Here's a thing that bothers me about a lot of ex-Mormons. I don't have a problem with talking about crappy church policies and practices, ways that you were hurt by Mormon beliefs, or things that you think are wrong with the system. I don't have a problem with anger, because the kind of hurt a lot of Mormons experience at the hands of the church is something to be angry about. Expressing that anger is often a part of the healing process, and that's an important thing to do.
What I hate is when people talk about "old Tommy Monson" or "old Joe Smith," because there is absolutely nothing behind that but contempt and intentional disrespect. In Joseph Smith's case, it seems like a pretty deliberate reference to the way the Missouri mobs and anti-Mormons talked about him. In Thomas Monson's case—are you seriously calling an 85 year old man Tommy? He doesn't go by Tommy, and you don't know him personally. And since you know that faithful Mormons revere him so much that they feel disrespectful even taking out his middle initial, your use of that nickname seems even more vulgar by comparison.
It's just not necessary, okay? I understand the bitterness, hurt, and anger you might be feeling toward the church. I really do. But this kind of talk doesn't help anyone. A lot of ex- and unorthodox Mormons are working really, really hard to build bridges between themselves and the mainstream church. A lot of people are working really hard to bring about change that will make the church a more healthy place to be, and get people to understand that you don't have to fit the Perfect Mormon Mold to be a good person. I'm not one of those people, but I'm friends with them, and I respect them so much for what they're doing. You and I don't have to participate. But I think the decent thing to do is at least try to avoid making their job harder.
