I'm surprised to be the first to comment. I have had a wonderful support group in postmormon.org. It has been a blessing and I am so glad to be able to share and read other experiences from people who have left the LDS Church or are in the process of leaving.

Postmormon has given me a venue to freely express myself without any repurcussions from so-called Church authority. If only the LDS Church would permit members who ask questions to do so without any fear of reprisal, such as excommunication.

Postmormon has been honest about how it represents itself, yet I cannot say the same for the LDS Church. I have felt lied to, betrayed and used. I no longer have to live with that fear, guilt and expectations of not ever being able measure up to the LDS Church's ever rising bar.

The truth does set you free, and I feel free at last to worship how, where or what I may and allow all other people to do the same.

I too am surprised at the lack of comment about this article. I think it is wonderful that a warm community exists that the free thinker can call home.

After 28 years of LDS membership, I left 15 years ago. My extended inlaws are still active. I wish that I had the resolve to be as kind and generous as Mr. Ricks is to those remaining within the membership ranks. - alas I am not. I have found that the mean-spiritedness and unbelievably rancerous anger of Mormons, when exposed to the undeniable truth and facts of their "faith" completely disgusts me beyond any sympathy that I can muster for them. All too often they regard my polite silence as an unspoken acquiescence to their "knowledge" of the truth! Their somber looks of pity over my "fall from the truth" makes me want to just slap them silly! (Sorry! I don't mean to be offensive, but I do feel that burning in my bosom over it!) As far as I am concerened, the Federal Government should slap an injunction against the Church as a whole and make it stick with the undeniable facts of their criminal activities since the time of Joseph Smith and continuing through to today. Of course it won't happen, but I can always dream of a fair and just world, right?