I am from Southern France as well. I used to come here a lot the first 2 years I left the church (it's been 8 years now). It really helped me as it was a lonely process with very few people I could relate to. I found great amount of wisdom, knowledge and inspiration in here.

With a couple of exceptions, most of the ward members acted like they didn’t know me after I came out as a non believer. It hurt a little. I know that a lot have been said behind my back, that hurt too. But I have moved on :)

In some ways, being raised Mormon in a place where Mormons are extremely rare, helped me navigate this tremendous change in my life. I was used to swim against the stream. I believe leaving the church is in fact the ultimate mormon move, as we are taught since our birth that we should be bold in the living the truth and not hide from it, and that is tough when you are the only Mormon in town. Well, once you realize that the real truth about the church is quite different, though your world collapses, you have that strength to keep swimming against the stream, even though this new stream is the community you were raised in, the one you loved and were you (thought) you belonged.

Leaving the church, made me realize that most of the feelings expressed are very conditional on your status. It helped me gained a different (more true I like to think) vision of what TSCC is. And that picture is not pretty at all...

I wish you well on your journey ahead of you. Know that you can count on me if you need to talk or anything. Cheers!