David Archuleta on His Experience of Coming Out in the Mormon Church

[penelopetaynt]

David Archuleta opens up on The Jennifer Hudson Show about his experience growing up religious and his journey to coming out. (TW: SUICIDE)

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The American Idol alum also talks about how he almost got married three times, coming to terms with his sexuality, and learning to love himself

Comments

[ladyserenity84]

I'm still tempted to call him Archie because of knowing him since AI Season 7. I'm glad he's in a better space now than before.

[xtinkerbellax]

Mormonism is particularly batshit, I feel horrible for people who grow up in really controlling sects of religion in general and it's way too common in the US.

[hallyujah]

They literally believe that ancient Hebrews sailed to America 2000 years before Colombus and that all these biblical events took place in the US midwest lmaooooo. I'm surprised it's not more popular in the US because it's basically "Jesus was actually American!" Joseph Smith flagrantly plagiarized huge portions of their scripture too.

There are ways to delineate between religions and cults and Mormonism blurs the line because donations/tithes to their church are compulsory and they will kick you out and condemn you to hell basically if you don't. I'm not aware of any sects of Christianity, Judaism or Islam that do that.

[blorpz]

the scientology show taught me a lot about disconnection and how that's a way of controlling people. lots of mormons do something similar. it's easy for me to say good riddance / gtfo, but it's tough when that's your whole world.

[nutmegdealer]

and they're racist. i will forever sideye non-whites, especially black people who choose to become mormon. and i don't mean the communities who've had a longterm missionary presence.

[yankeesarelove]

one of my good friends is also a gay Mormon and David has been really inspirational to him by coming out with his story. definitely has made him feel less alone <3

I never understood WHY my friend was still a Mormon, when they actively hate gay people, but that church really has a chokehold on them. it's their entire social life, all of their social circle - it's really really really hard to just leave that behind. it's so heartbreaking

[moronicus_kyla]

One reason why people stick with the religions that are actively oppressing them is the hope that if enough of them stick around, it can change the way things work. Most religions start out teaching general good values and it's all fine until you get into ~doctrine~ and encounter people (mostly church leaders) whose actions seemingly contradict basic compassion and decency. The church has changed over the centuries, so they hold out hope that maybe it'll happen in their lifetime, which is really fucking sad.

[hallyujah]

I also remember reading something interesting about religion and identity. Usually for one's happiness it's important that they live as their authentic selves, so not suppressing a part of one's identity and accepting yourself is crucial. Not being able to live as authentic is like this slow burn trauma. However, for LGBT people who are so ingrained or embedded within a religion or so devout, it can actually cause more trauma to leave a religious community then it is to stay. So it's actually "better" for some people's mental health to STAY. But it's so sad because it's choosing the lesser of two traumas. Not being loved for who you are but only for what you are pretending to be or what they want you to be. It's heartbreaking to me.

[yankeesarelove]

that is so so so sad :(

[ladychips]

poor guy. isn't mormonism the one that wants your family to cut you off if you leave?

[kary1591]

Jehova Witnesses do this too. Half my family is one and I’ve seen it happen plenty. I don’t know how my dad escaped that cult but I definitely count my blessings there.

[jinxeh13]

Depends on their ward, but sometimes.

There do seem to be varying degrees of how "strict" some wards are. I'm thinking about Mormon TikTok, so many "Mormon Influencers" dress in skinny jeans and crop tops and apparently that's fine...? But maybe they just use those people as recruiting tools, all, "look, we're capable of being normal, totally, come check us out," lol. I've also known ex-Mormons to still be close to friends and family that are still in the church, so I don't think every ward is like that.

Jehovah's Witnesses seem to be more strict about that, and more commonly "shun" ex members.

[beaucadeau]

mormon tiktok is 100% a recruiting tool. same with a lot of evangelical tok too lbr

[helloitsmeabby]

I read about this a couple of weeks ago. Good on him for stepping back from the church. It’s also great that his family is supportive of him.