Here’s a fun little article from a Ghanian convert to Mormonism. Oh the memories. I remember using all of those same Biblical verses to defend Mormonism on my mission in Central America. Does anyone else remember doing this (or are you still doing it)? I have to admit I’m much more content these days as a result of not having to defend something that is so hard to defend.
profxm
I'm a college professor and, well, a professional X-Mormon. Thus, ProfXM. I love my Mormon family, but have issues with LDS Inc. And I'm not afraid to tell LDS Inc. what I really think... anonymously, of course!
Lists of Brodie award winners:
X-Mormon of the Year 2021: Jeff T. Green
X-Mormon of the Year 2020: Jacinda Ardern
X-Mormon of the Year 2019: David Nielsen
X-Mormon of the Year 2018: Sam Young 
X-Mormon of the Year 2017: Savannah
X-Mormon of the Year 2016: Jeremy Runnells
X-Mormon of the Year 2015: John Dehlin
X-Mormon of the Year 2014: Kate Kelly
X-Mormon of the Year 2013: J. Seth Anderson and Michael Ferguson
X-Mormon of the Year 2012: David Twede
X-Mormon of the Year 2011: Joanna Brooks
X-Mormon of the Year 2010: Monica Bielanko
X-Mormon of the Year 2009: Walter Kirn
Yeah. Actually, deciding that I’m not a Christian has generally been a big relief.
Using scriptures as the basis for arguments now seems like fencing with wet noodles. I’ve got more productive things to do, like reading blogs. 😉
Contentment is overrated.
I guess, then, happiness is as well?
Actually, it is.
Ce la vie 🙂
Is bitterness overrated also?
Is contentment being confused with complacency?
I obviously can’t speak to why Kullervo feels relieved, but the relief that I felt when I gave up some beliefs that I didn’t truly hold had everything to do with losing the pain of cognitive dissonance, not with taking the easy road.
For example, it felt very good to finally admit to myself and everyone else that I found Joseph Smith’s claims deeply suspicious. The mental gymnastics that I needed to perform to maintain my belief in Joseph Smith as a prophet took a lot of energy and effort. I didn’t realize how difficult trying to believe in J.S. was until I stopped doing it. For the first time in decades I found the strength to say exactly how I saw things despite peer pressure to believe differently. It came as a great relief to set that burden down and live honestly.
Mocking will not take away from my enjoyment of living authentically.