Seth Payne

Seth Payne is a life-long member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and a proud theological liberal. In 2008, Seth graduated Magna Cum Laude from Yale University with an M.A. in Religion. At Yale, Seth focused his studies on theological and political ethics as well as Mormon Studies. Seth’s academic interest remains centered on practical ethics and their real-world application and, as a member of the American Academy of Religion, Seth has presented several papers on these topics at regional meetings over the past several years.

Ex-Mormon Narratives and Pastoral Apologetics

Articles/Essays – Volume 46, No. 4

The personal exit from any organization, especially those which are socially controversial, tends to produce a very specific type of narrative or story which gives an account of the individual’s experience within, and eventual withdrawal from, the organization. This is especially true in the case of modern Mormonism. Vocal ex-Mormons are often motivated to produce and disseminate exit narratives, often written in the context of pop-psychological terminology such as recovery (e.g. “Recovery from Mormonism”), which describe in various ways their victimization at the hands of Mormonism generally and their subsequent movement from being victims to victors.

Letters to the Editor

Articles/Essays – Volume 47, No. 2

Ryan T. Cruger, “Apostates,” “Anti-Mormons,” and Other Problems in Seth Payne’s “Ex-Mormon Narratives and Pastoral Apologetics”
Seth Payne, Response