Maybe this is overkill. I had to come to grips that Mormonism exhibited cult like behaviors and traits. Here is an essay I wrote as I worked through this. I can't tell you how painful it was to realize that, even if Mormonism was not a 100% bonefide cult, I had been manipulated to significant degrees by my parents and peers... without them even knowing it. This piece addresses it.
To see the most convincing case against Mormonism as a cult, scroll down to item #14 below.
Posted last year 2005 to an EX Mormon recovery board:
Disclaimer: I don't entirely believe that the Mormon church is a cult. I seriously studied it though and found evidence that suggest it could be significantly argued that it
is
a cult. I outline what I found below.
As a side note: In many ways, the US Marine Corp could also be construed as a cult. I actually believe the Marine Corp and AMWAY/QUIXAR are as much a cult as the Mormon church is. I don't know what that says. The fact remains that there definately ARE cults among us. The other blatantly obvious fact is that anyone inside a bonefide cult will never see his or her organization
as a cult
. Which is why I delved into this research:
Subject: "We are NOT a cult"... some observations on this Mormon statement
Date: Jan 19 2005
Recently, I finished Steve Hassan's book "Combating cult mind control". I looked to see if the Mormon church would be brought up as an example of a cult and it was not. The book focused more on the destructive cults like the Moonies, The Way, The people's temple (Jim Jones) etc. Hassan was a top Moonie recruiter for 2 or 3 years and after a debilitating accident, he was wrenched out of the Moonie cult and deprogrammed successfully. He never returned and has since spent his life deprogramming other cult members.
Throughout the book I drew cult parallel after cult parallel. Until I read this book, I never considered the Mormon church as a cult. I concluded that the church takes on many prevalent cult characteristics. The last chapter in particular hit me that my mission experience in Spain was the biggest parallel to Hassan's Moonie cult experience. The Mormon temple experience also takes on significant cult characteristics.
Here is my observation list... in progress of course:
1. In Temple worthiness recommend interviews, members are told that the interviewer represents Jesus and should answer all questions as if they were talking to Jesus. This is a break down of barriers designed to condition the member to completely submit to the Mormon church’s authority. Also, the temple worthiness factor by itself is a good example of exclusivity that many cults try to foster in purification rituals and the like.
2. Naked touching in the temple washing and anointing ritual also breaks down barriers, creates submission to church authority [This "eternal" (decreed by christ himself) ordinance was changed in Jan 2005]
3. A new, secret, name given to the new temple initiate suggests reassignment of identity
4. Temple endowment experience is hypnotic, produces a relaxed, even sleepy alpha like state for receptivity to church indoctrination, oaths, instruction, commitment. I observe it to be similar to the Moonie repetitive indoctrination sessions where chanting, singing, and long periods of lecturing happen.
5. Secret signs, tokens, passwords are required to be learned in order for the initiate to gain access into the Mormon heaven. If one does not have this exclusive information, they will be denied access past certain angels along the way back to God's presence. This is an element of control designed to produce exclusivity. Incidentally, one of the strictest requirements in Mormonism is the financial tithing requirement. If a Mormon does not pay a full 10% of his income to the Mormon church, he cannot enter the temple. If one does not enter the temple, he does not learn the secret handshakes and pass codes. Hence, he will be denied full access into the highest of Mormon heavens that includes being with his family for eternity. I find that particularily disturbing, as this could be seen as buying ones way into heaven.
6. Requirement to wear church approved underwear night and day, conditioned to believe they possess special protections. Another possible design to control behavior and mind set via exclusivity.
7. Strict tithing requirements. Yearly face to face confrontation with a high church authority to declare to him (as the lord’s representative) how much money the member was able to give to the church. In addition to monetary contribution, members are encouraged to give everything that the lord blesses you with even ones time and talents to the building up of the LDS church. This is a type of tithe on ones life. In addition to tithes, generous
fast offerings
are encouraged. Giving to other charities or worthy causes outside the church is heavily discouraged. The member intuitively knows that the tithing, fast offering, missionary funds and perpetual education funds must be donated to first... and only THEN should outside charities be considered. This type of cult characteristic, to me, falls under extreme duress to give only to the church organization. The member is even told that if the tithing is not "honest" they will literally be burned alive from the fires at Jesus' second coming.
8. Outsiders not permitted to enter the temple once it has been dedicated to Jesus. More exclusivity.
9. Most members believe Jesus literally walks the halls of the Mormon temples and no other buildings on earth receive this privilege. Mormon temples are considered to literally be Jesus' houses on this earth, The Houses of The Lord. There is only Faith promoting rumors to back this up of course. Yet it is a very strong and widely held belief in the church that this is so. More substance to "Our Mormon Church is the Only True Church".
10. There is a polarized Us vs. Them mentality. The LDS testimony conditions members to “know” based on feelings that they are the only ones on earth with the Truth or approved plan of God. Everyone else is wrong and must be saved or baptized into the LDS church. This doctrine goes as far as to maintain that every living human who has ever lived in this earth must be baptized. Even posthumously. While logically impossible, the doctrine is widely believed. God will figure it out. This rationality is supposed to support this impossibility
11. LDS church probably has more evidence to prove it false than it does to prove it true, yet members who delve into this and remain faithful to Mormonism see this "contra" evidence as a test of faith and God’s way of strengthening his "Elect". Members have been conditioned to never look at naysaying apostate material. This is very similar to the Jehovah's Witnesses and Moonie approach that outside information is evil and falls under satanic origins. Anything that could potentially deprogram a JW or Moonie is satanic as it leads that person away from God and ultimately places ones very eternal soul in peril. Family members, spouses, newspaper articles, radio... and ESPECIALLY the internet are all to be used carefully in protection of one's testimony.
12. Members are encouraged strongly to never look at “anti” literature. Yet early apostles encouraged the discovery of truth and preached openly that truth would stand up to highest degree of scrutiny. This was before damning evidences to the church's platform of ideology was widely known or even challenged. During this era, the church had a sense of infallibility as the saints were securely sequestered in the desert of Utah. Completely isolated from the outside world.
13. Bishop interviews are obsessed with sexual purity for the youth & missionaries. Young people are routinely screened several times a year on a one on one basis for participation in masturbation acts. Masturbation is seen as a chief detractor for spiritual growth. These screenings or "interviews" are conducted by a grown man holding Mormon authority. This happens in a closed room with all young males and females starting at age 13. Young people must disclose any sexual acts, even minor ones. This young person (male or female) believes they are talking to Jesus Christ's representative in these interviews. Lying to the bishop is equated to lying to Jesus. Adults have been told which sexual acts are permissible and which are not. Though, this is not consistent throughout the church.
14. Missions are extreme examples of Cult experience.
A. 80 hrs a week free labor (Missionary makes no money) in fact the missionary pays largely for his own meals, lodging, transportation and clothing out of his own pocket. The missionary is told that the 2 years in service is a "tithing" of the first 19 years of his life that God gave him/her.
B. When not working in field one is encouraged to read scripture & pray constantly. Other approved activities are studying and mastering more effective conversion tactics. Role playing is done to become conversant in how to defend the Mormon faith in all aspects.
C. High amounts of self-indoctrination and mass indoctrination at zone and district meetings. Guilt tactics are known to be used. If low recruit numbers are happening, the missionary is frequently blamed for not working hard enough. Reasons for low recruit numbers are tied to unlikely reasons such as a lack of focal dedication or commitment to mission rules or even a suggestion that too many missionaries were masturbating too frequently in the past month. I find this to be a gross abuse of mind control.
D. Encouraged to frequently recite scripture and hymns, carry a prayer in ones heart at all times so as to fortify ones efforts to keep rules, remain "sanctified to the cause" and not have impure thoughts or masturbate. Missionaries are encouraged constantly to "cleanse the inner vessle" because impure "vessels" are ineffective conduits for the spirit of the Lord to reach potential recruits. I found that doctrine to be a gross abuse of the mind. No matter what the missionary did or did not do, he could always be blamed for his lack of success. Euphoria often came to the successful missionary. Baptisms gave the missionary "signs" that his efforts were being rewarded by God. Missionaries who did not baptise on their missions often experience significant degrees of frustrating introspective moments. Many become depressed. Especially when that missionary believes they are following the rules and regulations. They feel like God is not rewarding their diligence for a reason and may seek out more complicated ways to be more obedient.
E. No outside media influences, no TV, no radio. Ever. Not even newspapers.
F. Must always be with companion except for showers and toilet
G. Confined to one area in the city, not permitted to go outside geographic boundaries. Ever. Unless a missionary conference (a type of spiritual rally) is scheduled. This travel requires permission.
H. Extremely limited contact with family is strictly controlled, letters once a week, no phone call home but twice a year on Christmas and Mother's day.
I. Primary job is to recruit new members, give the prospect sanitized "milk" doctrines only and NO meat doctrine. Deception (by only telling the rewritten version of the church's history and doctrine) is encouraged most often without the missionary NOT knowing he is testifying to untruths. If the missionary has not come to grips that he "knows" that the Mormon church is the only True Church on the face of the earth, he is encouraged to testify to new potential recruits regardless and that he will eventually feel some feeling that will tell him that the Mormon church is indeed the Only True Church of God. This could be an example of self-indoctrination technique found in many One and Only True Churches. I have numerous examples.
J. Every person met is sized up as potential recruit,.. and relationships are discarded or severed when the individual proves he is not interested in joining. This is jusitifed with a mind set that "The Field (the missionary's city) is ripe, all ready to harvest". Each missionary generally has an urgency to find the souls that they "know" god is preparing for them to convert.
K. Current members are badgered for referrals for new recruits, friends and neighbors
L. Loaded language and Mormon specific acronyms abound. The mission has a similar structure to rigid military chain of command. Missionaries place themselves in subordination accordingly. Obedience is stressed as the pinnacle and paramount objective. If one is not a successful missionary, he is told he is likely not obedient enough. Missionaries are required to carry with them at all times, in their front left shirt pocket a white 3 inch by 3 inch copy of missionary regulations and rules. This mini pocket book is called "The White Bible". Missionaries are supposed to read it once a month at least.
M. Missionaries are required to write a letter to the Mission president every week without fail. They are encouraged to report any abuse or out of step activity by their mission companion. They are supposed to divulge their inner most thoughts and report on personal progress towards goals set with this president. If the missionary is found to masturbate, he is required to discuss his failings or successes (abstainment) with this topic in the letter.
15. If one ever leaves the church, they are told and conditioned to think they will be sent to outer darkness in the afterlife. There is a fear of imminent damnation if they leave the group.
16. One man (the prophet figure) speaks for God. Members see this as extremely positive as they believe the prophet will never lead them astray. When confronted that prior prophets in history have been wrong or even preached harmful doctrine that was widely held up as God's word (racial discrimination) the member quickly dismisses this. This is supported by the perceived good works the church produces and the notion that Mormonism produces good people and strong families.
Subject: Additional thoughts, Why LDS church not considered a "destructive" cult...
Date: Jan 19 18:11
Author: Noggin
After posting my thoughts, I have been thinking as to why the LDS church is not considered a destructive cult. I can only come up with this:
It must be the family aspect of the church. Destructive cults like the Moonies, The Way, People's temple recruit individuals and isolate them from family, friends etc. The LDS church is not like this per se. I can see the reaction from nonmember families who have a child join the LDS church. They would likely see their child joining a Moonie type cult. There is no getting around that.
But for the multi generational Mormon family, the destructive cult personality is merely a "way of life". Uncle Larry and Aunt Millie are all Mormon. Everyone is also Mormon in this familial environment...
The church does promote family values and unity. No one can deny that the family is paramount within the church. I know, there are many here that would dispute the church's fame for family values... for some of the following reasons:
1. The parents are kept busy all week with various callings and assignments (home/visiting teaching, callings, service assignments, Cannery, sugar beet farm, chicken farm or any other LDS owned business service, cleaning the chapel, moving entire households w/ furniture in and out of the ward, visiting the sick). Some of these items are not in and of themselves bad things. I believe in serving outside of ones self. But the implication that these items are required and the guilt associated with NOT doing them or turning down an opportunity to do them is what I consider cult like. There should be no guilt. Anyhow. Guilt does abound in the church in excessive amounts. Hence the stats for Prozac type drugs in Utah are excessively high. Bottom line if the parents are busy being bishops and relief society presidents the kids get left on the back burner. This is most unfortunate. This was my experience growing up.
2. Sexual abuse has happened in the church, and in LDS families. Thus a black mark could be assigned to the church on this alone. I am not sure how far above average occurrence this abuse is happening. I don't deny it happens but the question could be is the LDS church more guilty than normal. Caveat. I am not saying sex abuse is normal. I abhor sex abuse. I think I am clear as to what I am saying. Definitely, sex abuse negates the family values.
3. Families are Forever yet if one of your family members leaves the church or becomes wayward, there is a definite tendency for the still devout Mormon portion of the family to shun the "straying" family member. This is hypocritical even though article of faith #10 says [Mormons] believe that all can worship however they please. Such intolerance and hypocrisy puts into question the true groupthink of Mormon family values.
There are many more reasons I am sure. I am just trying to display an open approach to this.
So I guess while not necessarily a destructive cult, what I am concluding is that it is a Cult... for the entire family.
Thoughts and comments appreciated
Noggin
