Those who don’t have experience with the Church of Latter Day Saints have been questioning why exactly legal representation should be necessary to leave the faith. When it comes to the majority of churches, you simply stop attending them. The Mormon Church is different.
Unless you are legally removed from their rolls, the church makes the process as difficult as possible and they refuse to stop harassing you. According to reports, they will bother your friends, family and neighbors for years, and attempt to enlist their help in bringing you back into the fold. Without an official legal extrication, church officials can continue the harassment years down the line, seemingly at random, and potentially for the rest of your life.
Leisha and Amanda LaCrone, a lesbian couple with five children, were both raised in Mormon families. Leisha thought that she was excommunicated 15 years ago, only to recently receive a threatening letter demanding obedience to her former religion.
The Bishropic is considering formal disciplinary action in your behalf, including the possibility of disfellowshipment or excommunication, because you are reported to have participated in conduct unbecoming a member of the Church.
When the letter failed in its desired effect, the church escalated to phone calls asking her to meet with the Bishop. They even sent church members to her family’s home carrying accusatory letters. All of this because she left the church 15 years ago and most of all, she is a lesbian.
“I was pretty angry when I opened it, not understanding why they want us to go to this church court when we don’t attend church,” Leisha said.
Leisha posted the letter on Facebook, which has been shared thousands of times. After declining to attend the disciplinary council, which the Mormon church attempted to bully her into, she has not heard from the church since. However, without being legally removed from their rolls, any ex-mormon can be contacted and harassed in this manner at any time.
[Patheos]
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