All segments of this issue deeply affected me and run the gamut of emotions. Thanks to all for sharing these stories and confirming that I am in the right place on my own journey.
Re: Rachael's essay: This desire to punish people is mind-boggling, and just so needlessly cruel. Even considering excommunication was unnecessary. That a bishop jumped straight there, then learned he could do it, then acted on it, simply to punish a family for leaving--I mean, is it any wonder that people are leaving the church when this is how leaders act? It's not like the cruelty only comes up at the way out.
There is an adage going around the Internet that I'm sure we've all seen--essentially, people aren't leaving the church (meaning Christianity generally) because they don't love Jesus. They're leaving because they don't find Jesus in church.
If we truly understood that everyone is equal (including that Heavenly Mother is equal to Heavenly Father), it would heal so much hurt. ❤️🩹 You cannot build unity/Zion and keep othering all the people in the world who aren't cisgender, straight males.
All segments of this issue deeply affected me and run the gamut of emotions. Thanks to all for sharing these stories and confirming that I am in the right place on my own journey.
That bishop-yikes! That’s awful. Talk about a power trip! So sorry you had to be on the receiving end of it
Re: Rachael's essay: This desire to punish people is mind-boggling, and just so needlessly cruel. Even considering excommunication was unnecessary. That a bishop jumped straight there, then learned he could do it, then acted on it, simply to punish a family for leaving--I mean, is it any wonder that people are leaving the church when this is how leaders act? It's not like the cruelty only comes up at the way out.
There is an adage going around the Internet that I'm sure we've all seen--essentially, people aren't leaving the church (meaning Christianity generally) because they don't love Jesus. They're leaving because they don't find Jesus in church.
If we truly understood that everyone is equal (including that Heavenly Mother is equal to Heavenly Father), it would heal so much hurt. ❤️🩹 You cannot build unity/Zion and keep othering all the people in the world who aren't cisgender, straight males.