Old Articles/Links?

[Darin]

WONDERFUL sight here....

I sent an email about this, but thought I'd ask it publically, as well. I have been devouring much of the information here at this site (before the beautiful redesign) over the last month or two. Some of the articles (i.e. "The Same Path," "Post Membership: Several Perspectives," "How Obvious would it have to be?" and "Intimacy Capacity") were EXCELLENT. There also were some links (on, in particular, involved comparing certain phrases of the Book of Mormon to some other Christian writings of Joseph Smith's day) that I wish I could access, as well. I have often been sharing the link to such articles with friends and family...
Will those articles all be back, soon? Is there an archive? Will the links be posted here somewhere?

If not, how can I access them?

Also, in the opening paragraph on the old opening webpage, there was a paragraph which likened religion to the cocoon of a butterfly--that paragraph was EXCELLENT--I refered many of my family to the opening page, just to read that alone. I hope it will be back in some form somewhere... It allowed me to explain why I was leaving the Church, but why I still saw value in it for some family members, and didn't oppose their continued involvement, as the Church still holds value for them. GREAT metaphor...

One final other comment--I have appreciated the constructive way that Post-Mormons have approached the Church. Although my wife claims they are 'Anti-Mormon' (as most active members probably would), I have appreciated the balance and recognition that some members still FIND value in the Church, and as 'Post Mormons', we do not begrudge them that value. I hope, as the sight undergoes further progressive changes, it will not loose that 'balanced' sensability. I hope it is still able to see the Good in the Church, while simutaneously being objective about 'Truth' or the 'lack thereof.' There are too many vehemently 'anti-Mormon' sites, with few able to see "the good" alongside "the bad." Although I no longer believe in the Church and am moving towards agnosticism, I would be lying if I did not recognize the value the Church has given me--how much it has formed the man I am today, the values and virtures I hold, the positive experiences. I will cherish much of my past in the Church--and look forward to more constructive yet balanced articles.

Thanks again! I look forward to contributing as I can.
Darin

[Jeff]

Darin,

Thanks for the feedback. All of the articles from the old site will be found on the new site. I just haven't had time to get them moved over to the new format yet but should be able to in the next 2 - 3 weeks. They will all be accessible through the magazine portion of the website. In the meantime you can access the old site here:

http://www.post-mormons.com/index_old.shtml

Thank you for the feedback about the cocoon metaphor. I felt like it was a good metaphor but I think you might be one of a handful of people who have actually told me they feel the same way. The open page statement is still a little in a state of flux. It's a collaboration of three people over the last two years and has changed a little during that time. I will work the metaphor back into the text at some point soon and run it past our editorial committee for approval.

The overall tone of the website will remain the same as the old site—a positive and constructive resource for those who leave the church. That will always be its purpose. Expect more good articles and more columnists over the next several weeks in addition to the material from the old site. And expect another feature article in January next year when issue #2 is published on the website.

Thanks for posting!
Jeff