“We can cherish the best of our individual earthly cultures and be full participants in the eternal culture that comes from the gospel of Jesus Christ.” Elder William K. Jackson,October 2020 General Conference The most backhanded compliment-insult combos start out with a Big But. And in this talk called The Culture of Christ (delivered at …
This week, rockstar Tyler Glenn will launch his new solo album, “Excommunication.” As a teaser, he has already released two music videos, Shameless, and the highly symbolic and controversial exmormon coming-out video, Trash. You can take three minutes to watch it now. I recommend full screen. We exmormons have never had an anthem before. Not officially. …
How can an atheist have a spiritual experience? It happens to me all the time, and it happens more often when I am true to myself and my sense of reality. First, let me be very clear. I am speaking only of my own journey, my own psychological and spiritual path, my own beliefs. I …
Many of the highly-promoted interpretations of LDS doctrines are divisive, shame-inducing, and thought-stopping in nature, as I’ve described in my book, Recovering Agency. But what if there is a more loving, inclusive, mind-freeing, self-actualizing way to interpret some of those same doctrines that increases free agency rather than restricts it? Wouldn’t such an interpretation be …
Last Sunday, I went back to Church for the first time in fifteen years. Yes, to Mormon church. I’ve been talking about doing this for awhile now, ever since the North Seattle Stake sent a letter inviting LGBT members back to a supposedly open and affirming atmosphere. I didn’t leave the Church because I am …
Pearson is a relative newbie who wasn’t a General Authority when I was still a member. He is charismatic, animated, and funny. While I liked his delivery style, the core of his message centered on thought reform. This message is, “Keep on believing no matter what.” Don’t let any trials, doubts, and questions steer you …
April 2015 LDS General Conference seemed to have one major theme: Apostasy. The majority of talks were about bolstering personal faith in the face of doubt and dealing with wayward loved ones. This session seemed as reactionary as last fall’s. Then, in the context of legalized marriage equality, leadership emphasized family values. This conference, in …
Godless in Dixie has a good post today about some of the effects of leaving a high-demand religious system, in his case, a Christian denomination. He’s a little more harsh about Christianity in general than I’d be, but his points are valid nonetheless. The most useful part of his post is the section on how to deal …
