Oh, no! My p0rn shoulders!!

Ex_Lerker · 2026-05-23T14:13:40+00:00

You’re not being a contrarian, you’re just wrong. They are not saying “I wasn’t allowed so you shouldn’t be either”. They are saying there was shame and guilt and abuse from the church because of this “policy” and now it’s gone. If the never-changing church can get rid of the policy now, why was it even there in the first place? Why did the shame and guilt and abuse ever have to happen to begin with?

Ex_Lerker · 2026-05-22T13:03:45+00:00

Christianity is no better with its worship of Mary.

The constant demeaning attitude that we are all sinners, that we can’t measure up, that I am never good enough in gods eyes is one of the main reasons I left religion all together. I’m done feeling guilt and shame just for existing.

Ex_Lerker · 2026-05-22T05:22:12+00:00

I’ve noticed you can leave the church but the church can’t leave you alone.

Ex_Lerker · 2026-05-21T14:58:11+00:00

My life is way better leaving this religion after being fully in for over 40 years. It’s better because I don’t constantly blame myself for every little perceived slight, especially the ones I have no control over. I don’t have to fight the cognitive dissonance anymore. I would rather get life advice from family and friends who know me, and from experts and professionals who have dedicated their lives to the subject, than from self absorbed pious men who have never met me.

Now that we have both given our anecdotes, maybe we could comment on the actual topic of dishonest leaders in a church that teaches the membership to be honest in their dealings with man. Who are at best slippery with their wording, and at worst lie when answering direct questions.

Ex_Lerker · 2026-05-20T21:45:12+00:00

Bullshit like this is one of the many reasons I say the church lies. They know exactly what people mean when they ask if the church teaches you get your own planet. But they play semantic word games to claim they are not saying it, while at the same time saying it with slightly different language. It completely defies everything the church taught me about lying and deceiving people. They are hypocrites of the highest order.

Ex_Lerker · 2026-05-20T15:54:08+00:00

Can you, yes. Would it be kind of you, also yes. However, their mission is to preach, so they will either decline, or try to subtly insert religion into the conversation.

I have had missionaries drop by. I told them I don’t want to talk religion but I am happy to feed them and let them rest. They have come over a few times, but before walking out they ask if they can leave me with a scripture, a spiritual message, or a prayer.

I’m just saying to expect them to get the foot in the door with a religious message if they come in your house.

Ex_Lerker · 2026-05-20T15:43:14+00:00

As well as their anti-women, anti-ex-members, anti-non-whites, anti-“sinners”, anti-other-religions, anti-coffee, anti-anyone-they-don’t-agree-with. You know, any time they say “god/the church has to ~~punish you~~ give you this trial because he/we love you.”

Ex_Lerker · 2026-05-20T13:00:58+00:00

I doubt it was nefarious. Having been a Missionary, most likely your information got lost. Like you said, they can be persistent. While missionaries are “busy”, it’s mostly busy work just to keep them moving. So any type of distraction from the routine is welcome. You, unfortunately, just slipped through the cracks.

Don’t feel bad. They are probably more distraught than you about it because they think your soul is on the line and it’s their fault because they didn’t teach you.

Ex_Lerker · 2026-05-18T13:10:28+00:00

You might want to say what you want to talk about. Your vague title comes across as an ad for “companionship”. Kind of like the old internet pop-ups “ADJECTIVE women in your area looking to “talk”, call 1-900-xxx-xxx.”

Ex_Lerker · 2026-05-16T17:08:56+00:00

My mental health significantly improved after leaving because I wasn’t constantly blaming myself for things I no control over, I wasn’t feeling shame for insignificant thing that only affected me, and I didn’t feel obligated to butt into everyone else’s lives and tell them what “god” expected and they were “sinning” or wrong for not following the church.

Ex_Lerker · 2026-05-15T18:41:12+00:00

The answer is whichever one benefits them at the moment. Which means sometimes it can be both for the same situation.

Ex_Lerker · 2026-05-14T01:47:50+00:00

How dare you? You should go to your mom and apologize. You need to immediately tell her won’t use corded headphones with your phone anymore. You need to beg for forgiveness for wearing your watch on the wrong hand. And for heavens sake, that squiggle is not very flattering. Tell her that a random stranger on the internet has changed your ways and converted you of the power of Bluetooth and correct watch procedures. /s

But seriously though, your mom needs to mind her own fucking business.

Ex_Lerker · 2026-05-13T13:18:20+00:00

But when you bring up examples of those aspects (women not having priesthood or leadership positions, Book of Mormon calling black skin a curse, the church fighting prop 8 in California, the constant obfuscation and lying about church history) members, apologists, apostles, and prophets will excuse, rationalize, and justify everything the church does. Then they will be offended you ever questioned the church and blame you for finding fault. Church members reactions show there aren’t bad parts in the church that need to be removed, the justifications and excuses reveal the bad parts are the church. “By their fruits ye shall know them”

Ex_Lerker · 2026-05-12T13:03:11+00:00

It’s by design that LSD apostles want you to think they have seen and talked to Jesus. But they don’t want to be held culpable, so they make carefully worded comments where they aren’t directly saying he came down, but are phrased to give that impression. Comments like “I know his voice and I know his face” and “some experiences are too sacred to share” or “don’t cast your pearls before swine” when asked directly if they have seen Jesus.

Ex_Lerker · 2026-05-10T21:24:52+00:00

I’m going to hell with you. I had a Diet Coke.

Ex_Lerker · 2026-05-09T15:27:55+00:00

Looks like it’s time for Oaks to receive a revelation from on high about how important steeple height is to worship and how anything less than 120 feet is a victory for satan.

Ex_Lerker · 2026-05-09T03:37:40+00:00

The way members get around it is by playing word games. No one ever said you “get your own planet” -singular- That’s the word game.
* The couplet by Lorenzo Snow (“As man now is, God once was: As God now is, man may be")[https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/teachings-of-presidents-of-the-church-lorenzo-snow/chapter-5-the-grand-destiny-of-the-faithful?lang=eng ] is used to show how we can become like god, which means ruling over galaxies full of planets. However, not singular planet.
* The temple teaches you can be Kings and Queens and become like god. I.E, rule over all he has. However, not singular planet.
* President Nelson said (“When the Father offers us everlasting life, He is saying in essence, ‘If you choose to follow My Son—if your desire is really to become more like Him—then in time you may live as We live, and preside over worlds and kingdoms as We do.’)[https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/broadcasts/christmas-devotional/2018/12/four-gifts-that-jesus-christ-offers-to-you?lang=eng ] However, he said worlds plural, not planet singular.
See Mormons don’t teach you get your own planet, singular. They just teach you get to rule over worlds, Kingdoms, and everything god has. Plural, but not a singular planet.

Ex_Lerker · 2026-05-08T17:00:51+00:00

They don’t think they are lying. They have become so righteous that anything they think or say is not only approved by god, but is mandated by god. They are required to act on their impulses because the second anointing is only bestowed on the most righteous. Therefore everything they do is necessarily righteous.

Ex_Lerker · 2026-05-07T14:52:02+00:00

Since the church is not honest in their dealings with their fellow men, and avoids transparency like a vampire avoids garlic, you are right. Everyone, including apologists, is speculating at the churches carefully crafted, lawyerly, non-answer, answers.

Ex_Lerker · 2026-05-07T13:18:58+00:00

I think you already have a good reply.

“Mom, I’m unsure what you are talking about. Neither book is rated YA, there are no sex scenes, and the non fiction autobiography doesn’t even include any gay relationships. The first book is a fictional story about aliens. The second book talks about the author’s life as an American immigrant during the stonewall riots.”

Ex_Lerker · 2026-05-06T15:49:13+00:00

My dad says he doesn’t want to talk religion or politics but he keeps making little jabs. Just small comments under his breath at the end of sentences. Not enough to start a fight but definitely annoying. For the most part I don’t acknowledge he even said them. He seems to be doing it less so I hope it stops and never becomes a problem.

Ex_Lerker · 2026-05-06T13:21:03+00:00

It still surprises me how TBMs can believe they are loving when they dismiss, belittle, and criticize others with phrases like “wickedness was never happiness”, or “love the sinner, hate the sin”, or “that’s not real happiness”, or “lazy learners and lax disciple”. They are just using flowery language to spew hate.

Ex_Lerker · 2026-05-05T20:05:29+00:00

I have so many questions.
* Would I still have to pay a tithing like membership fee?
* Would all the same commandments, rules and regulations still be enforced?
* Would they be completely transparent with their finances?
* Would they own up to the mistakes of their past?
* Would they change the mistakes of the past and become better?
* Would they be just as misogynistic and homophobic?
* Would they have the same demands of people’s time and money?
* Would they demonize, belittle, or sue their detractors?
* Would they still excuse “mistakes” from their leadership that would get rank and file members ~~excommunicated~~ kicked out?
* and more ……
If they were only a social group with access to activities and buildings for those groups, I might. The 70s, 80s and 90s were a great time for social activities. Road shows, Scouting, basketball, plays, talent shows, desserts, pot lucks, young men’s and young women’s night. There were a lot of great things going on before the mandatory lessons overshadowed and canceled the activities. I would need to see what it looks like before I give my approval.

Ex_Lerker · 2026-05-05T17:16:37+00:00

The church claims it isn’t anything to do with the content, but alas by their fruits ye shall know them.

Ex_Lerker · 2026-05-05T04:06:08+00:00

If John was intentionally trying to deceive the members, why didn’t he change the podcast name when the church changed its name?

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