Further Light and Knowledge

So all the talk about language lately has me thinking. I admit to having no clue about cognitive psycho-socio-phenomenological neuropathways. But I do think it's apparent there's power in language and that part of the control the LDS church has over its members comes from their learned responses to certain wording. So this seems like an area where the exmo/postmo community has made some strides, and I'm curious what words you've found work effectively in communicating with Mormons.

As an obvious example, saying the church is "not true" seems pretty ineffective; the phrase "the church is not what it claims to be" has taken hold recently and seems much stronger.

A couple others that have been on my mind recently:

I don't like being called an "unbeliever" or "nonbeliever" for some reason. I'd much rather say I "disbelieve," or simply "believe different things."

On another board someone was trying to get released from a calling, and I suggested they refer to it as "volunteering" instead.

So what exmo power phrases have you all picked up?

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In a way all of us have an El Guapo to face someday.
http://digitalplates.blogspot.com/

I am not anti Mormon, I am pro truth.

I am free from the chains of Mormonism.

No more groupthink.

I listen to logic now, not GAs.

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Navarre, "I am on a mission from from God"
Phillipe,"I talk to God all the time and no offense but he never mentioned you." (from Ladyhawk)

Demon of Kolob
http://demon-of-kolob.blogspot.com/
DemonofKolob@gmail.com

I never did like the term "unbeliever" or "disbeliever". It puts the stigma on the person without belief, as if believing is the only CORRECT option and somehow it's their fault.. Your "believe different things" is a good way to say it.

For me I do not use the term "inactive" to describe myself. It implies a connection between the church and myself. Last time I was asked if I was active, I stated "I have other things to keep myself busy". A bit of a wimpout, but for family members and peace, I don't openly say "why the f*** would I go there?"

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Covering your body in jello pudding and answering the front door should NOT be a crime....and that's my defense.

My cop-out phrase is "I was raised Mormon".

That works well with non-mormons. It communicates clearly where I am.
Mormons don't seem to get it, which is probably impossible anyway.

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As to marriage or celibacy, let a man take which course he will, he will be sure to repent.
-- Socrates

Nom, I do that too. Cop-out, excuse, apology, inserted into conversation for a laugh.. yep, I use that phrase a lot.


Naturally, though, I have found myself talking using more "worldly" phrasing. I don't mean I'm vulgar (with most people) or use profanity. I just mean, I say what I mean frankly. I don't sugarcoat everything anymore.

Along with that, my intonation is different now. I don't do the faux spiritual, reverent voice thingy when discussing beliefs. I just say my words like I'm describing how to change a tire.

Then I smile.

Heathen
Apostate
Evil
Sinner

Been called em all and I just have to embrace them. Kinda scares em when you twist it around and accept the name.

Someday I want a shirt that says apostate.

like one of those tight babydoll shirts.

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it is truly a small population of people that do not seek control but are willing to accept the outcome of all things. - Mayan

I just say I discovered the church wasn't what I was taught it was...and I can no longer support it.

Or...I just can't admire a God like the one the Mormon church promotes.

I haven't had much practice discussing it with others who were once my friends at church.

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"The bird that would soar above the level plain of tradition and prejudice must have strong wings. It is a sad spectacle to see the weaklings bruised, exhausted, fluttering back to earth." ~Kate Chopin, "The Awakening"

because I looks at sister Mary Lisa's avatar, and found that the catholic church ahd two Nice things to offer me that the LDS church couldn't.

'''drooool''''

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Covering your body in jello pudding and answering the front door should NOT be a crime....and that's my defense.

My one and only has been 'why would God create millions of children and only give a relative few the 'truth.''
Then that was followed up with
'and how did I get so lucky as to be one of the miserable chosen'

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it is truly a small population of people that do not seek control but are willing to accept the outcome of all things. - Mayan

I don't know if this is a "power phrase" or not, but if people ask why I'm not coming to church, I say, "I have other priorities."

You know, like not sacrificing my life to the Mormon god Bullshitohim and his only begotten son Craphovah.

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"Ignorance more frequently begets confidence than does knowledge." -- Charles Darwin

Niiiiice.

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"The bird that would soar above the level plain of tradition and prejudice must have strong wings. It is a sad spectacle to see the weaklings bruised, exhausted, fluttering back to earth." ~Kate Chopin, "The Awakening"

MC, you crack me up hard. You in a good mood tonight or what??

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"The bird that would soar above the level plain of tradition and prejudice must have strong wings. It is a sad spectacle to see the weaklings bruised, exhausted, fluttering back to earth." ~Kate Chopin, "The Awakening"

i don't know if it's a 'power phrase', but in addition to the ones mentioned above (I often say that i was 'raised mormon'), i often say to TBMs that mormonism simply fails to meet my needs or answer life's questions in any meaningful way for me.

if you really want to get under their skin, talk about personal spiritual experiences outside of mormonism, especially if you've had them with wicca, buddhism, islam, or catholocism. i love telling mormons that i have had similar experiences walking into a mosque or dancing around a maypole. lol

You know what phrase I hate now? "Losing your testimony." Whenever anyone says, "Oh, that poor AmberAle 'lost his testimony' a few years back," it just grinds on my nerves.

I haven't "lost" anything. In fact, I've gained so much the past few years that is completely life-changing for the better! I love life so much more now, and I have true free agency, rather than a vague semblance of it.

Therefore, I've stopped using the term "lost my testimony" -- which only engenders feelings of pity within TBMs -- and have replaced it with "when I had my epiphany about the Church."

It may be a bit more cumbersome to say, but having an "epiphany" is positive, and gives TBMs no room to pity you, whereas "losing one's testimony" has nothing but negative connotations.

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As man is, so is his God;
And thus is God, oft strangely odd.
-- Goethe