Are they going to ex me?

[wileycoyote]

I live in a small predominantly Mormon town and I'm not afraid to speak my mind. I've told my Bish I'm an apostate but he says as long as I'm still searching for the truth he still has hope for me. I know the SP knows what's going on with me and now my parents Bish has hit them up about it. I've started telling my friends that the church has serious problems that they need to look into.
I've heard you can get ex-ed for saying you believe the BM and DC were written by joseph. I need some advice. Getting ex-ed in this town would ruin my name. :duh (yes, they do have one threat that worries me) Should I keep my mouth shut? Plead the fifth? What does my future hold in the church court system hold? I would like to speak honestly when I get that call to meet with the stake president but I don't want to cut my own throat. I realize some of you have already been in this position and I could use your advice. Both in regards to coming out in a small town and what to tell the church when they ask?
Thanks

[mindbender]

I live in a small predominantly Mormon town and I'm not afraid to speak my mind. I've told my Bish I'm an apostate but he says as long as I'm still searching for the truth he still has hope for me. I know the SP knows what's going on with me and now my parents Bish has hit them up about it. I've started telling my friends that the church has serious problems that they need to look into.
I've heard you can get ex-ed for saying you believe the BM and DC were written by joseph. I need some advice. Getting ex-ed in this town would ruin my name. :duh (yes, they do have one threat that worries me) Should I keep my mouth shut? Plead the fifth? What does my future hold in the church court system hold? I would like to speak honestly when I get that call to meet with the stake president but I don't want to cut my own throat. I realize some of you have already been in this position and I could use your advice. Both in regards to coming out in a small town and what to tell the church when they ask?
ThanksI do not know the answer to the question , but i am in a simalar position to you as i am very vocal about my non belief , espsecially in sunday school , funny thing , these days whenever i go to class i find a member of the Bishopric sitting behind me , in the past they never seemed to have time to come to ss or priesthood , good luck soon to be ex mo

[taegan]

I cant say whats right for you... but for *me* personally, I never *not* say something out of fear of retribution (except to my mom, because she's evil, ROFL) Personally, I would lay all my cards on the table because I know that the people who would turn on me, are obviously not true friends and I dont need those kind of people in my life. I hope you find the answer thats right for you.

I know that if my DH and I were to go to the bishop and "confess" our sins, we'd be ex'd in a matter of seconds, LOL. Although I am debating on whether I do it here, overseas where I have no family.....or wait until we get home where we will be surrounded by the Mo's. :confused:

[jayneedoe]

Getting ex-ed in this town would ruin my name. :duh (yes, they do have one threat that worries me)

I know that people who want to come out with their unbelief face serious consequences, i.e., divorce, loss of job, etc. That makes this issue extremely difficult.

Can you elaborate on how it would ruin your name?

Jaynee

[silverfox]

I live in a small predominantly Mormon town and I'm not afraid to speak my mind. I've told my Bish I'm an apostate but he says as long as I'm still searching for the truth he still has hope for me. I know the SP knows what's going on with me and now my parents Bish has hit them up about it. I've started telling my friends that the church has serious problems that they need to look into.
I've heard you can get ex-ed for saying you believe the BM and DC were written by joseph. I need some advice. Getting ex-ed in this town would ruin my name. :duh (yes, they do have one threat that worries me) Should I keep my mouth shut? Plead the fifth? What does my future hold in the church court system hold? I would like to speak honestly when I get that call to meet with the stake president but I don't want to cut my own throat. I realize some of you have already been in this position and I could use your advice. Both in regards to coming out in a small town and what to tell the church when they ask?
Thanks

I am curious also how this would ruin you. You are already speaking out. It appears word of mouth has it that you no longer believe.

Yes, you can be ex'd for not believing. This is why I had my name removed. I live in a small town. I didn't care if anyone knew my true beliefs and am very outspoken about it. I didn't care if they wanted to ex me. BUT I wanted to have control over that decision. I made the choice to join and I made the choice to leave.

Anytime most members hear someone has been ex'd they always think it's for some grievious sin or wrongdoing. They never think it's really because they no longer believe.

What damage would resigning from the church do in your small community? If you no longer believe and everyone you know is aware of it why not just have your name removed?

Best wishes.

[peter_mary]

The damage comes from "the talk," the gossip. It's a big issue at our house, too. However, considering the fact that you've been pretty open to your Bishop, and your parents are aware too, I wonder what you're protecting now? This might actually be a good time to consider resigning, if you're ready. A quiet resignation is less likely to be scandalous than an excommunication. However, you may not be ready to take that step.

My guess is that if you are just voicing your opinion, you are not likely to face Church discipline. Hell, I've done that IN CHURCH, and not done anything more than draw a "correction" at the end of the Priesthood by the EQ President. However, if you are proselytizing, starting a new church, or seeking the destruction of other's testimonies, then you might find yourself called to account. The Church is generally pretty sensitive to the amount of damage you can do. If you're just having animated conversations with your friends, you're probably gonna raise a few eyebrows, but not likely to feel the full wrath of the beloved "Brethren." On the other hand, if you're putting together a website called PostMormon.org...then you best be watchin' your butt or getting it out of the Church ASAP! :rolleyes:

Anyway, that's what I THINK...I don't KNOW any of that. And since we all know that discipline is not meted out according to any standard other than the whims of the Bishop/SP in question, it could be different for you than anyone else. Hard to say.

Peter_Mary

[wileycoyote]

I know that people who want to come out with their unbelief face serious consequences, i.e., divorce, loss of job, etc. That makes this issue extremely difficult.

Can you elaborate on how it would ruin your name?

Jaynee

Just like Silverfox said. I know if I had heard someone was exed I would assume they'd done something horrible. I'm a contractor and do all my work right here in town. I'm also slighlty into the politics of town and like to think I have a little credibility. I can picture that going away pretty fast if the rumors start flying. I'm afraid the story would end up, I did something bad and then decided the church wasn't true. The truth is one of the reasons I started questioning was my increasing involment in church.
If I can just hold everything together, this may turn out alright, but I can see how joe's words about if you don't listen to him, you'll be destroyed, could end up being a self fullfilling prophecy.

[silverfox]

Just like Silverfox said. I know if I had heard someone was exed I would assume they'd done something horrible. I'm a contractor and do all my work right here in town. I'm also slighlty into the politics of town and like to think I have a little credibility. I can picture that going away pretty fast if the rumors start flying. I'm afraid the story would end up, I did something bad and then decided the church wasn't true. The truth is one of the reasons I started questioning was my increasing involment in church.
If I can just hold everything together, this may turn out alright, but I can see how joe's words about if you don't listen to him, you'll be destroyed, could end up being a self fullfilling prophecy.

It REALLY infuriates me that there is so much CONDITION amongst members. It just seems soooooooo against what they "preach". What's Christlike about it?

I am sorry for you and others (and I even have my situations where I have to be careful) who cannot be themselves and have to "pretend" or base decisions on who might be "watching". Ridiculous. Absolutely ridiculous.

Like I've said, the church promotes lies and dishonesty. And all in the name of God.