Throughout my life, I have observed a disturbing phenomenon among many former Mormons—particularly ex-Mormons who have walked away from the faith—an intense and oftentimes venomous hatred directed at the LDS Church's emphasis on purity culture. This rejection of purity culture, which prioritizes chastity, morality, and virtue, is not just a casual disagreement; it is something far deeper, rooted in spiritual confusion and spiritual rebellion. As an ex-Muslim turned Christian, I have come to understand that this hostility is far more than a product of bad experiences or disillusionment with the faith—it is rooted in a spiritual battle between the forces of good and evil.
For those who reject the concept of purity, their reasons go beyond mere skepticism of church doctrine; they often carry a profound animus against the very notion of self-restraint, virtue, and the sacredness of the body. Ex-Mormons, especially those who have moved into more secular or atheistic realms, seem to despise purity culture not simply because they disagree with its teachings, but because they are often under the sway of an underlying spiritual darkness. This bitterness is amplified by their journey of rejecting not only a religious tradition but, in many cases, any higher moral order altogether.
As someone who has been immersed in both Islamic and Christian traditions, I see a clear parallel between the way ex-Mormons view purity culture and the rebellious attitudes seen in those who reject the moral code of the Bible. Many of these individuals are not rejecting the Church or its culture merely because of personal failure or frustration with its tenets. They are rejecting it because it forces them to confront their moral failings and, more profoundly, their rebellion against God's order.
Purity culture, at its core, is a reflection of the divine design for human sexuality and relationships. It holds that human beings should strive for moral excellence, resisting the urges of the flesh in favor of building sacred relationships and cultivating virtue. The biblical principles behind these teachings are not arbitrary or prudish, but are designed to protect the soul from the destructive forces of sin. It is no surprise, then, that those who have turned away from faith—and particularly those who have rejected moral teachings in favor of self-indulgence—are naturally antagonistic toward anything that reminds them of their spiritual rebellion.
This pattern of hatred is not exclusive to Mormons or ex-Mormons; it extends across the spectrum of former believers who leave behind a purer path in search of freedom, often at the cost of their own souls. In many ways, their hostility toward purity culture is a reflection of their inner conflict—a fight between their desire for worldly pleasures and their deeper knowledge that what they are pursuing leads to spiritual destruction.
I do not blame these individuals as much as I pity them. As a former Muslim who was lost in darkness, I know what it is like to fight against the truth because it makes you uncomfortable. I know the bitterness that arises when you are faced with a standard of righteousness you know you are not living up to. Yet, through my journey from Islam to Christianity, I have learned that embracing purity culture—the culture of self-restraint and moral integrity—leads to a far richer life, one full of peace, purpose, and eternal reward.
The ultimate rejection of purity culture—whether in Mormonism, Christianity, or any faith tradition—is the rejection of God's will. Those who hate purity culture are, at their core, rebelling against the divine order set forth by God. They may call it prudish or outdated, but what they are really rejecting is the structure that keeps the soul from succumbing to sin. The fight against purity culture is not merely a fight against the cultural norms of a religious institution; it is a fight against God Himself. And for that, I can only pray that they will see the light before it is too late.
Citations:
- Hill, M. (2022). Mormon Purity Culture: A Brief History of Mormon Teachings on Chastity. The Salt Lake Tribune.
- Smith, J. (2016). The Concept of Purity in LDS Doctrine. Deseret Book Publishing.
- Dallin H. Oaks. (2018). The Great Commandment: Love God and Love Your Neighbor. Ensign.
- Peterson, L. (2015). Cultural Rebellion and its Consequences. Journal of Faith and Culture, Vol. 22.
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