Remind me to never do that again.

[Bini]

Remind me to never venture into an Ex-Mormon or Anti-Mormon blog..

I have heard people bash the LDS (even among coworkers and acquaintances) but usually it's in the form of poking fun at Mormons or joking about this or that, not so much fueled by pure hatred. About 10 minutes ago I was browsing the web for some pictures of the LDS prophets, past and current, and was led right into a lion's den. Man, that's the first time I'd ever ventured into something that radiated so much anger.. I do find it interesting though, that the majority of these individuals were LDS at some point. I've had some rowdy friends of my own but none of them had any beef with the Mormon church, in fact, many of them said they simply don't care one way or the other. It seems to always be Once-Upon-A-Time members that really really get riled up, and not so much non-members. Anyway, remind me to never do that again.

[beefche]

Don't do that again.

[Bini]

Don't do that again.

Thank you, Beefche!

[annewandering]

It can be a stomach turning experience for sure. Especially dont go to video ones. argggggg.

[beefche]

There is definite hatred when it comes to anti material. I, also, think it is best to steer clear of such vitriol.

[NadiaStar]

They claim it's how they vent their frustrations, but I think it goes deeper than that.

[Anddenex]

Don't do that again.

I second beefche's statement.

[Bini]

It's irrelevant at this point but the image (of all the prophets) that I clicked on took me there by surprise. I had no idea it led to such material, otherwise, I definitely would have avoided it. Sneaky suckers. The mistake I made was to read one of the entries of the blogger. Blegh. Thanks for the reminders. Definitely not a good place for someone to be in, especially, one that is newly active again.

[annewandering]

It's like walking into satan's den. Really yucky. How do those people live with that icky feeling around them?

[beefche]

The thing is, I think it is perfectly fine to have doubts and questions of things of the Church. I don't think it's a bad thing to seek information from various sources, including non-member sources. However, most of these sites are not full of information, but rather, full of hate and lies.

So, yeah, seek answers to questions, but be very careful at what you think are sources.

*I realize you were looking for something innocent...I am just talking.

[Anddenex]

It's irrelevant at this point but the image (of all the prophets) that I clicked on took me there by surprise. I had no idea it led to such material, otherwise, I definitely would have avoided it. Sneaky suckers. The mistake I made was to read one of the entries of the blogger. Blegh. Thanks for the reminders. Definitely not a good place for someone to be in, especially, one that is newly active again.

Opposition in all things so righteousness can be brought to pass. :)

[Leah]

I looked at some of these sites when I was investigating the church. I found that many posters didn't even have their facts straight about what it was they were so incensed about!

And for people who want nothing to do with the Church anymore....some sure do spend a lot of time and energy on talking about it. It causes me to speculate about why they can't let it go and move on with their lives.

[skippy740]

The "Anti-LDS" crowd is all about spiritual pornography - they've twisted and perverted the doctrine in their minds so much that they're now convinced of it. Just like sexual pornography also twists and perverts the Lord's will and commandments regarding sexual relations - it's the same thing except with spiritual matters.

Definitely stay away. There can be nothing good in it.

I'm on a few facebook pages and someone posted an 'animated anti-lds' video and asked if "it was true". I quoted Jim Rohn (business philosopher who passed away in 2009) who said: “Some people claim that it is okay to read trashy novels because sometimes you can find something valuable in them. You can also find a crust of bread in a garbage can, if you search long enough, but there is a better way.”

Those who are searching for truth will never find it with the "Anti-LDS" literature.

2 Timothy 1:7 - "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind."

[NightSG]

I've had some rowdy friends of my own but none of them had any beef with the Mormon church, in fact, many of them said they simply don't care one way or the other.

Speaking as a relatively recent convert and former rowdy friend of several Mormons, I was always impressed by the way so many of them actually lived their faith without pretense or hypocrisy, though I certainly made a point of not telling any of them that at the time. In fact, it was one of those friends who set the example that probably kept me from getting myself in a lot more trouble than I did.

It took two decades before I ran into her again and told her that. She later admitted that she was close to leaving the church when I found her, and that she felt she had to hang on for a while to keep from turning me away from it.

[Bini]

NightSG, thanks for sharing your story. It's a good reminder that we as LDS are always being watched and critiqued on our actions, fair or not. Looks like you and your friend were saving graces for each other :]

[NightSG]

Looks like you and your friend were saving graces for each other :]

I hope it works out that way in the long run. She's still struggling due to a rough, drawn out divorce and custody battle, and there have been some major setbacks for her, but I certainly won't give up on her after the positive effects she's had on me.

[RipplecutBuddha]

It's like walking into satan's den. Really yucky. How do those people live with that icky feeling around them?

For the anti-mormon crowd, they likely don't notice anything wrong. After all, it's okay to hate Satan, right? As long as they make us spiritually equal to him and his will, they can hate all day long and not feel a thing.

I understand this is a generalization, but seriously, what pig notices the smell of what it's rolling in? When someone has given themselves to hatred of others, spiritual sensetivity suffers greatly.

Speaking for my own experiences, I studied the anti-Mormon material very carefully, prayerfully, and fully aware that it is impossible for any faith-based religion to be proven right, wrong, or otherwise stritcly upon impirical grounds.

In order to identify truth in a religious setting, due consideration must always be made to the faith required to observe/believe the religion in question.

And now I'm rambling...I agree with previous posters, stay away from the stuff. It's not useful, 99% of it isn't even newer than the 19th century, and thus has been addressed and resolved ad nauseum by countless people both in and out of the LDS Church.

btw, I'm gonna steal that quote about finding a crust of bread in a trash can. too good to pass up.

[Heber13]

Ya, there is bad stuff on the Internet. I feel for those that are hurting and need vent, but if they are not searching for ways to get past their anger and find real truth, there is no point in joining their conversations.

Perhaps there is some solace they feel with others who want to bash the church also. They feel validated. Unfortunately, it isn't usually productive.

[applepansy]

I'm sure more than one has already said this but......

Bini, don't do that again. :)

[Anddenex]

Bini,

It has been a few days since my last post. I just wanted to remind you, because sometimes we forget, never to do it again.

:)

[Dravin]

Maybe we should start a collection for a custom mirrored T-shirt with the words, "Bini! Don't do it!"

[Bini]

Maybe we should start a collection for a custom mirrored T-shirt with the words, "Bini! Don't do it!"