As someone who as left (and has, for the most part, left the church alone), I found this well-articulated and thought-provoking, so thank you for that. I’m wondering how many of the devout will be able to take it to heart. (Your point would be true for many religions that tend to be insular.) This is an equally important question to ponder: “Why can’t (many) Mormons leave those who left the church alone?” More importantly, why can’t they leave them alone, accept them as whole and beautiful human beings and continue to love them and be in relationship? (Actually, that is probably a rhetorical question, because having been raised in the church and in a strongly Mormon community, I think know the answer. )

I did have a major objection to one comment in our article, however, because it encourages manipulative intention and action, as opposed to a sincere desire to bridge a gap and facilitate true understanding:

“And even if they don’t make you more sympathetic (i.e., if you don’t actually believe they are true), they might at least help you understand and talk to your loved ones better (thus increasing the likelihood of convincing them to return to the fold. So, good plan, right?).”