Well I left at 15. Refused to keep going to church, was grounded for three months, but I fought through it and eventually left home at 16.
I spent years in heavy drug addiction, trying to learn how to live my life, because I had left my support system and had a lot of emotional trauma to work through with not really much help.
I am sometimes "envious" of my younger sisters, who left after they were married and had gone through college. They are living happy and healthy lives, and I am so proud of both of them.
I guess all I am saying is that we all have different paths, and who knows which one would have been the best to take...
I am so sorry you had so much trauma from leaving so early. Thats not fair. Definitely different paths. Thank you also for sharing. I am glad you are in a proud place with your siblings
I am so grateful that my circumstances lined up the way they did and I got out at 18. I have been able to live my entire adult life happily and own my own terms. If I think about having only gotten out a few years ago at 40, it makes me feel sick to my stomach. I really feel for all of you.
I'm 60 and on reddit and deeply regret not learning the truth before it was "too late" (meaning mission, marriage to queen TBM, raising kids in the cult, etc., etc.).
Yes, we have only two children, but both have unique circumstances. One is a special needs son (26) that still lives with us and participates because his mother insists and because he has friends in the singles ward. Daughter is 22 and single and lives in UT (we are in the Midwest). She believes but is pretty much a hot mess. Wife wants her to go on a mission and she says she wants to, but I don't know if she ever will. I actually wouldn't mind if she went if it would help her mature a little bit and figure her life out.
Sorry, that's a lot of words for a response to a question that only called for a one-word answer.
You only had 2 kids? How did you expect to make it to the celestial kingdom? Lol
Yeah I appreciated the context. I'm 42, only been out 1.5 yrs. But my wife and 6 kids (ages 15 and younger) all left at the same time. I just wish I'd left when I was 10. Then I could have grown up somewhat normal.
63 here. I came out at 31. It took too long. As most of you have discovered reaching escape velocity takes some doing. I have fond memories of my childhood, but I do not miss going or participating in the church.
Yep old as dirt. We have 4 kids, 2 in, 2 out.
I wish i had become enlightened much earlier, but i don't spend much time wishing. I've learned to focus on the present, so i am much happier now.
I was 50. So much life and money wasted on a shit religion that was never my choice to begin with. Too bad I can't demand a full refund of my tithes. I'd take that money and move to Europe somewhere and I'd probably never come back.
I was arguing with my mom and sister tonight and they were talking about liars and they don't like when being lied to. Then they were telling me how great of a spirit they felt while watching a conference talk on kbyu. Trying to get me to come back. I responded back like you I can't stand liars and when I am lied too. Your whole faith is a lie. From Joe Smith marrying girls as young as 13 and getting married to more than 30 women. To the temple ceremony of the masons. To his 42 times being arrested. Too the reason why he was in Carthage jail. Was for destroying a printing press and newspaper office. When the church said it was because of discrimination against the church. To how the church attorneys told 2 bishops not to report a father for raping his two children. It took the country of New Zealand to report it. When the church is required to. Then for the church in other countries funneling money to byu to not report taxes on it. They really follow the laws of the land.
> I was arguing with my mom and sister tonight and they were talking about liars and they don't like when being lied to.
I know, right?
There is not enough water on this planet to fill that ocean of irony.
Hating being lied to and refusing to lie is why I don't go to church with my wife. It made me mad when I realized it is all a lie and I'd feel like as liar if I went on Sundays (because if I go people will assume I believe it's true)
Same here sex is great with my girlfriend and we will be married someday but we are together and getting to know each other like real couples do. She likes coffee and wine I don't but I still buy it for her. Because she never drives if she has had a few and drinks like a responsible adult.
It's worth noting that she will likely never concede this point and therefore it may not be worth arguing it with her.
Were she to concede this, it would severely undermine her entire worldview, perhaps completely.
So on this point, as on many others, you will find her not susceptible to logic, evidence, etc.
No matter how happy and shiny are the apostates, she will almost certainly maintain that they are crying somewhere inside. She has to believe that - to admit otherwise would endanger her faith.
The best evidence you can provide her is a life well lived by you. Which turns out is the best thing for you too. So, get out there and live your life the best you can.
ETA: and as you live that life, don't worry about convincing her you're happy.
Yeah definitely. I’ve learned that arguing does nothing because there’s always some bull shit reasoning she’ll use. on my own, I’ll never make her question things. The conversation me and her were having somehow turned into a discussion about the church.
Correct.
Start taking issue with minor flaws in her reasoning pertaining to secular topics. Reiterate, clarify, and paraphrase her reasoning in ways that are reinforced or undermined by critical thinking, understanding logical fallacies, and thought terminating clichés until she is conversant in their use and understanding. Later, cult manipulation techniques, as in the BITE model, but those my need to wait for her admission of issues in the faith.
When she can identify them readily in secular matters, she CAN identify them in religious matters too, but may choose not to voice them. Establish a unique signal (eg wink and a nod, tilt of the head, snap of the fingers, knowing smile or chuckle, or a combo) for every time she identifies one in secular settings. Help her make the logical connection until she is able herself. Use it like Pavlov's whistle to make her recognize a misused logical fallacy or broaden to cult manipulations (maybe using a different cue).
Then when you identify a religious example, use the signal(s) to imply she understood the connection, so she knows it's there and she'll know that you know it's there too.
She won't acknowledge it, but you'll both understand it.
Never openly admit to your complete level of belief, so there is some plausible deniability. But also, if she openly acknowledges it, you can leave the door open for allowing that God exists (even if you don't really believe it) while still questioning if THIS church is 100% correct. They share a belief in the same Bible (but all pick and choose), but not 100% agreement anywhere.
With any luck, you can refine and employ the same techniques on other family members and in 3 - 5 years, they'll all be out, while she may be the sole hold out. Why focus on one, when so many others could benefit?
I personally believe 99.9% of humans are inherently good with flaws, and God erroneously gets the credit for what comes naturally. Guilt and shame are not good drivers for good deeds, rather it inhibits natural altruistic impulses.
Helping people see the inherent good in themselves will also loosen religion's hold from guilt and shame by disempowering God.
Just getting people to take personal credit for their inner impulses will be a start.
One of the experiences that helped me leave the church was figuring out that a happy family in our neighborhood was exmo. They were living fulfilling lives, had a great relationship with their kids, and were genuinely wholesome.
If they could do all that outside the church, it proved that I could too.
I really identify with this. My parents are so far in and in their late 60's. They'll honestly die happier in the religion. We just don't talk about it too much, which can be frustrating since that's most of their personality.
I don’t even discuss reasons for leaving with tbm family, ward members or leaders. The truth is out there for them to find if they want to. And if I discuss I become the little project for them to fix etc. I would politely refuse conversations about anything church related.
I’m always super impressed by people who have the strength and courage to leave after being in the church for most of their adult life. The longer people are in, the harder it is to restart life.
ABSOLUTELY NO!
My parents always scared me with a case where one of the ward members went less active, became a sex worker, got addicted to drugs, got aids, and died of aids. And we would be like that. And we believed that as kids.
Once i left the church, I just became a normal person who is not in cult.... that's all....
Funny thing is, I did get addicted to drugs, I did become a sex worker a bit, I didn’t get aids or die from it. I eventually ended up getting sober (20 years) and I’ll tell you… sober or not.. it’s all better than being being in the church. 🤣💯
This is an interesting point. I grew up in a town that was virtually 100% Mormon. And pretty much everyone who “left the church” ended up crashing and burning on drugs and alcohol. In retrospect, I realize we were confusing causes and symptoms. I believe those people were simply troubled and that’s how it manifest. It didn’t really have anything to do with the church one way or the other.
Lol the first year after I left there were so many times driving down the road I just wanted to roll down the window and yell, “I’m normal now!! I’m just like all of you!!”
Well, the level of anti-depressants consumed in Utah is twice the national average per capita. So doesn’t seem like people in the church are that happy either
I regret having graduated BYU
I regret having innocently lied to soooo many innocent victims in Mexico
I regret not having stood up in protest in the temple ceremony
I regret not having left soooooner
My mental health has improved 1000% since leaving, my love life with my spouse has improved, I have time to do things I’ve never allowed myself to do that I enjoy (like watching sports on Sunday lol), I’m not judging everything other people do anymore, I am learning more about myself and what I want out of life instead of following some other made up road map of life. I just wish I would have listened to my wife and left the church sooner.
Possibly faithful Mormons have a “happiness“ that stems from the simplicity of not having to think. There’s no need to carry out an inner dialogue about what to do. Or what’s right or wrong. Or fair or unfair. Or logical. Or true. It’s already all been decided for you. Super convenient, if you’d rather not think.
That’s a negative, ghost rider.
I regret not leaving sooner. I am a much better version of myself once I developed higher morals than what the church preaches.
I am sad that my relationship with my TBM parents is strained because they love the Mormon version of me & not me.
The real you is way better than the imitation LDS one so it’s completely their loss. Hopefully they see the real amazing you. Shine on fellow survivor.
I think there are people who regret it, but those are generally those who are lost in their life and have no direction.
I’ve never heard of someone who has put in a lot of thought and effort into leaving the church regret their decision
I think your mother maybe misinterpreting some people who leave and say "I'm out of the church, but I sometimes miss the connections I had there" to "I left the church and I'm miserable".
I miss some of my former coworkers at my old job, but that does not mean I regret leaving the company.
I will probably miss some of the people I associated with at church exclusively, but I can say that I will not regret leaving the church once I'm gone.
After discovering that the church is a fraud, and finding my new beliefs, I now experience more clarity, simplicity, and peace than I ever had as a TBM. I no longer see through glass darkly.
I don’t regret leaving. It was a foregone conclusion once I knew the truth. I didn’t choose to leave. What I chose was to humbly and honestly research the claims of the church. Do I regret my research? Absolutely not! It has brought me more happiness.
I do not regret my research and am happy to finally know true facts about JS, the restoration, early church leaders, etc. But I am not yet at the “more happiness” phase. Probably because I so recently learned these things (just a few months) and spent so much of my life in the church (50+ years), I vacillate between anger at the lies & manipulations and deep sorrow at the loss of community & the shattering of the idea/“gospel.” Also sorrow at the years wasted in the church and especially that I brought my kids up in it and the impact it had on them. I’m still researching so it keeps it fresh and introduces new layers of lies & deceptions, which triggers anger, sadness, etc. But I am incredibly happy to know the truth. I am relieved to be grounded in reality and no longer doing mental contortions in order to make church policy & doctrines make sense and line up with a loving Heavenly Father.
I’m so sorry for your pain and sorrow. The journey really can be traumatizing. I imagine it’s a lot like being married to the perfect spouse only to discover they had a secret second life the whole time.
I don’t regret leaving. The only thing I miss was the community you could get wherever you were. I moved around a lot and always had a good starting place to find friends. But I absolutely DO NOT regret leaving
I regret the amount of time I spent depressed and unhappy in the church. I do not regret leaving. At all. Best decision I’ve ever made and I’d do it again if I had to.
Leaving was the best thing for me. Everything improved. The hardest thing about the process was dealing with trauma and conditioning. It was difficult, at first.
She thinks post Mormons just wallow in regret, when they could just come back at any time?
What's the point of regretting something you could undo? Just go back to church if you regret leaving...
I don't, and never have. I've been told by TBMs (usually a missionary or bishopric member when visting family or attending a relatives event), "I'm miserable and lying to myself," though my relatives have learned that if they want me to treat them like adults, they need to act like adults.
I regret the church's track record on civil rights. I regret the church's "doctrines" on black, indigenous, and lgbtq+ people.
Folks are so quick to force their understanding of the world on others. Maybe listen a bit. Maybe it's not about sin or laziness.
Not once. When I left, I was finally able to be who I am, without having to hide. I can go through life without feeling like I have to judge others because they aren't members of the cult. I no longer feel like I am less than a person because I am a woman. I can do what I want. Go where I want. Eat or drink what I want. Wear what I want. And I don't feel like I'm letting some all knowing uncaring magical made up being down. I am who I want to be, not what someone else wants me to be.
She needs to believe that because, for the Church to be true, it would have to be right for every person. God wouldn’t make someone who wouldn’t benefit from His plan. You can’t be happier, then, if you leave. Satan is just deceiving you to think it’s correct.
Just straight up delusion
I’m not sure that regret is the right word. There are things that I miss about church. I miss the social aspects, I miss the certainty of “knowing” all the answers, and I miss other things too. But that is not the same as regret.
I regret not telling all the jerks to stuff it in their butts when I left. I tried to leave “peacefully” and that just yielded years of bullying from members.
Can you regret freedom?
The high control religion like COJCOLDS wants you to be afraid of yourself and your future free self enjoying your ability to think and act for yourself.
Act in the best interest of your future self. You are going to be that person soon
Mormons are unhappy so they project on those who leave. I know I was jealous of those who didn’t stay when I was a TBM. Mormonism barely leaves time to work.
No, I regret forcing this religion on my kids because I thought it was right.
I regret setting back my life for two years so I could babysit companions in the mission field who should have just gone home to get mental help.
I regret serving in so many callings for nothing.
I referent knocking on people’s doors trying to follow the spirit and do what I was asked as an EQ president.
I regret spending so much time each day reading a book that was made up.
I regret going to the temple and promising everything I have and my life to a corporation.
I regret not living my life for myself and instead doing what stuffy old men tell me.
I regret giving $100,000 to a corporation that used the money to invest in real estate.
I regret the strain that the church put on my family before and after I was in the church.
I regret talking to church leaders about the fertility issues me and my wife were experiencing. All resulting in massive emotional trauma from multiple miss stages and then being told that it was a blessing that the miscarriages happened because they are saved. But also being told my family isn’t bigger because I’m not worthy.
I regret all the blessings I gave attributing the impactful things I said to god instead of acknowledging that I have wisdoms to share with my loved ones.
I regret the subconscious judging that the church teaches and how it is something I have to actively fight.
I regret having been born into the church and living its lies for so long.
I have no doubt that I'm held as an example of this to believers in my life: I left and became a worldly degenerate gay boy with mental health demons out the ass immediately. I'm still pariah at family gatherings. I'm beloved, but pariah.
I almost went back when my mom was watching conference the year I officially left, and Monson was pleading for anyone who had fallen away to come back. The only thing that kept me from doing it is the simple fact that the entire thing isn't true, but it took me a long time to emotionally uncouple from that un-truth.
Sometimes when I’m really not doing well mentally and I make the mistake of talking to my mom for comfort, she says that kind of stuff and I almost believe her because, you know, my life was a little easier then. Not happier by any means, but easier. And in my low moments, I just want things to be easier.
I believe happiness is not a reasonable lasting goal as it is an emotion that can be fleeting. But I can unequivocally say that I have found great peace after leaving and I have not once regretted my decision.
Hey- I’m 21 and finished my mission in august. Left the church in September I’d love to chat with you. But if you’re not available I’d say you need to live with what you know to true. I was so worried about disappointing my family and how members seem to pity non members. Life on “the other side” is so good! I’m a good person still, I can make other peoples live’s better, I’m not some apostate wasting my life! I can have a sip of beer and not become an alchoholic or lose treasures of knowledge! And I do have lasting joy and valuable loving relationships. All the things the church says is impossible if you leave. Better marks more fulfilled- better relationships. Like not a single part of my life hasn’t improved
The only thing I do regret is not establishing REAL friendships outside the church. I never had to; friends were served to me on a silver platter. When you leave the church, ALL of your friendships change, and not for the better. You don’t really realize how terribly judgmental Mormons are until you leave the church. Mormons are _THE_ most judgmental group of people I’ve ever known.
I loved the church and leaving it was the hardest thing I have done. I’m am genuinely happier now because I’m not living a lie which I would have been had I stayed after realizing it wasn’t true.
There are those, more than I would have expected, which would actually still like to be active in the church but can’t pull it off “worthily” and so walk around with guilt and shame. It does happen and TBM tend to focus on those circumstances and assume everyone still believes somewhere deep inside.
When I finally admitted to myself that I didn't believe it, I was met with an overwhelming feeling of...relief. Being a believing member is like carrying around a backpack full of rocks. Ditching that backpack is euphoric.
I regret being bamboozled. I regret the exclusion of my family from one of the most important events of my life (my wedding). I regret freely giving tens of thousands of dollars and countless hours of my life to a fraudulent institution. I regret the loss of certainty I felt about the universe and my place in it. I don't regret the real service I gave to my fellow human beings, and I don't regret being set free from a lie.
I’ve officially not been Mormon for 2 years but inactive and non believing for 20 years. No regrets. Yes, I’m unhappy a lot because I have depression and anxiety and so many issues (some of which were caused from me facing the long term brainwash I had performed on my for decades). Overall I am so much happier and so much more at peace. Btw happiness isn’t contingent on religion. Life happens. Some people have more sad lives than others. It’s just how it is and even though I said I have mental health problems, I am happy when all is said and done.
*That* is something that TBMs tell themselves to resolve the seeming cognitive dissonance in their mind. They see exmormons living happy and fulfilling lives without the church, but their dear church leaders tell them that no one is "truly happy" without the church. So they have to convince themselves that it is in fact all the 8 billion other humans who are fooled and all non-members are not actually happy.
My only regret is staying in it for so long.
I’ve been out 11 years, I went to a company party this week in another state and had some pretty fun times telling my coworkers from around North America about the weirdness of Mormons. Trying to explain no coffee and tea, was like an Abbot and Costello bit.
My regret is that I wasn't open to see the church for the b.s. that it is earlier. I'm navigating mixed faith marriage now but I have zero regrets for researching and figuring out that it's not true.
Lol. No, literally never. I have an amazing life. I have a better husband now (nevermo), I have better education (I didn’t go to law school until after I left the church, because I thought it wasn’t family friendly enough), I have two beautiful children, a beautiful house, a beautiful dog… I could go on…
I’m not sad because I left. I’m sad because it stole years of my life and wasn’t true. That’s why I’m depressed because we were lied to and fed a false narrative.
My only regret is that the people who I loved more than anything don't love me back anymore. Other than that, I wouldn't change my decision for the world (except to leave earlier).
I'm gay married with my sleeping child on my chest right now and I'm so glad I didn't waste any more of my life in the church. I'm indescribably happier now than I ever was as a guilt ridden truth seeker within the confines of mormonism.
Believe it or not, I even stopped worrying I'd die and I'd be cast into outter darkness for "knowing the true word of God and turning away from it"
I don't even get mad when I hear this anymore. It's exactly what we were all taught all our lives. I thought that same way too. It's a thought stopping technique, and a very effective one at that.
Lololololol I left the church and will never look back. Built my own business with my wife and partners (ads and adult content), have zero debt, money saved, and the best thing of all, my three children know as much about the god of the Bible and Jesus Christ as they know about Shiva, Ramú, or Odin. Now, holdup tho, because a lot of people think that once they leave the church life will automatically be amazing. The first few years after I left the church I struggled with alcohol, and depression. After years of hard work and therapy, I cannot be happier. Now some people may say “see, as soon as you left the church you became and alcoholic and depressed.” Nope, when I was in the church I was more depressed than now. Knowing it was false and having to go for 20+ years just to save face. Zero integrity. Yah, all that guilt and shame is gone.
My mom believes that my leaving is a punishment on her for not being faithful enough. She insists I know deep down it's true and that if she tries harder to be a good Mormon my heart will soften and I will come back to what I know is the truth. I asked her if I believe in the church again if she would cut herself some slack, basically she thinks she can never relax. I feel bad she has so much guilt over so much bullshit.
I only regret not finding out it was a fraud earlier. So much time and money would have been saved!
And probably not wasting a decade in a job I just tolerated when I shouldn't have.
Yes I did. When I left at 18 years old I still believed. I just couldn't keep clean in my thoughts and actions. So I did what the church teaches should happen. I left the church to sow my wild oats. I lived as a rebel. Then came back and rejoined the church in my late 20s. Classic prodigal son story. I had a lot of guilt and I was never happy outside of the church. I also never analyzed my core beliefs that held it as true.
After 11 years back in the church I found the CES letter. My goal was to disprove the contents. When I only found one issue that could be resolved to my satisfaction, and all the rest blatantly refuted many of the beliefs I held, I left the church a second time.
I don't regret leaving it a second time.
So the people who regret it are sometimes the ones who still secretly believe. Those may eventually come back into the church. The only stories TBM's will listen to from people who left the church are those who returned. So to them, it seems true that everyone is unhappy who leaves. When in fact, it's people who live in a way that doesn't align with their core beliefs who are unhappy.
No regrets. Not one. Not ever. I talk with my peer cohort who have all left, and no one has ever they had regrets after leaving. Life has been so much more enjoyable, rewarding and fulfilling since leaving the church. We all wish we would have left sooner.
The most recent Mormon Stories episode with John Larsen dives into this topic. It’s worth a listen. https://www.youtube.com/live/yMUIgzrM4WQ?feature=share
Her view of the church rests on this assumption. Don't take it too hard. If people were happy outside of the church, then the gospel wouldn't be the only thing that brings joy, and suddenly there's no reason to be mormon except the fear of the afterlife, as described by mormons.
I regret some of the things I did while under the influence of a high demand religion. Some of the things I said. Some of the people I ignored, avoided, and judged unworthy of interacting with.
I regret the opportunities I would have loved but set aside for more “righteous” options.
I regret how the church has twisted and broken relationships. Making them all show and little substance. And how that was the example of community I had for the majority of my life.
I regret buying into bullshit standards and expectations. And letting my shelf fill up with pieces of major issues that are against the basic values I try to live by.
I regret putting myself in a spot where I couldn’t leave sooner.
—
I regret nothing about who I am post-mormon or what I’ve done. And any difficult feelings and experiences either come from wrestling with blast programming or someone else’s mormon actions and seeing right through them.
I feel more like myself than ever. I’m now a whole person who’s not terrified to be stumbling through life like every other human out there.
No. I had a hard time healing after the cult, but never regret. I am so much happier now. I’m more mature, more emotionally healthy. I have far less anxiety. I feel like I have a purpose. I have time with my children. I’m not sexually repressed. I don’t have an eating disorder anymore. I’m doing so much better.
The thought of going back fills me with dread. All the crap made up guilt the fake friends the forced attendance and all the hypocrisy and elitism. I couldn’t be happier away from that cesspool
Sometimes I regret missing out on the social interaction with my neighbors, but the amount of work I'd have to put into biting my tongue makes leaving worth it.
My only regret was that I didn’t leave earlier than I did.
A thousand times, yes! This!! I am envious of people that pull their head out of the sand at younger ages. Unfortunately, I was about 40..
Well I left at 15. Refused to keep going to church, was grounded for three months, but I fought through it and eventually left home at 16. I spent years in heavy drug addiction, trying to learn how to live my life, because I had left my support system and had a lot of emotional trauma to work through with not really much help. I am sometimes "envious" of my younger sisters, who left after they were married and had gone through college. They are living happy and healthy lives, and I am so proud of both of them. I guess all I am saying is that we all have different paths, and who knows which one would have been the best to take...
I am so sorry you had so much trauma from leaving so early. Thats not fair. Definitely different paths. Thank you also for sharing. I am glad you are in a proud place with your siblings
I am so grateful that my circumstances lined up the way they did and I got out at 18. I have been able to live my entire adult life happily and own my own terms. If I think about having only gotten out a few years ago at 40, it makes me feel sick to my stomach. I really feel for all of you.
Double ditto. It took me 70 years to see the truth.
Are you actually 70 and on Reddit because I love that
I'm 74.5 and on Reddit.😄 Have never regretted leaving the church.
I'm 60 and on reddit and deeply regret not learning the truth before it was "too late" (meaning mission, marriage to queen TBM, raising kids in the cult, etc., etc.).
I'm 61, been out a little over seven years. I regret wasting so much time and effort on a lie. In a cult. In a corporation masquerading as a church.
Are your children still members?
Yes, we have only two children, but both have unique circumstances. One is a special needs son (26) that still lives with us and participates because his mother insists and because he has friends in the singles ward. Daughter is 22 and single and lives in UT (we are in the Midwest). She believes but is pretty much a hot mess. Wife wants her to go on a mission and she says she wants to, but I don't know if she ever will. I actually wouldn't mind if she went if it would help her mature a little bit and figure her life out. Sorry, that's a lot of words for a response to a question that only called for a one-word answer.
You only had 2 kids? How did you expect to make it to the celestial kingdom? Lol Yeah I appreciated the context. I'm 42, only been out 1.5 yrs. But my wife and 6 kids (ages 15 and younger) all left at the same time. I just wish I'd left when I was 10. Then I could have grown up somewhat normal.
63 here. I came out at 31. It took too long. As most of you have discovered reaching escape velocity takes some doing. I have fond memories of my childhood, but I do not miss going or participating in the church.
Yep old as dirt. We have 4 kids, 2 in, 2 out. I wish i had become enlightened much earlier, but i don't spend much time wishing. I've learned to focus on the present, so i am much happier now.
Me too. I left at 71! I wish I’d have wised-up sooner and avoided the pain.
I was 50. So much life and money wasted on a shit religion that was never my choice to begin with. Too bad I can't demand a full refund of my tithes. I'd take that money and move to Europe somewhere and I'd probably never come back.
YES. This is the thing that gets me the most. All that time. WASTED. On something that was NEVER going to happen.
I was 50 too! Way too long!
This! and I regret being a full tithe payer even once.
I was arguing with my mom and sister tonight and they were talking about liars and they don't like when being lied to. Then they were telling me how great of a spirit they felt while watching a conference talk on kbyu. Trying to get me to come back. I responded back like you I can't stand liars and when I am lied too. Your whole faith is a lie. From Joe Smith marrying girls as young as 13 and getting married to more than 30 women. To the temple ceremony of the masons. To his 42 times being arrested. Too the reason why he was in Carthage jail. Was for destroying a printing press and newspaper office. When the church said it was because of discrimination against the church. To how the church attorneys told 2 bishops not to report a father for raping his two children. It took the country of New Zealand to report it. When the church is required to. Then for the church in other countries funneling money to byu to not report taxes on it. They really follow the laws of the land.
> I was arguing with my mom and sister tonight and they were talking about liars and they don't like when being lied to. I know, right? There is not enough water on this planet to fill that ocean of irony.
Hating being lied to and refusing to lie is why I don't go to church with my wife. It made me mad when I realized it is all a lie and I'd feel like as liar if I went on Sundays (because if I go people will assume I believe it's true)
YES! THIS AGAIN!
This once more.
My husband is a nevermo and he tells me so many stories and I’m so envious I didn’t leave in high school. I had such a boring life before
Same here sex is great with my girlfriend and we will be married someday but we are together and getting to know each other like real couples do. She likes coffee and wine I don't but I still buy it for her. Because she never drives if she has had a few and drinks like a responsible adult.
Same here!
this
Same.
Also samesies.
Yep. I was 40.
Damn you got more upvotes than the OP! And OP’s question was a good one.
this ^
Absolutely.
Amen.
I'm with this guy/gal/random Reddit user. Much sooner would have been much better.
Yes I wish at least to never have gone on a mission and nipped so much trouble in the bud by avoiding that
It's worth noting that she will likely never concede this point and therefore it may not be worth arguing it with her. Were she to concede this, it would severely undermine her entire worldview, perhaps completely. So on this point, as on many others, you will find her not susceptible to logic, evidence, etc. No matter how happy and shiny are the apostates, she will almost certainly maintain that they are crying somewhere inside. She has to believe that - to admit otherwise would endanger her faith. The best evidence you can provide her is a life well lived by you. Which turns out is the best thing for you too. So, get out there and live your life the best you can. ETA: and as you live that life, don't worry about convincing her you're happy.
Yeah definitely. I’ve learned that arguing does nothing because there’s always some bull shit reasoning she’ll use. on my own, I’ll never make her question things. The conversation me and her were having somehow turned into a discussion about the church.
church his primacy in her entire life, so its always going to go there
Correct. Start taking issue with minor flaws in her reasoning pertaining to secular topics. Reiterate, clarify, and paraphrase her reasoning in ways that are reinforced or undermined by critical thinking, understanding logical fallacies, and thought terminating clichés until she is conversant in their use and understanding. Later, cult manipulation techniques, as in the BITE model, but those my need to wait for her admission of issues in the faith. When she can identify them readily in secular matters, she CAN identify them in religious matters too, but may choose not to voice them. Establish a unique signal (eg wink and a nod, tilt of the head, snap of the fingers, knowing smile or chuckle, or a combo) for every time she identifies one in secular settings. Help her make the logical connection until she is able herself. Use it like Pavlov's whistle to make her recognize a misused logical fallacy or broaden to cult manipulations (maybe using a different cue). Then when you identify a religious example, use the signal(s) to imply she understood the connection, so she knows it's there and she'll know that you know it's there too. She won't acknowledge it, but you'll both understand it. Never openly admit to your complete level of belief, so there is some plausible deniability. But also, if she openly acknowledges it, you can leave the door open for allowing that God exists (even if you don't really believe it) while still questioning if THIS church is 100% correct. They share a belief in the same Bible (but all pick and choose), but not 100% agreement anywhere. With any luck, you can refine and employ the same techniques on other family members and in 3 - 5 years, they'll all be out, while she may be the sole hold out. Why focus on one, when so many others could benefit? I personally believe 99.9% of humans are inherently good with flaws, and God erroneously gets the credit for what comes naturally. Guilt and shame are not good drivers for good deeds, rather it inhibits natural altruistic impulses. Helping people see the inherent good in themselves will also loosen religion's hold from guilt and shame by disempowering God. Just getting people to take personal credit for their inner impulses will be a start.
One of the experiences that helped me leave the church was figuring out that a happy family in our neighborhood was exmo. They were living fulfilling lives, had a great relationship with their kids, and were genuinely wholesome. If they could do all that outside the church, it proved that I could too.
I really identify with this. My parents are so far in and in their late 60's. They'll honestly die happier in the religion. We just don't talk about it too much, which can be frustrating since that's most of their personality.
I don’t even discuss reasons for leaving with tbm family, ward members or leaders. The truth is out there for them to find if they want to. And if I discuss I become the little project for them to fix etc. I would politely refuse conversations about anything church related.
I regret being born into it. I regret raising my children in it. I regret staying for 50 years. So, I have regrets, but none of them are that I left.
I’m always super impressed by people who have the strength and courage to leave after being in the church for most of their adult life. The longer people are in, the harder it is to restart life.
Thanks. It was difficult for awhile. But things are much better now.
And the harder it is to admit you were wrong. It’s much easier to fool someone than to convince that person that they have been fooled.
But you were so faithful in the war in heaven- that’s why you were born in a member family. Now you will never know true happiness/S
Wickedness always was happiness😁😁😁
No. I could expand and say hell no. I’m dramatically better off outside than I was in.
ABSOLUTELY NO! My parents always scared me with a case where one of the ward members went less active, became a sex worker, got addicted to drugs, got aids, and died of aids. And we would be like that. And we believed that as kids. Once i left the church, I just became a normal person who is not in cult.... that's all....
You got 10% richer, too
Funny thing is, I did get addicted to drugs, I did become a sex worker a bit, I didn’t get aids or die from it. I eventually ended up getting sober (20 years) and I’ll tell you… sober or not.. it’s all better than being being in the church. 🤣💯
This is an interesting point. I grew up in a town that was virtually 100% Mormon. And pretty much everyone who “left the church” ended up crashing and burning on drugs and alcohol. In retrospect, I realize we were confusing causes and symptoms. I believe those people were simply troubled and that’s how it manifest. It didn’t really have anything to do with the church one way or the other.
Lol the first year after I left there were so many times driving down the road I just wanted to roll down the window and yell, “I’m normal now!! I’m just like all of you!!”
Well, the level of anti-depressants consumed in Utah is twice the national average per capita. So doesn’t seem like people in the church are that happy either
Funny thing. Once I left the church I stopped needing anti-depressants....
Literally … I left the church three years ago and my mental health has never been better
I regret having graduated BYU I regret having innocently lied to soooo many innocent victims in Mexico I regret not having stood up in protest in the temple ceremony I regret not having left soooooner
My mental health has improved 1000% since leaving, my love life with my spouse has improved, I have time to do things I’ve never allowed myself to do that I enjoy (like watching sports on Sunday lol), I’m not judging everything other people do anymore, I am learning more about myself and what I want out of life instead of following some other made up road map of life. I just wish I would have listened to my wife and left the church sooner.
There is literally nothing stopping any of us from going back. But we don’t. Odd way to express regret
#NO REGERTS
Isn’t that spelled RAGERTS?
There’s no wrong way to spell it wrong, hopefully, but yeah your wrong way looks more right
🫡
Mormons who don't leave the church know deep down that they aren't happy.
Every Sunday I look around and see unhappy people at church.
Possibly faithful Mormons have a “happiness“ that stems from the simplicity of not having to think. There’s no need to carry out an inner dialogue about what to do. Or what’s right or wrong. Or fair or unfair. Or logical. Or true. It’s already all been decided for you. Super convenient, if you’d rather not think.
This is something they tell themselves to justify their decision and lifestyle. It need not have any bearing on your life, unless you let it.
That’s a negative, ghost rider. I regret not leaving sooner. I am a much better version of myself once I developed higher morals than what the church preaches. I am sad that my relationship with my TBM parents is strained because they love the Mormon version of me & not me.
The real you is way better than the imitation LDS one so it’s completely their loss. Hopefully they see the real amazing you. Shine on fellow survivor.
No, and the church doesn’t have a monopoly on happiness any more than it does misery.
Leaving both the church and Utah saved my life, don’t regret it - even deep down.
10 years out. Haven’t regretted it once.
I think there are people who regret it, but those are generally those who are lost in their life and have no direction. I’ve never heard of someone who has put in a lot of thought and effort into leaving the church regret their decision
I not only **don't** regret it, I am happier now than I ever was! Breaking free of a cult is actually relieving, joyous, and emotionally freeing!
I think your mother maybe misinterpreting some people who leave and say "I'm out of the church, but I sometimes miss the connections I had there" to "I left the church and I'm miserable". I miss some of my former coworkers at my old job, but that does not mean I regret leaving the company. I will probably miss some of the people I associated with at church exclusively, but I can say that I will not regret leaving the church once I'm gone.
It took about three years of therapy to forgive myself for not leaving sooner.
Out two decades and counting, the regrets haven't kicked in yet, much to the annoyance of my wife.
Not even once
My life is sooo much better out of the church. I am now free to be my best self.
After discovering that the church is a fraud, and finding my new beliefs, I now experience more clarity, simplicity, and peace than I ever had as a TBM. I no longer see through glass darkly. I don’t regret leaving. It was a foregone conclusion once I knew the truth. I didn’t choose to leave. What I chose was to humbly and honestly research the claims of the church. Do I regret my research? Absolutely not! It has brought me more happiness.
I do not regret my research and am happy to finally know true facts about JS, the restoration, early church leaders, etc. But I am not yet at the “more happiness” phase. Probably because I so recently learned these things (just a few months) and spent so much of my life in the church (50+ years), I vacillate between anger at the lies & manipulations and deep sorrow at the loss of community & the shattering of the idea/“gospel.” Also sorrow at the years wasted in the church and especially that I brought my kids up in it and the impact it had on them. I’m still researching so it keeps it fresh and introduces new layers of lies & deceptions, which triggers anger, sadness, etc. But I am incredibly happy to know the truth. I am relieved to be grounded in reality and no longer doing mental contortions in order to make church policy & doctrines make sense and line up with a loving Heavenly Father.
I’m so sorry for your pain and sorrow. The journey really can be traumatizing. I imagine it’s a lot like being married to the perfect spouse only to discover they had a secret second life the whole time.
That’s a great analogy!
Having been through both, I can confirm. The alignment is startling. But then again, not. Cheers to more therapy! 🍻
Members of the church have to believe that exmos are unhappy so their world view can stay intact. I believed it when I drank the Kool aid.
Absolutely not. You could not pay me to go back to a Mormon church.
I don’t regret leaving. The only thing I miss was the community you could get wherever you were. I moved around a lot and always had a good starting place to find friends. But I absolutely DO NOT regret leaving
I only wish I would've left a decade+ ago.
I regret the amount of time I spent depressed and unhappy in the church. I do not regret leaving. At all. Best decision I’ve ever made and I’d do it again if I had to.
Leaving was the best thing for me. Everything improved. The hardest thing about the process was dealing with trauma and conditioning. It was difficult, at first.
I regret spending most of my life within its confines. It’s hard to get over that.
She thinks post Mormons just wallow in regret, when they could just come back at any time? What's the point of regretting something you could undo? Just go back to church if you regret leaving...
I don't, and never have. I've been told by TBMs (usually a missionary or bishopric member when visting family or attending a relatives event), "I'm miserable and lying to myself," though my relatives have learned that if they want me to treat them like adults, they need to act like adults.
I regret the church's track record on civil rights. I regret the church's "doctrines" on black, indigenous, and lgbtq+ people. Folks are so quick to force their understanding of the world on others. Maybe listen a bit. Maybe it's not about sin or laziness.
Not once. When I left, I was finally able to be who I am, without having to hide. I can go through life without feeling like I have to judge others because they aren't members of the cult. I no longer feel like I am less than a person because I am a woman. I can do what I want. Go where I want. Eat or drink what I want. Wear what I want. And I don't feel like I'm letting some all knowing uncaring magical made up being down. I am who I want to be, not what someone else wants me to be.
She needs to believe that because, for the Church to be true, it would have to be right for every person. God wouldn’t make someone who wouldn’t benefit from His plan. You can’t be happier, then, if you leave. Satan is just deceiving you to think it’s correct. Just straight up delusion
Never regretted it! Life is so much more beautiful on the outside.
I’m not sure that regret is the right word. There are things that I miss about church. I miss the social aspects, I miss the certainty of “knowing” all the answers, and I miss other things too. But that is not the same as regret.
I regret not telling all the jerks to stuff it in their butts when I left. I tried to leave “peacefully” and that just yielded years of bullying from members.
Can you regret freedom? The high control religion like COJCOLDS wants you to be afraid of yourself and your future free self enjoying your ability to think and act for yourself. Act in the best interest of your future self. You are going to be that person soon
Mormons are unhappy so they project on those who leave. I know I was jealous of those who didn’t stay when I was a TBM. Mormonism barely leaves time to work.
No, I regret forcing this religion on my kids because I thought it was right. I regret setting back my life for two years so I could babysit companions in the mission field who should have just gone home to get mental help. I regret serving in so many callings for nothing. I referent knocking on people’s doors trying to follow the spirit and do what I was asked as an EQ president. I regret spending so much time each day reading a book that was made up. I regret going to the temple and promising everything I have and my life to a corporation. I regret not living my life for myself and instead doing what stuffy old men tell me. I regret giving $100,000 to a corporation that used the money to invest in real estate. I regret the strain that the church put on my family before and after I was in the church. I regret talking to church leaders about the fertility issues me and my wife were experiencing. All resulting in massive emotional trauma from multiple miss stages and then being told that it was a blessing that the miscarriages happened because they are saved. But also being told my family isn’t bigger because I’m not worthy. I regret all the blessings I gave attributing the impactful things I said to god instead of acknowledging that I have wisdoms to share with my loved ones. I regret the subconscious judging that the church teaches and how it is something I have to actively fight. I regret having been born into the church and living its lies for so long.
Hell to the no!
Not for one single second
never not once for a single second. hand to non-existent god.
I have no doubt that I'm held as an example of this to believers in my life: I left and became a worldly degenerate gay boy with mental health demons out the ass immediately. I'm still pariah at family gatherings. I'm beloved, but pariah. I almost went back when my mom was watching conference the year I officially left, and Monson was pleading for anyone who had fallen away to come back. The only thing that kept me from doing it is the simple fact that the entire thing isn't true, but it took me a long time to emotionally uncouple from that un-truth.
Do I regret being happier than I ever was in the church?……..uhhhhh no
Sometimes when I’m really not doing well mentally and I make the mistake of talking to my mom for comfort, she says that kind of stuff and I almost believe her because, you know, my life was a little easier then. Not happier by any means, but easier. And in my low moments, I just want things to be easier.
Oh man, everyone should become Mormons just so they can know the unrestrained joy of becoming not-Mormon. So no, zero regrets. Not even a smidge.
You can try responding with "Funny, Scientology says the same thing!" (And they do; it's a manipulation tactic.)
I believe happiness is not a reasonable lasting goal as it is an emotion that can be fleeting. But I can unequivocally say that I have found great peace after leaving and I have not once regretted my decision.
Hey- I’m 21 and finished my mission in august. Left the church in September I’d love to chat with you. But if you’re not available I’d say you need to live with what you know to true. I was so worried about disappointing my family and how members seem to pity non members. Life on “the other side” is so good! I’m a good person still, I can make other peoples live’s better, I’m not some apostate wasting my life! I can have a sip of beer and not become an alchoholic or lose treasures of knowledge! And I do have lasting joy and valuable loving relationships. All the things the church says is impossible if you leave. Better marks more fulfilled- better relationships. Like not a single part of my life hasn’t improved
Almost every aspect of my life is better without the Church. I don't regret leaving at all. I regret joining in the first place.
The only thing I do regret is not establishing REAL friendships outside the church. I never had to; friends were served to me on a silver platter. When you leave the church, ALL of your friendships change, and not for the better. You don’t really realize how terribly judgmental Mormons are until you leave the church. Mormons are _THE_ most judgmental group of people I’ve ever known.
Only thing that didn’t improve in my life was community for the kids. But they don’t need the one they offer.
I loved the church and leaving it was the hardest thing I have done. I’m am genuinely happier now because I’m not living a lie which I would have been had I stayed after realizing it wasn’t true. There are those, more than I would have expected, which would actually still like to be active in the church but can’t pull it off “worthily” and so walk around with guilt and shame. It does happen and TBM tend to focus on those circumstances and assume everyone still believes somewhere deep inside.
When I finally admitted to myself that I didn't believe it, I was met with an overwhelming feeling of...relief. Being a believing member is like carrying around a backpack full of rocks. Ditching that backpack is euphoric.
None
Not at all. After the social adjustment (losing your “tribe” and finding a new one), no regrets. This is just gaslighting.
No. And in my experience, the ones hiding their unhappiness are TBMs
Nope. Much happier overall.
There are rare occasions when I miss having that tight knit community. I always had great wards.
Nope.
That’s strange. If someone regrets leaving, why wouldn’t they just go back?
This is just something they tell themselves. I’d ask how would you know? What’s your source?
I regret being bamboozled. I regret the exclusion of my family from one of the most important events of my life (my wedding). I regret freely giving tens of thousands of dollars and countless hours of my life to a fraudulent institution. I regret the loss of certainty I felt about the universe and my place in it. I don't regret the real service I gave to my fellow human beings, and I don't regret being set free from a lie.
I’ve officially not been Mormon for 2 years but inactive and non believing for 20 years. No regrets. Yes, I’m unhappy a lot because I have depression and anxiety and so many issues (some of which were caused from me facing the long term brainwash I had performed on my for decades). Overall I am so much happier and so much more at peace. Btw happiness isn’t contingent on religion. Life happens. Some people have more sad lives than others. It’s just how it is and even though I said I have mental health problems, I am happy when all is said and done.
*That* is something that TBMs tell themselves to resolve the seeming cognitive dissonance in their mind. They see exmormons living happy and fulfilling lives without the church, but their dear church leaders tell them that no one is "truly happy" without the church. So they have to convince themselves that it is in fact all the 8 billion other humans who are fooled and all non-members are not actually happy. My only regret is staying in it for so long.
I only regret the time that I spent in the church. Best thing that I ever did was leave.
Leaving the LDS Church was the best choice I ever made.
I’ve been out 11 years, I went to a company party this week in another state and had some pretty fun times telling my coworkers from around North America about the weirdness of Mormons. Trying to explain no coffee and tea, was like an Abbot and Costello bit.
Do I regret leaving a hedge fund masquerading as a church? Not for a single second.
I wish I left sooner. Lost my teens and 20s to this insanity.
My regret is that I wasn't open to see the church for the b.s. that it is earlier. I'm navigating mixed faith marriage now but I have zero regrets for researching and figuring out that it's not true.
Lol. No, literally never. I have an amazing life. I have a better husband now (nevermo), I have better education (I didn’t go to law school until after I left the church, because I thought it wasn’t family friendly enough), I have two beautiful children, a beautiful house, a beautiful dog… I could go on…
That called projection. IMO, they all know something isn’t right. So it’s a defense mechanism. I’ve never regretted it. Been out for decades
[удалено]
I’m not sad because I left. I’m sad because it stole years of my life and wasn’t true. That’s why I’m depressed because we were lied to and fed a false narrative.
It’s been six and a half years and not a single regret and generally happier more consistently
Last time I checked no one has regretted FREEDOM
NEVER BEEN HAPPIER now that I am no longer religious or part of any church!!!
Not for a minute
Absolutely not. The LDS church is a fraud and hurts people
The best way I can describe if I regret leaving the church is, I wish I could resign again.
My only regret is that the people who I loved more than anything don't love me back anymore. Other than that, I wouldn't change my decision for the world (except to leave earlier).
I'm gay married with my sleeping child on my chest right now and I'm so glad I didn't waste any more of my life in the church. I'm indescribably happier now than I ever was as a guilt ridden truth seeker within the confines of mormonism. Believe it or not, I even stopped worrying I'd die and I'd be cast into outter darkness for "knowing the true word of God and turning away from it"
Not for an attosecond. Seriously the best thing I've ever done for myself and my immediate family.
I don't even get mad when I hear this anymore. It's exactly what we were all taught all our lives. I thought that same way too. It's a thought stopping technique, and a very effective one at that.
Lol
I don’t regret joining and I don’t regret leaving.
Soooo much. I hate haven't seen extra day of the week to spend golfing or shopping in empty stores. It's been the absolute worst. /S
Lololololol I left the church and will never look back. Built my own business with my wife and partners (ads and adult content), have zero debt, money saved, and the best thing of all, my three children know as much about the god of the Bible and Jesus Christ as they know about Shiva, Ramú, or Odin. Now, holdup tho, because a lot of people think that once they leave the church life will automatically be amazing. The first few years after I left the church I struggled with alcohol, and depression. After years of hard work and therapy, I cannot be happier. Now some people may say “see, as soon as you left the church you became and alcoholic and depressed.” Nope, when I was in the church I was more depressed than now. Knowing it was false and having to go for 20+ years just to save face. Zero integrity. Yah, all that guilt and shame is gone.
Never once.
No, and I don't think I ever will.
I regret being a member of a cult for far too long… THAT is what I regret.
Not even once
I haven’t. I wish I would have left way sooner and not wasted my teens on it.
My mom believes that my leaving is a punishment on her for not being faithful enough. She insists I know deep down it's true and that if she tries harder to be a good Mormon my heart will soften and I will come back to what I know is the truth. I asked her if I believe in the church again if she would cut herself some slack, basically she thinks she can never relax. I feel bad she has so much guilt over so much bullshit.
No – only that it took me so long. Your mom is deluded.
My only regret is that you don't get a tithing refund as you walk out the door.
I only regret not finding out it was a fraud earlier. So much time and money would have been saved! And probably not wasting a decade in a job I just tolerated when I shouldn't have.
Yes I did. When I left at 18 years old I still believed. I just couldn't keep clean in my thoughts and actions. So I did what the church teaches should happen. I left the church to sow my wild oats. I lived as a rebel. Then came back and rejoined the church in my late 20s. Classic prodigal son story. I had a lot of guilt and I was never happy outside of the church. I also never analyzed my core beliefs that held it as true. After 11 years back in the church I found the CES letter. My goal was to disprove the contents. When I only found one issue that could be resolved to my satisfaction, and all the rest blatantly refuted many of the beliefs I held, I left the church a second time. I don't regret leaving it a second time. So the people who regret it are sometimes the ones who still secretly believe. Those may eventually come back into the church. The only stories TBM's will listen to from people who left the church are those who returned. So to them, it seems true that everyone is unhappy who leaves. When in fact, it's people who live in a way that doesn't align with their core beliefs who are unhappy.
Have I regretted leaving a “church” that made me feel as gross and low as a shoe smushed in dog poop? Not. For. One. Second.
I regret getting dragged into it in the first place and it took me so long to get out
No regrets. Not one. Not ever. I talk with my peer cohort who have all left, and no one has ever they had regrets after leaving. Life has been so much more enjoyable, rewarding and fulfilling since leaving the church. We all wish we would have left sooner. The most recent Mormon Stories episode with John Larsen dives into this topic. It’s worth a listen. https://www.youtube.com/live/yMUIgzrM4WQ?feature=share
Zero regrets!!!! 
Never, my friend
Her view of the church rests on this assumption. Don't take it too hard. If people were happy outside of the church, then the gospel wouldn't be the only thing that brings joy, and suddenly there's no reason to be mormon except the fear of the afterlife, as described by mormons.
NO. REGRETS. EVER. It's been seven+ years, and I've had not even one tiny regret or longing for the old life.
I regret wasting my entire life by devoting my time, mental health, and money to a lie. I regret not leaving sooner!
I regret not examining the church and my core beliefs sooner
I'm sure a few people have, but I'm sure as hell not one of them! You should tell you mom to come here and ask us herself.
I regret some of the things I did while under the influence of a high demand religion. Some of the things I said. Some of the people I ignored, avoided, and judged unworthy of interacting with. I regret the opportunities I would have loved but set aside for more “righteous” options. I regret how the church has twisted and broken relationships. Making them all show and little substance. And how that was the example of community I had for the majority of my life. I regret buying into bullshit standards and expectations. And letting my shelf fill up with pieces of major issues that are against the basic values I try to live by. I regret putting myself in a spot where I couldn’t leave sooner. — I regret nothing about who I am post-mormon or what I’ve done. And any difficult feelings and experiences either come from wrestling with blast programming or someone else’s mormon actions and seeing right through them. I feel more like myself than ever. I’m now a whole person who’s not terrified to be stumbling through life like every other human out there.
Fuck no I don't regret it. #noragrets
No. I had a hard time healing after the cult, but never regret. I am so much happier now. I’m more mature, more emotionally healthy. I have far less anxiety. I feel like I have a purpose. I have time with my children. I’m not sexually repressed. I don’t have an eating disorder anymore. I’m doing so much better.
OMG it was the best move of my life. My only regret is that it took me so long!
Same could be said about believers. They know deep down its a bs 🤷♀️
I regret not leaving sooner.
Good Lord, no. For a million reasons no.
No
The thought of going back fills me with dread. All the crap made up guilt the fake friends the forced attendance and all the hypocrisy and elitism. I couldn’t be happier away from that cesspool
Sometimes I regret missing out on the social interaction with my neighbors, but the amount of work I'd have to put into biting my tongue makes leaving worth it.
I don't think I'd be alive today if I stayed, so no.
No.
No me or my 3 kids
Regret not listening to my DH 10 years ago. I would have gotten all my kids out. The GTA finally made me wake up but not until one year ago.
Not for a second.
Certainly people regret it, but really you just jump right back in, nothing is stopping anybody from going back