Interestingly enough, I came across a post on Facebook the other day where two previously devout Mormons came out to explain why they had left the Mormon religion. They explained that they had left the church almost 2 years prior, but had kept quiet about it to most in order to maintain healthy relationships and respect the beliefs of others. Their reason for coming out now was to offer their perspective on why they left, and why it's important to accept the decision of anyone else who does.
Here is a link to their blogpost titled Why We Left the LDS Church. They truly did their research, and offered an excellent, mostly-objective explanation.
I bring this post up because it started a public discussion about the Mormon religion in a way I've never seen before. These discussions are usually believers and non-believers pitted directly against one another. Although this was brought on by a now non-believer, they presented to both sides. Reading through the comments I saw that the post gave the minority opinion a much needed voice. I also saw many active members offer their respects. And it wouldn't be a social media post if it didn't have the unnecessary comments from the people whose heads the post went over. Regardless, it was a step in the right direction.
As we discussed this in class today, I kept thinking about ethics. There are so many different types of ethics, yet not one is held true over another. In fact, one could and arguably should use different ethics in different situations. At the base of ethics are morals. Everyone's morals are personal and you cannot impose your own upon another.
So I wonder how is this any different from different religions and one's own faith? It's really not. No one religion is going to work for every person just as no one system of ethics works for every situation. I think that's a rational conclusion to make no matter what your own convictions may be.
I agree when you state that everyone's morals are personal. I also believe that what one believe is moral should be personal as well, aside from those things that are laws. The predominant religion in this area is very good at shoving their views of ethics and morals down the throats of its members. It puts alot of pressure on the members to do, act, and feel as the majority do. Often times it is that pressure that pushes them away.
ReplyDeleteThat post came across my news feed a few times as well. I thought it was so interesting to see different reactions in the comments. People can easily get so stuck in their beliefs that it is hard to imagine anything else or anyone feeling differently than they do. In the comments, I could tell a difference in people who were very closed minded and radical in the religion and people who were very faithful but accepting and understanding. Its important to have a balance between being open minded yet firm in your beliefs.
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