User:HopeGirl2012/Ex-Mormon

Many formerly LDS individuals (sometimes called post-Mormon or ex-Mormon, "postmos" or "exmos" respectively) seek community and discussion about their former beliefs in online and in-person groups. Some of these international groups include the ex-Mormon page on Reddit (with over 200,000 subscribers) as well as various group listings on the Mormon Spectrum website. Localized groups include the SLC Postmos meetup and Facebook group (with over 2,000 members) and Utah Valley Postmos meetup and Facebook group (over 900 members). The ex-Mormon subreddit gained publicity with its involvement leaking LDS documents. Ex-Mormons are also able to look for support groups in their local areas through sites like Post Mormon Groups and local exmo closed Facebook groups, meaning they have to apply to join the group. The Facebook groups are closed to protect the identities of members while still supplying them with community support.

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Psychological[edit]

A good number of ex-Mormons go through a psychological process as they leave Mormonism. Former Mormon Bob McCue described his disaffiliation as recovery from cognitive dissonance. Reynolds reports that leaving involves a period of intense self-doubt and depression as disaffiliates confront feelings of betrayal and loneliness, followed by self-discovery, belief exploration, spiritual guidance and connection as they leave Mormonism. He argues that leaving may provide a renewed sense of self, confidence and peace. One ex-Mormon compared his disaffiliation experience to leaving a cult, while others called it close to overcoming mind control or adjusting to life outside of religious fundamentalism. Steven Hassan's BITE model can be validating for those coming to terms with their loss. Still others compare their symptoms to divorce from marriage. Ex-Mormons may also have to cope with the pain of ostracism by Mormon employers, friends, spouses, and family members., further studies would need to be done to compare ex-Mormons with ex members of other religious communities in order to see if the psychology of an ex-Mormon is unique.