despite my handle which makes it seem like I am female. I am a male and was raised in the Mormon church. I served a full-time mission, was sealed in the temple and have served as the bishop of a metropolitan congregation 20-odd years ago. I left the church about 7 years ago after I uncovered the deceptive history and issues with key Mormon scripture thast I could not reconcile. Mormon Stories has been a key resource in helping me refocus my life. I still believe there is something that is driving existence. like a universal conciousness, but it is fundamentally unknowable and doesn't expect or demand anything of us.
Just like crap in a toilet, I take John Dehin's words are worth and accordingly. He was on the Cristian Prince podcast and he claimed himself to be a Muslim, in the Muslim religion. The Quran is the inspired word of Satan! Now; how crazy is that?
Yes, as a member now of the church, I didn't know that a lot of people in the church were not questioning the leaders, of the churches, compared to why they became members. Because I myself was never ashamed to ask questions in something that I either never heard before or I needed to ask to further my understanding of what I, needed to research or really 🙏/ask God about it since I questioned My grandmother as a 5year old kid, after she forbade me and my brother Sauaso to go swimming on Sunday. So that's why I always listened to God, by following Jesus now. Since it's an every day teaching since I was a little kid But I am very grateful God had me asked questions to my grandma, then. Which is how I learned to be his student since then. After my grandmother asked me to go ask God why He didn't want me to go swimming and playing on Sundays?. Until I found out in 03/16/2022 at the Sunrise Hospital in Nevada Las Vegas in the ICU that I wasn't aware that I haven't really understood what #FollowingJesus means.
Oh and may I add what else my grandma said was, before I went to look for God in my church in Saoluafata Upolu Samoa to ask God my question was because She didn't know why God wrote the 10Commandments. N that would be good for me if I went and asked him for the both of us. Because she too came from the old fashion way of obey but DoNotQuestionWhyWeHadToObeyGodsHolyBibleInTheFirstPlace. Meaning his 10Commandments. N in this 06/15/2024, I am thankful to God's 10Commandments because I realized now of why his 10Commandments was written because cheating was one of those laws as a married woman whom was feeling like she had no one to trust after her trust was destroyed. So now Jesus is the only faithful man/God. Whom we can really fully trust instead of men whom are capable fleshly to fall from the godly/spiritual grace of God the Father. Like some men in the Utah, Not LDS, but polygamy or men that John in the Podcast is talking about that are calling themselves gods, but lack everything that is really important to be a child of God and a follower of Jesus Christ.
Dr. John's Mormon Stories has actually changed my life for the better. It just feels so good and makes so much sense to my brain to simply tell the truth and I feel like a lot of people tell the truth on Mormon Stories. ❤️
This 2 part video is amazing! I'm a huge fan of Dr. John. His compassion, empathy, and work to support individuals leaving their high demand religion is amazing. Thank you for interviewing Dr. John. You now have another subscriber for your channel. ❤
I read Nobody Knows My History in 1993 (I had joined the LDS in 1989 after marrying a Mormon). My resignation in November 2015 was a long time coming. Thanks to Mormon Stories for being the only people I could talk to in those first few years.
Yes! Mormon Stories has been a huge help in my deconstruction and in keeping me sane. (Also, it appears I married someone with the same last name as you 😉)
I'm one of those who always viewed John and the others as 'anti'. I interpreted the cognitive dissonance as if it were from Satan himself! (seriously) So I never could allow myself to watch, listen, or read anything that was contrary to my faith 🤦. All things 2020 finally allowed me the time needed for introspection on my own beliefs and values and I broke through with the help of Mormon stories, all the amazing exmo tiktok erst, and community outside of the faith! Aside from finding and marrying my wife, leaving Mormonism is the best decision of my life!
Mormonism is really fascinating. I revered LDS leaders when I was young. But after my mission for the church I was completely disillusioned and no longer believed any of the garbage
Outstanding discussion and presentation. Please do more interviews like this about people who have left high demand religions…these are important stories
Really! He's claimed he was excommunicated by the Church, and he here claiming every Christian religion is in decline, but he claimed to be Muslim, in the Muslim religion. He's out promoting Islam, but the Quran is the inspired word of Satan!
I’m a huge Mormon Stories fan, as a former believer myself. Your interview of John is fantastic. Great questions and input. I’m following your channel now because I love your approach and topics.
That was a perfect summary of why I enjoy Mormon Stories as a never-Mormon. Listening to each human story helps me navigate my own midlife crisis of meaning. I also love all the history deep dives. The Robert Rittner episodes on Egyptology were incredible - I’ve listened to the whole 13 hours more than once!
Be a solution to the problem you know is coming..that is how I see this interview. Both of you are the solutions to the problems that are coming from non-believers. Non-believers need the solutions you both are providing. As an ex-Mormon now Atheist, I have found many solutions to my problems of being an ex-Mormon now Atheist listening to podcasts like The Cross Examiner and Mormon Stories. So happy to see my two worlds connect with each other and discover how much we have in common with each other. Deconstructing can take years to accomplish...non-believers do not happen over night.
I love John's story. It meant a lot to me. When I was a member prior to 1989, I noticed a difference between "lifers " and "converts" which isn't very out there. But it came up in private Tupperware parties etc. That I heard about but wasn't invited to. I started noticing my callings were with small children. Converts I noticed were with the children not the youth or adults. We are were not trusted with doctrine.
I made a special point to make sure all my "inspired callings" were with the innocent children. I wanted to let each of them know they were loved just as they are ❤ and to protect them since I never was, born & raised in that "corporation " selfidentifying as tye "only true religion" albeit manmade. That's the only way i could manage to keep going till i just couldn't fake it anymore... so grateful for the people sharing truths these days 💞
Thanks, my friend. I am and agnostic leaning toward atheism, and like my friend John Dehlin, I am a Mormon by culture, in other words, a Mormon Boy. I am so glad you are here on line that I hope to learn and share much from and with you and your guests..
I enjoyed listening to this very much. Mostly because of the respectful, logical, common sense approach that you both bring to the discussion. Human beings need to be open minded and respectful with one another if they are ever going to achieve peace or accomplish anything worthwhile. Thank you both. Very enlightening.
This was an absolutely wonderful podcast. Thank you so much for doing this! I’ve been watching Mormon Stories and John Dehlin for a few years now and he has helped me tremendously in my deconstruction of Mormonism. I have now found the cross examiner and am so excited to watch/listen to his podcasts! So much of what you spoke about with John in these videos has resonated with me and I sincerely appreciate your thoughts and insight. Thank you both for all your hard work!
Found your channel via this interview and subscribed. Glad to see there are people doing this--what you are doing to help people free their own minds, and bringing greater good to society. Thank you both!
Never mormon here. For me a lot of ex-mormon stories (especially the way alyssa grenfell talks about hers) remind me of my experiences as a trans man when i was struggling to figure out what to do. They're stories of selfdiscovery. And i've always liked coming out stories. Real or fiction. And originally i found that in lgbtq stories. Only now i'm realizing that concept isn't exclusive to lgbt. Anyway, the idea of figuring out who you are and then presenting that to the world and seeing a reaction to that is just fascinating. And seeing others experiences with that helps put my own into perspective.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts! It's always surprisingly rewarding when I hear people draw parallels to their own experience that I never even considered!
That's interesting about Mormons being so eager to leave and talk about it especially in relation to other high-demand religions. I'm sure there are at least several variables that led to this phenomena.
We did the same thing on my mission in the Patagonia of Argentina. They wanted to create a stake but couldn't get people to be baptized. So we baptized a lot of kids and also adults that would come play soccer with us. They didn't know what we were doing but we got them on the rolls. And they formed the Neuquen stake
@@thecrossexaminer6665 I feel like shit really because I lied to the people I grew to love in Argentina. We had to teach 40 discussions a week memorize the 1st discussion and stop people in the streets and give it to them. We could not go to the museums or get to know the culture. Like I was there and Israel arrested 2 of Hitlers generals in Bareloche Argentina. England bombed a city I was in during the Falkland war we could not go to the museum. I did not get to know the history or culture of Argentina. Just baptize teach your here to baptize and nothing else. I am getting married to my girlfriend in Lima Peru in August and heading to Cusco but while working in Peru and visiting Peru I have gotten to know the people's history and they are a wonderful culture.
I understand how you feel. It sucks, but that was a time in your life when people were taking advantage of a very young and trusting version of you. On the bright side, I am glad you got to experience a different culture!
@@thecrossexaminer6665 Yes even though it was cold and windy seeing penguins, sea lions, elephant seals, andes condors. Where they think Hitler went to and they found 2 of his generals living in Bareloche Argentina and took them to Israel to be tried for war crimes. My fiancee is the best thing about my mission. I'm fluent in Spanish still and my fiancee is Peruvian and the most beautiful woman. We are getting married on August 2nd and going to Machupichu for our honeymoon. But she just got her nose and breasts done as a wedding gift. Her ex broke her nose and after having 3 wonderful daughters and breastfeeding she wanted them lifted.
As an orthodox Mormon for over 40 years, Dr John Dehlin’s podcast has helped heal my broken heart and piece back together my shattered identity. I will forever be grateful for his work.
❓❓❓ As a never-Mormon, am I understanding that just because someone is baptized that’s it you’re Mormon and your “membership” is recorded and your name appears in the records? Is that correct❓❓❓
Absolutely!! Even if you haven't attended in years they keep your name on the records, and they'll keep your name on the book until your 110th birthday, just to inflate the numbers even more. They do everything they can to keep up appearance of growth.
@@cathyweisner2683 This is common to most religions, additionally in all fairness it is actually hard to know who is still alive, still lives in this town, does or does not consider themselves a member, and who may want to come back. Additionally, every year millions request Church records! Now that should change because of the computer generation however many historically request baptism records, marriage records, and funeral records. Some for religious reasons, some for family search, some for legal cases.
45:00 if you want to see similar stories with similar church deconstruction but from an evangelical standpoint, check out Rhett and Links spiritual deconstruction series, has yearly updates.
I very much enjoyed the insight in this discussion. Thank you! One of the aspects of mormonism that has always struck a chord with me is the concept of the Natural Man, that we have innate spiritual qualities and human weakness which we are meant to enhance and overcome, respectively, throughout life. In practice, though, I often see this teaching corrupted to promote the status quo. You see a similar pattern with the fruits doctrine-truth and goodness are attributed based on the identity of the actor, not the intrinsic qualities of the action. And then you layer on the power dynamic, that discourages self-correction within the system…it’s absolutely tragic.
Thanks! May I suggest my ongoing series on Faith healing? In Part 3 of that series, I do a montage of various portrayals of children in culture over time and I play a good number of clips form musicals! Heres' the playlist: ua-cam.com/video/c5Om4SlvDMU/v-deo.html&ab_channel=TheCrossExaminer
Wow oh wow John, what a personal history. That wasen't easy I'm sure. But the outcome has been great. Because look where you are now, able to help thousands of people who are questioning Mormonism. I for one haven't been listening to your show for a very long time YET !!.. But I have benefited so much from your broadcasts. I'm sure you have helped thousands of people. After they have left the Mormon Church. Or are considering leaving the Mormon Church. Thank You for all that you've done. And all that you're sharing 👍
I'm an ex-mormon atheist. I also think that Jesus is a mythical character and didn't exist. The answer to the mysteries of the universe will forever remain an enigma.
I agree that the Mormon Stories podcast gives hope that we can move back away from authoritarianism. I feel quite scared about white white nationalist Christians are capable of politically and perhaps forcefully. When I hear the people on Mormon Stories talk about their journeys out of authoritarian organizations, it gives me hope that we can go back to being more moderate.
I see this is a few days old but I hope you see this. According to Aaron from Growing Up In Scientology, YT is no longer monetizing multi-streams. Just letting you know. You have to modify it in some way and post separately or neither channel gets monetized.
@@thecrossexaminer6665 I see. That should work as long as it's not streaming the same content. YT is always changing their rules and not that great at communicating. I left the same comment on MS since it's been a recent change. Btw, I'll be checking out your channel, as a fellow skeptic I've also taken in a lot of Mormon Stories (and Scientology exes) because I'm fascinated by how easily persuaded we humans can be by unverifiable assertions, especially when the result is against our own interest. We seem to be seeing more and more of this in our current confabulation of both suspicion and magical thinking. Since Mormons are so much in the news lately, I've been following a few court cases, so that's probably how your vid ended up in my feed. Good luck with your channel.
John probably already knows this who lose their faith completely, and become agnostic or atheist or generally people who have studied the Bible more most closely. Priests frequently lose their faith because of it.
One might think that people would have finally recognized by now that the earth is their heaven and the only religious teachings they need is "Thou shall not turn this heaven into a hell"🤔
I’m a never Mormon. Like you Cross Examiner, I was exposed to the Episcopalian version of Christianity; although, unlike your parents, my dad was very religious (in a non-fundamentalist way) and forced me to go to church every Sunday. I never really believed any of it. I read the Old Testament when I was 13 just because. I got a pretty bad impression of God from that. He seemed kinda mean, jealous, spiteful, and women got treated like s**t. Anyway- I listen to Mormon Stories and other similar podcasts because I want to try and understand what makes someone like my former stepbrother who seems pretty smart and down to earth, believe that the Earth was created 6000 years ago? Or what makes someone want to live their lives with so many arbitrary rules to follow and the constant fear of being damned for all Eternity? And why is it necessary to them for all the rest of us to go along with them? And where does that sadistic streak come from?
It's WRONG to have a Mormon therapist use the gospel in therapy is NOT good. My first therapist after I started running away just before I turned 16 due to a child hurter, getting me at 15, I looked 12, was evil. He had me stand on a chair while reading out of book of Mormon getting loud, I'm sobbing so hard, telling me to obey my parents and just religious crap. Never actually found out the real cause of my running away ect. It ruined and traumatized me SOOO much. A 32-year-old man I didn't really know talked me into running away the first time. Then it happened and of course I had NO idea what was going on. NO sex ed or anything of course. If I had had a decent real therapist like now things could have taken a whole different path in my life.
I don't think "Suffer the little children" means 'Adults, put up with the children' as stated by the host! Wasn't it something like "Suffer the little children, come unto me"? As in, little children who suffer come to me for care and protection.
Good question! The full verse is "And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God." Jesus is speaking to his adult disciple about children. The disciples don't think Jesus should bother with kid because, back then, they were just things...property. So, here, Jesus is correcting his disciples by telling them to "suffer," children which means "put up with" or "tolerate." So, here, he is telling adults something like "You should tolerate little children and don't prevent them from coming to me, because being in heaven is much like childhood." Hope this helps!
I’m confused. Christianity is at an all time low and organized religion is dying in the US. We are quickly becoming a secular society. Can you please describe and qualify what you are referring to as a rise in Christian nationalism?
Very simply summarized (there is more nuance and detail out there): As Christianity is becoming less common, the remaining group is becoming more insular and creating an echo chamber of dangerous ideas. Some of these individuals are willing to do anything to maintain Christianity as the state religion, because that is god's will (even though there is not supposed to be a state religion). For one recent example you can google Justice Alito's secret recording and how his religion is more important than law and order.
However, my exception to Jesus is his arrogance saying he is the way the truth and the light. This became obvious when stumbled on Luke 10:45. I happened to throw in the words my ass when he chastized Simon Peter for not kissing him.
I wish the Atheist Experience show was what you said it was. In reality there is far too many vicious attacks coming from Dillahunty and others. I still enjoy it, but there is a lot of ad hominem grossness.
Each host has their own style. Matt hasn't been a host for several years. I struggle to make sure that we have productive conversations without letting people preach. I stive to always avoid getting personal.
When you seek answers from the Book of Mormon instead of the Bible, God can't help you because you have turned your back on Him. Therefore this leaves the door open for Satan (II Corinthians 11:14-15) to step into your life with a false christ or prophet showing you signs and wonders to lead you away from the real Jesus of the Bible who is God the Son 2nd person of the Trinity and the Eternal Creator God. God Himself warns us about this in: MATTHEW 24: 23-24 "Then if anyone says to you, Look, here is the Christ! or There! do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect..." Mormons teach and believe that their jesus is the brother of Satan, which contradicts what God says in His Bible that Jesus is God the Son 2nd person of the Trinity and the Eternal Creator God. So Mormons, which Jesus do you believe in? A. Your jesus of the Book of Mormon, who is the brother of Satan. OR B. The Jesus of the Bible, who is God the Son 2nd person of the Trinity and the Eternal Creator God.
Why do you come here spouting scripture when, to us outsiders, it sounds like you are arguing over fan fiction. What evidence do you have that any of the supernatural claims in the Bible are real?
Obey Gods Commandments..NOT Man’s commandments. Religion and churches are man’s commandments! Jesus HimSelf Said..”Stop teaching for Doctrine the commandments of men.” Christians and Mormons don’t even know what Jesus Said! 😊❤
@@thecrossexaminer6665 God is Love and the Solar System if full of Love. It is There for us who Believe. God Loves me and Blesses me. He is non failing. Depending on a churches love or peoples love is extremely undependable. That which gives me Life is God. Many people simply believe it is themselves. Believe whatever you will! Or don’t believe at all. Fine with me. I Know what I Believe. 😇🥰
Respectfully, I asked, "Why do you believe X" and you just repeated that you believe X without explaining why you believe X. Put another way, why should I believe what you believe re: God?
I’m not falling for your lies. Sorry. Good luck standing before an accounting with the Savior some day If you were Satan which church would you fight against?? Oh, only the true one. Yup
MORMONS, THERE IS NO BAPTISM FOR THE DEAD. Scripture is very clear in stating that this life is the only chance we get. Once we die, our fate is sealed: HEBREWS 9:27 "it is the appointed for men to die once, and after that comes judgement." There are no "second chances" after death.
If you had listened, you would know that Dr. Dehlin doesn't identify as an atheist. As for speaking to the "evils of 'religion,'" we do discuss the bad things the LDS and other *churches* have done, but we also discuss the good things *religion* can inspire people to do. Ask yourself why you feel compelled to comment on a video without even watching it and, maybe, listen before instead of putting your fingers in your ears and walking away? Perhaps you would like my series entitled, "Why we care." In it, I give example after example of why atheists care about religion. ua-cam.com/video/KRntYK8YSIE/v-deo.html&ab_channel=TheCrossExaminer
Thank you, again, to Dr. John Dehlin! I hope you all enjoyed our conversation!
Great interview! Thanks!
Absolutely loved the conversation.
Mormon Stories saved my mental health when I first found out about the hidden history and toxic dogma of mormonism.
despite my handle which makes it seem like I am female. I am a male and was raised in the Mormon church. I served a full-time mission, was sealed in the temple and have served as the bishop of a metropolitan congregation 20-odd years ago. I left the church about 7 years ago after I uncovered the deceptive history and issues with key Mormon scripture thast I could not reconcile. Mormon Stories has been a key resource in helping me refocus my life. I still believe there is something that is driving existence. like a universal conciousness, but it is fundamentally unknowable and doesn't expect or demand anything of us.
Thank you for listening!
Just like crap in a toilet, I take John Dehin's words are worth and accordingly. He was on the Cristian Prince podcast and he claimed himself to be a Muslim, in the Muslim religion. The Quran is the inspired word of Satan! Now; how crazy is that?
So the God of the Bible can't exist unless Mormonism is true? Yes He can and Yes He does.
Yes, as a member now of the church, I didn't know that a lot of people in the church were not questioning the leaders, of the churches, compared to why they became members.
Because I myself was never ashamed to ask questions in something that I either never heard before or I needed to ask to further my understanding of what I, needed to research or really 🙏/ask God about it since I questioned My grandmother as a 5year old kid, after she forbade me and my brother Sauaso to go swimming on Sunday.
So that's why I always listened to God, by following Jesus now.
Since it's an every day teaching since I was a little kid
But I am very grateful God had me asked questions to my grandma, then. Which is how I learned to be his student since then. After my grandmother asked me to go ask God why He didn't want me to go swimming and playing on Sundays?.
Until I found out in 03/16/2022 at the Sunrise Hospital in Nevada Las Vegas in the ICU that I wasn't aware that I haven't really understood what #FollowingJesus means.
Oh and may I add what else my grandma said was, before I went to look for God in my church in Saoluafata Upolu Samoa to ask God my question was because She didn't know why God wrote the 10Commandments. N that would be good for me if I went and asked him for the both of us.
Because she too came from the old fashion way of obey but DoNotQuestionWhyWeHadToObeyGodsHolyBibleInTheFirstPlace. Meaning his 10Commandments.
N in this 06/15/2024, I am thankful to God's 10Commandments because I realized now of why his 10Commandments was written because cheating was one of those laws as a married woman whom was feeling like she had no one to trust after her trust was destroyed.
So now Jesus is the only faithful man/God.
Whom we can really fully trust instead of men whom are capable fleshly to fall from the godly/spiritual grace of God the Father.
Like some men in the Utah, Not LDS, but polygamy or men that John in the Podcast is talking about that are calling themselves gods, but lack everything that is really important to be a child of God and a follower of Jesus Christ.
Dr. John's Mormon Stories has actually changed my life for the better. It just feels so good and makes so much sense to my brain to simply tell the truth and I feel like a lot of people tell the truth on Mormon Stories. ❤️
Me Too🙏🏼🥰🙏🏼
This 2 part video is amazing! I'm a huge fan of Dr. John. His compassion, empathy, and work to support individuals leaving their high demand religion is amazing. Thank you for interviewing Dr. John. You now have another subscriber for your channel. ❤
Thanks for your kid word!
I read Nobody Knows My History in 1993 (I had joined the LDS in 1989 after marrying a Mormon). My resignation in November 2015 was a long time coming. Thanks to Mormon Stories for being the only people I could talk to in those first few years.
Yes! Mormon Stories has been a huge help in my deconstruction and in keeping me sane. (Also, it appears I married someone with the same last name as you 😉)
I'm one of those who always viewed John and the others as 'anti'. I interpreted the cognitive dissonance as if it were from Satan himself! (seriously) So I never could allow myself to watch, listen, or read anything that was contrary to my faith 🤦. All things 2020 finally allowed me the time needed for introspection on my own beliefs and values and I broke through with the help of Mormon stories, all the amazing exmo tiktok erst, and community outside of the faith!
Aside from finding and marrying my wife, leaving Mormonism is the best decision of my life!
Thank you for sharing!
Good job interviewer
Thanks!
I joined a group called Veterans For Peace which has been very therapeutic for my Mormon experience. I realize even the military has cultish dinamics.
They have a brotherhood/ sisterhood many do not find at home or later in life. They often become distant from family and clingecto veterans groups.
Mormonism is really fascinating. I revered LDS leaders when I was young. But after my mission for the church I was completely disillusioned and no longer believed any of the garbage
Outstanding discussion and presentation. Please do more interviews like this about people who have left high demand religions…these are important stories
Will do!
John is genuine and that goes a long way with what he does.
Really! He's claimed he was excommunicated by the Church, and he here claiming every Christian religion is in decline, but he claimed to be Muslim, in the Muslim religion. He's out promoting Islam, but the Quran is the inspired word of Satan!
Wonderful conversation! Long time MS listener and SO enjoying your content! I appreciate your perspective and mission!
Much appreciated!
I’m a huge Mormon Stories fan, as a former believer myself. Your interview of John is fantastic. Great questions and input. I’m following your channel now because I love your approach and topics.
Thank you so much for your kind words!
That was a perfect summary of why I enjoy Mormon Stories as a never-Mormon. Listening to each human story helps me navigate my own midlife crisis of meaning. I also love all the history deep dives. The Robert Rittner episodes on Egyptology were incredible - I’ve listened to the whole 13 hours more than once!
Thanks so much for listening!
Fine communication..much appreciated.
Our pleasure!
Be a solution to the problem you know is coming..that is how I see this interview. Both of you are the solutions to the problems that are coming from non-believers. Non-believers need the solutions you both are providing. As an ex-Mormon now Atheist, I have found many solutions to my problems of being an ex-Mormon now Atheist listening to podcasts like The Cross Examiner and Mormon Stories. So happy to see my two worlds connect with each other and discover how much we have in common with each other. Deconstructing can take years to accomplish...non-believers do not happen over night.
Thanks so much!
Dr. Dehlin and Margie are amazing people.
Loved this conversation, agree we need more like these 💜🌈
I love John's story. It meant a lot to me. When I was a member prior to 1989, I noticed a difference between "lifers " and "converts" which isn't very out there. But it came up in private Tupperware parties etc. That I heard about but wasn't invited to. I started noticing my callings were with small children. Converts I noticed were with the children not the youth or adults. We are were not trusted with doctrine.
I made a special point to make sure all my "inspired callings" were with the innocent children. I wanted to let each of them know they were loved just as they are ❤ and to protect them since I never was, born & raised in that "corporation " selfidentifying as tye "only true religion" albeit manmade. That's the only way i could manage to keep going till i just couldn't fake it anymore... so grateful for the people sharing truths these days 💞
Thanks, my friend. I am and agnostic leaning toward atheism, and like my friend John Dehlin, I am a Mormon by culture, in other words, a Mormon Boy. I am so glad you are here on line that I hope to learn and share much from and with you and your guests..
Thanks so much for your kind words!
I enjoyed listening to this very much. Mostly because of the respectful, logical, common sense approach that you both bring to the discussion. Human beings need to be open minded and respectful with one another if they are ever going to achieve peace or accomplish anything worthwhile. Thank you both. Very enlightening.
Thanks so much?
I love Mormon Stories. This was a great 2 Part Interview!
Thanks for your kind words!!
This is definitely one of my favorite interviews to get to know John a bit better. Love this guy. And I'm very glad to discover The Cross Examiner.
Glad you enjoyed it!
That was awesome! It's nice to hear him tell his own story.
This was an absolutely wonderful podcast. Thank you so much for doing this! I’ve been watching Mormon Stories and John Dehlin for a few years now and he has helped me tremendously in my deconstruction of Mormonism. I have now found the cross examiner and am so excited to watch/listen to his podcasts! So much of what you spoke about with John in these videos has resonated with me and I sincerely appreciate your thoughts and insight. Thank you both for all your hard work!
the grift of discernment
John… where do you go? I am in such despair. My whole world is crashing down. I don’t know what to do…
Don't worry! People still exist after the video ends! :-)
Only thing to do is to get down on your knees and talk to God regularly. You will receive answers 🙏
What evidence convinced you that there are any gods?
Amen Dr. Dehlin. From a never Mormon.
Found your channel via this interview and subscribed.
Glad to see there are people doing this--what you are doing to help people free their own minds, and bringing greater good to society.
Thank you both!
Thank so much!
Dr. Dehlin described it perfectly--we see our own faith crisis/journey in his and the stories of his guest. Excellent interview. Thank you.
Thanks so much!
Never mormon here. For me a lot of ex-mormon stories (especially the way alyssa grenfell talks about hers) remind me of my experiences as a trans man when i was struggling to figure out what to do. They're stories of selfdiscovery. And i've always liked coming out stories. Real or fiction. And originally i found that in lgbtq stories. Only now i'm realizing that concept isn't exclusive to lgbt.
Anyway, the idea of figuring out who you are and then presenting that to the world and seeing a reaction to that is just fascinating. And seeing others experiences with that helps put my own into perspective.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts! It's always surprisingly rewarding when I hear people draw parallels to their own experience that I never even considered!
That's interesting about Mormons being so eager to leave and talk about it especially in relation to other high-demand religions. I'm sure there are at least several variables that led to this phenomena.
We did the same thing on my mission in the Patagonia of Argentina. They wanted to create a stake but couldn't get people to be baptized. So we baptized a lot of kids and also adults that would come play soccer with us. They didn't know what we were doing but we got them on the rolls. And they formed the Neuquen stake
Thanks for sharing. How do you feel about that, now?
@@thecrossexaminer6665 I feel like shit really because I lied to the people I grew to love in Argentina. We had to teach 40 discussions a week memorize the 1st discussion and stop people in the streets and give it to them. We could not go to the museums or get to know the culture. Like I was there and Israel arrested 2 of Hitlers generals in Bareloche Argentina. England bombed a city I was in during the Falkland war we could not go to the museum. I did not get to know the history or culture of Argentina. Just baptize teach your here to baptize and nothing else. I am getting married to my girlfriend in Lima Peru in August and heading to Cusco but while working in Peru and visiting Peru I have gotten to know the people's history and they are a wonderful culture.
I understand how you feel. It sucks, but that was a time in your life when people were taking advantage of a very young and trusting version of you. On the bright side, I am glad you got to experience a different culture!
@@thecrossexaminer6665 Yes even though it was cold and windy seeing penguins, sea lions, elephant seals, andes condors. Where they think Hitler went to and they found 2 of his generals living in Bareloche Argentina and took them to Israel to be tried for war crimes. My fiancee is the best thing about my mission. I'm fluent in Spanish still and my fiancee is Peruvian and the most beautiful woman. We are getting married on August 2nd and going to Machupichu for our honeymoon. But she just got her nose and breasts done as a wedding gift. Her ex broke her nose and after having 3 wonderful daughters and breastfeeding she wanted them lifted.
TMI
To get to the other bride?😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂Subscribed just on that😂😂😂❤❤❤
Thank you. Am African American xlds. ❤ u still chuckling...
Well that was quick. Thanks for hosting this.
I have been listening to Mormon Stories for a couple of years and I love it. This was a great interview
As an orthodox Mormon for over 40 years, Dr John Dehlin’s podcast has helped heal my broken heart and piece back together my shattered identity. I will forever be grateful for his work.
I am so sorry the church did that to you!
This feels so genuine, loving the honesty.
❓❓❓ As a never-Mormon, am I understanding that just because someone is baptized that’s it you’re Mormon and your “membership” is recorded and your name appears in the records? Is that correct❓❓❓
Absolutely!! Even if you haven't attended in years they keep your name on the records, and they'll keep your name on the book until your 110th birthday, just to inflate the numbers even more. They do everything they can to keep up appearance of growth.
@@ladrac198 Thank you for the clarification.
@@cathyweisner2683 This is common to most religions, additionally in all fairness it is actually hard to know who is still alive, still lives in this town, does or does not consider themselves a member, and who may want to come back. Additionally, every year millions request Church records! Now that should change because of the computer generation however many historically request baptism records, marriage records, and funeral records. Some for religious reasons, some for family search, some for legal cases.
You can ask to have your name removed though, but I think a lot of people don't and the church doesn't investigate, since they want the numbers.
45:00 if you want to see similar stories with similar church deconstruction but from an evangelical standpoint, check out Rhett and Links spiritual deconstruction series, has yearly updates.
Has anyone watched Margi Dehlin’s Mormon story called “coming home to myself”?
Poor lady.
I very much enjoyed the insight in this discussion. Thank you!
One of the aspects of mormonism that has always struck a chord with me is the concept of the Natural Man, that we have innate spiritual qualities and human weakness which we are meant to enhance and overcome, respectively, throughout life.
In practice, though, I often see this teaching corrupted to promote the status quo. You see a similar pattern with the fruits doctrine-truth and goodness are attributed based on the identity of the actor, not the intrinsic qualities of the action. And then you layer on the power dynamic, that discourages self-correction within the system…it’s absolutely tragic.
Really enjoyed it.
Glad you enjoyed it
This is all fantastic, but it was the bit when you said you're a Broadway fan that sent me scrambling for the "subscribe" button.
Thanks! May I suggest my ongoing series on Faith healing? In Part 3 of that series, I do a montage of various portrayals of children in culture over time and I play a good number of clips form musicals! Heres' the playlist: ua-cam.com/video/c5Om4SlvDMU/v-deo.html&ab_channel=TheCrossExaminer
Great interview!
Thank you!
Are you by any chance from Washington?
@@andreapatton1054 Utah
Wow oh wow John, what a personal history. That wasen't easy I'm sure. But the outcome has been great. Because look where you are now, able to help thousands of people who are questioning Mormonism. I for one haven't been listening to your show for a very long time YET !!.. But I have benefited so much from your broadcasts. I'm sure you have helped thousands of people. After they have left the Mormon Church. Or are considering leaving the Mormon Church. Thank You for all that you've done. And all that you're sharing 👍
Thanks!
I'm an ex-mormon atheist. I also think that Jesus is a mythical character and didn't exist. The answer to the mysteries of the universe will forever remain an enigma.
Thanks for listening!
Great interviewer. Passionate guest. Thank you!
Holy s*** I never thought about Tangled like that!
Yes, the fairy tale of Rapunzel is all about the constructed reality in which she is trapped!
Tangled explained that way, blew my mind. Must be why it always did, and still does, resonate with me.
I agree that the Mormon Stories podcast gives hope that we can move back away from authoritarianism. I feel quite scared about white white nationalist Christians are capable of politically and perhaps forcefully. When I hear the people on Mormon Stories talk about their journeys out of authoritarian organizations, it gives me hope that we can go back to being more moderate.
Thanks for your thoughts!
It's true honesty is not a virtue of the church anymore. If you are truly honest you get punished.
I see this is a few days old but I hope you see this. According to Aaron from Growing Up In Scientology, YT is no longer monetizing multi-streams. Just letting you know. You have to modify it in some way and post separately or neither channel gets monetized.
Thanks! These are prerecorded and I add my own intro and outro. Also, I don't monetize my channel at this time. Appreciate your feedback!
@@thecrossexaminer6665 I see. That should work as long as it's not streaming the same content. YT is always changing their rules and not that great at communicating. I left the same comment on MS since it's been a recent change. Btw, I'll be checking out your channel, as a fellow skeptic I've also taken in a lot of Mormon Stories (and Scientology exes) because I'm fascinated by how easily persuaded we humans can be by unverifiable assertions, especially when the result is against our own interest. We seem to be seeing more and more of this in our current confabulation of both suspicion and magical thinking. Since Mormons are so much in the news lately, I've been following a few court cases, so that's probably how your vid ended up in my feed. Good luck with your channel.
Thanks so much!
It’s not necessarily religious sense so much as it’s a spiritual sense
John probably already knows this who lose their faith completely, and become agnostic or atheist or generally people who have studied the Bible more most closely. Priests frequently lose their faith because of it.
True!
One might think that people would have finally recognized by now that the earth is their heaven and the only religious teachings they need is "Thou shall not turn this heaven into a hell"🤔
I’m a never Mormon. Like you Cross Examiner, I was exposed to the Episcopalian version of Christianity; although, unlike your parents, my dad was very religious (in a non-fundamentalist way) and forced me to go to church every Sunday. I never really believed any of it. I read the Old Testament when I was 13 just because. I got a pretty bad impression of God from that. He seemed kinda mean, jealous, spiteful, and women got treated like s**t. Anyway- I listen to Mormon Stories and other similar podcasts because I want to try and understand what makes someone like my former stepbrother who seems pretty smart and down to earth, believe that the Earth was created 6000 years ago? Or what makes someone want to live their lives with so many arbitrary rules to follow and the constant fear of being damned for all Eternity? And why is it necessary to them for all the rest of us to go along with them? And where does that sadistic streak come from?
Thanks for your thoughts!
It's WRONG to have a Mormon therapist use the gospel in therapy is NOT good. My first therapist after I started running away just before I turned 16 due to a child hurter, getting me at 15, I looked 12, was evil. He had me stand on a chair while reading out of book of Mormon getting loud, I'm sobbing so hard, telling me to obey my parents and just religious crap. Never actually found out the real cause of my running away ect. It ruined and traumatized me SOOO much. A 32-year-old man I didn't really know talked me into running away the first time. Then it happened and of course I had NO idea what was going on. NO sex ed or anything of course. If I had had a decent real therapist like now things could have taken a whole different path in my life.
I don't think "Suffer the little children" means 'Adults, put up with the children' as stated by the host! Wasn't it something like "Suffer the little children, come unto me"? As in, little children who suffer come to me for care and protection.
Good question! The full verse is "And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them.
But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God."
Jesus is speaking to his adult disciple about children. The disciples don't think Jesus should bother with kid because, back then, they were just things...property. So, here, Jesus is correcting his disciples by telling them to "suffer," children which means "put up with" or "tolerate." So, here, he is telling adults something like "You should tolerate little children and don't prevent them from coming to me, because being in heaven is much like childhood."
Hope this helps!
@@thecrossexaminer6665 Thank you for that. I didn't know the full verse. I stand corrected. 👍
👍😎👍
That’s why we have a rainbow he put it there ,because of Flood supposedly . It seems like it’s a fantasy.
Fantasy seems much more likely, I agree!
I’m confused. Christianity is at an all time low and organized religion is dying in the US. We are quickly becoming a secular society. Can you please describe and qualify what you are referring to as a rise in Christian nationalism?
Are you familiar with the Jan 6 insurrection?
Very simply summarized (there is more nuance and detail out there): As Christianity is becoming less common, the remaining group is becoming more insular and creating an echo chamber of dangerous ideas. Some of these individuals are willing to do anything to maintain Christianity as the state religion, because that is god's will (even though there is not supposed to be a state religion).
For one recent example you can google Justice Alito's secret recording and how his religion is more important than law and order.
Sure ask any Trump s upporter
If the main quest is to join the one true church, why did god clearly spend SO MUCH MORE time developing the side quests and content??? 😂😂😂😂
I know, right? By the time you are done with the side quests, you will be like level 100 and the main quest will be too simple for you!
However, my exception to Jesus is his arrogance saying he is the way the truth and the light. This became obvious when stumbled on Luke 10:45. I happened to throw in the words my ass when he chastized Simon Peter for not kissing him.
Luke 10:45?? Is that a typo? There is no verse 45.
Not sure what you mean, here.
I wish the Atheist Experience show was what you said it was. In reality there is far too many vicious attacks coming from Dillahunty and others. I still enjoy it, but there is a lot of ad hominem grossness.
Each host has their own style. Matt hasn't been a host for several years. I struggle to make sure that we have productive conversations without letting people preach. I stive to always avoid getting personal.
When you seek answers from the Book of Mormon instead of the Bible, God can't help you because you have turned your back on Him. Therefore this leaves the door open for Satan (II Corinthians 11:14-15) to step into your life with a false christ or prophet showing you signs and wonders to lead you away from the real Jesus of the Bible who is God the Son 2nd person of the Trinity and the Eternal Creator God. God Himself warns us about this in: MATTHEW 24: 23-24
"Then if anyone says to you, Look, here is the Christ! or There! do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect..."
Mormons teach and believe that their jesus is the brother of Satan, which contradicts what God says in His Bible that Jesus is God the Son 2nd person of the Trinity and the Eternal Creator God.
So Mormons, which Jesus do you believe in?
A. Your jesus of the Book of Mormon, who is the brother of Satan.
OR
B. The Jesus of the Bible, who is God the Son 2nd person of the Trinity and the Eternal Creator God.
Why do you come here spouting scripture when, to us outsiders, it sounds like you are arguing over fan fiction. What evidence do you have that any of the supernatural claims in the Bible are real?
Obey Gods Commandments..NOT Man’s commandments. Religion and churches are man’s commandments! Jesus HimSelf Said..”Stop teaching for Doctrine the commandments of men.” Christians and Mormons don’t even know what Jesus Said! 😊❤
How do you know that there is a god? Even if we grant that we can know that there is a god, how do you know what it wants you to do?
@@thecrossexaminer6665
I don’t! Nobody does. It is a Belief. But I Know there is a voice within me who tells me the Right thing to do.
Why do you believe that that instinct towards good act means that there is a god?
@@thecrossexaminer6665
God is Love and the Solar System if full of Love. It is There for us who Believe. God Loves me and Blesses me. He is non failing. Depending on a churches love or peoples love is extremely undependable. That which gives me Life is God. Many people simply believe it is themselves. Believe whatever you will! Or don’t believe at all. Fine with me. I Know what I Believe. 😇🥰
Respectfully, I asked, "Why do you believe X" and you just repeated that you believe X without explaining why you believe X. Put another way, why should I believe what you believe re: God?
I’m not falling for your lies. Sorry. Good luck standing before an accounting with the Savior some day If you were Satan which church would you fight against?? Oh, only the true one. Yup
Sorry to hear that you are not willing to question things.
MORMONS, THERE IS NO BAPTISM FOR THE DEAD.
Scripture is very clear in stating that this life is the only chance we get. Once we die, our fate is sealed:
HEBREWS 9:27
"it is the appointed for men to die once, and after that comes judgement."
There are no "second chances" after death.
What evidence do we have that any of the supernatural claims in the Bible are real? To outsiders, it sounds like you are arguing over fan fiction.
John Dillon is no doctor
You might want to start by spelling his name correctly. And Ph.D.'s were doctors before M.D.'s were.
i knOw tHE cHurCh iS trUE, bECAuse thE churcH SayS iT Is TruE.
Care to actually engage in adult discussion or are you just going to make obviously false claims and run away?
Two atheists talking about the evils of "religion". Yawwwn!
If you had listened, you would know that Dr. Dehlin doesn't identify as an atheist. As for speaking to the "evils of 'religion,'" we do discuss the bad things the LDS and other *churches* have done, but we also discuss the good things *religion* can inspire people to do. Ask yourself why you feel compelled to comment on a video without even watching it and, maybe, listen before instead of putting your fingers in your ears and walking away?
Perhaps you would like my series entitled, "Why we care." In it, I give example after example of why atheists care about religion. ua-cam.com/video/KRntYK8YSIE/v-deo.html&ab_channel=TheCrossExaminer
It’s not necessarily religious sense so much as it’s a spiritual sense