finding happiness without being Mormon

It makes me crazy sometimes thinking that MILLIONS of people are following a crackpot story invented by some con artist in the 1800's!  This guy figured out that a lot of people had an interest in treasure in his area and realized he could make a few buck's off of them.  He was a power/money hungry man that realized how gullible people are.  Did he ever know or realize that centuries later he would have affected MILLIONS?  I just want to jump on the rooftop and scream out to all my loved ones out there, "You don't have to live like that!"  

Happiness comes so much easier when you don't have to fit into a cookie cutter.  Guilt and shame and heartache float away with out it.  Why haven't I done this sooner?  The fear that leaving would damn me is gone.  I am amazed at how much happier I am, more than I ever was as a "member".  

You know how when you are a member they tell you that you should be so delighted to have the knowledge that you do, that you should want to shout it from the rooftops?  Well I never felt that way, and would often feel guilty for it.  Until now!!! I want to shout from the rooftops!  I want to pass out books!  I want to write articles, I want to share with my neighbors.  It is amazing the difference.  When True Blue Mormon loved ones and friends ask me why I left, I often don't even go into the reasons because it always ends in an argument and has on occasion ended friendships.  It is really tempting to try and "convert" them to my way of thinking.  My new thought on that subject is, let them find happiness their own way!

This is what freedom of religion is all about.  Everyone should be allowed to find happiness in their own way.  Mormons don't really support this idea within the church.  "Inactive's, or less actives, or ex-mormon" family members are ostracized if not by family, by everyone else.