and vanity, being critical of leaders' imperfections, being offended, rationalizing disobedience, and accepting the false teachings of the world.[29]

Early Latter-day Saints were taught to consider ex-Mormons as stronger candidates for eternal damnation based on their former devotion to Mormonism, since those who were never adherents will, according to LDS leaders’ statements, be judged more lightly. The LDS Church teaches that "when individuals or groups of people turn away from the principles of the gospel, they are in a state of apostasy."[32] In addition, one who "denies the Holy Spirit" could become a son of perdition and be cast into outer darkness.[33] Apostasy of members may lead to a church disciplinary council, which may result in disfellowshipment or excommunication.[34] However, members who ask for their names to be removed from church records or who have joined another church are not subject to a disciplinary council.[34]

Demographics
Further information: Demographics of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints § Activity rates and disaffiliation

According to a BYU Studies article, as of 2014, about one-third of those with a Latter-day Saint background have left the Church. Of those who leave the Church, about 58% switch to no religion or unaffiliated; 18% switch to evangelical Protestant groups; 8% went to Mainline Protestant denominations; 10% went to generic Christianity; and 6% went to "other".[35][36]

See also

References
  1. Deconstructor (September 2010), "Abbreviations: FOR NEWBIES - Guide to abbreviations used on exmormon.org board", Recovery from Mormonism
  2. Golden, Hallie. "Why It's Not Easy Becoming an Ex-Mormon". The Daily Beast. Retrieved 9 June 2017.
  3. Hatch, Heidi (13 April 2016). "Millennial Mormons leaving faith at higher rate than previous generations". KUTV. Sinclair Broadcast Group. Retrieved 9 June 2017.
  4. Lobdell, William (December 1, 2001), "Losing Faith and Lots More", Los Angeles Times, archived from the original on 2001-12-01
  5. Backman, Milton V. Jr. (April 1989), "A Warning from Kirtland", Ensign: 26
  6. Roberts, B.H. (1902), History of the Church, vol. 1, Salt Lake City: Deseret News, p. 115
  7. MPC3934849484. "Exmormon Survey". Mister Poll Enterprises. Archived from the original on March 16, 2008.
  8. "Book of Mormon Page", Mormons in Transition, Institute for Religious Research, archived from the original on September 3, 2011
  9. Larson, Charles M. (1992), By His Own Hand Upon Papyrus, Grand Rapids, Michigan: Institute for Religious Research, p. , ISBN 0-9620963-2-6, OCLC 26140322
  10. "Understanding Mormon Disbelief Survey – March 2012 Results and Analysis". Why Mormons Question (PDF Url: http://www.whymormonsquestion.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Survey-Results_Understanding-Mormon-Disbelief-Mar2012-1.pdf). Retrieved 2016-03-16. {{cite web}}: External link in |type= (help)
  11. Beverley, James (2013). Mormon Crisis: Anatomy of a Failing Religion (Kindle ed.). Castle Quay Books. pp. Kindle Locations 76–77.
  12. Albrecht, S.L.; Bahr, H.M. (1989). "Strangers Once More: Patterns of Disaffiliation from Mormonism". Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion. 28 (2): 180–200. doi:10.2307/1387058. JSTOR 1387058.
  13. Albrecht, S.L.; Bahr, H.M. (1983). "Patterns of Religious Disaffiliation: A Study of Lifelong Mormons, Mormon Converts & Former Mormons". Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion. 22 (4): 366–379. doi:10.2307/1385774. JSTOR 1385774.
  14. Reynolds, Leslie (1998) [1996], Mormons in Transition (Second ed.), Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Books, p. , ISBN 978-0-8010-5811-0, OCLC 38199795
  15. Hanks, Maxine, Women and Authority: Re-emerging Mormon Feminism, Salt Lake City, Utah: Signature Books, ISBN 1-56085-014-0, OCLC 25509094
  16. The Best Western Colleges. The Princeton Review. 2003. p. 33. ISBN 0-375-76338-4.
  17. "TOPICS: LGBT - AND MORMONISM - SECTION 1", The Mormon Curtain, archived from the original on 2008-04-03
  18. Vanocur, Chris (2008-11-10), Some LDS members leaving church over same-sex marriage controversy, Salt Lake City: KTVX
  19. "Religious Switching: Change in America's Religion Landscape". 2015-05-12.
  20. "Former Mormon bishop explains the collapse of his faith", News Summary, The Ross Institute Internet Archives for the Study of Destructive Cults, Controversial Groups and Movements, Rick Ross, June 2004
  21. Kettunen, Eric, "My Mission", Recovery from Mormonism
  22. Kettunen, Eric, "Thought reform and conformity within Mormonism", Recovery from Mormonism
  23. Stricker, Marion (2000), The Pattern of The Double-Bind in Mormonism, Universal Publishers, ISBN 978-1-58112-739-3, OCLC 46728224
  24. Winell, Marlene (1993), Leaving the Fold: A Guide for Former Fundamentalists and Others Leaving their Religion, Oakland, California: New Harbinger Publications, ISBN 978-1-879237-51-3, OCLC 30314020, archived from the original on 2012-09-04, retrieved 2011-09-26
  25. What did leaving cost you? (collection of forum posts), exmormon.org
  26. Miet, Hannah (30 January 2014). "When the Saints Go Marching Out". Newsweek Magazine. Newsweek Media Group. Retrieved 9 June 2017.
  27. Brown, Jennings; Cuen, Leigh (10 March 2016). "Dark Net: How Reddit Is Dismantling The Mormon Church". Vocativ. Retrieved 9 June 2017.
  28. Wenzke, Marissa. "How the ex-Mormon community has found a home on Reddit". Mashable. Retrieved 9 June 2017.
  29. "Lesson 24: "Be Not Deceived, but Continue in Steadfastness"", Doctrine and Covenants and Church History Gospel Doctrine Teacher's Manual, 2003, p. 134, Publication: 35685
  30. Peggy Fletcher, Stack (2008-04-08), "LDS Church President Monson urges disenfranchised to return to the fold", The Salt Lake Tribune, archived from the original on 2008-04-12, retrieved 2008-04-26
  31. Doctrine and Covenants 10:27–33
  32. Apostasy
  33. Burton, Theodore M. (May 1981), "Light and Truth", Ensign: 28
  34. Ballard, M. Russell (September 1990), "A Chance to Start Over: Church Disciplinary Councils and the Restoration of Blessings", Ensign, 20 (9): 12, retrieved 2011-09-26.
  35. Who Is Leaving the Church? Demographic Predictors of Ex–Latter-day Saint Status in the Pew Religious Landscape Survey
  36. Who Leaves Mormonism?

Further reading
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