When a person leaves a church, let’s say The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, why does it seem there is this need to continually prove to themselves – and the world – that said church is wrong/bad/untrue/stupid/etc?
Don’t get me wrong, I have had my fair share of wailing sessions and there have been times when I have felt bitter and angry. Especially when I am privy to hearing the entire General Conference talk entitled Mothers Who Know which was presented by the General Relief Society President, Julie B. Beck. (Which, once finding the previous link, I attempted to read through it again. I felt more angry this time and didn’t even make it to the third paragraph of the lengthy talk. I believe that particular talk, while annoying in it’s repetitive nature, [isn’t that what makes any religion work; the repetition?] it is also proof, yet again, that The Church presents a picture of perfectness that no human woman is able to live up to…)
And see… there you have it. Another moment of me getting on my soapbox to report my findings against The Only True Church on the Face of the Earth.
*sigh*
That is so not what I was going for today.
I was truly wondering why so many of us whom have left The Church feel a need to shout against it? It can’t be to sway the faithful away from their religion. First and foremost, because a faithful member would not even venture into the realm of the disbelievers. Secondly… well… see the first.
So why rage? It’s everywhere. In the news. In the movies. In conversations at parties. And, even here, in bloggerland. I enjoy reading the comedic stances some of my friends have taken. And have even joined a new e-Ward, taken a calling as Deliverance Syndicate Leader, laughing all the way to my designated pew and feeling honored to be a part of a community again. (Because, let’s face it, when one leaves The Church, one is not only leaving The Church, but the community, the society, the family and the friends all at the same time. And, even when one wants to be away from all that, unless one finds another pack to become a member of, it is lonely wandering in the desert alone.) However, there are some blogs out here that their entire focus is against The Church. Why?
Are the Once-Members-Now-So-Not-Members who are choosing to rage against the machine doing it in an attempt to create their own church, of sorts, wherein they are accepted and people understand them, even get behind them and commiserate with them? Is it possible that, in our leaving of The Church, we feel that we need to rally the troops around us to support our cause? Is it a matter of safety in numbers?
Or… could it be… hmmmm….
Being raised in The Church, I was taught to bear my testimony often, at every opportunity I received. I was told to bear it, especially, in the presence of non-Mormons, with the hope that my undying belief and faith in said church would inspire another to learn of it themselves. I was taught “every member a missionary” and that I could do my part by imparting my faith to others who were seeking the truth and by sharing the Articles of Faith. (I personally think it was really nifty for The Church to create the Articles of Faith [which were originally only a letter from Joseph Smith and were later voted into the scriptures by the members] so that every member [who is required to memorize said Articles] is presenting the very same thing about The Church.)
Is this new battle cry our testimony now? I bear my testimony that I know, with every fiber of my being, that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the only UNtrue church on the face of the earth… – And is this new testimony something we now choose to bear every day of our lives, rather than just at Fast and Testimony meeting?
Could it be that?
Hmmmmmm….
