We take much the same attitude.
As for colorcountry, apparently you overlooked Post #257 in which she writes,
I am neither dishonest nor disloyal. I was baptized at age eight (not exactly an age of consent) and remained where my family planted me. I now acknowledge that the fables of Mormonism are untrue, and tell that to everyone who will listen. I attend Christian Churches, but do not have a “membership” in any of them....I belong securely to Christ. He has chosen me.
Now tell me, what would be the Catholic Church's attitude toward someone who states that the "fables" of Catholicism are untrue, and tells that to everyone who will listen? Would such a person be considered a Catholic in good standing?
There are some fables even within the Catholic Faith. The Catholic Church (I would presume) would try to root out those fables and not try in annihilate the one who exposes them.
Unlike the Mormon Church which clings tightly to its fables and ousts anyone, and villifies anyone, who dare go against the hive. Sometimes the truth offends. Would you rather cut out the truth or the offender?
Do you think the Catholic Church would excommunicate a member who would stand up against the horrors of the Inquisition? Or the abuses of some of the early Popes? It doesn’t happen that way. The Catholic Church, unlike the Mormon Church WILL examine its past and rectify it.
Mormons won’t even admit that its early members committed atrocities, whoredoms and fornications. But let one of its “members” point it out, and they are instantly anathema. YOU have clearly pointed the LDS Church position out on this thread. I am not to be trusted. If I retain my membership - I am dishonest and disloyal. If I’ve renounced my membership - I am weak, sinful and apostate. If I have been excommunicated, it is for gross sinfulness or heresey. Do you see Logophile? I cannot win. I cannot reveal my membership status BECAUSE is opens me up to your labeling and gives you a foothold to attack my truthfulness, lifestyle and standing in my community.
Your methods are exactly that of a cultic organization. If one doesn’t stand fast in the dogma, one is kicked to the curb and vilified. Any knowledge that that “outed” person has attained is untrustworthy. The person becomes your target, and not whatever message or information they want to expose.
99% of FreeRepublic’s readers can see the clear evidence that Joseph Smith is a fraud - you cannot. Yet you call me dishonest and untrustworthy. I call you deluded. We’ll let the readers decide.
Ex-communication and charges of heresy are reserved for those who misrepresent their claims as the teaching of the Catholic Church, usually from a position of authority (the priesthood, academia, or elected officials who claim to represent Catholics). The problem is that most Catholics who do not accept the Catholic church’s teachings usually try to assert that theirs are the true teachings of the Catholic Church, which creates further heresies of denying the authority of the magisterium, restorationism, etc.
Colorcountry is very clear that her beliefs are not those of the Mormon church, and so it’s hard to imagine that Colorcountry is a heretic. The Catholic Church would probably recommend that someone who held so many opinions contrary to the Church refrain from communion, but this is hardly excommunication; quite the contrary: the Church asserts that following such an obedience while still seeking faith is a blessed act.
I would, however, suggest that Colorcountry may be harming herself by having one foot in and one foot out of the Mormon church. I’d suggest that if she believes in Christ, she should seek out the truth, but if she remains in the comfort of cultural Mormonism, she may rob herself of the impetus to do so. A journey of spiritual exploration may help her to resolve any ambiguities in her own heart.