Leaving the Fold: Candid Conversations With Inactive Mormons

Rating:
Summary: Informative, Challenging, Engaging.
Review: A singularly important book to help one better understand (or understand at all for some readers) an often misunderstood religion (Mormonism). More importantly, this book attempts to grasp the inner significance of why once devoted members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints ("Mormons") have chosen to no longer be an active follower of their church and, as well, no longer hold its doctrines as strongly. Recurring themes members express for "leaving the fold" of Mormonism -- believability of certain aspects of the historical/religious bases of the church, oppressive insularity of the Mormon community, a reluctance to accept/adapt to changes in contemporary society, an unyieldingly rigid doctrinal environment -- are also elements common to many religions with which their adherents, both the devote and the hesitant, seem to struggle. The deeply personal views expressed by these thoughtful, passionate people in their interviews offer the reader knowledge and understanding which transcend Mormonism. Regardless of ones religious persuasion or spiritual inclination, the honesty, patience, and sincere consideration presented by the 18 interviewees is heartening and thought-provoking. Having grown up a non-Mormon in the virtual heart of Mormonism (Salt Lake City, Utah) I found this book frighteningly revealing of my own long-simmering prejudices and ignorance. So, if the reader is willing to accept an adventure that may challenge their core values, and perhaps bring to life previously unquestioned thoughts, then get this book soon and begin the journey.

Rating:
Summary: Interesting, but narrow
Review: I bought this book hoping that it would provide a glimpse into why Mormons leave the LDS Church. While it did accomplish this objective in a limited sense, I was disappointed that include a majority of stories by what I consider to be "cultural Mormons" (born in the LDS Church but not practicing). I guess I was hoping for a view of Mormons who, after study and thought, left the church because of doctrinal differences, historical problems, and so on. Many in this book claimed that they had never read the "Book of Mormon" from cover to cover or had not read it seriously. So while the stories were interesting, many of the people in the book were never really "part of the fold" to begin with (head and heart -- never really "converted" to the Mormon faith).

Rating:
Summary: Those who left never really "part of the fold" to begin with
Review: I bought this book hoping that it would provide a glimpse into why Mormons leave the LDS Church. While it did accomplish this objective in a limited sense, I was disappointed that include a majority of stories by what I consider to be "cultural Mormons" (born in the LDS Church but not practicing). I guess I was hoping for a view of Mormons who, after study and thought, left the church because of doctrinal differences, historical problems, and so on. Many in this book claimed that they had never read the "Book of Mormon" from cover to cover or had not read it seriously. So while the stories were interesting, many of the people in the book were never really "part of the fold" to begin with (head and heart -- never really "converted" to the Mormon faith).

Rating:
Summary: Interesting, but narrow
Review: If you don't know anything about Mormon psychology, you'll find plenty of it in here, though it is only an accurate representation of generational, cultural, inactive, Utah Mormons, who are only one sub-culture of the entire church congregation. Most of the interviews are with people who have similar reasons for "leaving" the church (I use quotes because none of them have removed their names from the rosters and most still belief in at least part of the LDS doctrine), as well as similar backgrounds, similar family heritage, and similar general attitudes ... making the book feel a lot like the church itself: homogeneous. All the same, it is an interesting read, especially if you are Mormon (you'll get all their religious references), but not Utah Mormon (you'll be exposed to just how radically different they are from other Mormon sub-cultures). And yeah, I was raised Mormon. (This post by "girl in the box".)

Rating:
Summary: The Black Sheep also have a fold
Review: James Ure approaches a potentially volatile subject with ahuman touch. Glimpses into the lives of the less active leaves thesepeople still very much human and not the evil children of the devil that "jack-Mormons" often are viewed as.

Active Mormons view "jack Mormons" as not being totally lost causes because they still possess some redeemable qualities as they have not been excommunicated nor have resigned their membership in the church organization.

Hopefully, James Ure will author another book that visits the world of the ex-Mormons and treats them with the same respect he has allowed the "jack-Mormons. END

Rating:
Summary: Original, insightful, thoughtful, informative, candid.
Review: Leaving The Fold: Candid Conversations With Inactive Mormons is a unique work based on interviews conducted by James Ure with eighteen high-profile, once active men and women who ceased to be energetic participants with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, commonly referred to as the Mormon Church. Ure found that these lapsed Mormons had fond memories of the church, the reasons for their leaving ranged from politics of general and politics in general, to guilt over unachievable perfection, and an inability to accept the basic tenets of Mormonism. These thoughtful, often touching expressions by people who left active Mormonism to find their own personal path to salvation and meaningful life will enable their former Mormon neighbors, friends and colleagues to better understand their "wayward" friends. Leaving The Fold is original, insightful, thoughtful, informative, revealing, candid, engaging reading for students of religion in general, and Mormonism in particular.

Rating:
Summary: Interesting...More Discussion Is Needed
Review: Reading LEAVING THE FOLD was an interesting experience for me, and I certainly commend the author for assembling a book on this very complex subject.

I believe that there is a "hidden" complexity relative to LDS peoples'(and any other religion's adherents, for that matter) views toward their church. In other words, while many would like to believe that the issues are black-and-white (either one is a completely mainstream "cookie-cutter" member or they've abandoned the church altogether), the truth is that many shades of grey exist, and ambivilence is a widespread characteristic of religious faith in general...Mormonism is no exception.

Many elements enter into the way that Latter-day Saints look at their religion: Doctrine, social aspects, heritage, and life stages all play a profound role. If I have a complaint about LEAVING THE FOLD, it's that it seems to address a relatively narrow segment of society, with a relatively similar pattern of activity-inactivity transition. A "sequel" I'd like to see would include interviews from "inside the fold" itself, examples of people who had reached more varied conclusions about the role of the church in their lives, and discussions from a more diverse mix of people from around the world.

Altogether, though, LEAVING THE FOLD is an excellent effort that touches on an important topic.

Rating:
Summary: Interesting...More Discussion Is Needed
Review: Reading LEAVING THE FOLD was an interesting experience for me, and I certainly commend the author for assembling a book on this very complex subject.

I believe that there is a "hidden" complexity relative to LDS peoples'(and any other religion's adherents, for that matter) views toward their church. In other words, while many would like to believe that the issues are black-and-white (either one is a completely mainstream "cookie-cutter" member or they've abandoned the church altogether), the truth is that many shades of grey exist, and ambivilence is a widespread characteristic of religious faith in general...Mormonism is no exception.

Many elements enter into the way that Latter-day Saints look at their religion: Doctrine, social aspects, heritage, and life stages all play a profound role. If I have a complaint about LEAVING THE FOLD, it's that it seems to address a relatively narrow segment of society, with a relatively similar pattern of activity-inactivity transition. A "sequel" I'd like to see would include interviews from "inside the fold" itself, examples of people who had reached more varied conclusions about the role of the church in their lives, and discussions from a more diverse mix of people from around the world.

Altogether, though, LEAVING THE FOLD is an excellent effort that touches on an important topic.

Rating:
Summary: Target group too narrowly defined...
Review: Ure had a good idea for his work - why do prominent Mormon's leave the fold? However, the book's interviewees are, with one or two exceptions, Utah based academics, politicians or media types of the liberal political persuasion. Are there no prominent, lapsed Mormons holding "conservative" political views, in or out of Utah? No inventers? business achievers? While Ure has not tempted to draw political conclusions from his interviews, his book would be less vulnerable to being viewed as a political statement about Mormonism had he diversified his interviewee base politically and career-wise somewhat more effectively.

NOTE: The back cover promotional blurb refers to the interviewees being "lost sheep" in the eyes of their church. In the context of the New Testament parable about the "lost sheep," this is probably an inappropriate metaphor. In the New Testament parable, the shepard left his 99 sheep to go looking for the lost sheep. LDS leader - and shepard - Gordon B. Hinkley, however has said he is not interested in recovering his "lost sheep." Conversely, he boasts that for every new "lost sheep" that strays ten new ones are converted. "Mormon Exiles" is probably a more accurate way of describing Ure's subjects.

Rating:
Summary: A great book
Review: While the substantive content of this book is about Inactive Mormons, it could apply to anyone. I would characterize the book as telling a human story that transcends the Mormon experience, but that also is located in the unique Mormon experience.

What is unique about the Mormon version of this experience is the extent to which the people interviewed are dealing not only with a set of religious beliefs, but a culture that has dominated their lives and the lives of family and friends and the history of Utah. Yet the people in this book have to find ways of continuing to live in this culture. Many who have left the church continue to have good relationships with family and friends who remain active in the church, and even speak well of the church itself inspite of their problems with the church.

Jim Ure is not a professional social scientist. He is a person trying to make sense of his own experience by talking with people who have similar experiences. In the process Ure opens doors to many aspects of the experience of losing the faith.

Ure does not retell, analyze and make detailed comments on the stories of his informants, although he does give a short introduction to every chapter. Rather, Ure lets us read the stories as they were told to him. In the course of his conversations he often reveals things about his own experiences. He is not writing the definitive book on the subject. In fact, there are few in depth studies on this subject in the social science literature much less books that are written specifically for the general public. This is a good introduction to a complex topic, and should generate many interesting thoughts and discussions.

I found the interviews touching and intriguing on both a personal and a professional level. I am an ex-catholic. I am also a social scientist. I learned some things about myself, and I learned about some things that I will pursue in the future.