Comments on: Leaving Mormonism: Michael’s Story

By: Sidney

Sidney — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 02:07:12 +0000

Thank you so much for this. I’ve recently left the church (and am also an atheist after careful consideration). I’m in the middle of most of the losses you went through, and I can’t tell you how much I appreciate knowing that not only am I not alone, but that there’s hope.

By: Robert

Robert — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 02:58:37 +0000

Michael:

Wow! I can’t believe I stumbled across your story. I’m currently a freshman at BYU and although its been three years in the making, the current pressure for me to begin my mission preparation caused me to confess to my parents and leaders that I am leaving the church. I live in Washington state and will be turning in my application to UW in a couple of days. How are you liking UW? What grade are you in now?

By: Friendly Atheist » Postitive Coverage for College Atheists

Friendly Atheist » Postitive Coverage for College Atheists — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 22:00:34 +0000

[...] Amini is another officer in the group and, as he’s shared with us before, he had a rough time coming out as an atheist: Unlike [group officer Alicia] Godersky and [...]

By: My Story on FriendlyAtheist.com | Fool me once...

My Story on FriendlyAtheist.com | Fool me once... — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 16:51:52 +0000

[...] Here it is – Leaving Mormonism: Michael’s Story [...]

By: abby

abby — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 22:15:33 +0000

Thank you so much for sharing your story!
After realizing that I no longer believed in the church, I had a short lived substance abuse problem. I now understand why-I felt lied to, alone depressed and lost. After overcoming this issue-it was hard for people to see past it.
I relate 100% to this statement:
“Mormons I knew, including my friends and family, began discrediting my de-conversion as a wanton desire for the bottle, drugs, and/or copious amounts of anonymous sex. Even when confronted face to face, they refused to believe that I had legitimate reasons to doubt the veracity of the Mormon church’s claims.”
I think the fact that my family will never trust me again is the hardest part. I wish you the best of luck in the years to come-thanks for sharing!

By: Green Oasis » A Mutually Loving Impasse

Green Oasis » A Mutually Loving Impasse — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 19:56:22 +0000

[...] So says Valerie Tarico in response to Michael’s story of leaving Mormonism. [...]

By: Friendly Atheist » Losing Faith Could Mean Losing Your Family

Friendly Atheist » Losing Faith Could Mean Losing Your Family — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 14:00:33 +0000

[...] I had previously posted about Michael Amini and his story of leaving the Mormon faith. [...]

By: Buffy

Buffy — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 06:49:32 +0000

Michael,

I admire your courage and am so sorry for all you suffered in leaving your faith. I wish you all the best.

By: When Leaving Jesus Means Losing Your Family | UW's Secular Student Union

When Leaving Jesus Means Losing Your Family | UW's Secular Student Union — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 01:15:27 +0000

[...] Leaving Jesus Means Losing Your Family When my Gen Y friend Michael confessed publicly that he couldn’t believe any longer, it cost him a full ride scholarship [...]

By: Jake Meador

Jake Meador — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 20:38:27 +0000

Michael – I have had a similar experience as well, though I grew up in an independent Bible church and today, perhaps against all odds, still believe in a form of Christianity, though it’s considerably different from that of my parents or the church in which I grew up.

In any event, I know the feelings you’re describing… feeling betrayed by people you’ve known your whole life, asking questions that no one will answer, feeling strait-jacketed by groundless dogma… it’s awful. I’m sorry you had to go through all that.

Best of luck with your endeavors at UW, I’ve been to Seattle before, it’s a beautiful city and one I wouldn’t mind moving to someday!

~jake