1) How long did it take you to come to peace with leaving admitting disbelief? It took me about 1.5 years, the guilt and denial was on and off.
I think it was gradual. A lot of small bits and pieces just didn't make sense. I remember asking my Mother why there were two different creation stories when I was little, and she had an absolute furious meltdown - I knew never to imply that the Bible wasn't perfect in her presence again. I pulled away from the Christian Church in my 20's and dabbled in Paganism . . . I wanted something spiritual, but eventually Paganism just didn't make sense either.
Then one Easter, while playing the organ for church, I just abruptly realized that "I just can't believe any of this crap . . . !" I live in the Bible Belt, though, and I have to be careful who I tell.
2) How close are you to your family? Is there a feeling that you may never "fit in" again with your family after leaving? I kind of get that feeling...but I'm at peace with that now too.
My brother and I are both gay, so we were both disowned decades ago. But to my Mother, "atheist" is about as evil as any human can get - much worse than homosexual. And she once told my brother and me that all queers should be lined up against a wall and shot, so . . . I'm kind of glad I won't get a chance to tell her.
3) After being accustom to Mormon culture for a long time (perhaps since birth) did you ever find yourself socially awkward at times when exploring places and opportunities you could never had if you were still a TBM?
Pentecostal Protestant here . . . but no. I'm socially awkward no matter where I am.
I think it was gradual. A lot of small bits and pieces just didn't make sense. I remember asking my Mother why there were two different creation stories when I was little, and she had an absolute furious meltdown - I knew never to imply that the Bible wasn't perfect in her presence again. I pulled away from the Christian Church in my 20's and dabbled in Paganism . . . I wanted something spiritual, but eventually Paganism just didn't make sense either.
Then one Easter, while playing the organ for church, I just abruptly realized that "I just can't believe any of this crap . . . !" I live in the Bible Belt, though, and I have to be careful who I tell.
2) How close are you to your family? Is there a feeling that you may never "fit in" again with your family after leaving? I kind of get that feeling...but I'm at peace with that now too.
My brother and I are both gay, so we were both disowned decades ago. But to my Mother, "atheist" is about as evil as any human can get - much worse than homosexual. And she once told my brother and me that all queers should be lined up against a wall and shot, so . . . I'm kind of glad I won't get a chance to tell her.
3) After being accustom to Mormon culture for a long time (perhaps since birth) did you ever find yourself socially awkward at times when exploring places and opportunities you could never had if you were still a TBM?
Pentecostal Protestant here . . . but no. I'm socially awkward no matter where I am.
"The family that prays together...is brainwashing their children."- Albert Einstein
