I would like to update everyone on an article I wrote a long time ago about a friend of mine from PostMormon.org. I am going to leave his name, and username out of this article in respect to his privacy, as he has a lot on his plate right now. I just want to keep everyone updated on some of the latest developments.
In case you don't remember, this friend left the Mormon church only to deal with people burning things into his lawn. These are the photos of his lawn:
Yeah, that is right... someone put "evil" and "apostate" on his lawn.
Oh, it gets worse...
A month or so later, they returned burning the words "CTR" in his grass above "apostate." A few minutes ago, I received a comment on the article I wrote and I wanted to share it with everyone because I find it ridiculous. I won't post the person's name who wrote that, but if you look hard enough, you can find it.He needs to toughen up. We are used to people shouting we are going to hell outside General Conference, a few dead blades of grass is nothing.
Here was my reply:
He needs to toughen up, huh? You get shouted and screamed at, so people hurting his property is justified? What the hell is wrong with you?
Well, my friend recently went through a rough time. Things are changing in his life and some of his friends and family have turned their backs on him or not been as supportive as they could have been. He is a good man, and he didn't deserve any of this... He woke up the other day to this on his front door:
It's amazing that the people who claim to be the closest to God, and who claim to have all the answers, are the first people to do things like this and to defend it.
Amazing.
Andee
October 20, 2008 at 11:38 PM
There really are no words to describe how incredibly sick this is! But, I mean, what else can you expect, really? When you're told your church is the only true church and you're god's chosen people, it makes it easier to completely distance yourself from the hateful actions you participate in.
I hope your friend has called the authorities about this- it's def. harassment at this point.
October 21, 2008 at 12:25 AM
Unfortunately I know what that's like. I just got this lovely comment on one of my posts:
Go screw your boyfriend, get AIDS and die.,
How lovely.
This person (who is from Clearfield, Utah), left this comment and then continued to read my blog for over an hour.
October 21, 2008 at 7:40 AM
The Mountain Meadows Massacre, burning words into a lawn, and sending anonymous hate notes. These are the results when one fraction of society believes they are above all, and resistance to their beliefs is evil.
Mormons want to be called Christians. Fine. However, those responsible for the burnings and the note are as Christ-like as the KKK. Christians in name only, but their works done in the name of God are evil. These would be those Christ said he would send out from his presence saying, "I know you not".
October 21, 2008 at 7:56 AM
Oh my goodness! Thats so not cool! I'm a member of the church and I am so embarrased that members might do such nasty and immature things. I guess the people/person who done it doesn't have much understanding or testimony of the lds beliefs themself or they would not do such horrible things.. maybe they are sad little kids who's parents have made them go to church in hopes to try keep them out of trouble? Or has your friend done maybe more to stir people up that is truely evil..? In which case I can understand why the dramas if he's actively participating in slandering what people hold as most true and precious.. actually thats what it looks like by the letter he got :S
October 21, 2008 at 9:13 AM
tucanchild,
He not only called the cops, he called the his bishop during the events with his lawn. The bishop was outraged. I am not sure what he will do about the letter. I would be calling newspapers if it was me!
Andee
October 21, 2008 at 9:14 AM
Craig,
That note you shared made me cringe. I am sorry that you have to put up with people who are so completely ignorant that they breathe hate.
*hugs*
Andee
October 21, 2008 at 9:15 AM
joel,
I couldn't agree more.
Personally, I think that more evil is done in the name of religion than anything else. If the religion was gone, the "us vs. them" mentality might go with it.
I will never again believe in organized religion. Ever.
Andee
October 21, 2008 at 9:19 AM
Emma,
Darn skippy it's not cool, and what makes it worse is that there are believing Mormons out there who back up the person who did this and make statements to claim they need to do things like "grow a thicker skin."
I hadn't planned on updating the story, but when the believing mormon left a comment like that, I had to put it out there for people to see. Saying that it isn't cool is an understatement.
Emma, it troubles me a little that you think people are doing this because they have good intentions. It shouldn't matter. Their sense of right and wrong is pushed aside by their arrogance that he has made the wrong decision to leave the church.
I can assure you that he has not stirred up trouble, and that he is a good man. He is a firefighter who would risk his life to walk into a burning building and save the life of the very person who did these things.
It's sick.
Andee
October 21, 2008 at 5:03 PM
Wow, this is nuts. What the hell is wrong with people?! This person probably thinks they are doing Gods work. Sick, just sick.
Craig,
I can't believe people can be so insane to even think to write crap like that on your blog, I'm sorry.
Andee,
I can never believe in a organized religion again either. I think I am an Atheist. It is so sad and horrible that people choose to do insane things because of their "God". Damn.
October 21, 2008 at 7:01 PM
Demand More,
I go back and forth constantly about what I believe in, but one thing is for certain. I don't believe in the MORMON God.
Andee