NOM

So, is there a place for me? Both the church, and most of those who have left seem to embrace a dualistic mode where I'm either all in or all out. Will I be forced down one of these paths eventually? Is it worth it to find a middle of the road path? You do not have to be dualist. http://ucat.osu.ed...

Thanks for the reply Corsair - I like the stages of faith idea as I think there are some ways to return after a dark night to again be a member of a religious community - but you return in a new mindset as a new person - not allowing yourself to be tied down, owning your own beliefs while also being...

Just an update - DH and I just registered for a Mormon Stories retreat - he is still trying to be active in the church, but he was also willing to go to the retreat with me which is wonderful. We also have a large book collection... a library - he likes to collect nice copies of books, and he has st...

Just curious how many of you are familiar with: http://www.thebattleofarmageddon.com/stages_of_faith.pdf Quite a bit of the "dark night" is familiar to me right now, and quite a few different paths to take after the dark night. I like the above essay - as it allows believers to question their faith ...

As an agnostic deist, I still see that there is a lot of beauty in Christianity and value in many of the practices. I think it can still be useful to practice spiritual elements with a hope in a god or heavenly parents (yay for LDS influence and Heavenly Mother!), even if your belief is absent or u...

O that I were an angel and could cry repentance unto every .... are corporations people?

... one of my children was being harassed by a priesthood leader. I'm in the same boat - with multiple kids... he video-taped what he did, so thankful it does not come down to victim shaming etc. but it is taking forever to be resolved, I suppose will never be resolved? The priesthood leader is in ...

It does go against the essay. There are different versions of religion A) the massocistic, punish yourself, rigid "letter of the law" - theory where people think pain is good for you...the priesthood ban was good, it humbled them, broken heart is good, honor pain and suffering... B) the kind, joyful...

My DH and I are both balancing on the fence. Last weekend both of us were called to talk with the Bishop - not knowing what about... Bishop wanted to give us temple recommends back, and we both turned him down. I was relieved my DH refused to get his TR, had hopes of taking a new faith journey toget...

I'm just starting my transition, hoping my DH comes along with me... thank you for your post, it is definitely comforting for those just starting on the journey to read the experiences of others and have hope in a brighter future, so thank you again.

I agree, who knows if... Jesus was conceived in wedlock or not He was conceived in the imaginations of those who either deliberately or accidentally merged him with several other messiah figures throughout the history of mythological systems. Any doctrine regarding his genesis is going to consist o...

I'm new here :) polygammy is one of my issues so... I have read a bit on it. Orson Pratt taught that: "God the Father had a plurality of wives” Brigham also stated: "The only men who become Gods, even the Sons of God, are those who enter into polygamy.” Polygamy - or the "law of Sarah" started with ...

Orson Pratt taught that: "God the Father had a plurality of wives” Brigham also stated: "The only men who become Gods, even the Sons of God, are those who enter into polygamy.” Polygamy - or the "law of Sarah" started with Abraham's family... Quiz time - who does Abraham and Isaac represent? (HF an...

Great thread! I think it is great therapy to define heaven for ourselves, rather than having those concepts dictated by another. I will second the view of heaven being a place of togetherness - where everyone has come to the knowledge they need to overcome past imperfections For me, there are no div...

I decided that I don't like Christianity because it focuses so much on making everything better---for the sinner. And it just seems to abandon the sinned against as worse than the sinner if they don't forgive, while not helping with healing or protection from being harmed by further sins by the sam...

... one of my children was being harassed by a priesthood leader. I'm in the same boat - with multiple kids... he video-taped what he did, so thankful it does not come down to victim shaming etc. but it is taking forever to be resolved, I suppose will never be resolved? The priesthood leader is in ...

I second that - people don't show up for appointments all the time. I know - because I have skipped appointments before! When I first started having trouble with my DH the bishop wanted to meet with me, set up a time and everything... I did not feel comfortable talking about our issues, I did not sh...

Thanks for the welcomes everyone! I wish I had found this place earlier - I think the darkness is starting to give way to light, hope it is for everyone else out there too.

Everything has meaning only if we assign it meaning. I like that, and add - I think it is healthy to assign our own meaning to events, or at least to find ways to make weak things strong, and decide to be refined, rather than crushed by experiences... PTSD or PTGrowth. Is growth possible with every...

Hello! As a transitioning member, as I say goodbye to some in one community, I'm hoping to find another. I converted to the church in 97, TBM for quite some time... My faith crisis story started last summer - almost separated from my DH (kicked him out of the house for a few things...) and in the mi...