The question is just too long to put as the title.
As most of you probably know as I've mentioned a few times, I grew up Mormon or more correctly a "member of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints" (this is the full name they wish to be called by as "Mormon" now has a negative connotation with most people plus it was never the name of the church just a nickname, and they don't worship Mormon they worship Jesus and God ((as father and son not as one)) and I wish to respect this still). This church caused me a lot of-- idk the right word-- not quite trauma but like, it made me think I wasn't good enough for anything is the best way I can put it without going too much into it.
And yes, I do still talk about it a lot but that's because for a long time, that was the ONLY perspective on the world that I had. Until I got older and was able to learn things on my own as well. But it was still how I was raised and its hard to just never talk about that yk?
Anyways the question.
Anyone who has left a religion like this do you still find yourself defending it sometimes?
I know especially with this one there are so many issues on contradictions and other things.
But like for example I commented on a post on Instagram talking about like people when their daughters date vs people when their sons date, and mentioned that fact just as context, and someone replied saying
"Stop bragging about being in a ******** cult" and idk why but when people make comments like this it makes me angry.
In the comment I made I mentioned that I had left...
Despite all that the church did to me, I cannot tolerate people talking crap about it. Maybe it's because I got made fun of being a part of this church my whole life and was always defending myself to friends and strangers and it's just a habit?
I was just curious if anyone else did this... I personally don't like the church and crack jokes about it sometimes to cope but when people blatantly attack it like this I just get so mad..I don't like it and I don't know why I do this.
Comments (7)
Your ex-religion will always be a part of who you are now. It's okay to defend what was/is good about it.
I was raised Catholic, converted to the LDS church in my mid-20's, and stayed until my kids were done with it. A lot of the people are wonderful. A lot aren't, just like everywhere else.
Anyway, your feelings are valid. You don't have to have the same beliefs to see the good in others.
Even if you disliked how the religions elders ran it you probably still met people you liked and had fun in some instances.
I was raised Catholic and I met and knew people. I have some fun events at times but I also felt something was wrong with how general people were treated. I asked questions when I was growing up in the religion and I didn't like their answers. I also had a whole ordeal with seeing spirits and communicating with them which put me at odds.
So I understand your frustration. I just rephrase that these people's path is not my own and although I don't specifically believe their beliefs, it is their path.
Take what I say with a grain of salt, as I'm not ex anything (my mother is very anti-religious), however your feelings are valid. That was you, that was and or is your loved ones. It was a key part of your identity. And when people attack that, it can and often will feel like they're attacking you.
I'm sorry people have treated you differently because of you being (ex) Mormon. Sometimes some things just shouldn't be said.
Thank you for responding! That honestly makes sense the way you put it, its honestly been what I lived most of my life at this point as ive only been pagan for like 5ish years and family I love is apart of it so it does now make sense why I feel the need to defend the church sometimes
Reply to: Phoenix_is_lost
Of course! I'm glad my explanation made some sense. I hope people stop behaving that way.
Hm, I never were in such a closed religious group. But I think your feelings are absolutely normal. This Religion was part of your life for many years. You know, how they act, the good and the strange parts. You decided to leave but that doesn't mean you will forget everything and you are an expert about that group. So If you think, someone else is telling nonsense, you have every right to correct that. The questions, I would ask myself before doing so, is: Is it really important for me to to so, or ist it just an echo of what I was taught when I was member of that group.
Thank you for your response it helped me understand why I may do this, and gave me something to think about! I know the last part is sometimes hard for me to deferentiate but I feel like now that im aware, I could do some journaling to help with that, and stop to think before replying, especially when its a random person on the internet I need to get better at that part fs 🫣