Comments on: Catharsis http://www.blakeclan.org/jon/greenoasis/2007/02/11/catharsis/ One Mormon boy’s iconoclastic quest to remix and rectify his notions of truth, mind, myth, love, life, and transcendence. Mon, 01 Dec 2008 21:48:33 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.5 By: Green Oasis » Blogiversary http://www.blakeclan.org/jon/greenoasis/2007/02/11/catharsis/#comment-5860 Green Oasis » Blogiversary Thu, 10 Jan 2008 18:59:06 +0000 http://www.blakeclan.org/jon/greenoasis/?p=17#comment-5860 [...] echo this sentiment again: Others may say that I allowed myself to be seduced by falsehoods. It feels more like I was [...] [...] echo this sentiment again: Others may say that I allowed myself to be seduced by falsehoods. It feels more like I was [...]

]]> By: Jonathan Blake http://www.blakeclan.org/jon/greenoasis/2007/02/11/catharsis/#comment-213 Jonathan Blake Sat, 21 Apr 2007 16:50:54 +0000 http://www.blakeclan.org/jon/greenoasis/?p=17#comment-213 I wear the heretic badge with pride. I have finally come to a place of self-determination which is at the root of heresy. I refuse to back down from that. If I were to ever reenter Mormon life, it would because I chose to, independent of others' undue influence in the private precincts of my conscience. There are several reasons that I can imagine caused me to leave behind belief in God as well as Mormonism. I never felt close to Heavenly Father or Jesus. People would say that they love God and I simply could not relate. My struggle to feel that love is what ultimately destroyed my belief. The coincidence of me finding atheist at the time that I was struggling was another factor. My heart and mind were open to the truth, whatever it might be. The truth of atheism walked in at that same moment. I always said that if the Mormon church wasn't true, then no other church was. Well, I guess I lived up to that opinion: it was the Mormon church or no church for me. :) I wear the heretic badge with pride. I have finally come to a place of self-determination which is at the root of heresy. I refuse to back down from that. If I were to ever reenter Mormon life, it would because I chose to, independent of others’ undue influence in the private precincts of my conscience.

There are several reasons that I can imagine caused me to leave behind belief in God as well as Mormonism. I never felt close to Heavenly Father or Jesus. People would say that they love God and I simply could not relate. My struggle to feel that love is what ultimately destroyed my belief.

The coincidence of me finding atheist at the time that I was struggling was another factor. My heart and mind were open to the truth, whatever it might be. The truth of atheism walked in at that same moment.

I always said that if the Mormon church wasn’t true, then no other church was. Well, I guess I lived up to that opinion: it was the Mormon church or no church for me. :)

]]> By: Steve Graham http://www.blakeclan.org/jon/greenoasis/2007/02/11/catharsis/#comment-209 Steve Graham Thu, 19 Apr 2007 20:58:12 +0000 http://www.blakeclan.org/jon/greenoasis/?p=17#comment-209 Another thing I find odd is that sometimes when a person learns that some of the things he was told about the Church are wrong, he not only leaves the Church, but also leaves behind his faith in a Heavenly Father and a Savior. While another person may simply come to grips that the Church is not perfect or may continue believing in the Restoration and seek out a group which more perfect believes/follows the original prophets. I don't think this has much to do with your situation, Jonathan. Just some thinking I had to put down in writing and your site was handy ;-) Thanks. Steve Another thing I find odd is that sometimes when a person learns that some of the things he was told about the Church are wrong, he not only leaves the Church, but also leaves behind his faith in a Heavenly Father and a Savior. While another person may simply come to grips that the Church is not perfect or may continue believing in the Restoration and seek out a group which more perfect believes/follows the original prophets.

I don’t think this has much to do with your situation, Jonathan. Just some thinking I had to put down in writing and your site was handy ;-) Thanks.

Steve

]]> By: Steve Graham http://www.blakeclan.org/jon/greenoasis/2007/02/11/catharsis/#comment-208 Steve Graham Thu, 19 Apr 2007 20:42:45 +0000 http://www.blakeclan.org/jon/greenoasis/?p=17#comment-208 It's funny that both you and Joe Steve Swick apply the same term to yourselves. Steve It’s funny that both you and Joe Steve Swick apply the same term to yourselves.

Steve

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