Home in an online jungle

[j_anderson]

I wanted to thank Jeff for his efforts and point out a few things that are probably obvious to everyone but should be said.

The look and feel of this site are outstanding. It forcefully communicates to a large, unrepresented community who love life, who feel at peace with their post-mormon beliefs, who may have a distaste for the vitriolic raging at places like exmormon.org.

As I wrestled with the loss of faith, I found it disturbing that there were so few role models for leaving Mormonism without becoming bitter, making absurd accusations, obsessing about Mormonism, or pursuing alchol, drugs or sex in an excessive, irresponsible way. Where was the community of friends who understood our journey, but were not consumed with rehashing Mormonism or congratulating themselves on their impiety instead of finding new passions and identities?

There is a huge online community for disenfranchised and angry former Mormons. There is a community for those who remain in the Church out of external or family pressures. There is very little for those who have made a mental break, and who seek like-minded people looking for goodness, for ideas on raising spirited, healthy children prepared to explore a new world, for solidarity in remembering shared heritage without being confined by it.

The title, postmormon, is not defined by opposition or disillusionment, but transcendence and forging ahead. The feel of the site speaks to me of people who are utterly and completely free to explore the world and wise enough to seek out things that are beautiful and provocative.

Here's to hoping that this site will fill that need, that it will be a vibrant source of friendship and networking for those who have lived Mormonism, and seek something better - a place where former Mormons feel that intangible sense of home with those who have shared memories, and more importantly, shared new hopes.

[Jeff_Ricks]

Thank you very much for your kind post. It’s very gratifying to receive such feedback.

The website has been designed to be managed by a community, not by one person. For example, columnists have direct access to their columns and post articles whenever they have new material to publish. Support group leaders also have direct access to their part of the website (not fully operational yet but will be by the end of the month when they will all be given their access codes). Because it is designed to be community managed I do hope that we will eventually come to see it as our website, not mine. :)

Jeff

[Unregistered]

I wanted to thank Jeff for his efforts and point out a few things that are probably obvious to everyone but should be said.

The look and feel of this site are outstanding. It forcefully communicates to a large, unrepresented community who love life, who feel at peace with their post-mormon beliefs, who may have a distaste for the vitriolic raging at places like exmormon.org.

As I wrestled with the loss of faith, I found it disturbing that there were so few role models for leaving Mormonism without becoming bitter, making absurd accusations, obsessing about Mormonism, or pursuing alchol, drugs or sex in an excessive, irresponsible way. Where was the community of friends who understood our journey, but were not consumed with rehashing Mormonism or congratulating themselves on their impiety instead of finding new passions and identities?

There is a huge online community for disenfranchised and angry former Mormons. There is a community for those who remain in the Church out of external or family pressures. There is very little for those who have made a mental break, and who seek like-minded people looking for goodness, for ideas on raising spirited, healthy children prepared to explore a new world, for solidarity in remembering shared heritage without being confined by it.

The title, postmormon, is not defined by opposition or disillusionment, but transcendence and forging ahead. The feel of the site speaks to me of people who are utterly and completely free to explore the world and wise enough to seek out things that are beautiful and provocative.

Here's to hoping that this site will fill that need, that it will be a vibrant source of friendship and networking for those who have lived Mormonism, and seek something better - a place where former Mormons feel that intangible sense of home with those who have shared memories, and more importantly, shared new hopes.

Some statements may not be asburd. I am sure there are several, if not many, extreme case of abuse with incrediable events intangled.

If one reads of the use of drugs, drinking or sex. I would also look for abuse. The above three cited are part of an acting out pattern for someone who went through a trying experience. But at some point in their lives, they need to realize they are only hurting themselves, and not the parties, or parties who hurt them.

Sure there can be some who are ranting, and in rebellion. Doing somethings which are in poor taste, excess. Hopefully, they will come to terms with their rebellion.

You are right on one thing, glad this is a more serious site. I would not be confortable in the other.

Your may have left because of a loss of faith, for others it can be for other reasons. In any case, the common thread is, we left.

Nikki